Ecosystem Basics
What ecosystem is hot and dry with very little rain?
The desert.
What living thing stores water in the desert?
A cactus
What ecosystem do lions, giraffes, elephants, and zebra live in?
The Savanna
What do trees give off that living things need?
Oxygen
Desert, cactus, camel, snowy owl
What ecosystem has many trees and plants?
The Rainforest
Why does the Arctic fox have thick fur?
To stay warm.
Which ecosystem has hot days and cold nights?
The desert
Why are ecosystems important to animals?
They are their homes and provide them with shelter, food, and water.
Rainforest, monkey, sloth, polar bear
polar bear
Which ecosystem has very few trees because it is too cold?
The tundra
Why do some animals migrate (move from one place to another) during the dry season in the savanna?
To find water and food.
Which ecosystem has scattered trees and lots of grass?
The Savanna
What could happen if a river in an ecosystem dries up?
Plants and animals may not survive because there is no source of water.
Savanna, zebra, lion, penguin
penguin
How are forests and deserts different?
Forests have many trees/plants. Deserts are dry with fewer plants.
Why might a rainforest animal struggle to live in the tundra?
Because it is adapted for a warm, wet environment and not the cold weather.
Which ecosystem would best support animals that need lots of water? Explain
The rainforest because it gets a lot of rainfall.
Why do some ecosystems have more animals than others?
Some ecosystems have more food, water, rain, and trees.
Tundra, permafrost, Arctic fox, palm tree
palm tree
Why is it important to protect systems?
To protect plants (they give us food, clean air, and different medicine), animals, and Earth.
What are some ways that animals or plants change or behave to survive in extreme (harsh and difficult) weather?
They may migrate, grow thick fur, hide, or store food/water.
Why do different ecosystems have different animals and plants?
Because each ecosystem has different weather, water, and land conditions.
Why do ecosystems need both living and nonliving things?
Living things depend on water, sunlight, air, and soil.
Canopy, understory, forest floor, sand dunes
sand dunes