Discovery Education: Habitats

More than 600 species have become extinct in the last 400 years, and, while there are many reasons for this alarmingly high number, the influence of human behavior is undeniable. This beautifully illustrated book thoughtfully examines many at-risk species, and the principal threats to their well-being, at the same time empowering students to get involved in conservation efforts. Objective text, clear charts, and graphs weigh the causes and effects of human behavior on animal habitats, while also touching on the animal adaptations and human intervention that have brought certain species back from the brink of extinction.

From muddy estuary to tangled kelp forest, the shorelines that fringe Earth's oceans teem with some of the planet's most diverse plant and animal life. With gorgeous, color illustrations, and informative diagrams, this book offers a comprehensive look at the variety of animals that make their homes along the ocean's shore, while also exploring the steps we can take to preserve their at-risk habitats. Fact-filled sidebars will intrigue reluctant readers, and writing prompts will encourage students to engage with the topic and offer material for discussion.

This colorful book uses detailed illustrations and clear text to explore the unbelievable adaptations that allow many species of plants and animals to make their homes in the glacial climate of the Earth's polar regions. Extensive sidebars highlight features specific to the planet's Arctic and Antarctic regions, placing an emphasis on adaptation and survival. Curious students will be fascinated by accounts of polar exploration. A curated list of websites encourages further reading.

For thousands of years, humans and their animal neighbors have congregated in cities. This comprehensive book traces the evolution of cities from Ancient Greece to modern Tokyo, Shanghai, Paris, and more. Timelines, sidebars, and diagrams depict this transformation in fascinating detail, while gorgeous; color photographs show the highs and lows of city life. A question and answer section at the end of the book will engage reluctant readers, while curious students will be happy to find a list of curated links, guiding them in further exploration of this diverse and ever-changing habitat.

Forests cover 30 percent of Earth's land surface and provide homes for countless animal and plant species. This beautifully illustrated book explores the plant life found within each of the six principal types of forest, using this framework to examine the ways that animals and humans interact with the resources that surround them. Colorful and easy-to-understand charts describe the scientific processes that sustain life in a forest ecosystem, while meticulously rendered sidebars will excite students' interest in the fascinating variety of animals and plants found in forests across the planet.

Rain forests cover a mere seven percent of Earth's total land, yet they contain more than half of the world's plant species. This colorful, visually appealing book explores the wealth of animal and plant life that can be found in this diverse habitat. Beautiful illustrations will charm readers, while rich, descriptive text will ignite their curiosity. Detailed diagrams and fact-filled sidebars further enrich this book.

Seventy percent of Earth is covered in water, and most of that water is ocean. From the vibrant reefs along ocean shores to the cold, dark depths of the midnight zone, Earth's oceans are home to a diverse wealth of plant and animal life. Featuring eye-popping illustrations, fact-filled text, and easy-to-read diagrams, this book explores the ocean's myriad habitats and the environmental and human factors that impact them. Readers will be interested to discover that many of the items that they use on a daily basis come from the ocean.