How Can Environmental Change Affect Wildlife?

Environmental change refers to alterations in natural conditions, such as shifts in climate patterns or habitat degradation. These changes can significantly influence wildlife, causing various impacts on the animal kingdom. When the environment changes, it can disrupt the ecosystems that sustain wildlife, leading to ecosystem failure. For instance, deforestation can displace animals from their habitats and limit their access to food sources, making it challenging for them to thrive.

We believe it is essential that students learn the effects of both natural and human change on wildlife. This printable set of task cards is the perfect tool to get your students thinking and discussing how different environmental changes can affect wildlife in and around an ecosystem. We have included 24 cards with various scenarios that encourage students to determine the effects of a catastrophic event in a given environment. For example,

• What would happen if predatory birds moved into an area without natural predators?
• What would happen if a river running through farming land dried up?
• What would happen if a lake had an abnormally large algal bloom?

Multiple Uses for These Environmental Scenario Cards

This resource has been specifically designed to be used in a variety of ways, depending on your needs and those of your class. The download contains everything you need to implement this activity in your classroom. It includes:

• Instruction page
• 24 x task cards
• Recording sheet (spans three pages)

Using these pages, your students will be able to use this resource in the following ways:

1. Group Discussion Cards –Read each scenario. Discuss the situation as a group, then decide together on the most likely outcome in each scenario.
2. Task Cards – Read each scenario and think about what the likely outcome might be. Write your response on the recording sheet.

Download and Print This Environmental Impact Resource

You’re just a click away from getting your new resource! Use the Download menu to select the easy-print PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource. If you choose the Google Slides file, please note that you will be prompted to make a copy to your personal drive.

We recommend printing this resource on thick card for added durability.

This resource was created by Cassandra Friesen, a Teach Starter collaborator.

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