1. Watershed Vocabulary

2. Abiotic factor
The non-living parts of an ecosystem – dirt and water

3. Biotic factor
The living parts of an ecosystem – plants and animals

4. Divide
An area that
separates one
watershed
from another

5. Ecosystem
A working unit made up of living and non-living things

6. Estuary
An area where freshwater mixes with salt water

7. Pollution
Anything that has a negative effect on the environment

8. Tributary
A river or stream that feeds into a larger river or stream.

9. Watershed
An area of land that drains into a specific body of water

10. Wetland
An area where water covers the soil for all or part of the year

11. Water quality
Measures how clean the water is

12. Fill in the “Estimated Percent” column
Fill in the “Estimated Percent” column. All percents should add up to 100%.
Location
Estimated
Percent
Actual Percent
Oceans
Glaciers and icecaps
Surface water
Ground water
Atmosphere

13. 0.38% 0.61% 0.01% Water Source Actual Percent
Surface water – lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, creeks
0.38%
Ground water – well-water, water below Earth’s surface
0.61%
Atmosphere – clouds and water vapor
0.01%

14. Water Source
Actual Percent
Oceans – salt water
97%
Frozen water 2%