Aquatic Ecosystems, Nitrogen Cycle and Phosphorus Cycle Flashcard

Front

What is the difference between swamps and marshes?

Back

Marshes contain non-woody plants, while swamps contain woody plants.

Front

Which ecosystem is considered among the most productive?

Back

Estuary.

Front

What role do bacteria in soybean roots play in the nitrogen cycle?

Back

They change atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for other organisms.

Front

Which freshwater ecosystem has higher oxygen levels due to water quickly flowing over rocks?

Back

Stream.

Front

What are some threats to ocean ecosystems?

Back

Nutrient runoff, industrial waste discharge, entanglement of marine mammals in trawl nets, overfishing, sewage, and algal blooms.

Front

Define an estuary.

Back

An estuary is a coastal area where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean.

Front

What is the nitrogen cycle?

Back

The nitrogen cycle is the process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms, including fixation, nitrification, and denitrification.

Front

What is the phosphorus cycle?

Back

The phosphorus cycle is the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, primarily through weathering of rocks and uptake by organisms.

Front

What are wetlands?

Back

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, either permanently or seasonally, and support aquatic plants.

Front

What is the significance of algae in aquatic ecosystems?

Back

Algae are primary producers that convert sunlight into energy, forming the base of the food web in aquatic ecosystems.