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Drought – My Assignment

Find out more about droughts in Australia with these activities and ideas for a school assignment.

Rainfall tracker

You can create your own rainfall map by visiting the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website. An example can be seen in the image below right. Either use this map, or the one you have created to answer the following questions: 

The rainfall tracker for 2006-2007
(see the text on the left for more information)

• Use the colour chart to see if you have had average or below average rain.
• Mark the area where you live and print out this map.
• Present your findings to your class and include a description of how the drought has affected your town.

This map shows the amount of rainfall in Australia between July 2006 to July 2007. The coastal areas and inland of Western Australia and the southern areas of New South Wales and Victoria have recieved the highest amount of rainfall. Whereas, most of Queensland, Central Australia, South Australia and Tasmania have recieved less than average rainfall. The average rainfall was recieved by regions of the Northern Territory and parts of Western Australia.

Wildlife at risk from drought

During a drought, waterways dry up and rivers stop flowing. This means that fish and other animals are at risk.

Your tasks:

Can you list the types of animals that would be affected by a drought if it happened in your community?

Prepare a project sheet or multimedia presentation that shows:

• The animals that would be affected by drought.
• What would happen to their habitat in times of drought.
• How would the animal’s food source be affected by a lack of water.
• What else could happen to the animals in a drought.

Save some for tomorrow – how can you help save water?

Being prepared for a drought means being able to manage water, so that it lasts for longer – even when there is no rain for a long time.

Preparing for a drought is a job for everyone. List 5 ways of how you can help save water when you are at home, in your backyard and at school.

Saving Water in your Home

• _______________________________
• _______________________________
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Saving Water in your Backyard

• _______________________________
• _______________________________
• _______________________________
• _______________________________
• _______________________________

 

Saving Water at your School

• _______________________________
• _______________________________
• _______________________________
• _______________________________
• _______________________________

 

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