15.5 Bio

​V. Estuaries and Freshwater

Ecosystems (15.5)

A. Estuaries are dynamic environments where rivers flow into the ocean

1. Estuary-partially enclosed

body of water formed where

a river flows into the ocean

Multiple Choice

What does an estuary connect to?

• River

• Pond

• Lake

• Ocean

​A. Mix of fresh and salt water

B. River carries lots of nutrients

C. Large numbers of species thrive and are highly productive ecosystems

Multiple Choice

An estuary is a mix of what?

• Salt water and dirty water

• Fresh water and salt water

• Animals and plants

• Organisms and water

Multiple Choice

What does the river carry?

• Estuaries

• Bacteria

• Nutrients

​D. Provide refuge for many species and spawning grounds

E. Over 80% of estuaries have been lost to land development

Multiple Choice

What percent of estuaries have been lost?

• 90

• 80

• 75

• 100

​B. Freshwater ecosystems include moving and standing water

1. Freshwater ecosystems- rivers, streams, wetlands

2. Among most productive ecosystems on Earth

Multiple Select

Freshwater ecosystems include what?

• Frozen Water

• Moving Water

• Standing Water

• Dirty Water

​C. Ponds and lakes share common features

1. Smaller in size than oceans, but also divided into zones

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE; Lakes and Ponds share similar features.

• True

• False

​A. Littoral Zone- between low and high water marks

​B. Limnetic Zone- open water farther out form shore

​C. Benthic Zone- bottom of lake or pond where less sunlight reaches

Multiple Choice

Which zone gets less sunlight?

• Littoral Zone

• Limnetic Zone

• Benthic Zone

Multiple Choice

Which zone is farther away from the shore?

• Littoral Zone

• Limnetic Zone

• Benthic Zone

Multiple Choice

Which zone is between the high and low water marks?

• Littoral Zone

• Limnetic Zone

• Benthic Zone