ShareAlive or Not? - Change, Change, Change
Changes in an environment can affect living organisms. If you removed something from the environment, this action could destroy or damage living and nonliving things. For instance, some people drain wetlands so houses can be built. Once the wetlands are drained, where would all the animals that lived there go? Animals depend on water in which to live, drink, and find food. Insects, which are a source of food to larger animals, would die or go elsewhere. With no food around, the larger animals would have to leave to find food somewhere else. The food chain would eventually disappear in that area.
Scientists gather data by measuring temperature, light, and moisture.
You might ask, "Do fish like warm or cool water?" Observe different fish.
"How much water do plants like?" Experiment with plants using more or less water.
The hummingbird lives in warm temperatures. Let's predict what would happen if a hummingbird lived in a cold, wet environment?
Answer: Hummingbirds would die in a cold, wet environment because their body does not have the right insulation against the cold. Hummingbirds like lots of daylight. They need water to drink. Now you try it.
Look at the two pictures below. Predict what would happen to the owl if the light changed.
Most owls are nocturnal animals, which means they sleep during the day and hunt at night. Predict what would happen if owls were diurnal, active during the day and sleep at night.
Answer: Owls have better eyesight in the dark. The foods they eat are usually nocturnal too. Some owls can live in cold climates, but most like a warm, dry climate. They need enough water to drink.
This water bird lives in an environment that has lots of moisture. Why do you think it lives in this kind of habitat? Predict what would happen if this water bird lived in the desert?
Answer: Water birds find food that live in water. They could not find the right kinds of food in the desert. This kind of bird needs lots of water to live. They stay in water most of the time. The desert would be too hot and dry causing the bird to die.
