# data[].attributes.headline
Questions about coral reefs that you should be able to answer as a group.

# data[].attributes.subject
Questions about coral reefs that you should be able to answer as a group.

# data[].attributes.body
1. What chemicals affect coral reefs?
2. How many coral reefs are in the world? Where are they?
3. How do coral reefs die?
2. Why do you coral reefs matter?
3. What species live in our coral reefs?
4. How can humans protect our coral reefs?

# data[].attributes.headline
Questions about soil that you should be able to answer as a group.

# data[].attributes.subject
Questions about soil that you should be able to answer as a group.

# data[].attributes.body
1. What is soil? (Scientific definition)
2. What is soil made up of?
3. Why is soil important?
4. What chemicals harm our soil?
5. Who or what harms our soil the most?
5. What laws can be passed to protect our soil?

# data[].attributes.headline
Questions about Our Forests That you should answer as a group

# data[].attributes.subject
Questions about Our Forests That you should answer as a group

# data[].attributes.body
1. What does deforestation mean?
2. Why do trees get cut down?
2. How many forests are in the world?
3. How many trees are cut down each year?
4. Why are trees helpful to planet Earth?
5. How can humans help our Earth?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Trees and other green plants produce oxygen, the gas needed by humans and other animals to live. When trees are cut down, less oxygen is released into the atmosphere.

Trees also capture carbon dioxide, one of the gases that contribute to a problem known as global warming. When they are burned, trees release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.

Erosion

Deforestation on steep mountain hillsides can lead to erosion. The land can get worn away because the trees are not there to hold the soil together. Heavy rains in such areas can wash the land down the slopes in disastrous landslides that destroy fields, homes, and human lives.

Habitat Loss

Many forests are peaceful, quiet places where people can rest or play. When trees are cut down, this recreational use of forests is lost.

Forests are home to an enormous range of living things. When an area is deforested, many plants and animals are killed. Others lose their habitats. Some types of living things become extinct because of deforestation, especially those that live in tropical rainforests. The traditional way of life for rainforest peoples can be greatly affected by deforestation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Deforestation is the clearing, or cutting down, of forests. The word is normally used to describe the actions of humans in removing forests from the planet, rather than...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Deforestation | Causes, Effects & Solutions | Video for Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
There are three main types of forest in the world: Tropical, Temperate, and Boreal. In total, the world's forests are home to around 3 trillion trees.

From 2001 to 2019, a total of 386 million hectares of forest were lost globally (in all forest types combined). This loss represents an almost 10 % decrease in tree cover since 2000.

One type of tropical forest is the rainforest. Rainforests cover only a small part of the Earth but are home to at least half of all species in the planet.

Sadly, our rainforests are disappearing. And disappearing fast. In 2019, 11.9 million hectares of tropical forest was lost. Primary rainforest made up nearly a third of that loss (3.8 million hectares).

In 100 Years, there will be no Rainforests...

Already in 2000, half of the world's rainforest had been wiped out. If the rate of deforestation continues, we will have no rainforests left at the end of the century, according to NASA.

When you see paper and wood, what do you think of? Do you think of the tree that was felled to make the product?

Before we started to build cities many centuries ago, they say that 60% of the Earth was covered in Forests. Now, there is less than 10% left.

Deforestation is when forests are converted for other purposes by cutting down the trees to clear the land for other use. With a world population that will reach 10 billion people by 2056, we need more land to build cities, raise livestock and grow food. People also make money by clearing the forests and selling the lumber and wood to be converted into other products, such as paper.

What you need to know about Deforestation

Can you imagine Earth without forests? Here are some deforestation facts for kids that can be shared to raise their awareness about our environment:

1. 13 million hectares of forest have been cleared for other uses or by natural disaster. By the year 2030, we might only have 10% of our forests left... and if we don't stop deforestation, they could all be gone in 100 years.

2. Agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation. We clear the land to raise livestock or to plant other crops that can be sold, such as sugar cane and palm oil.

3. There are 5 major rainforests:

a. The Amazon in South America

b. The Congo in Central Africa

c. Southeast Asia

d. New Guinea

e. Madagascar

1. Rainforests cover only 6% of the world's surface... yet they are home to more than 50% of the plant and animal species on Earth.

2. A patch of rainforest measuring 4 square miles can contain as many as 1,500 flowering plants, 400 species of birds, 750 species of trees and 150 species of butterflies. Not counting the other living things living there.

