Desert Ecosystem Crossword

3. _____ factor is a living organism that shapes its environment
5. the diet of these organisms is made up of decaying organic material
7. species _____ is the number of different species in a community
10. dead material produced by organisms on all trophic levels
11. _____ abundance is the proportional representation of a species in a community
12. _____ succession occurs when disturbed areas are colonized by a variety of species which are gradually replaced by a succession of other species
13. _____ structure is a pattern of feeding relationships consisting of several different levels
16. secrete enzymes that digest molecules in organic forms into inorganic forms
17. _____ succession occurs where a disturbance has cleared away an existing community but leaves soil
18. _____ consumers are the top level of the trophic structure
20. _____ consumers include mostly herbivores
21. organisms that produce their own sources of energy
22. species _____ is defined by species richness and relative abundance

1. _____ species is a species whose impact is larger on its community relative to its abundance
2. a network of interconnecting food chains that shows what animals eat in an ecosystem
4. organisms that rely on other organisms as a source of energy
5. events that damage biological communities and alter the availability of resources
6. _____ species is a non-native species that spreads beyond the point of introduction and causes environmental/ecological damage
8. biological _____ is the intentional release of a natural enemy to attack a pest population
9. linear network that connects organisms based on what they eat
14. these organisms feast on detritus
15. _____ succession is when ecological succession begins in a virtually lifeless area with no soil
17. _____ consumers include mostly small mammals
19. _____ consumers get their energy from secondary consumers