Activities

1. List five changes that may occur and change the environment.
   
   
2. When an animal’s environment changes, what are two things it could do to survive?

3. How will a forest ecosystem be affected if a river is polluted and many of the fish and plants near the river die?
   
   
4. Predict three effects that building a dam will have on a river ecosystem.

5. Write a letter to your state representative explaining the effects polluting a river can have on your community.  Include facts about how the pollution affects the land and animals that live near the river and how it will affect you and your community.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Examples include, but are not limited to: flood, fire, pollution, construction, drought
   
   
2. Examples include, but are not limited to: move to a new area, adapt

3. Acceptable responses might include, but are not limited to:

• If many animals and plants get sick or die, all of the other plants and animals in the ecosystem will lose a food source
• If many animals and plants get sick or die, all of the other plants and animals may become sick by eating unhealthy plants or animals.

4. Possible responses include, but are not limited to:

• Flooding
• Destroy animal habitats
• Destroy animal food sources
• Land pollution
• Water pollution

5. Student responses will vary, but should include information about how the construction of a dam will negatively affect the environment.  Topics addressed may include, but are not limited to:

• Water pollution
• Land pollution
• Flooding risks
• Destruction of animal habitats
• Destruction of animal food sources

Use this rubric to evaluate student responses.