Marine Ecosystems

The marine ecosystem providing the most habitat and with the MOST diversity is

• sandy beach

• rocky shore

• coral reef

• kelp forest

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The arrangement of organisms in the open ocean is determined by the

• increase in salt content from shallow to deep waters

• size of the benthic zone, where photosynthesis occurs

• amount of nutrients and sunlight that are available

• distribution of zooplankton

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Coral reefs are intricately shaped rocklike structures that are formed as a result of

• volcanic activity that is common in tropical marine environments

• the gradual accumulation and fusion of skeletons of bony fish

• the secretion of calcium carbonate by tiny marine animals

• minerals that are washed from land ecosystems and build up

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When corals turn white due to algae leaving it is know as

• whiteout.

• coral bleaching.

• algal disease.

• coral death.

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True of False: The temperature of the ocean water decreases as the depth of the water increases.

• True

• False

An area where fresh water from streams and rivers spills into the ocean is called an _____________.

• plankton

• estuary

• sargassums

• coral reefs

Adaptations for attachment and the ability to bend with the waves, as well as to protect against drying out, are part of organisms in this ecosystem:

• coral reef

• estuary

• rocky shore

• kelp forest

Where are coral reefs found?

• Polar waters

• temperate, mid-latitude waters

• tropical waters

• only near volcanos

Estuaries are very productive ecosystems because they receive fresh nutrients from

• lakes and ponds

• rivers and oceans

• marshes and swamps

• streams and springs

The majority of marine organisms are found in

• deep ocean waters

• shallow, coastal waters

• fisheries

• none of the above