wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Catastrophic Events and the Ecosystem

Total questions: 26

Worksheet time: 14mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

An extensive amount of snow over a short period is called a ...

a)

blizzard

b)

tsunami

c)

flood

d)

hurricane

2.

Which catastrophic event would most likely result in trees being knocked over and the disappearance of most of the plants and animals along a narrow path in a forest ecosystem?

a)

tornado

b)

volcanic eruption

c)

flash flood

d)

earthquake

3.

A long period with no rain is called a _________.

a)

wildfire

b)

drought

c)

blizzard

d)

tornado

4.

Where are hurricanes most likely to do the most damage?

a)

near the coast

b)

near a forest

c)

near a farm

d)

near the desert

5.

Wildfires have both negative and positive effects on an ecosystem. Which is a negative effect of wildfire on an ecosystem?

a)

germination of tree seeds

b)

removal of thick underbrush

c)

reduced animal habitats

d)

increased plant diversity

6.
A sudden shift in the earth's crust is called a...
a)
Earthquake 
b)
Volcano 
c)
Tsunami
d)
Flood
7.
A large storm associated with low pressure, forms over water is called...
a)
Flood
b)
Hurricane
c)
Tsunami 
d)
Blizzard
8.
A spinning funnel cloud which causes much destruction is called a...
a)
Tornado 
b)
Earthquake
c)
Tsunami 
d)
Hurricane 
9.
A large wave created by an underwater earthquake is called a...
a)
Earthquake 
b)
Hurricane
c)
Tsunami 
d)
Flood
10.

Which is the best synonym for catastrophic?

a)

Advantageous

b)

Successful

c)

Disasterous

d)

Fortunate

11.
Lava or ash spewing from a mountain vent.
a)
Earthquake
b)
Flood
c)
Drought
d)
Volcano
12.

A hurricane hits a coastal prairie and destroys the habitat. Years later there is an appearance of small plants with rapidly spreading roots on newly formed coastal sand dunes. This vegetation describes--

a)

a microhabitat

b)

primary succession

c)

secondary succession

d)

biodiversity

13.

What is the relationship between ecological succession and equilibrium in an ecosystem?

a)

Ecological succession helps maintain equilibrium in an ecosystem.

b)

Ecological succession prevents ecosystems from ever reaching equilibrium.

c)

There is no relationship between ecological succession and equilibrium.

d)

Ecological succession and equilibrium are the same thing

14.
what is this
a)
tornado 
b)
landslide
c)
typhoon 
d)
hurricane
15.
Which of these is not an impact to the ecosystem after a hurricane?
a)
Fires throughout the area
b)
Poor water quality in the area
c)
Erosion of beaches
d)
Massive flooding
16.
Floods happen when_________
a)
too much snow and winds are present
b)
too much rain in a short period of time
c)
too much rain in mountains
d)
too much rain inside a cave
17.

Which of the following is NOT a benefit from a catastrophic event?

a)

A flooded river deposits nutrients on the riverbank.

b)

A wildfire returns nutrients to the soil.

c)

A flood provides extra water to the environment.

18.

What is the name of disease that caused a worldwide pandemic in 2020?

a)

Cancer Virus

b)

Cardi B Virus

c)

Corona Virus

d)

Computer Virus

19.
Dead matter and waste would pile up without which type of organism?
a)
decomposer
b)
consumer
c)
producer
20.
Living and nonliving things interacting in an environment is called:
a)
A. Organism
b)
B. Producer
c)
C. Consumer
d)
D. Ecosystem
21.
An animal that is hunted and eaten for food is a 
a)
predator
b)
prey
c)
population
22.

Which organism makes their own food through the process of photosynthesis?

a)

decomposer

b)

consumer

c)

herbivore

d)

producer

23.

The nonliving parts of an ecosystems can be called______.

a)

biotic factors

b)

abiotic factors

c)

friendly factors

d)

community factors

24.

An animal that eats only meat (other animals) is a ________.

a)

producer

b)

herbivore

c)

omnivore

d)

carnivore

25.

Bears eat fish, insects, plants, seeds, nuts and young elk. Bears are called a(n) __________.

a)

Franivore

b)

Carnivore

c)

Herbivore

d)

Omnivore

26.

An example of an abiotic factor is...

a)

sunlight

b)

oak tree

c)

dead lizard

d)

moose