world ecosystems of the - mizz mizz @ raglan - home€¦ · · 2014-08-04all about our earth’s...

Ecosystems of theWorld

All living things must adapt to different conditions, depending on where inthe world they are. Study the ecosystems of the world with this series.

Table of ContentsDesert Ecosystem

Grasslands EcosystemMountains Ecosystem

Tropical RainforestTemperate Rainforest

Temperate ForestChapparal EcosystemShoreline Ecosystem

Temperate Oceans EcosystemTropical Ocean EcosystemPolar Ocean Ecosystem

Taiga EcosystemTundra Ecosystem

RED-TAILED HAWK

JACKRABBIT

RATTLESNAKE

All About Our Earth’s Ecosystems!

THE DESERTAbout the Desert:When most people think of deserts they think of hot, dry land, with sand, cactuses and few plants. Deserts can actually be very hot or very cold (technically Antarctica is a desert!), but they all receive very little rainfall. Plants and animals that live here are highly adapted to deal with the extreme conditions, including little water, high heat, and little plant life. Animals and plants that make hot deserts their home include coyotes, cactus, camels, lizards, many kinds of insects and arachnids, snakes, jackrabbits, and many types of birds. In hot deserts, rainfall will often come in heavy storms, frequently causing �ash �oods.

Desert Stats:- Deserts take up 20% of the Earth’s land surface.

- The driest desert in the world is the Atacama desert in South America. It is estimated that some areas didn’t receive signi�cant rain between the years 1570 - 1970. That’s over 400 years!

- Plants and animals in deserts are adapted to require very little water. In fact, the Kangaroo Rat never needs to drink water: it gets all the water it needs from metabolic processes in its body and from the food it eats.

- Saguaro cacti in the Sonoran desert can grow up to 50 feet tall, and can expand in size to take in and hold water.

- The largest desert is the Antarctic, and the largest hot desert is the Sahara.

1) CACTUS

2) RATTLESNAKE

3) CAMEL

4) SAGUARO

Find the desert terms below in the word search. They can be horizontal or vertical.

5) COYOTE

6) DRY

7) SCORPION

8) VULTURE

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GRASSLANDSAbout Grasslands:Grasslands are a very diverse range of habitats that are all characterized by a dominance of grasses and herbaceous (non-woody) plants. The �ora may be very short, very tall, and will sometimes include the occasional shrub or tree. Grasslands can be temperate, tropical, and even can be found in the tundra or desert! Many types of animals and insects can be found in grasslands including lions, cheetahs, wolves, bison, zebra, elephants, rhinoceros, deer, prairie dogs, mice, coyotes, snakes, wild horses, grasshoppers, spiders, and many types of birds such as hawks, vultures, sparrows, and quail.

Grasslands Stats:- Di�erent types of grasses and other plants are found in grasslands depending on the local climate and fauna.

- Grasslands are hugely important to people because grasslands make ideal agricultural and grazing land.

- Because of the many invertebrates such as earthworms, larvae, and insects that enrich and fertilize the soil, grasslands can have the richest soils in the world.

- In the tallgrass prairies of the American Midwest, some grasses can grow to be well over 6 feet tall!

- Savannahs are a type of grassland that are characterized by scattered tree growth.

1) CHEETAH

2) GRASS

3) AGRICULTURE

4) HORSE

CHEETAH

BISON

VULTURE

Find the grasslands terms below in the word search. They can be horizontal or vertical.

MENTIPEBISONLN

APCNHMTZOAJBEU

LHENOTUELNRMAY

HCRFRKEBTUNAVN

THDASRORGWUGUI

LEETEKIARNBTLO

TELDOFTSMGAATD

ITNEKTUIHENRUA

OAUAGRICULTURE

EHNKTPANUTHNEK

FJKINEHSAOINEJ

RAFLOWERSICATD

KETUIEGRASSYUP

SLPEJTKAIRONMN

KREJDUOENMXJSL

5) BISON

6) VULTURE

7) ZEBRA

8) FLOWERS


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MOUNTAINSAbout Mountains:Mountains are found all across the world, and make up about one fifth of the world’s landscape. All mountain ecosystems have one major characteristic in common: rapid changes in climate, soil, and vegetation over short distances as you increase in altitude. Since mountains have a wide range of habitats and are found all over the world, they support a large number of different plants and animals. Animals include mountain lions, giant pandas, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, snow leopards, bears, llamas, and many types of birds including eagles, hawks, songbirds, and hummingbirds. Many types of insect are found in mountainous areas.

