Books with title Deserts and Wastelands

This new addition to Didax's Earth Awareness series explores two of Earth's least understood environments. Wetlands and deserts are major biomes and play a vital role in the health of the planet. This comprehensive reproducible resource will help students in grades 5-8 gain an in-depth understanding of the plants and animals that inhabit wetlands and deserts, the impact of humans, and the steps being taken to conserve these precious habitats. Each reading selection on one aspect of the theme is followed by a worksheet with comprehension questions and an activity extending the concepts learned. Cross-curricular suggestions, teacher notes, and topic quizzes with answers are included.

DESERTS ARE SOME OF THE MOST UNFRIENDLY PLACES ON OUR PLANET. FROM THE HEAT OF DEATH VALLEY TO THE FROZEN WASTES OF ANTARCTICA, THEY ARE THE HARSHEST PLACE FOR LIFE ON EARTH TO SURVIVE. COME ON AN AMAZING VOYAGE AROUND THE EARTH TO DISCOVER THE EXTRAORDINARY WAYS IN WHICH PLANTS AND ANIMALS HAVE EVOLVED TO COPE WITH THESE EXTREME CONDITIONS. FIND OUT: HOW WINDS AND MOUNTAINS MAKE DESERTS; WHY OASES ARE ONLY FOUND IN CERTAIN PLACES IN DESERTS; WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE DESERT BLOOMS; WHY THE WORLD'S DESERTS ARE SPREADING; HOW ANIMALS CHANGE THE WAY THEY LIVE IN EXTREME HEAT; AND ENJOY LOTS OF INTERESTING THINGS TO DO AND EXPERIMENTS TO TRY AS WELL. ONLY A TINY AMOUNT OF THE EARTH'S FRESH WATER IS AVAILABLE FOR USE BY LIFEFORMS-THE REST IS FROZEN AT THE POLES. MANY DRY LANDS ARE TURNING TO DESERT, OR ARE AT RISK FROM CHANGES IN THE WEATHER, FROM OVER FARMING, FROM POLLUTION OF MANY DIFFERENT KINDS, AND FROM ANIMALS AND PLANTS THAT ARE MOVED FROM THEIR HOME AREAS TO OTHERS WHERE THEY CAUSE DAMAGE. YOU CAN HELP TO SAVE OUR PLANET BY FINDING OUT WHY THINGS ARE GOING WRONG AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PRESERVE WHAT IS LEFT.