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How Does Climate Change Affect Plants — Reading Comprehension

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This educational resource, audio integrated, delves into the critical topic of how climate change affects plants, aligning with NGSS MS-LS1-5. Students will read an engaging passage that explains key concepts like global warming, carbon dioxide, and how these changes influence plant growth, flowering times, and overall ecosystem health. The passage includes relevant SEO keywords to enhance discoverability. Following the reading, students will engage in a variety of activities designed to test their comprehension, vocabulary, and ability to apply scientific concepts. These activities include multiple-choice questions, a glossary for key terms, and short answer questions, all crafted to deepen their understanding of environmental and genetic factors influencing organisms.

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Climate change impacts plants: drought, early bloom, pests, CO₂ rise, and adaptations. — Wide illustration showing climate change effects on plant growth, health, and ecosystem balance.

Have you ever wondered how the changing weather affects the plants in your garden or local park? Climate change is a big shift in Earth's usual weather patterns over a long time. It's caused partly by human activities, like burning fossil fuels, which release gases into the air. These gases, especially carbon dioxide, trap heat and lead to a warming planet, a process known as global warming. This warming has a huge impact on plants, which are vital for all life on Earth.

Plants need certain conditions to grow well. They rely on sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, the process they use to make their own food. But climate change is altering these conditions. For example, rising temperatures can make some areas too hot and dry for plants that used to thrive there. This can lead to more frequent and severe droughts, making it harder for plants to get the water they need. Without enough water, plants wilt and can even die, which impacts whole ecosystems.

Changes in temperature can also confuse plants about when to grow or flower. Some plants might start growing earlier in the spring because of warmer weather, only to be hit by a late frost. This can damage their flowers and fruits, reducing the amount of food available for animals and even humans. Other plants might struggle to complete their life cycles if seasons become unpredictable.

Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can sometimes boost plant growth, as it's a key ingredient for photosynthesis. However, this isn't always good. While some plants grow faster, they might not be as nutritious, or they could outcompete other important plants. The overall balance of an ecosystem can be upset, leading to a loss of biodiversity. Pests and diseases can also become more common in warmer climates, further harming plants.

Understanding how climate change affects plants is crucial because plants are the base of most food chains. They produce the oxygen we breathe and absorb carbon dioxide, helping to regulate our climate. Protecting plants means protecting our planet's future and ensuring food security. Scientists are studying different plant adaptations to help them survive these changes.

Interesting Fact: Some plants, like the Bristlecone Pine, are incredibly old, with some living for over 5,000 years, silently witnessing centuries of climate variations.

What is carbon dioxide?

A gas plants breatheA type of plant foodA gas that traps heatA kind of water

What process do plants use to make food?

RespirationPhotosynthesisTranspirationGermination

True or False: Climate change always helps plants grow bigger.

TrueFalse

Which of these is a key factor plants need to grow?

WindCarbon dioxideNitrogenSoil type

Why might plants start growing earlier?

Less rainfallMore nutrientsWarmer temperaturesFewer pests

What can happen if plants bloom too early?

More fruitsBetter tasteDamaged by frostFaster growth