Mountain Stats:- Weather can be highly variable on mountains. Weather can change from warm and sunny to cold and stormy in a matter of minutes.

- The highest terrestrial mountain in the world is Mount Everest in the Himalayan mountain range. It is currently 29,029 feet above sea level. That’s so high, most people need oxygen tanks because the air is so thin!

- Many mountains are too tall to support trees or sometimes plants at all near the tops. These areas are bare, rocky, and often covered in snow or glaciers.

- Many plants are unique to certain mountain ranges and are not found anywhere else in the world.

1) ELEVATION

2) SNOW

3) SHEEP

4) PANDA

GRIZZLY BEAR

BIGHORN SHEEP

Find the mountain terms below in the word search. They can be horizontal or vertical.

NEOUNRIBAKLECV

APCBEPTABEAREU

BMANKAEOTHMBRE

INKOPNRSHOEIUT

GRDANDOSNOWGNI

HNWEUAHNKEIOTA

OAEHUMMINGBIRD

RELKTUOAITBRTO

NNERAMGOOWCOLA

SLVIETOPRENMFS

HJAINEHUAOINEH

EATGHOTMFICATE

ERIUEDNABFREJE

PLOEJTKAIRONMP

LANRIPWJTUNGHB

5) HUMMINGBIRD

6) BEAR

7) BIGHORN SHEEP

8) PUMA


Word SearchHUMMINGBIRD


TROPICAL RAINFORESTAbout Tropical Rainforests:Tropical rainforests are forests of tall trees in locations of very warm and wet weather. They are home to a huge number of different plants, insects and animals. Even though tropical rainforests now cover six percent of the Earth’s land surface, it is estimated that they hold more than half of the worlds species! There is a huge variety of insects such as ants, butterflies, moths, dragonflies, and beetles. Animals that can be found in tropical rainforests include birds such as toucans, birds of paradise, and parrots, mammals such as monkeys, rhinos, tapirs, bats, apes, and tigers, and reptiles and amphibians like frogs, pythons, vipers, and lizards. Many of these organisms are endangered.

Tropical Rainforest Stats:- Tropical rainforests are divided into four layers: at the bottom is the forest floor, which is completely shaded by the canopy above. Next is the understory, which is made up of shorter trees. The upper canopy is next and it is a thick layer of foliage. Above that is the emergent layer, which are trees that are taller than the canopy.

- Tropical rainforests generally receive an average of 50 - 260 inches of rain a year!

- Many lifesaving medicines have been made from plants that grow in the rainforest, including medicines that treat malaria and leukemia.

- Many popular foods come from the rainforest, including coffee, chocolate, banana, avocado, mango, and sugarcane.

1) HUMID

2) MONKEY

3) TAPIR

4) GECKO

CAPYBARA

BLACK LEOPARD

POISON DART FROG

Find the tropical rainforest terms below in the word search. They can be horizontal or vertical.

LNEMONKEYBALSK

APCNEMTAOAJBEU

KEHNKERPOARUGO

OUAJEROLABDIED

CRMANROSGWUGCI

EVEUNKAEBRDFKP

LALDOTOUCANAOD

OREOASNEUDJTIR

TNORAMGOOWCOLF

RONLANBKEUHEBO

FJKINEHSAOUNEL

WTAPIROUENMEOI

URBAKPOENTIUAA

SLPEJTKAIRDNGG

ABUROUERNLERTE

5) OCELOT

6) TOUCAN

7) CHAMELEON

8) FOLIAGE


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TEMPERATE RAINFORESTAbout Temperate Rainforests:Temperate rainforests are forests in cooler climates than tropical rainforests, but that still receive large amounts of rain. The largest area of temperate rainforest stretches from California, up the Pacific coast of North America, all the way to Alaska. Temperate rainforests generally feature coniferous and broadleaf trees, and lichens, mosses, and fungi are frequently found. Animals found in temperate rainforests can be similar to animals found in other forests: deer, foxes, otters, bear, wolves, boar, elk, squirrels, eagles, hawks, songbirds, hummingbirds, and many types of invertebrates.

Temperate Rainforest Stats:- Average yearly temperatures do not drop below freezing in temperate rainforests.

- Some of the tallest trees in the world are found in temperate rainforests. Coast redwoods are found only between southern Oregon and central California along the coastlines. The coast redwood named Hyperion is the tallest living tree in the world at over 379 feet tall!

- Temperate rainforests receive at least 79 inches of rain yearly.

