Honors Biology: Ecology Unit Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle
Your Task:
1) Form a group of 2 or 3 and divide the tasks evenly.
2) Obtain two pieces of graph paper and one or two sheets of lined paper. (You may need more
for rough drafts or mistakes.)
3) Create a crossword puzzle using the list of vocabulary words or terms below. (Hint: It is
easier to put in some long words first to get the puzzle started.) Try to keep the number of
words across and down about the same. The vocabulary words should end up as the answers
in the puzzle. The clue should be the definition of the word as given in the glossary of your
text. You should summarize the definition if it is long.
4) Your final product (one per group) should be:
a. A blank puzzle (on graph paper) with all the boxes drawn appropriately numbered.
b. A similar puzzle with all the answers filled in.
c. A sheet of clues. You may put the across and down clues on separate sheets if you
wish.
5) NEATNESS COUNTS, this should be able to be completed by another group.
You can use an internet-based puzzle maker to complete the puzzle for you. You need to write down
all the answers and definitions and someone reliable to enter all the information.
Try
http://www.armoredpenguin.com/crossword/
Or
http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/CrissCrossSetupForm.asp
The vocabulary WORD BANK: (use NO blanks or hyphens in the crossword puzzle)
abiotic factors
density-dependent factor
keystone species
biodiversity
density-independent factor
invasive species
biological magnification
detritivores
limiting factors
biotic factors
ecological niche
mutualism
carnivore
ecological succession
omnivore
carrying capacity
ecology
population
community
competitive exclusion
principle
consumer
ecosystem
predation
food chain
producer
food web
trophic level/structure
decomposer
herbivore