3. Every minute, forests the size of 20 football fields are cut down.

Why are Rainforests Important?
More facts:

1. They are home to plants and animals. It took 60 to 100 million years for Rainforests to evolve and it is the home of over 30 million species of plants and animals. When we clear the forests, they all die.

2. 2) Trees help absorb the harmful carbon dioxide that we humans release in the atmosphere and they provide the oxygen that we need to breathe.

3. More than 25% of our medicines today come from rainforest plants. We have only explored 1% of the plants available. Just imagine what diseases the 99% that have not been explored can cure!

4. They soak up a lot of rainfall. The rainwater is filtered through the forest floors and supplies water to rivers and irrigation systems. They also help prevent erosion, where the soil is washed away causing blockages that in turn causes floods.

5. They are home to indigenous people. Many tribes still live in the rainforests.

Rainforests help regulate the Earth's temperature and weather patterns. Did you know that 20% of our oxygen is produced in the Amazon? But that's not all they're good for:
What can you do to help save our forests?
If we don't stop deforestation, more than half of our plant and animal species will be extinct. It is the oldest ecosystem on Earth and they are impossible to replace. It took millions of years for rainforests to develop... how can we replenish fast enough to cope with the rate of deforestation?

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. If we recycle the products that come from trees such as paper, then we can use them over and over again. There will be a lower demand for products made from trees.

Buy from companies that are environment friendly. They don't ruin our environment just to make money.

Try to eat less meat which requires grazing lands - another reason why forests are cleared.

Buy products made out of recycled materials.

Do not buy newspaper or magazines. Read them online.

Buy furniture and wood that is Certified. This means that the wood was legally cut down.

There are many ways to help save the forests that are remaining.

Deforestation contributes to climate change

Since trees remove CO2 from the air, the loss of trees also means more CO2. The deforestation from 2001 to 2019 released 105 gigatons of CO2 into the atmosphere - the same as almost two and a half years of total CO2-emissions globally.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In 100 Years, there will be no Rainforests...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Trees are sometimes called the lungs of the Earth because they absorb pollutants through their leaves, trapping (or "sequestering"), and filtering contaminants in the air. Like all green plants, trees also produce oxygen through photosynthesis.

2. Trees improve water quality, and reduce flooding and erosion.

A tree's leafy canopy catches precipitation before it reaches the ground, allowing some of it to gently drip and the rest to evaporate. Tree roots hold soil in place, reducing erosion. In these ways, trees lessen the force of storms and reduce the amount of runoff into sewers, streams, and rivers, improving water quality. One hundred mature trees can intercept about 100,000 gallons of rainfall per year.

3. Trees temper climate.

Trees lower air temperatures and humidity; they can also influence wind speed. Evaporation of water from trees, or transpiration, has a cooling effect. Cities develop "heat islands" because dark roofs and pavement absorb solar energy and radiate it back. Trees in parking lots have been shown to reduce asphalt temperatures by 36 degrees Fahrenheit and car interiors by up to 47 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Trees conserve energy.

Three or more large trees strategically placed on sunny sides of a house shade it from the hot summer sun, reducing air-conditioning costs by as much as 30 percent. Deciduous trees are best for this use because they lose their leaves in winter, exposing the house to the warming winter sun, which lowers the energy needed to heat the house. Coniferous trees, because they retain their needles year-round, serve to reduce wind when placed on the north and northwest sides of a building, resulting in significantly lower winter heating costs.

5. Trees are good for the economy.

Economic analyses have found that the value of homes near trees is 9 to 15 percent higher than homes without. Research shows that shoppers linger longer along a shaded avenue than one barren of trees and are even willing to pay more for goods and services.

6. Trees create habitat for plants and animals.

Wherever trees are established, wildlife and other plants are sure to follow, ensuring a healthier ecosystem. Trees provide shelter and food for a variety of birds and small animals.

7. Trees improve health.

Research demonstrates that exposure to trees has a relaxing effect on humans, reducing stress and imparting a sense of well-being. Hospital patients with a window view of trees recover faster than those without. Children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) are better able to concentrate after time spent in outdoor green settings.

8. Trees reduce crime.

Data show that apartment buildings with high levels of greenery had significantly fewer crimes than those without any trees.