- Most temperate rainforests are found in coastal regions, due to the moderating effect the ocean has on temperature, and the increased rainfall caused by the ocean.

1) MOSS

2) DEER

3) REDWOOD

4) BANANA SLUG

Find the temperate rainforest terms below in the word search. They can be horizontal or vertical.

KOPOANDEERNGOS

APCNEMTAOAJBEU

ERONUKALEMFERN

BAJROPRMETUIPE

TBANANASLUGGNI

LPETNKIERNBTIO

CALDOMNSMGABRD

ORIUOUFKJROPEB

ANMRASAOOWCODA

SKOTGHLSAZTCWE

TJSRIRLEHTOIOR

AASGHOTEFICAOD

LARIEOIOPANTDP

SLPEJMKAIRONMN

KREJDSOEAGLESL

5) RAINFALL

6) EAGLE

7) MUSHROOMS

8) COASTAL


Word SearchBALD EAGLE

GRIZZLY BEAR

BANANA SLUG


TEMPERATE FORESTAbout Temperate Forests:Temperate forests are widespread across the globe, and can be deciduous or evergreen. Deciduous refers to trees and plants that lose their leaves in the fall to prepare for the coming winter, while evergreen plants keep their leaves or needles all year. Many animals that are found in taiga can be found in temperate forests, among others. Animals that make temperate forests their home include deer, elk, mountain lions, bears, giant pandas, red pandas, koalas, opossums, foxes, many predatory birds and songbirds, raccoons, boar, snakes, coyotes, and wolves. Common plants include birch, oak, rose, sequoia, spruce, fir, and maple.

Temperate Forest Stats:- The soil in temperate forests is very rich due to the large amount of plant material that falls to the forest floor.

- Many popular foods originally grew in temperate forests, including apples, walnuts, and mushrooms.

- Evergreen plants can either be coniferous, which means they have needles for leaves, or they can have normal leaves that generally are tougher than those found on deciduous trees.

- Many animals use camouflage to hide from predators, while others are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and are active at night.

1) MAPLE

2) BEAR

3) SEQUOIA

4) OPOSSUM

Find the temperate forest terms below in the word search. They can be horizontal or vertical.

NIEOURNLARUNSF

AOCNEMBEARJBEU

EPONUKALEMFEDN

NORUIPAOUFRBED

PSESEASONSOICE

LSETNKIERNBTIO

HUBARUSNEOMMDD

FMNKOALATLAIUN

RBWNRIIQLNPBOU

LKLTBOARAZLCUE

AREKWITHJIEMSB

RACGHOTEFICATD

LSEQUOIAENJKRU

SLPEJTKAIRONMN

PLETHKAPIETSKF

5) BOAR

6) SEASONS

7) DECIDUOUS

8) KOALA


Word SearchGRIZZLY BEAR

RABBIT

BOAR


CHAPARRALAbout Chaparral:Chaparral is a dry hot ecosystem that is also called Mediterranean. Some chaparral can be found on most continents. Generally temperatures are hot, and winters are mild, but it can get very hot (100°F) or below freezing (30°F). Plants and animals here are adapted to dryness, and are similar to those found in deserts and grasslands. Common plants include several types of oak, cacti, sagebrush, yucca, olive trees, and manzanita. Animals include rabbits, deer, foxes, skunk, lynx, mountain lion, coyotes and rattlesnakes. Many kinds of birds also make their home in chaparral including quail, hummingbirds, and roadrunners.

Chaparral Stats:- Fires are frequent in chaparral because of the hot dry climate. Some plants have adapted to need fires to reproduce. Their seeds will only sprout after a fire.

- Chaparral will only get 10-17” of rain each year, mostly in the winter.

- Mediterranean chaparral is home to many popular cooking herbs such as oregano, thyme, and rosemary.

- Many animals in chaparral are nocturnal to avoid the hot daytime temperatures. This makes it easier for them to conserve energy and water.

- Lots of chaparral areas can be found in central and southern California in the western US.

1) COYOTE

2) HUMMINGBIRD

3) OLIVE

4) LYNX

RATTLESNAKE

JACKRABBIT

HUMMINGBIRD

Find the chaparral terms below in the word search. They can be horizontal or vertical.

