Salt Water Ecosystems

Which ecosystem is this? : Generally located in shallow, tropical waters; very high species diversity; most species rely in some way on the polyp-like keystone species

• Estuary

• Open ocean

• Wetlands

• Coral reefs

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which ecosystem is this? : These are areas of land that are covered/flooded by seawater for all or most of the year; the two primary types are salt marshes and mangrove swamps; many different marine and land organisms make their homes here

• Estuary

• Open ocean

• Wetlands

• Coral reefs

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which ecosystem is this? : This is the lowest, deepest layer of the ocean; contains open plains, underwater vents/volcanoes, and canyons/trenches; there is no sunlight in this ecosystem, and the species that live here have extreme adaptations that allow them to survive

• Deep sea

• Open ocean

• Intertidal zone

• Coral reefs

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which ecosystem is this? : This is the largest marine ecosystem, and covers most of Earth's surface area; it includes all marine environments that are far from shore and that are still close enough to the surface to receive sunlight

• Deep sea

• Open ocean

• Intertidal zone

• Coral reefs

Which ecosystem is this? : These ecosystems are the areas of shorelines that are left uncovered during low tide but which are underwater during high tide; they are usually rocky, but in tropical areas they may be sandy; organisms that live here need to adapt to the waves, the sun, and both marine and land predators

• Deep sea

• Open ocean

• Intertidal zone

• Coral reefs

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which ecosystem is this? : These ecosystems occur where rivers connect with oceans; the flows of nutrients carried by the rivers make these ecosystems some of the most nutrient-rich and bio-productive areas on Earth; many species live here, and many more will come here each year to breed and raise their young

• Wetlands

• Open ocean

• Intertidal zone

• Estuaries

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which of the following is true of estuary ecosystems?

• They are often referred to as the "nurseries of the sea"

• They often do not have enough nutrients for plants to survive

• They often do not provide enough food for carnivores such as seabirds

• They are not affected by expanding cities and human development

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Estuaries are important because:

• The provide humans large amounts of food and water

• They block the water from flowing from rivers into the ocean

• They form the largest portion of the ocean

• They supply many resources such as oil and phosphorous

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Which of the following species would you expect to find in an estuary?

• Oysters

• Giant squid

• Reef shark

• Blue whale

The base of the food web in open ocean ecosystems is:

• Mangrove trees

• Phytoplankton

• Sea grass

• Zooplankton

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3