9. Trees reduce noise pollution and can serve as screens.

A belt of trees 100 feet wide and 50 feet tall can reduce highway noise by up to 10 decibels, reducing the sound volume by half. Densely planted trees can also block unsightly views.

10. Trees promote community.

Trees can enhance a community's sense of pride, and ownership. Active involvement in tree planting programs leads to a stronger sense of community and the promotion of environmental responsibility and ethics. Planting programs also project a visible sign of change and provide the impetus for other community renewal and action programs.

How Trees Help our Climate

One tree can sequester (or take in) more than one ton of carbon dioxide in its lifetime. Planting trees and avoiding deforestation are key measures in reducing the human impact on global climate change.

Learn more about how the National Wildlife Federation is helping wildlife survive a changing climate and protect our forests:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Trees Make a Difference - Trees for Wildlife | National Wildlife Federation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Trees are sometimes called the lungs of the Earth because they absorb pollutants through their leaves, trapping (or "sequestering"), and filtering contaminants in the air. Like all green plants, trees also produce oxygen through photosynthesis. 2. Trees improve water quality, and reduce flooding and erosion.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
IMPACT OF POLLUTION IN THE RAINFOREST

Forests around the world are affected by air and water pollution, produced from industrial and commercial activities. Besides the pollution caused by oil spills, toxic by-products, and mining accidents, rainforests are seriously degraded by air pollution. Brazil's Atlantic forest was widely damaged in Cubatão (São Paulo state) by pollution during the 1970s and 1980s.

Acid rain, which has been increasing in the tropics in recent decades due to growing industrialization, also takes its toll on tropical forests.

Dumping of trash and human waste into tributaries from overcrowded cities has resulted in serious pollution in many tropical countries. In some areas, rivers are no longer safe for human use, while plant and animal life suffers.

Fertilizers and pesticides used in agricultural areas adjacent to forests can take a toll on rainforest wildlife, including critical pollinators and seed dispersers. Overuse and misapplication of nitrogen fertilizers can cause "dead zones" of low oxygen content in river deltas and the ocean.

Since chemicals tend to accumulate up the food chain, top predators are likely to be most affected by any toxic substances used in pesticides and fertilizers. For example downstream of mining areas in the Amazon scientists have found high concentrations of mercury.

Lovejoy, T. E. in "Biodiversity: What is it?" In Biodiversity II. Reaka-Kudla, Wilson, Wilson, eds. Joseph Henry Press, Washington D.C. 1997. notes that the Brazilian Atlantic forest was widely damaged by air pollution in Cubatao during the 1970s and 1980s.

Rodhe, H., and R. Herrera, eds. (Acidification in the Tropics, Chichester, England: Wiley, 1988) predict 15% of the world's remaining tropical forests may soon be affected by acid rain.

Gates, D.M. Climate Change and its Biological Consequences, Sunderland, Mass.: Sinauer Associates 1993.
warns that a vast area of forest may be adversely affected by UV-B radiation, should the ozone depletion continue.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Forests around the world are affected by air and water pollution, produced from industrial and commercial activities. Besides the pollution caused by oil spills, toxic by-products, and mining accidents, rainforests are seriously degraded by air pollution. Brazil's Atlantic forest was widely damaged in Cubatão (São Paulo state) by pollution during the 1970s and 1980s.

# data[].attributes.headline
Questions about our ocean that you should be able to answer as a group

# data[].attributes.subject
Questions about our ocean that you should be able to answer as a group

# data[].attributes.body
1. How much does our ocean cover our planet Earth?
2. How many oceans are there in the world?
3. What pollutes our oceans?
4. What species suffer from our pollution in our oceans?
5. What is the trash patch in our oceans?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. Marine debris is litter that ends up in the ocean, seas, and other large bodies of water.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Ocean pollution is widespread, worsening, and poses a clear and present danger to human health and wellbeing. But the extent of this danger has not been widely comprehended - until now. Our recent study provides the first comprehensive assessment of the impacts of ocean pollution on human health.

Ocean pollution is a complex mixture of toxic metals, plastics, manufactured chemicals, petroleum, urban and industrial wastes, pesticides, fertilisers, pharmaceutical chemicals, agricultural runoff, and sewage. More than 80% arises from land-based sources and it reaches the oceans through rivers, runoff, deposition from the atmosphere - where airborne pollutants are washed into the ocean by rain and snow - and direct dumping, such as pollution from waste water treatment plants and discarded waste. Ocean pollution is heaviest near the coasts and most highly concentrated along the coastlines of low-income and middle-income countries.

