Across
- 2. Permafrost refers to permanently frozen soil found in polar regions and high mountain slopes. It affects plant growth and landscape stability and is associated with cold climates.
- 5. An ecosystem is a community of interacting organisms (biotic components) and their physical environment (abiotic components) within a specific habitat. Ecosystems can vary greatly in size and complexity, ranging from a small pond to a vast rainforest.
- 7. A biome characterized by drought-resistant shrubs, small trees, and a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Chaparrals are adapted to periodic fires and support diverse wildlife.
- 11. Abiotic factors are non-living chemical and physical elements in the environment that affect ecosystems and the organisms within them. Examples include temperature, sunlight, water, soil composition, air, and nutrients.
- 12. A tropical or subtropical grassland biome characterized by scattered trees and a mix of grasses. Savannahs have distinct wet and dry seasons, supporting large herbivores and predators adapted to these conditions.
- 13. A biome with very low temperatures, little precipitation, and permafrost (permanently frozen ground). Tundra vegetation consists of mosses, lichens, and low-growing shrubs, and it supports hardy mammals and migratory birds.
Down
- 1. A biome is a large-scale ecological community of plants and animals that occupy a specific region defined by climate and other abiotic factors. Biomes are characterized by distinct types of vegetation and animal life adapted to that particular environment.
- 3. A biome characterized by high rainfall, warm temperatures, and dense vegetation dominated by broad-leaved evergreen trees. It supports a vast array of plant and animal species adapted to the high humidity and constant warmth.
- 4. A biome with low precipitation, high temperatures during the day, and cold temperatures at night. Deserts have sparse vegetation and are home to animals and plants adapted to conserve water and withstand extreme heat.
- 6. Climate refers to the average weather conditions in a region over a long period of time, typically 30 years or more. It includes factors such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind patterns, and seasonal variations.
- 8. An ecosystem where freshwater from rivers and streams meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean. Estuaries are highly productive areas that serve as nurseries for fish, feeding grounds for birds, and habitats for diverse marine life.
- 9. Biotic factors refer to all living organisms within an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms. Biotic factors interact with each other and with the abiotic components of their environment.
- 10. A biome dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants with few trees. Grasslands experience seasonal variation in temperature and precipitation, and they support large populations of grazing mammals and birds.
- 13. Also known as boreal forest, taiga is a biome dominated by coniferous trees adapted to cold winters and short summers. It supports large mammals like moose and bears, along with migratory birds.
- 14. let's apply these definitions to the specific biomes you mentioned: