Premium

Climate Change and Biodiversity

Interactive passage with audio narration, comprehension questions, and printable PDF.

No ratings yet

Just this resource

$1.50

One-time purchase

Best value

Unlock everything

$49.99$29.99/yr

40% off until Aug 1 — 6,000+ resources

Unlock above to use these actions

Format: Interactive (Online), Printable (PDF)
Grades: 678
Subjects: scienceela
Languages: English, Spanish

Send Feedback / Report an Issue

What's included

Reading passage

Reading comprehension

Audio narration

With word word highlighting

Comprehension quiz

Auto-graded

Writing activity

Open-ended response

Glossary & flashcards

Vocabulary practice

Differentiated version

Adapted for varied levels

Spanish translation

Bilingual support

About this reader

This engaging science reading passage for Grades 6-8 explains how rising temperatures impact biodiversity around the world. Students will learn about key concepts such as ecosystems, species adaptation, extinction, and food webs, with scientific vocabulary clearly defined and highlighted. The passage discusses real-world examples, like polar bears in the Arctic and coral reefs, to help students connect science to everyday life. It aligns with NGSS standards and includes a glossary, comprehension quiz, and writing activities to promote deeper understanding. The passage is available in both English and Spanish and includes audio integration to support diverse learners. This resource is ideal for classroom use, homework, or as a supplemental learning tool focusing on climate change and its effects on nature.

Written by Workybooks TeamPublished by Workybooks

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

Biodiversity refers to the variety of all living things on Earth. It includes millions of species, from microscopic bacteria to giant blue whales. Biodiversity also includes the different ecosystems these organisms form, such as forests, oceans, and grasslands. This variety of life provides humans with essential resources including food, medicines, clean water, and air. Scientists explain that greater biodiversity makes ecosystems more stable and resilient. When many different species live together, they support one another like members of a strong team. Climate change has become one of the most serious threats to biodiversity worldwide.

Climate change affects biodiversity through several connected processes. Rising global temperatures force many species to move toward cooler regions or higher elevations. Evidence shows that some species cannot migrate fast enough to keep pace with changing conditions. Altered precipitation patterns create droughts in some areas and floods in others. These changes disrupt the timing of natural events such as flowering, migration, and breeding. When one species struggles, the effects ripple through the entire food web. For example, if warming temperatures harm insects, the birds that eat those insects also suffer. The predators that eat those birds may then decline as well.

Coral reefs demonstrate how climate change can damage entire ecosystems. Rising ocean temperatures cause coral bleaching, a process where corals expel the algae living in their tissues. Without these algae, corals lose their color and their main food source. Scientists have observed that the Great Barrier Reef has experienced several major bleaching events since 1998. These events have killed large portions of the reef. Thousands of species depend on coral reefs for food and shelter. When reefs die, fish populations decline, affecting both ocean ecosystems and human communities that rely on fishing.

Protecting biodiversity in a changing climate requires understanding these connections. Habitat loss from human development combines with climate change to create greater stress on species. Some species may adapt to new conditions through evolution, but this process takes many generations. Conservation efforts focus on protecting diverse habitats and creating wildlife corridors. These corridors allow species to move safely between areas as conditions change. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions can slow the rate of climate change. This gives species more time to adjust. The web of life connects all organisms, including humans, so protecting biodiversity ultimately protects our own future.

Interesting Fact: Scientists estimate that climate change could threaten one million species with extinction by 2050 if current warming trends continue. Some species, like the pika (a small mountain mammal), are already losing habitat as mountain temperatures rise.

What does biodiversity include?

Only large animals like whales and elephantsAll living things from bacteria to whales and the ecosystems they formOnly plants and trees in forestsOnly ocean species and coral reefs

According to the passage, why does greater biodiversity make ecosystems more stable?

Because it makes the weather coolerBecause different species support one another like members of a strong teamBecause it prevents all natural disastersBecause it stops climate change completely

What does the term 'food web' mean in the context of this passage?

A network showing how organisms are connected through feeding relationshipsA type of spider web found in natureThe amount of food humans produceA chart showing different types of food

What is coral bleaching?

A process where corals grow larger and strongerA natural cleaning process that helps coralsA process where corals expel algae due to warm water stress, losing color and foodA method scientists use to study coral reefs

How does climate change create ripple effects in food webs?

It only affects one species at a time without impacting othersWhen one species struggles, the effects spread to other connected speciesIt makes all species stronger and more adaptableIt has no effect on how species interact

According to the passage, what has happened to the Great Barrier Reef since 1998?

It has grown larger and healthierIt has experienced several major bleaching events that killed large portionsIt has remained completely unchangedIt has moved to cooler waters

What are wildlife corridors designed to do?

Prevent all animals from moving between areasAllow species to move safely between areas as conditions changeCreate barriers to keep species separatedStop climate change from affecting habitats

Which statement best describes how evolution helps species adapt to climate change?

Evolution allows species to adapt instantly to new conditionsEvolution prevents any species from going extinctEvolution is a process that takes many generations, so it may be too slow for rapid climate changeEvolution only works for plants, not animals

True or False: Climate change is the only threat to biodiversity mentioned in the passage.

TrueFalse

True or False: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions can give species more time to adjust to changing conditions.

TrueFalse