Ocean pollution can also be found far beyond national jurisdictions in the open oceans, the deepest oceanic trenches, and on the shores of remote islands. Ocean pollution knows no borders.

The most hazardous ocean pollution

Plastic waste is the most visible component of ocean pollution. More than ten million tonnes of plastic enter the seas every year. The majority of this breaks down into microplastic particles and accumulates in coastal and deep-sea sediments.

Some large pieces float in the water for decades ending up as massive concentrations where currents converge and circulate. The Pacific Ocean's so called "garbage patch" is a well-known example.

Read more: It might be the world's biggest ocean, but the mighty Pacific is in peril

Microplastics contain multiple toxic chemicals that are added to plastics to make them flexible, colourful, waterproof or flame-resistant. These include carcinogens, neurotoxins, and endocrine disruptors - chemicals that interfere with hormones, and can cause cancer, birth defects, and reduced fertility.

These chemical-laden particles enter the food chain and accumulate in fish and shellfish. When humans eat seafood contaminated with these materials, we ingest millions of microplastic particles and the many chemicals they carry. Though there is still debate on the harm to humans from microplastics, exposure to these chemicals increases the risk of all the diseases that they cause. Virtually all of us have microplastics in our bodies today.

Mercury is widespread in the oceans, and the major culprit is coal burning in homes and industry. All coal contains mercury, and when it burns, mercury vaporises, enters the atmosphere, and eventually washes into the sea. Gold mining is another source, as mercury is used to dissolve gold from the ore.

Mercury can accumulate to high levels in predatory fish such as tuna and swordfish, which are in turn eaten by us. Contaminated fish can be especially dangerous if eaten by expectant mothers. Exposure of mercury to infants in the womb can damage developing brains, reducing IQ and increasing risks for autism, ADHD, and other learning disorders. Adult mercury exposure increases risks for heart disease and dementia.

Petroleum pollutants from oil spills threaten the marine microorganisms that produce much of the Earth's oxygen by reducing their capacity for photosynthesis. These beneficial microorganisms use solar energy to convert atmospheric CO₂ into oxygen and are also affected by organic pollutants and other chemicals. When there is a major oil spill, the impact can be huge.

Coastal pollution from industrial waste, agricultural runoff, pesticides, and sewage increases the frequency of harmful algal blooms, known as red tides, brown tides, and green tides. These blooms produce powerful toxins like ciguatera and domoic acid that accumulate in fish and shellfish. When ingested, these toxins can cause dementia, amnesia, paralysis, and even rapid death. When inhaled, they can cause asthma.

Dangerous microorganisms result from a combination of coastal pollution and warming seas, which encourages their spread. Harmful bacteria such as the vibrio species - found in warmer waters and responsible for vibriosis, a potentially fatal illness - are now appearing further north and causing life-threatening infections. There's a high risk that cholera, caused by vibrio cholerae, could spread to new, previously unaffected areas.

And the health impacts of ocean pollution fall disproportionately on indigenous peoples, coastal communities and vulnerable populations in the Global South, underlining the planetary scale of this environmental injustice.

Political will and scientific evidence

While the findings in this report are alarming, the good news is that ocean pollution, as with all forms of pollution, can be controlled and prevented. Bans on single-use plastics and better waste sorting can curb pollution at its source, especially plastic waste, both on land and at sea.

Wise governments have curbed other forms of pollution by deploying control strategies based on law, policy, technology, and targeted enforcement. The US, for example, has reduced air pollution by 70% since the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970. They have saved thousands of lives. They have proven highly cost-effective.

Countries around the world are now applying these same tools to control ocean pollution. Boston Harbour in Massachusetts and Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong have been cleaned. Estuaries from Chesapeake Bay in the US to the Seto Inland Sea in Japan have been rejuvenated. Some coral reefs have been restored, such as those in American Samoa, where vigilance, protection and quick response have happened in relation to various pollution threats.

These successes have boosted economies, increased tourism, restored fisheries, and improved health. They demonstrate that broad control of ocean pollution is feasible and their benefits will last for centuries. Our study offers some clear recommendations for preventing and controlling ocean pollution, including transitioning to cleaner energy, developing affordable alternatives to fossil fuel-based plastics, reducing human, agricultural and industrial discharges, and expanding Marine Protected Areas.

