What’s Harming the Habitat?

The way we use or pollute natural resources like water or land affects the environment. Several factors contribute to the loss of habitat, the areas that support plant and animal populations.

Illustration of an oil spill with an inset showing a bird covered in oil
Oil spill emergency

Oil spills are major ocean disasters. An oil spill is what happens when a tanker, or large ship, carrying oil gets a hole in it and leaks the oil.

  • 1 A large tanker gets stuck on shallow land. When crew members start to drive the tanker again, they can put a hole in it, leaking the oil.

  • 2 As part of the clean-up effort, oily shore rocks and sand are rinsed with very hot water.

  • 3 Thousands of workers help clean up the spill.

  • 4 Containment booms surround large areas of oil.

  • 5 Oil-soaked birds are cleaned with absorbent pads. Some survive but hundreds of thousands die. Sea otters, whales, and schools of fish also die.

Before You Move On

  • 1. Personal Connection How can you improve the environment for plants?

  • 2. Explain How might buildings that replace parks affect plant and animal populations?

  • 3. Paraphrase Tell in your own words what threats plants and animals face today.