CCP Biology: Ecology Crossword Puzzle

The study of ecology includes a large number of vocabulary words that you might not be familiar
with. Making a crossword puzzle is an effective way to learn a large number of vocabulary words.

Your task
o Form a group of 2 or 3.
o Divide up the tasks evenly.
o Obtain two pieces of graph paper and one or two sheets of lined paper. (You may need
more for rough drafts or mistakes.)
o Create a crossword puzzle using the list of vocabulary words below. (HINT: It is
usually easier to put in some long words first to get the puzzle started.) Try to keep the
number of words across and down about the same. The vocabulary word should end
up as the answer in the puzzle. The clue should be the definition of the word as given
in your text or glossary. You may summarize the definition if it is long. You must use
all words to get full credit.
o Your final product (one per group) should be:
1. A blank puzzle (on graph paper) with all the boxes drawn and appropriately
numbered.
2. A similar puzzle with all the answers filled in.
3. A sheet of clues. You may put the across and down clues on separate sheets if you
wish.
The vocabulary word bank
abiotic

community

limiting factor

adaptation

consumer

mutualism

autotroph

decomposer

niche

biodiversity

density-dependent

omnivore

biomass

detritivore

population

biome

ecology

predation

biotic

ecosystem

producer

carnivore

food chain

succession (ecological)

carrying capacity

habitat

symbiosis

commensalism

herbivore

trophic level