Name:____________________________
1.) An ecosystem is made up of biotic and abiotic factors.
2.) The health of an ecosystem is directly related to water quality.
3.) Abiotic factors determine ecosystem type and its distribution of plants and animals as
well as the usage
of land by people.
4.) What is a watershed? A watershed is the land that water flows across or
through on its way to a stream, lake, wetland, or other body of water.
5.) List 4 reasons watersheds are important.
a. They serve as drainage areas in and around our communities.
b. They support habitat for plants and animals.
c. They provide drinking water for people and wildlife.
d. The also provide the opportunity for recreation and enjoyment of
nature.
6.) What is the largest watershed river system in VA? James River
7.) The watershed systems in Virginia lead to which 3 main bodies of water?
a. Chesapeake Bay
b. North Carolina Sounds c. Gulf of Mexico
8.) Which of VA’s major watersheds do we live in and which main body of water does our water
go into?
Roanoke River Watershed  North Carolina Sounds
9.) List 6 important water quality functions that wetlands perform.
o
o
o
o
o
o
regulating runoff by storing flood waters
reducing erosion by slowing down run-off
maintaining water quality by filtering sediments
trapping nutrients
breaking down pollutants
recharging groundwater
Label the following picture of a river. Be sure to include the following terms:
river source, tributaries, main river, flood plain, meanders, wetlands, and the river mouth.
10.)
Match each part of a river system to its definition.
11.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
A
B
G
C
D
E
F
H
River source
Tributary
Main river
Flood plain
Meanders
Wetlands
Delta
River mouth
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Where water comes from (normally mountains)
Smaller streams and rivers that feed into a main river
Flat land that may flood (where house are)
Curves in a river system
Area of land that is covered with a shallow layer of water
Landform made of sediment where a river flows into an ocean
The major part of the river
Where a river flows into an ocean.
Bonus:
What is the most local watershed to Westwood Middle School?
Pumpkin Creek Watershed