Across
- 3. The process by which water changes from its liquid form to vapor or gas, usually due to heat from the Sun
- 5. Substances that plants and animals need in order to grow and survive, such as nitrogen and phosphorus
- 6. The careful use and protection of natural resources, including water, to prevent waste and ensure sustainability
- 12. Water that is stored beneath the Earth's surface in spaces and cracks within soil, rock, and sediment
- 13. Tiny particles of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters in size and are present in water bodies, posing a threat to aquatic life and the environment
- 18. The process by which water seeps into the ground and becomes groundwater
- 19. Species Non-native species that are introduced into an ecosystem and have the potential to cause harm to the native species and disrupt the ecosystem's balance
- 20. The extraction of minerals, ores, and other valuable materials from the Earth's crust, which can have significant impacts on watersheds and water quality
- 22. Particles of soil, sand, silt, and other materials that are transported and deposited by water
- 23. The process of returning a degraded or damaged ecosystem to a healthier and more natural state, often involving the restoration of watersheds and the improvement of water quality
- 24. A geographic area that drains water into a specific body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean
Down
- 1. The natural home or environment of an organism, which provides the necessary conditions for its survival
- 2. The process by which water vapor cools and changes into liquid droplets, forming clouds in the atmosphere
- 4. The process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere through their leaves
- 7. The excessive use or consumption of resources, including water, beyond what is necessary or sustainable
- 8. The wearing away of soil, rock, and other materials by the action of water, wind, or ice
- 9. Water that falls to the Earth's surface in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail
- 10. The movement of water from the land surface into streams, rivers, and eventually into lakes and oceans
- 11. The introduction of harmful substances, such as chemicals or waste materials, into the environment, which can negatively impact watersheds
- 14. Change Long-term alterations in temperature patterns and weather conditions, resulting from human activities and natural processes, which can affect the water cycle and impact watersheds
- 15. A large and destructive fire that spreads across vegetation and can have severe impacts on watersheds by increasing erosion and affecting water quality
- 16. An underground layer of permeable rock or sediment that contains water and allows it to flow
- 17. Illnesses or medical conditions that can be transmitted through water, such as waterborne diseases, which can affect human and animal populations
- 21. Water Water found on the Earth's surface in rivers, lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water