Environments Study Guide SOL 3.6
Vocabulary
Meaning
population
all of one type of animal and plant in an
ecosystem: there are many populations in each
area
habitat
the place where an animal or plant lives and grows:
a home
community
a group of plants and animals that live in an
ecosystem and depend on each other for their
survival
water habitats
animal homes that are in the water such as the
ocean, streams, rivers, swamps, ponds
land habitats
animal homes that are on the land such as tundra,
grassland, desert, rain forest,and mountains
environments
all the nonliving things (soil, water, air) that
surround a living plant or animal
deciduous
trees whose leaves fall off in the autumn
coniferous
evergreen trees with needles
tundra
flat, cold, wetlands in the arctic
grasslands
flat, grassy areas with few trees ideal for
herbivores like cows and buffalo
deserts
hot or cold areas with very little rainfall
forests
areas with many trees
rain forest
hot, wet ecosystem with many trees and animals;
the largest ecosystem in population
ocean
the largest body of salt water on earth: the
largest ecosystem in size
fresh water
water ecosystems made of flowing water- streams,
rivers, swamps, lakes, ponds
salt water
water ecosystem containing salt -- oceans, seas,
bays
Important Facts to Know
1. Mountains have three areas: the lower slopes with deciduous
leaves (oaks, maples, dogwoods), the middle slopes with coniferous
trees (pines), and the top slopes with rocky peaks. Mountains
have a variety of life on them. The lower slopes have foxes,
rabbits, deer, bear; the middle slopes are home to elk, bear and
cougars; the upper slopes are home to mountain goats and mountain
sheep.
2. Forests are similar to the lower slopes of the mountains.
Animals and plants are also very similar.
3. Deserts are land communities which can be hot or cold with
very little water. In hot deserts the most often seen plant is the
cactus. Jack rabbits, tortoises, rattlesnakes, lizards,
roadrunners, and coyotes are the common types of animals.
4. The tropical rain forest has the largest population of animals
and plants. It is a very hot, humid place with many trees and
green plants. All types of animals live there including many insects
and amphibians.
5. The tundra area has the smallest population of plants and
animals on earth due to the short growing season and cold
conditions. Very small plants grow there and little or no trees.
Animals such as the reindeer and polar bears live here.
6. The grassland area is a flat area with few trees and lots of
grass. Animals that live in herds and are herbivores such as
buffalo, deer, zebra, antelope and giraffe live in this area.
Predators like the lion live here.
7. The ocean is the largest salt water community and the largest
ecosystem on earth. Many habitats are in this ecosystem such as
the coral reef and even a shipwreck.
8. Other water communities are fresh water such as streams,
rivers, lakes and ponds. Each has different types of plants and
animals living there.
9. Examples of animal populations are each of one type of animal
or plant living in an ecosystem. On the Serengeti Plain there is a
population of zebras, of lions, of giraffe, of hyenas, etc. In a
barnyard there is a population of chickens, sheep, pigs, etc.
10. Ecosystems are fragile and dependent on each of the members
of the community. If one animal or plant group dies, the balance
in the ecosystem can be disrupted. Animals and plants need to
stay in their own ecosystem. Moving an animal or plant out of
their natural environment can result in the organisms death.