Protecting the planet is a global concern and our collective responsibility. Leaders who recognise the gravity of ocean pollution, acknowledge its growing dangers, engage civil society, and take bold, evidence-based action to stop pollution at source will be essential for preventing ocean pollution and safeguarding our own health.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why ocean pollution is a clear danger to human health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ocean pollution is widespread, worsening, and poses a clear and present danger to human health and wellbeing. But the extent of this danger has not been widely comprehended - until now. Our recent study provides the first comprehensive assessment of the impacts of ocean pollution on human health.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds.

scholar.google.com › citations

Air pollution negatively affects wildlife by changing plant communities. ... Air pollution also indirectly threatens birds. pH level increases result in fish kills, causing a decline in food sources. Mercury accumulates in the food chain, wreaking havoc on predatory bird populations.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
how pollution affects animals - Google Search

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Air pollution negatively affects wildlife by changing plant communities. ... Air pollution also indirectly threatens birds. pH level increases result in fish kills, causing a decline in food sources. Mercury accumulates in the food chain, wreaking havoc on predatory bird populations.Sep 16, 2021

# data[].attributes.headline
Questions about our sky that you should be able to answer as a group

# data[].attributes.subject
Questions about our sky that you should be able to answer as a group

# data[].attributes.body
1. Which countries pollute the skies the most?
2. What are some of the dangerous pollutants in our air?
3. How does air pollution affect people?
4. What are some of the laws that have passed to protect our air?
5. What companies or industries affect our air quality the most?
6. What can people do to help improve our air quality?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Air pollution happens when solid and liquid particles-called aerosols -and certain gases end up in our air. These particles and gases can be bad for the planet and for our health, so keeping track of them is important.

Where do aerosols come from?

Any particle that gets picked up into the air or is formed from chemical reactions in the air can be an aerosol. Many aerosols enter the atmosphere when we burn fossil fuels-such as coal and petroleum-and wood. These particles can come from many sources, including car exhaust, factories and even wildfires. Some of the particles and gases come directly from these sources, but others form through chemical reactions in the air.

Aerosols can come from other places, too, such as ash from an erupting volcano. Dust, pollen from plants and mold spores are also examples of aerosols.

What else causes air pollution?

Certain gases in the atmosphere can cause air pollution. For example, in cities, a gas called ozone is a major cause of air pollution. Ozone is also a greenhouse gas that can be both good and bad for our environment. It all depends where it is in Earth's atmosphere.

Ozone high up in our atmosphere is a good thing. It helps block harmful energy from the Sun, called radiation. But, when ozone is closer to the ground, it can be really bad for our health. Ground level ozone is created when sunlight reacts with certain chemicals that come from sources of burning fossil fuels, such as factories or car exhaust.

When particles in the air combine with ozone, they create smog. Smog is a type of air pollution that looks like smoky fog and makes it difficult to see.

How does air pollution affect Earth's climate?

Aerosols can impact how the Sun's light hits Earth. For example, some aerosols reflect sunlight while others absorb sunlight. It depends on the color of the particle.

Dark surfaces-whether it's a black t-shirt or a dark particle in the atmosphere-absorb the Sun's heat. Lighter-colored surfaces reflect heat from the Sun.

A white t-shirt reflects the Sun on a hot day, making you feel cooler. In the same way, light-colored particles that reflect the Sun's light and heat away from Earth can make the global temperature cooler. Dark-colored particles that absorb the Sun's light can make the global temperature warmer.

How does air pollution affect our health?

Breathing in polluted air can be very bad for our health. Long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with diseases of the heart and lungs, cancers and other health problems. That's why it's important for us to monitor air pollution.

How is NASA monitoring air pollution?

NASA uses satellites orbiting Earth to keep an eye on air pollution. In fact, air quality forecasters use information about aerosols from NASA's Aqua, Terra and Suomi-NPP satellites.

NASA also is developing a new instrument called the Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols, or MAIA, to fly aboard a future spacecraft mission. MAIA will help scientists understand the size, makeup and quantity of aerosols in our air. Eventually, scientists will be able to compare this information with health records. This can help us better understand the relationship between aerosol pollution and human health.

