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Which best describes a difference between estuaries and ponds?

• Ponds flow into the ocean and estuaries do not.

• Ponds have salt water and estuaries have brackish water.

• Ponds are freshwater and estuaries are brackish water.

• Ponds are affected by tides and estuaries are not.

Why are salt marshes and estuaries important for ocean life?

• They minimize damage to oceans during hurricanes.

• They filter salt out of river water before it enters the oceans.

• They provide safe, nutrient-rich breeding areas for ocean organisms.

• They increase the amount of sediment able to settle on the ocean

  floor.

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The diagram shows a stream food web.

The number of stonefly nymphs in a large stream increased over the last year. How will this MOST likely affect this food web?

• The brook trout population will increase, and the fly larva will decrease.

• The fly larva population will increase, and mayfly nymph population will decrease.

• The kingfisher population will decrease, and the brook trout population will increase.

• The mayfly nymph population will decrease, and the algae population will increase.

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The diagram shows part of a lake food web.

Many tourists and locals have been fishing in the same spot in this lake for a long period of time. How will the organisms in this food web MOST likely be affected if this fishing continues?

• The frog population will have fewer dragonflies to eat.

• The dragonfly population will have more beetles to eat.

• The pelican population will have less herring to eat.

• The mayfly population will have less algae to eat.

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Changing ocean temperatures have led to a large decrease in the number of horseshoe crabs. Which effect will MOST likely occur next?

• The diamondback turtle and grackle populations will decrease.

• The striped bass and plankton populations will decrease.

• The razor clam population will increase.

• The sanderling population will increase.

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Which effect will an increase in sea urchins MOST likely have on this food web?

• a decrease in the number of sea otters

• a decrease in the amount of seaweed

• a decrease in the amount of sunlight

• a decrease in the number of parrotfish

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The diagram shows part of a river food web.

A disease reduces the number of young salmon in a river. Which populations will MOST likely increase as a result?

• trout and eagle

• algae and trout

• otter and sculpin

• sculpin and algae

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The amount of algae in a river increases over time. How will this MOST likely affect this food web?

• There will be more trout for the bears to eat.

• There will be more sculpins for the snails to eat.

• There will be fewer clams for the raccoons to eat.

• There will be fewer minnows for the sculpins to eat.

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Which is the MOST likely reason for smaller populations of Florida Scrub Jays?

• habitat loss

• fewer predators

• more eggs hatching

• new food sources available

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Noah visited a park that had many oak trees. Which BEST describes the role of an oak tree in its ecosystem?

• Oak trees can live for a long time.

• Oak trees have leaves that change colors.

• Oak trees have strong branches and trunks.

• Oak trees are a source of food and shelter for animals.

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