NECIALEJAURENM

APONEMTAOAJBEU

JOYUITKKAILEML

GNOLIVEEPUYNAR

TRTANROSGWNGNI

LPETNKIERNXTZO

TALDOAKHMGAAAD

ANLEKUOPGNEUNE

ONURAMGOOFCOIA

KHUMMINGBIRDTO

FJKINEHSIRANAJ

RACGHOTEFECATD

JKRIOPWKLSBIAU

SLPEJTKAIRONMN

KRATTLESNAKEPL

5) RATTLESNAKE

6) MANZANITA

7) OAK

8) FIRES


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SHORELINESAbout Shorelines:Shorelines are a highly diverse group of ecosystems, and all of them are where the ocean meets land. Some different types of shorelines include salt marshes, sandy beaches, rocky coastlines, and mangroves. The organisms that make their homes in and around shorelines adapt to large amounts of water, salt, and the pounding action of waves and storms. Animals that can be found on or around shorelines include many types of birds such as gulls and shorebirds, marine organisms such as fish, seastars, crabs, mussels, anemones, and barnacles. Many more animals visit shorelines routinely to find food and to reproduce.

Shoreline Stats:- The area of a shoreline that is covered and uncovered as the tides change is called the intertidal zone.

- Mangrove forests are found on shorelines where a freshwater source such as a river meets the ocean. The plants that live there are specially adapted to survive in salty water. Mangroves are home to many birds, animals, and fish.

- On sandy beaches, it may look like there aren’t many animals around, but buried just under the sand are many small animals such as crustaceans that hide under the sand when the tide is out.

- Just because an animal doesn’t live at a shoreline full time doesn't mean they don’t depend on it! Many sea turtles have to climb onto beaches in order to lay their eggs.

1) SANDPIPER

2) CRAB

3) SEASTAR

4) MANGROVE

HERMITCRAB

SANDPIPERS

SEA TURTLE

Find the shoreline terms below in the word search. They can be horizontal or vertical.

WIOPJQKHAGBEIS

APCNEMTAOSJBEU

ERSANDPIPERERN

BENKTUIPIAEHAN

ARDTIDESGTUCNI

RPETNKIERUBRIO

NALSOFTSMRAAOD

AINEUTHKATEBTY

CNUARMGOOLCOLA

LUESIALSUENKUN

EJKTNEHSAOINEJ

RAMANGROVECATD

ICNREJKTAONKEU

SLPEJTKAIRONMB

KREJDUOANEMONE

5) TIDES

6) ANEMONE

7) BARNACLE

8) SEA TURTLE


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TEMPERATE OCEANSAbout Temperate Oceans:The temperate oceans are found between the tropical oceans and the polar oceans. Temperate oceans are very productive, especially at coastlines. A hugely diverse range of animals live in temperate oceans, so many that people are still discovering new species routinely! These include some of the tiniest creatures such as microscopic zooplankton; crustaceans such as krill, crabs, and lobsters; endless varieties of fish such as tuna, salmon, herring, and cod; sharks, rays, mammals such as sea lions, dolphins, whales, and otters; jellyfish, turtles, corals, kelp, algae, and many others.

Temperate Oceans Stats:- Did you know that you can find forests in temperate oceans? Kelp forests are found along coastlines and aren’t made up of plants, but seaweed, which is a type of algae. Some kelp can grow up to two feet in a day!

- Much of the world’s fishing is done in temperate oceans.

- In coastal areas, temperate oceans support a large number of animals. This is because of coastal upwelling, which brings up nutrient-rich waters from the bottom.

1) TUNA

2) MOLA MOLA

3) BLUE WHALE

4) SQUID

JELLYFISH

MOLA MOLA

Find the temperate ocean terms below in the word search. They can be horizontal or vertical.

KELPKOTPJNAURK

APCNEMTAOAJBSU

FNKEOURNSLAEQT

ENKDTUNANKMLUL

THDANROSGWOGII

OENELTIUOALFDE

TRLDOFTSMGAAOD

GREATWHITEMIOF

OIURAMGOOWOOLA

ANKLRUOWHTLWPE

FGKINEHSAOANEJ

RACOTTERFICATD

GHEUIOPTJALKND

SBLUEWHALEONMN

KREJDUOENMXJSL

5) GREAT WHITE

6) OTTER

7) HERRING

8) KELP


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HAMMERHEADSHARK


TROPICAL OCEANSAbout Tropical Oceans:Tropical oceans are known mainly for one thing: coral reefs. Coral reefs are often referred to as the rainforests of the ocean because of the high diversity of animals that make them their home. Many species of fish, such as barracuda, clownfish, angelfish, sharks, rays, triggerfish, butterflyfish, and gobies live in reefs, as well as reptiles such as sea turtles, mammals such as dolphins and whales, invertebrates such as lobsters, crabs, and shrimp, and molluscs such as clams, octopus, cuttlefish, and squid. Even coral is actually a colony of many tiny animals living together!

