River Ecology
Provided by: Friends of the Chicago River|Published on: March 4, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Biology
Authors: Friends of the Chicago River
Region: Illinois
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This article from Friends of the Chicago River provides an overview of the Chicago River ecosystem, including the plants, animals, and habitats found within the river and its surrounding environment.
- The resource explains ecological relationships within the river system and describes the species that inhabit the watershed.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This is a brief article, with images that support comprehension.
- Students will get to see how the river is connected to the surrounding area.
Prerequisites
- Though some of this information is specific to the Chicago River, teachers in other regions may find this information accurate and useful.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Students can use the links below this article to check out other topics related to the river and surrounding ecosystems.
- After reading this article, students can assess a local river or stream for its health. Older or more advanced students can take part in this unit to use organisms living in the river as a measurement of health.
- Teachers can highlight the portion of this article that talks briefly about how the river has faced pollution. Then, students can check out this dashboard to see the progress of a Chicago River cleanup project.
- This resource can be used to make connections to SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 14, Life Below Water, and SDG 15, Life on Land.
This resource is an introduction to the ecology of the Chicago River. Several explanatory documents are linked, and the watershed’s flora and fauna are detailed, with numerous external sources linked. Habitat loss and nutrient pollution in the watershed is linked to human actions, but no connection is made to climate change. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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