Related NASA Missions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Air pollution is caused by solid or liquid particles and certain gases suspended in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mold spores, volcanoes and wildfires.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about air pollution and how it effects the environment and health. Study causes, pollutants, and facts including acid rain and smog.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Kids Environment Kids Health - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many human activities create air pollution, and to help improve air quality it’s important that we learn about the causes air pollution — and what we can do to protect life on our planet.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A sea otter carefully uses its paws to free itself from a plastic bag that's tangled loosely around its body. This sea otter isn't the only animal to have a dangerous run-in with litter: It's estimated that about half of all marine mammals have eaten or gotten trapped by plastic.

A LITTLE POLLUTION = BIG PROBLEMS

Plastic pollution is different from paper or food waste because it never fully decomposes, or breaks down into pieces that can be reused by nature. Instead, plastic often ends up in water, where it releases toxic chemicals and can be mistaken for food. In a study conducted by the journal Science, scientists estimate that 8.8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, threatening over 700 species of marine animals.

Plastic trash isn't the Earth's only pollution problem. Oil accidentally spilling into the sea, agriculture products like fertilizers and pesticides seeping into the soil, and even excess noise and light can pollute the environment.

For instance, the sounds made by ships mess with whale calls, and bright lights can confuse animals such as birds and newly hatched sea turtles.

CLEANING UP OUR ACT

Once released into the environment, pollution can affect wildlife habitats for years. It's easy to blame factories, but some of the mess comes from everyday human activities. For instance, car exhaust fumes and excess garbage can seriously harm Earth's health.

You can probably clean your room in a couple of hours. (At least we hope you can!) But you can't cram Earth's pollution problem into your closet. We all need to pitch in and clean up the planet. Look at it this way: Just like your room, it's always better to prevent the Earth from getting dirty in the first place. Check out these tips for cutting down on your own personal waste.

Recycle: The process of turning stuff that would otherwise be thrown away as trash into new products

Compost: Decaying material, like leftover food scraps, that adds nutrients to soil and helps plants grow

Decompose: The process of breaking down something into parts that can be reused by nature; for example, fallen leaves decompose to become soil.

Biodegradable: Something usually used by people that decomposes; for example, unlike a plastic spoon, a biodegradable spoon won't stay in the environment for thousands of years-it'll decompose.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find out how pollution from plastic, light, oil, and other trash affects Earth.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Air Pollution | Video for Kids | Causes, Effects & Solution

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Air Pollution | What Causes Air Pollution? | The Dr Binocs Show | Kids Learning Videos|Peekaboo Kidz

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Is PLASTIC POLLUTION? | What Causes Plastic Pollution? | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Is Not What You Think It Is | The Swim

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Will the ocean ever run out of fish? - Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Jennifer Jacquet

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Climate 101: Deforestation | National Geographic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Human-caused, or anthropogenic activities, are major threats to coral reefs. Pollution, overfishing, destructive fishing practices using dynamite or cyanide, collecting live corals for the aquarium market, mining coral for building materials, and a warming climate are some of the many ways that people damage reefs all around the world every day.

One of the most significant threats to reefs is pollution. Land-based runoff and pollutant discharges can result from dredging, coastal development, agricultural and deforestation activities, and sewage treatment plant operations. This runoff may contain sediments, nutrients, chemicals, insecticides, oil, and debris.

When some pollutants enter the water, nutrient levels can increase, promoting the rapid growth of algae and other organisms that can smother corals.

Coral reefs also are affected by leaking fuels, anti-fouling paints and coatings, and other chemicals that enter the water. Petroleum spills do not always appear to affect corals directly because the oil usually stays near the surface of the water, and much of it evaporates into the atmosphere within days. However, if an oil spill occurs while corals are spawning, the eggs and sperm can be damaged as they float near the surface before they fertilize and settle. So, in addition to compromising water quality, oil pollution can disrupt the reproductive success of corals, making them vulnerable to other types of disturbances.

In many areas, coral reefs are destroyed when coral heads and brightly-colored reef fishes are collected for the aquarium and jewelry trade. Careless or untrained divers can trample fragile corals, and many fishing techniques can be destructive. In blast fishing, dynamite or other heavy explosives are detonated to startle fish out of hiding places. This practice indiscriminately kills other species and can crack and stress corals so much that they expel their zooxanthellae. As a result, large sections of reefs can be destroyed. Cyanide fishing, which involves spraying or dumping cyanide onto reefs to stun and capture live fish, also kills coral polyps and degrades the reef habitat. More than 40 countries are affected by blast fishing, and more than 15 countries have reported cyanide fishing activities.

