People build roads, houses and gardens. That changes the land. But did you know animals and plants change the land too?
Key idea
Plants, animals and people all change their surroundings as they meet their needs.
Why it works
A beaver builds a dam to make deep water for its lodge, and a whole new pond forms. A squirrel buries acorns for winter and forgets some, so new oak trees grow. Tree roots grow thicker every year and push up sidewalks.
Worked example: Let's think it through
A beaver builds a dam across a stream. What happens?
- The dam holds back the water.
- The water spreads out behind it.
- A pond forms, a new home for frogs, ducks and fish.
Answer: A pond forms behind the dam.
Common mistake
Children often think only people change the land. Animals and plants change it too, a little at a time.
For the grown-up. Look for changes made by living things near you: a sidewalk lifted by roots, an anthill, a woodpecker's holes in a dead tree, or a path worn across the grass by people.