Biodiversity Vocabulary

The different organisms living in an

ecosystem.

• Biodiversity

• Keystone Species

• Decomposer

• Pollutant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

A species that is necessary to maintain

ecosystem health. Without this species,

the ecosystem would change

drastically.

• Biodiversity

• Keystone Species

• Decomposer

• Pollutant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A species that is responsible for

breaking down dead organisms in an

ecosystem.

• Biodiversity

• Keystone Species

• Decomposer

• Pollutant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

A substance that pollutes something in

the ecosystem (e.g., air, water, soil).

• Biodiversity

• Keystone Species

• Decomposer

• Pollutant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

A Community of interacting organisms

and their environment. It includes both

living and nonliving things.

• Ecosystem

• Tide Pool

• Species

• Bioindicator

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

When there are no individuals left of a

species.

• Extinct

• Tide Pool

• Species

• Bioindicator

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

An organism that can be used to

determine ecosystem health. These

organisms can serve as a warning

signal that something in the ecosystem

is changing.

• Ecosystem

• Tide Pool

• Species

• Bioindicator

A scientist who studies a humans’

impact on ecosystems and helps

develop solutions to ecosystem problems.

• Conservation Biologist

• Tide Pool

• Ecosystem

• Bioindicator

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

A group of organisms that have similar

individuals and are able to exchange

genes through breeding to produce

offspring that are able to reproduce.

• Ecosystem

• Tide Pool

• Species

• Bioindicator

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

Shallow pools of seawater that exist as

separate bodies of water, usually only

during low tide.

• Ecosystem

• Tide Pool

• Species

• Bioindicator