WHAT IS HAPPENING?
If a forest starts burning, what changes would you expect to see in the ecosystem?
Plants may be destroyed, animals may lose their habitat, and the environment may become smoky or damaged.
Why would a hot and dry period make forest fires more likely to spread?
Dry plants and soil can catch fire more easily.
If people build roads through a forest, what problem might this create for animals?
It can divide their habitat and make it harder for animals to move around.
In the Kalimantan article, which endangered animal was in danger when the forest fires came close to its rehabilitation centre?
Bornean orangutan
In the Arctic, if shrubs reduce the amount of lichen available, which animals may have less food?
Caribou and reindeer
The Arctic is becoming greener. Why might this not always be good news?
More green plants do not necessarily mean the ecosystem is healthier. Different plants may be replacing others.
Why can removing vegetation during mining increase the amount of soil entering rivers?
Without vegetation holding the soil, rain can carry loose soil into rivers.
Why might people hunt lions even though lions are protected animals?
Lions may attack livestock, so people may kill them to protect their animals.
In the Halmahera article, which organisms need sunlight to make their own food and can be affected by cloudy water?
Algae and seagrasses
If people hunt antelope illegally, how can this affect lions?
Lions may have fewer animals to hunt for food.
The Great Barrier Reef has some areas where coral is recovering. Does this mean the whole reef is healthy again? Why or why not?
No. Some areas are recovering, but other areas still have coral loss and the reef is still affected by heat, storms, and starfish.
If ocean temperatures were normal, would coral bleaching caused by heat be as likely? Explain.
No. High ocean temperatures can stress corals and cause bleaching.
Nickel mining provides jobs but can also harm ecosystems. Why might this create a difficult decision for a community?
The community may need the jobs and income but also needs to protect its environment.
What can happen to coral when too much sediment settles on it?
The coral can become stressed, which can lead to coral bleaching or even coral death.
If coral reefs are damaged, how can this affect small fish?
Small fish may lose places to hide from predators and other important parts of their habitat.
Imagine that Nusantara continues to grow very quickly. What might happen to the ecosystem if development continues without protecting forests?
More habitat could be lost or divided, which could affect plants and animals.
A student says, “The fish are dying because of mining.” Why would a scientist need more evidence before agreeing?
The scientist needs evidence to show the connection, such as water quality, sediment levels, coral surveys, and observations of marine animals.
Nusantara plans to build a city while protecting forests. What could the government do to reduce the damage caused by development?
Protect forest areas, restore damaged land, plant native trees, and build wildlife corridors.
In the Arctic, which plants are affected when growing shrubs compete with smaller plants for space, light, and resources?
Smaller plants, including low-growing vegetation such as lichens.
In Halmahera, if cloudy water causes algae to grow less, how could this affect fish?
Some small marine animals may have less food. Fish that eat those animals may then also have less food.
Two ecosystems can both become “greener,” but one may become less healthy. How is this possible?
The amount of green vegetation can increase while important species or relationships change. For example, Arctic shrubs may replace low-growing plants such as lichens.
Which cause-and-effect chain best explains how mining on land can eventually affect animals in the sea?
Mining → vegetation/soil disturbance → soil enters rivers → more sediment in the sea → cloudy water → less sunlight → changes to marine organisms/food webs.
Imagine you are a leader in Halmahera. You cannot completely stop nickel mining because people depend on it for jobs. What two actions could you suggest to reduce damage to the ecosystem? Explain why.
Possible answers: control sediment, protect coastal areas, restore vegetation, and monitor water quality. Students should explain how each action reduces environmental damage.
In the Great Barrier Reef article, which organism is directly affected when crown-of-thorns starfish feed on it? What does the starfish do?
Coral is affected. The crown-of-thorns starfish eats coral.
A fire destroys part of a forest in Kalimantan. An animal may not be killed by the fire but could still be affected. Explain how and why.
The animal may lose food, shelter, or a place to reproduce because the forest has changed.