Aquatic Ecosystems

In the _________ zone, aquatic life is diverse and abundant.

• littoral

• benthic

• euphoric

• lemnetic

In the _________ zone, the water is cool and dark.

• littoral

• benthic

• euphoric

• limnetic

What is the food base for most aquatic ecosystems?

• Fish larvae

• Plants

• Coral polyps

• Phytoplankton

Photosynthetic organisms are found mainly in shallow water due to the availability of

• oxygen

• nutrients

• sunlight

• salt

Which of the following are not characteristics of salt marshes and mangrove swamps?

• Both provide habitats for wildlife.

• Both are dominated by woody plants and trees.

• Both are found along coastal areas.

• Both are threatened by development.

Estuaries are extremely productive ecosystems because they continually receive fresh nutrients from _________ and _________.

• rivers, oceans

• lakes, ponds

• marshes, swamps

• streams, springs

As they flow down a mountain to flatter ground, rivers generally become

• Wider.

• Slower.

• Warmer.

• All of the above

Barrier islands:

• Provide habitats for wildlife

• Run parallel to the mainland’s sandy shores

• Help protect the mainland from storms and ocean waves

• All of the above

Freshwater ecosystems include which of the following (choose all that apply):

• Rivers

• Swamps

• Coastal Wetlands

• Lakes

What is the least productive part of the ocean, containing phytoplankton?

• Surface of the ocean

• Deep ocean waters

• Parts of the ocean near the shore

• Open ocean