Other damaging fishing techniques include deep water trawling, which involves dragging a fishing net along the sea bottom, and muro-ami netting, in which reefs are pounded with weighted bags to startle fish out of crevices. Often, fishing nets left as debris can be problematic in areas of wave disturbance. In shallow water, live corals become entangled in these nets and are torn away from their bases. In addition anchors dropped from fishing vessels onto reefs can break and destroy coral colonies.

Increased greenhouse gases from activities like deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels for heat and energy, cause ocean temperatures to rise, change storm patterns, and contribute to sea level rise. These changes lead to more coral bleaching events, increased storm destruction, and more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
national oceanic and atmospheric administration

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Human Threats to Corals: Corals Tutorial

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Human-caused, or anthropogenic activities, are major threats to coral reefs. Pollution, overfishing, destructive fishing practices using dynamite or cyanide, collecting live corals for the aquarium market and mining coral for building materials are some of the many ways that people damage reefs all around the world every day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What if there were 1 trillion more trees? - Jean-François Bastin

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Deforestation: What’s wrong with planting new forests? - BBC News

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The world’s coral reefs are dying—here’s how scientists plan to save them

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Without these interventions, scientists say the Earth’s coral reefs as we know them could disappear before the next century.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about the coral reef biome. Much of ocean life lives in this important aquatic ecosystem.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What really happens to the plastic you throw away - Emma Bryce

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Soils are complex mixtures of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and countless organisms that are the decaying remains of once-living things. It forms at the surface of land – it is the “skin of the earth.” Soil is capable of supporting plant life and is vital to life on earth. Soil, as formally…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Soil is the loose material which forms the thin surface layer of Earth. Its formation is related to the parent Rock material, relief, climate, and vegetation. It is a mixture of many different things including rock, minerals, water and air. Soil also has living things and dead things in it. We call the living and dead things " organic matter". Soil is important for life on Earth.

Because soil holds water and nutrients, it is an ideal place for plants to grow. Soil holds the roots, and lets plants stand above the ground to collect the light they need to live. This helps plants grow. Fungi and bacteria also live in the soil. They eat the dead plants and animals. The broken down material becomes food for plants (nutrients).

Many animals dig into the soil and make the soil their home. The large animals use soil to make dens for sleeping and giving birth. The small animals live most of their life in the soil. Earthworms are famous for improving soil. This is because the holes they make let air go into the soil. The holes also let water go through.

The soil also has many microorganisms living in it. Many of them eat the organic material in the soil. They use oxygen and release carbon dioxide. They also release mineral nutrients into the soil.

Soil is different in different places on Earth. This is because the climate and rocks in the Earth are different in different places on Earth. Soils are usually thicker in places where ice sheets covered the ground during the Pleistocene ice ages. This is because the ice sheets ground the rock into powder as they slowly moved over the surface.

What soil is made of

Soil is made of four things.

1. It has rock pieces and the rocks are made of minerals,

2. It has dead and living things (organic matter, humus),

3. It has water.

4. It has air.

Soil has rock pieces made small by wind and rain and sun and snow. The rocks are made of minerals and some of the minerals dissolve in water. Some of the minerals dissolved in water can be used as food by plants. Soil also has dead and living things (organic matter) in it. When a plant dies, it is eaten by animals including bacteria in the soil. When the bacteria are done eating, what is left behind is called humus. When the bacteria die the plant food (minerals) goes back into the soil. A food for plants is called a "plant nutrient". There are many kinds of plant nutrients. Soil has many empty spaces. Half of the soil is space. The spaces are filled with water and air. Water can enter the spaces in the soil. Plants drink the water and the minerals in the water. Plant roots need air to live. If plant roots do not have air, the roots will die. If the plant roots die, the plant will die. A plant that dies is eaten by bacteria and becomes plant nutrients again.

There are many kinds of soil. Each kind of soil has big and small rocks in it and some humus. If rocks in a soil are as big as your fingers, we call those rocks "gravel". Smaller rocks are called sand. Very small rocks are called silt. Very, very small rocks are called clay. You can see sand with your eye. Sand feels rough between your toes. Silt rock is very small and you must use a lens to see silt. Silt rock is smooth between your toes. Clay rock is too small to see with a lens. To see the smallest things you must use a big microscope. You must use a big microscope to see clay too. Clay rock feels slippery between your toes. Most soils contain all kinds of small rocks. The three best rocks for making soil are sand, silt, and clay.

