01 - Aquatic Abiotic and Biotic Factors

Open Ended

How can changes to Earth's surface impact aquatic ecosystems and their ability to sustain life?

Multiple Choice

Why is it important to understand the factors that affect the carrying capacity of aquatic ecosystems?

• To predict population growth in aquatic environments

• To manage resources sustainably

• To prevent pollution

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an abiotic factor that shapes aquatic ecosystems?

• Plankton

• Salinity

• Decomposers

• Benthos

Multiple Select

Which statements about salinity and hardness are correct?

• Salinity is formed by the weathering of rocks

• Hardness is the amount of minerals in freshwater

• Higher salinity water is less dense

• Hardness is related to dissolved oxygen

Open Ended

Compare how temperature at the surface of the ocean differs near the equator versus near the poles.

Multiple Choice

How does the availability of sunlight change as water depth increases?

• It increases

• It decreases

• It stays the same

• It fluctuates randomly

Match

Match the following

• Photic

• Aphotic

• Benthic

The portion of water that the light can penetrate.

The portion of water that light CANNOT penetrate.

Bottom of a body of water.

• The portion of water that the light can penetrate.

• The portion of water that light CANNOT penetrate.

• Bottom of a body of water.

Multiple Choice

Why is dissolved oxygen typically higher in cold, turbulent water compared to warm, stagnant water?

• Because cold water holds less oxygen

• Because turbulence increases oxygen mixing

• Because warm water is denser

• Because stagnant water is cleaner

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about pH is correct?

• A pH of 7 is acidic

• A pH below 7 is basic

• A pH above 7 is acidic

• A pH of 7 is neutral

Multiple Choice

Nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates are important for algae growth. What is one possible consequence of excessive nutrient runoff into water bodies?

• Decreased water temperature

• Increased algae growth

• Decreased turbidity

• Increased sunlight penetration

Drag and Drop

Turbidity measures water ​

Placeholder

, and high turbidity can result from soil erosion or algae bloom.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

cloudiness

composition

Multiple Choice

Use academic terms to describe the following scenario: As turbidity increases in a lake, what happens to dissolved oxygen levels?

• Dissolved oxygen increases

• Dissolved oxygen decreases

• Dissolved oxygen stays the same

• Turbidity does not affect dissolved oxygen

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuJiUscfjQw

Open Ended

In 3-4 sentences: How would you describe the characteristics of the brink lake environment?

Address the abiotic factors: salinity, light levels, and dissolved oxygen levels.

How did the organisms respond to the environment?

Multiple Choice

Which abiotic factor is most likely responsible for the salt formations seen in the first image?

• High temperature

• High salinity

• Low oxygen levels

• Presence of aquatic plants

Categorize

Options (15)

Small, free-floating or weakly swimming

Large, independent swimmers

Bottom-dwellers

Break down dead organisms and waste, cycling nutrients back into the water.

Limited or no movement.

phytoplankton

zooplankton

fish

coral

crab

bacteria

basis of the food chain in aquatic ecosystems

transfer energy up the food chain

break down dead organic matter and oxygenate sediments through borrowing.

maintain water quality by recycling nutrients back into the ecoystem

Match the roles and examples of plankton, nekton, benthos, and decomposers contribute to the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem.

Plankton

Nekton

Benthos

Decomposers

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGXHJvEttpE

Drag and Drop

The ​ Lobster in the clip is ​

Placeholder

because it ​

Placeholder

.

The Trigger Fish in the clip is ​

Placeholder

because it can ​

Placeholder

.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

benthos

can only crawl on the bottom of the sea

nekton

swim freely

Multiple Choice

Reflecting on today's lesson about aquatic ecosystems, what is one factor that can affect the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?

• Availability of sunlight

• Presence of predators

• Amount of nutrients

• All of the above