Investigating the planet's biomes and examining the modern threats to each ecosystem, this interactive series challenges young readers to look at how their own actions influence the planet's health. With compare-and-contrast facts and vocabulary-building sidebars, each engaging guide reveals how environmental threats—both human and natural—affect plants and animals. Examining this growing biome, this guide shows that the desert is more than just a giant sandbox. Discussing desertification and how environmental change—such as ranching, overdevelopment, and cactus collection—in this area can threaten life outside the desert, this resource instructs students on the need to treat the desert with care.