Every soil has different amounts of sand and silt and clay. The mix of sand and silt and clay is the " texture" of the soil. We can also say the mix has a "soil texture". A soil with a lot of sand is called a "sandy soil texture". A soil with a lot of silt is called a "silt soil texture". A soil with a lot of clay is called a "clay soil texture". Farmers like to grow food in the best soil. The best soil is half sand and some silt and a little clay. The organic matter found in the soil is not counted in the soil texture. Only the rocks are counted when we discover the soil texture. Soil texture is very important.

Clay and humus are special parts of the soil. They help keep water and plant food (plant nutrients) in the soil. Water and plant nutrients stick to clay and humus. Water sticks to all of the rock in the soil. But, water sticks best to clay. Water is taken into (absorbed) into humus like a sponge absorbs water. Humus holds a lot of water and plant nutrients. Clay and humus keep water and plant nutrients in the soil. Sand will hold only a little water in the soil. If the soil has too much sand, the water will flow down into the earth. The water that flows down takes plant nutrients down too. The plant roots can not get at the water and plant nutrients if they go too deep. It is best for soil to have a little bit of clay and humus in it for growing plants.

Soil structure (clumps)

The smallest parts of soil are sand and silt and clay. Those small parts join to make larger parts we call "clumps" or "aggregates". The clumps are made when sand and silt and clay stick together. The humus and clay and minerals in the soil are like glue. The glue sticks the sand and silt and clay together and makes clumps. The clumps make shapes by themselves. Some soils have small round clumps. Other soils have large, hard and flat clumps. The soil with small round clumps is best because it lets in air and water. A little glue is best. If the soil has only a little glue there will be space for water and air and the soil will be soft. If the soil has too much glue the soil will be hard. If the soil has no glue, there will be no space in the soil for air and water. A soil with no spaces is not healthy. Worms in the soil make a slippery glue. When worms make holes in the soil they leave some glue in the soil. Plant roots also make spaces in the soil. When the roots die they leave holes in the soil.

Soil horizons (layers)

A soil has a "soil texture" (sand and silt and clay) and it has organic matter mixed in it. But weather changes the soil. It is cold on the Earth near the north and south poles. It is hot near the equator of the Earth. Some places on Earth get a lot of rain and some places get no rain. Hot and wet weather make one kind of soil. Cold and dry weather make another kind of soil. Rain water makes small things in the soil move down with the water. When the things in the water get stuck in the soil those things make a layer in the soil. If you dig down into the soil you may find many layers in the soil. The layers may have different colors. The layers may have different "soil textures". The top part of the soil may have a lot of humus and sand. Below that layer there may be a layer of silt. Below that layer there may be a layer of clay.

The sand stays on the top because it is large. The silt goes down a little with the water and makes a layer because it is small. The silt is smaller than some of the spaces in the soil. The clay can go down even lower with the water because it is the smallest. The sand will make one layer, the silt will make another layer and the clay will make another layer. The humus can move down with the water and make a layer too. The silt and clay and humus can move down because of the spaces in the soil. But, the silt, clay, and humus will fill the spaces in the soil. When the spaces in the soil are closed, it makes it hard for air to go into the soil. Plant roots do not go where there is no air. When we dig down we find layers in the soil.

We call those layers "soil horizons". The top horizon may be an inch (25mm) thick. We call that layer the "O" horizon or sometimes "topsoil". The next layer (horizon) is the "B" horizon. The next lower layer of soil is the "C" horizon. The bottom layer has many rocks and may be called the bedrock or "R" horizon for "rock". Deep down, there is always bedrock. But you may have to dig down a mile (a km) or more. When the soil dries, the soil may shrink and cracks will form in the soil. The soil in the top layer may fall down into the cracks. This causes the layers of soil to be changed because they are mixed. There may be many types soil where you live or only one type of soil. Different rocks make different soil textures. Different weather makes the different soil textures different. And so, there are different soils all over the world.

Related pages

Images for kids

A, B, and C represent the soil profile, a notation firstly coined by Vasily Dokuchaev (1846-1903), the father of pedology. Here, A is the topsoil; B is a regolith; C is a saprolite (a less-weathered regolith); the bottom-most layer represents the bedrock.

In Spanish: Suelo para niños