Tropical Oceans Stats:- Tropical oceans are found between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn along the Equator.

- There are few true plants found in tropical oceans, the most common being seagrass. Everything else is either coral, which are animals, or algae such as seaweed and kelp.

- Many of the creatures that call tropical ocean their home are highly adapted to survive, especially those who live in densely populated reefs! Camouflage plays a big part of life in the reefs.

- The largest reef is the Great Barrier reef off the coast of Australia. It is the largest structure made by living organisms (corals) and can be seen from space!

1) TURTLE

2) CORAL

3) SHARK

4) BARRACUDAHAMMERHEADSHARK

HAWAIIAN CLEANERWRASSE

YELLOW LONGNOSEBUTTERFLYFISH

FIREFISH

Find the tropical oceans terms below in the word search. They can be horizontal or vertical.

LAHLEONLTOHJLE

SHARKMTAOAJEBU

FKLELSNKUCOUAQ

DPLEHNRIUORERN

TRDANRESGRUGRI

UNOEKEELBADJAE

TCLAMFFSMLAACD

GLPRHAOUTNKEUE

ONHRAMGOOWCODA

JEINDRUIUENPAN

FJNINEHSAOINEJ

RACGTURTLECATD

JKEPIWHUERNDHE

SLPEJTKAIRONMN

KRCUTTLEFISHSL

5) DOLPHIN

6) CUTTLEFISH

7) CLAM

8) REEF


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POLAR OCEANSAbout Polar Oceans:The polar oceans include the Arctic Ocean in the north, and the Southern Ocean, also called the Antarctic Ocean. These oceans are very cold, and frequently are covered by pack ice in the winter. In spite of the cold and apparent lack of life, a large number of organisms depend on the polar oceans for homes, food, and to reproduce. Phytoplankton and algae photosynthesize (like plants, they make their food from the sun), and these are consumed by copepods and krill. These small organisms directly or indirectly support many animals including different fish, squid, jellyfish, whales, seals, penguins, polar bears, and walrus.

Polar Oceans Stats:- In the Arctic Ocean, a large portion of the ocean is covered in ice year round.

- Even though sometimes depicted as living together, polar bears and penguins almost never interact. This is because polar bears are only found in the north, and penguins only found in the south.

- Because of the tilt of the Earth, during the summertime the sun never sets, and during the wintertime the sun never rises in parts of both the Arctic and Antarctic.

1) COLD

2) WALRUS

3) ICE

4) JELLYFISH

SQUID

BELUGA WHALE

EMPEROR PENGUIN

Find the polar ocean terms below in the word search. They can be horizontal or vertical.

LNERINAHRNOPWE

AHUMPBACKAJBEU

UNKEOROPRKLEUA

OWNMIRIGIPBNKE

TADACROSLWSEAL

ILETEKIELNBTIO

GRLDOFTSMGAAOD

KUPERLERSNHUKB

OSURJELLYFISHA

RTNKEOPWLDEUNB

FJKINEHSAOINEJ

RACGHOTEFICATD

JERNAHOSCOLDPI

ORCAJTKAIRONMN

KREJDUOENMXJSL

5) KRILL

6) ORCA

7) SEAL

8) HUMPBACK


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TAIGAAbout Taiga:Taiga is located just south of the tundra in the northern hemisphere, and is mainly made up of coniferous forests. Taiga covers large amounts of North America, Europe, and Asia. It is characterized by very cold winters, and warm humid summers. Many animals that can be found in the tundra can be found in taiga, however, tundra has mainly grasses and lichens, whereas taiga contains many types of coniferous trees, such as fir, spruce, and cedar, as well as poplars and birches. Animals that can be found in taiga include bears, lynx, wolves, foxes, rabbits, eagles, owls, moose, deer, and many migratory animals, especially birds.

Taiga Stats:- The word taigs comes from the Russian word for forest.

- 6 months of the year the temperature ranges from -65°F - 30°F. That means that for half the year it is below freezing!

- Taiga receives a moderate amount of precipitation, mostly during the summer in the form of rain.

- Many animals hibernate or migrate to avoid dealing with the harsh taiga winters, when there is often little food to be found.

- During the summer, the taiga is filled with insects, drawing birds from around the world to feed and breed.

