Blog Post #2

Hello everyone, welcome to my blog post #2. My inquiry question is  “How do changes in the environment affect whether a species adapts or goes extinct?” In this post I will be Providing three steps for my research. 

1. Understanding the Science of Adaptation and Extinction

My first step would be to research what it really means when an animal or plant adapts. I want to learn how species change over time in new conditions, like when the weather gets hotter or colder. I’ll look at examples of animals that have adapted to big changes, and others that couldn’t and went extinct. This will help me understand why some species survive and some don’t.

2. Finding out why environmental changes happen

Next, I’ll research what kind of changes are happening in nature right now. Some main ones that I already know are climate change, pollution and deforestation. I want to learn more about not just about the main ones but things like rising temperatures, wildfires, ice melting and more. All these things are affecting where animals and plants live. I’ll also research changes that are happening here in British Colombia. We have forests, oceans, and mountains here and I want to know how local wildlife like bears, fish, and birds are being affected. This step will help me understand what kind of challenges our local animals and plants are facing and why some of them may be struggling to survive.

3. What people are doing to help and what are they doing to make things worse

Lastly, I’ll research how humans are helping animals and plants survive all these big changes in the environment. I want to learn about things like protecting where animals live, and making laws that stop people from harming endangered species. I’ll also look at how scientists and other groups are working to save animals by creating safe spaces for animals like wildlife reserves. But I also want to learn about things people are doing that make it harder for some species to survive. For example, cutting down trees which takes away homes for animals, and polluting oceans which hurt fish. Using too much land for buildings and our own benefit affects everything from weather to food sources. By looking at both the good and the bad, I’ll understand how our choices affect nature.

Five strong sources

Wildlife Adaptation to Climate Change | World Wildlife Fund

Evolution – Diversity, Extinction, Adaptation | Britannica

Extinct species, facts and information | National Geographic

10 Animals Threatened by Climate Change – Earth Day

How Does Pollution Affect Animal Habitats? – Green Packs

I care about this question because I’ve always loved animals and being outside in nature. Living in British Columbia means I’m surrounded by forests, oceans, and mountains, and I get to see wildlife all the time. It’s scary to think that some of these animals might disappear because of changes in the environment. When I hear about species going extinct it makes me want to learn more and try to do something to help. This question matters to my community too because it is not just about animals it’s about our future. If we lose pollinators like bees, it affects the food we eat. If trees are cut down, it changes how water moves and can lead to floods or droughts. Nature also helps people feel calm and happy, so when we lose it, it can even affect our mental health. Learning about how environmental changes affect animals and plants helps us make smarter choices.

Thank you for reading my blog post