Ecosystem Changes: Drought

Study ecosystem changes with this drought-focused worksheet for fourth and fifth graders! Students will read a fictional scenario about ecosystem changes. Young scientists at the fourth- and fifth-grade level will describe how the ecosystem was healthy prior to the drought. Then, they’ll identify the biotic and abiotic parts of the ecosystem and predict how the ecosystem could further change if the drought continues.

This worksheet connects classroom ecosystem concepts to human impacts and community actions, encouraging students to practice scientific thinking and environmental stewardship in real life.

Want to keep exploring ecosystems? Ecosystem Changes: Amphibian Survival in Vernal Pools provides an opportunity to study drought’s impact on a specific animal. Additionally, Ecosystem Changes: Biodiversity Threats explores a new aspect of ecosystem stressors.