Across
- 3. (2 words) The number of different species in a given area and how evenly individuals are distributed among them.
- 5. (2 words) A region rich in unique species but severely threatened by human activity.
- 7. (2 words) The variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes in an area.
- 9. (2 words) The upper layer of water that receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis.
- 10. A group of ecosystems with similar climates and typical life forms.
- 11. The dense layer formed by the uppermost branches and leaves of trees in a forest.
- 14. (2 words) The shallow, sunlit near-shore area of a lake where plants and animals thrive.
- 17. Removing individuals from a population faster than the species can reproduce.
- 18. (2 words) Differences in DNA among individuals within a species.
- 19. (2 words) A non-native organism that spreads rapidly and harms native ecosystems.
Down
- 1. (2 words) The breaking of large habitats into smaller, isolated pieces, often due to human development.
- 2. (2 words) A strip of natural habitat that connects separate populations to maintain genetic flow and reduce extinction risk.
- 4. (2 words) The open, well-lit surface water area of a lake away from shore.
- 6. The upward movement of cold, nutrient-rich water to the ocean surface, supporting high productivity.
- 8. (2 words) The dark, bottom region of a body of water where decomposers break down organic material.
- 11. A diagram showing an area’s average monthly temperature and precipitation, used to identify biomes.
- 12. (3 words) The amount of energy plants store as biomass after using some for respiration.
- 13. A permanently frozen layer of soil found in tundra regions.
- 15. (3 words) A U.S. law passed in 1973 to protect endangered and threatened species and their habitats.
- 16. (2 words) The deep layer of water where sunlight cannot reach and photosynthesis cannot occur.