Ecosystems
7th grade Science
1. Area where a river
meets the ocean
2. An area that has
reached a stable stage
of ecological.
3. Foundation of
open ocean food
chain
4. Gradual changes
that occur in the
types of species that
live in an area
Plankton
Estuary
Ecological
Succession
Climax
Community
5. Average weather pattern in
an area over a long period of
time
6. Takes place in an area with
soil that was once the home of
living organisms
7. Large geographic areas with
similar climates and ecosystems
8. Development of new
communities in newly created
land areas without any soil
9. Soil layer below the thawed
surface in tundra and taiga
biomes
Climate
Permafrost
Biomes
Primary
Succession
Secondary
Succession
A _________ biome is a cold, dry
area where the sun barely rises
during winter.
Tundra
Deserts have all of the following
EXCEPT _______.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Little Rainfall
Little Wind
Soil with little organic matter
Few large animals
All of the following are likely areas
for secondary succession EXCEPT
_______.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Flooded land
Exposed coral reefs
Abandoned logging areas
The land after a forest fire
Grassland biomes have all of the
following EXCEPT _______.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Grass for grazing animals
Wet Seasons
Slight Temperature range
Wheat fields
Temperate deciduous forests have all
of the following EXCEPT _______.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Poor soil for plants
Four seasons
Trees that lose leaves in autumn
Precipitation throughout the year
What would happen if grazing
animals in the tundra became
overpopulated?
Plants and other vegetation might become so
scarce that many of the grazing animals would
die from salvation, upsetting the balance in the
ecosystem.
If, over time, a fast-moving stream
becomes slow-moving, what changes
in plant and animal life might occur?
More animal life would appear because of the
slower current.
What might happen to a desert
located near a city if it is not
protected?
To provide water for a city’s residents, a desert’s
rivers and streams might be diverted, and
wildlife would move to stay near the water
sources. Desert animals might be endangered
by traffic and building developments.
What might happen if water from a
river were diverted into a pond
The pond would become deeper and much of its
plant life would die because less light would
reach the bottom. Over time, the pond would
become similar to a lake.
What would happen to the animals
living in a wetland if it were drained?
Wetland plants and animals would die off, and
migrating birds using the wetland as breeding
grounds might fail to reproduce.
Describe saltwater and freshwater
ecosystems.
Saltwater ecosystems may contain as much as 3.5%
salt, whereas freshwater ecosystems have very
little salt. Fresh water can flow, as in streams
and rivers, or be standing water, as in lakes,
ponds, and wetlands. Saltwater ecosystems
include open oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries.
Volcano Erupts
Lava cools
Lava forms new land composed of rock
Lichens and the forces of wind and erosion help break down rocks
Lichens die and decay
Soil Forms
Large Plants grow
Cactus
Bison
Deer
Cedars
Monkeys
Moose
Wheat
Oaks
Polar Bears
Kangaroo Rats

Taiga

Desert

Grassland

Tropical Rain forest

Tundra

Deciduous Forest
Why is it important to preserve
wetlands?
Products that come from wetlands, including fish,
shellfish, cranberries, and other plants are
valuable resources.
How is a desert a climax
community?
With ongoing limited rainfall and hot daytime
temperature, diversity and balance are
maintained.
How is a deciduous forest a
climax community?
Diversity and balance are maintained in a
deciduous forest because as trees die, they
provide nutrients for new communities of
species.
Tropical Rain Forest
A __________________
biome has warm, wet
weather throughout the year. The climate allows
Organisms
a large variety of _____________
to live.
Different plants and animals live in different
Zones
Rain Forest
_______________
of the ______________,
Forest Floor
called ____________________,
Understory
Canopy
_______________,
_________________,
and
Emergents
_________________.