AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS & BIOMES

MATCHING
In the space provided, write the letter of the term or phrase that best matches the description.
_______G 1. wetland dominated by non woody plants

a. swamp

_______F 2. precipitation that can carry pollutants into aquatic ecosystems

b. profundal zone

_______E 3. amount of dissolved salts in water

c. decomposers

_______A 4. wetland dominated by woody plants

d. littoral zone

_______H 5. area where fresh water mixes with salt water

e. salinity

_______B 6. located near the bottom of a pond or lake

f. runoff

_______C 7. organisms that break down dead organisms

g. marsh

________I 8. leads to an increase in nutrients in an aquatic ecosystem

h. estuary

________ D 9. .aquatic zone found near the shore

I. Eutrophication

MULTIPLE CHOICE
_______A 10. Estuaries are productive ecosystems because they constantly receive nutrients from
a. rivers and oceans.
c. lakes and ponds.
b. coral reefs.
d. photosynthesis
_______D 11. Which of the following is a factor that influences where an organism lives in an aquatic ecosystem?
a. sunlight
c. temperature
b. nutrient availability
d. all of the above
_______C 12. In which of the following aquatic ecosystems are both littoral and benthic
zones likely?
a. open ocean
c. lake
b. coral reef

d. none of the above

_______C 13. Estuaries

a. are always saltwater ecosystems.
b. are always freshwater ecosystems.
c. are ecosystems where both fresh water and salt water are present.
d. prevent the development of salt marshes.
Section: Marine Ecosystems
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
Estuaries support many marine organisms because estuaries receive plenty of light for photosynthesis and plenty of nutrients
for plants and animals. Rivers supply nutrients that have been washed from the land, and because the water is shallow,
sunlight can reach all the way to the bottom of the estuary. The light and nutrients support large populations of rooted plants as
well as plankton. The plankton in turn provides food for larger animals, such as fish. Dolphins, manatees, seals, and other
mammals often feed on fish and plants in estuaries. Oysters, barnacles, and clams live anchored to marsh grass or rocks and
feed by filtering plank ton out of the water. Organisms that live in estuaries are able to tolerate variations in salinity because the
salt content of the water varies as fresh water and salt water mix when tides go in and out.
Estuaries provide protected harbors, access to the ocean, and connection to a river. As a result, many of the worlds major
ports are built on estuaries. Of the 10 largest urban areas in the world, 6 were built on estuaries. These 6 cities are Tokyo, New
York Shanghai, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and Bombay.

IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEAS

One reading skill is the ability to identify the main idea of a passage. The main idea is the main focus or key idea. Frequently, a main idea is
accompanied by supporting information that offers detailed facts about main ideas.
Read each question and write the answer in the space provided.
1. What types of organisms do estuaries support?
Estuaries support plants and animals.______________________________________________________
2. How do oysters, barnacles, and clams feed?
They feed by filtering plankton out of the water._______________________________________________
3. What do dolphins, seals, and other mammals eat?
They eat fish and plants in estuaries._______________________________________________________
4. What two ingredients make estuaries suitable for plants and animals?
The two ingredients are: Light for photosynthesis and plenty of nutrients for plants and animals. ____
5. How many of the worlds 10 largest urban areas are built on estuaries? List them.
Six of the worlds largest urban cities are built on estuaries. Namely: (1)Tokyo, (2)New York (3)Shanghai, (4)Buenos Aires,
(5)Rio de Janeiro, and (6)Bombay.

Compare and Contrast: Using a double bubble diagram compare and contrast the following terms:
1.

River

Lake

- Flow in 1 direction
- moves along
- Have land masses (land
its bank.
Bordering the sides)
- both are - immobile (still bodies
- They are long.
Fresh water.
Of water)
- Rapid movement of water - both can be
- moves slowly
- Connected to sea or ocean created as
- enclosed by land
Artificial source - not connected to sea
Of water.
Or ocean.
-inland.

2.

Oligotrophic

Eutrophic

- Poor nutrient supply.

-Good nutrient supply.
- Little no plant life.
- Support high plant
- Oxygen rich
Trophic
Growth.
Means
-depleted of oxygen
Nutrition or
Growth.

3.

Marshes
- woody plants

Swamps
- no woody plants

or trees.
deep
- Not as deep as
- both are fresh
Swamps.
Water, saltwater
Or both.
- Both are areas of
Vegetation.
- good for wildlife
- hide eggs.
- hide from predators.

4.

Photic zone

aphotic zone

- Area that receives

- area does not receive
Sunlight.
- Both have
Sunlight.
Have life in it.
- Animals in this
area are bioluminescent

5.

Intertidal zone

Benthic Zone

- near the land

- at the bottom
or surface (shore). -both are
- organic and
- Experience high/ found in aquatic inorganic sediments.
Low tides.
biomes.
no sunlight
-sufficient light