Question

explain the chain reaction
youve seen how one small change - like damage to clam shells - can cause big shifts across an entire ecosystem. but its not just happening in the ocean. land ecosystems are also deeply connected, and when one part changes, the effects can spread far and wide.
now its your turn to choose an environmental change - on land or in the ocean - and map out the chain reaction it could cause. scientists use this kind of thinking to predict how ecosystems will respond to change and to help communities protect both people and wildlife.

1. draw a flowchart which includes how your chosen change affects at least 4 living things in the ecosystem. use the box below and include:

a. 4 living things
b. how the living thing is affected in the steps.
c. use arrows to show the cause - and - effect steps which are connected (e.g., drought → plants dry out and die → herbivores have less food → predators struggle to find prey→

Explanation:

Let's choose deforestation as the environmental change. Deforestation reduces the habitat of many animals. Trees are cut down, which leads to a loss of shelter for birds. Without enough trees, soil erosion occurs more easily, affecting small - insects and worms that live in the soil. Herbivores that rely on the forest plants for food have less to eat. This, in turn, affects predators that hunt these herbivores.

Answer:

Deforestation → Loss of bird shelter → Soil erosion affecting soil - dwelling insects → Herbivores have less food → Predators struggle to find prey