Draining a pond

Draining a pond

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This task is about the effects of draining a pond on plants and animals.

Question 1Change answer

This pond is going to be drained so that there will be more land for farming. 
 
a)  What are two effects that draining the pond will have on the ducks?
 
1. 2.
 
b) Because the water has been drained why are the reeds likely to die?
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Level:
3
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Living World
Keywords: 
ecology, habitat destruction, wetlands, birds
Description of task: 
Students explain what the effects of draining a pond would have on the ducks and reeds that live there.
Making Better Sense: 
Habitat Destruction
Answers/responses: 
 

Y6 (07/1997)
a) Any 2 of:

  • food supply removed/diminished.
  • water supply for drinking removed/diminished.
  • preferred habitat no longer present (nowhere to swim).
 2 correct – difficult

1 correct – easy
b) Because they are adapted to living in water-logged areas and will not survive in drier soils.
[Do not accept answers like "because they have no water" unless answer includes concept of reeds needing more water than other plants.]		 difficult