Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems

Name:

Date:

🌍 Part 1: Ecosystem Knowledge Check

I can identify characteristics of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

1. Which of these is a characteristic of terrestrial ecosystems?

Animals have gills for breathing

Plants have deep root systems to find water

Water provides buoyancy for organisms

Temperature remains constant year-round

2. Select ALL organisms that live in aquatic ecosystems:

Kelp

Bass fish

Desert cactus

Water lily

Mountain goat

3. The main difference between freshwater and saltwater ecosystems is:

Temperature levels

Amount of dissolved salt

Depth of water

Number of fish species

4. Fill in the blanks: Terrestrial ecosystems include ________, ________, and ________, while aquatic ecosystems include ________ and ________ environments.

🔍 Part 2: Ecosystem Analysis

I can analyze how organisms are adapted to their ecosystem.

5. Choose ONE terrestrial ecosystem (forest, desert, grassland, or tundra). Describe three adaptations that help plants or animals survive in that environment.

6. Explain why fish have gills instead of lungs, and how this adaptation helps them survive in aquatic ecosystems.

7. Compare and contrast: How do plants get sunlight in a forest ecosystem versus in a pond ecosystem? What challenges do they face?

🎨 Part 3: Design Your Ecosystem

I can create and explain connections within an ecosystem.

8. Design either a terrestrial OR aquatic ecosystem. Draw and label at least 5 organisms and explain how they depend on each other.

9. Ecosystem Explanation: Describe the food relationships in your ecosystem design above. Include at least one producer, one primary consumer, and one secondary consumer.

10. Extension Challenge: What would happen to your ecosystem if one of the organisms disappeared? Explain the impact on at least two other organisms.

Success Criteria: I can identify ecosystem types, explain organism adaptations, and describe relationships between living things in their environments.