Investigating Factors Affecting Earth Systems

A flood will have a greater effect on a habitat than a heavy rainfall event because a flood -

• is followed by strong winds that greatly affect a habitat

• strikes more quickly, not allowing organisms to migrate

• brings salt and other substances that harm plants

• happens more often and lasts much longer

A diagram of the areas surrounding the Gulf of Mexico is provided. A hurricane that comes in from the Gulf of Mexico will most likely have which of the following effects on a Texas habitat?

• Plants on Goose Island are killed by a surge of salt water.

• Trees in and around Austin are uprooted by heavy winds.

• Birds that eat fish on Galveston Island become extinct.

• Rains create new marshland habitats in Brazos Bend.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Tornadoes are catastrophic events that create change in ecosystems in which of the following ways?

• Heavy flooding increases areas where trees can grow.

• Wildfires started by lightning reduce carbon dioxide.

• High winds damage areas of important plant life.

• Saltwater kills many ground-dwelling animals.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What change would most likely be observed in the nonliving parts of an ecosystem after a hurricane?

• Increase in oxygen in the atmosphere

• Higher levels of soil nutrients

• Taller sand dunes on the beach

• Less sunlight reaching ground level

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

The extremely strong winds associated with a tornado will have the LEAST negative effect on which of the following kinds of organisms?

• Smaller mammals that burrow underground

• Fish that feed around coral reefs

• Organisms that feed on decaying plants and animals

• Birds and other animals that use trees for shelter

An event that produces high winds up to 350 mph, destroys forests, and uproots vegetation

• Tornado

• Hurricane

• Landslide

• Earthquake

An event that produces high winds that damage trees and excessive rain that drowns plants, but is completely calm in its "Eye"

• Flood

• Hurricane

• Earthquake

• Tornado

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

An event that produces excessive water, drowning plants and washing essential minerals from soil

• Flood

• Earthquake

• Tornado

• Hurricane

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

The extremely strong winds associated with a tornado will have the GREATEST negative effect on which of the following kinds of organisms?

• Smaller mammals that burrow underground

• Fish that feed around coral reefs

• Organisms that feed on decaying plants and animals

• Birds and other animals that use trees for shelter

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A community comprised of various organisms and environments

• Ecosystem

• Flood

• Tornado

• Hurricane

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5