1) GRIZZLY

2) SNOW

3) WOLVERINE

4) EAGLE

CARIBOU

GRIZZLY BEAR

BALD EAGLE

Find the taiga terms below in the word search. They can be horizontal or vertical.

NKEUOPTNLAIJFN

CLENAIHETBKPAI

OKIANEITSNOWNR

LEUITOBNKEUITE

DRWOLVERINEGNI

LPETNKRERNBTIO

PWGRHBNAOSETHI

LPRUOIATHPAIUE

ONICAMTOORCOEA

KEZUTIIAPUBJAG

ALZGNBORUCOSGE

RALGHONEFECALD

BUYNKIWPOAIHEA

SLPEJTKAIRONMN

KREMOOSENMXJSL

5) COLD

6) SPRUCE

7) MOOSE

8) HIBERNATION


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THE TUNDRAAbout the Tundra:The tundra is generally a very cold place. The main types of vegetation that grow in the tundra are various lichens, mosses, and some grasses and other small low lying plants. This is because the ground is frozen for most of the year, so trees and large plants cannot grow. There are not many animals found in the tundra; those that can survive include reindeer (called caribou), musk oxen, arctic fox, lemmings, snowy owls, polar bears (only in the extreme north), arctic hares, seals, penguins (only in the south), and wolves (only in the north).

Tundra Stats:- Depending on the location, temperatures in the winter can reach as low as -58°F / -50°C!

- When soil is permanently frozen, it is called permafrost.

- Arctic tundra (in the north) can be very windy, with winds often blowing at 30 - 60 miles per hour!

- Most tundra is similar to the desert in that it receives very little annual precipitation.

- Animals and plants that live here are highly adapted to survive and make efficient use of resources.

- Millions of migratory birds fly to the tundra every summer to nest and feed.

1) CARIBOU

2) COLD

3) PERMAFROST

4) LICHEN

SNOWY OWL

CARIBOU

Find the tundra terms below in the word search. They can be horizontal or vertical.

LAIAJOLICHENPE

APCNEMTAOAJBEU

ERONUKALEMFERN

DPLEMMINGIVPUN

TRDANROSGWUGNI

LPETNKIERNBTIO

TALDOFTSMGAAOD

WOSRPERMAFROST

ONURAMGOOWCOLA

LKLTGHESAZTCSE

FJKINEHSAOINEJ

RACGHOTEFICATD

JECARIBOURFKFN

SLPEJTKAIRONMN

KREJDUOENMXJSL

5) ARCTIC FOX

6) MOSS

7) LEMMING

8) WOLF


HARP SEAL

Word Search

Answer SheetsEcosystems of the World

Desert EcosystemGrasslands EcosystemMountains Ecosystem

Tropical RainforestTemperate Rainforest

Temperate ForestChapparal EcosystemShoreline Ecosystem

Temperate Oceans EcosystemTropical Ocean EcosystemPolar Ocean Ecosystem

Taiga EcosystemTundra Ecosystem

RED-TAILED HAWK

JACKRABBIT

RATTLESNAKE


THE DESERTAbout the Desert:When most people think of deserts, they think of hot, dry land, with sand, cactuses, and few plants. Deserts can actually be very hot or very cold (technically Antarctica is a desert!), but they all receive very little rainfall. Plants and animals that live here are highly adapted to deal with the extreme conditions, including little water, high heat, and little plant life. Animals and plants that make hot deserts their home include coyotes, cactus, camels, lizards, many kinds of insects and arachnids, snakes, jackrabbits, and many types of birds. In hot deserts, rainfall often will come in heavy storms, frequently causing �ash �oods.

Desert Stats:- Deserts take up 20% of the Earth’s land surface.

- The driest desert in the world is the Atacama desert in South America. It is estimated that some areas didn’t receive signi�cant rain between the years 1570 - 1970. That’s over 400 years!

- Plants and animals in deserts are adapted to require very little water. In fact, the Kangaroo Rat never needs to drink water: it gets all the water it needs from metabolic processes in its body and from the food it eats.

- Saguaro cacti in the Sonoran desert can grow up to 50 feet tall, and can expand in size to take in and hold water.

- The largest desert is the Antarctic, and the largest hot desert is the Sahara.

1) CACTUS

2) RATTLESNAKE

3) CAMEL

4) SAGUARO

Find the desert terms below in the word search. They can be horizontal or vertical.

5) COYOTE

6) DRY

7) SCORPION

8) VULTURE


Word Search