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Marine Ecosystems

Total questions: 17

Worksheet time: 1hrs 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

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

a)

Estuary

b)

Open ocean

c)

Wetlands

d)

Coral reefs

2.

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

a)

Estuary

b)

Open ocean

c)

Wetlands

d)

Coral reefs

3.

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

a)

Deep sea

b)

Open ocean

c)

Intertidal zone

d)

Coral reefs

4.

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

a)

Deep sea

b)

Open ocean

c)

Intertidal zone

d)

Coral reefs

5.

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

a)

Deep sea

b)

Open ocean

c)

Intertidal zone

d)

Coral reefs

6.

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

a)

Wetlands

b)

Open ocean

c)

Intertidal zone

d)

Estuaries

7.

Which of the following is true of estuary ecosystems?

a)

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

b)

They often do not have enough nutrients for plants to survive

c)

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

d)

They are not affected by expanding cities and human development

8.

Estuaries are important because:

a)

The provide humans large amounts of food and water

b)

They block the water from flowing from rivers into the ocean

c)

They form the largest portion of the ocean

d)

They supply many resources such as oil and phosphorous

9.

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

a)

Oysters

b)

Giant squid

c)

Reef shark

d)

Blue whale

10.

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

a)

Mangrove trees

b)

Phytoplankton

c)

Sea grass

d)

Zooplankton

11.

Which of the following is NOT TRUE of open ocean ecosystems?

a)

They produce 50% of the world's oxygen via photosynthetic phytoplankton

b)

Contains microscopic organisms as well as the largest animals on Earth

c)

Huge amounts of humans' food is harvested from this ecosystem

d)

Most open ocean animals will regularly interact with the seafloor or coastline

12.

Which of the following is TRUE of deep sea ecosystems?

a)

Contain high levels of oxygen due to high levels of photosynthesis

b)

The average temperature is about 60 degrees

c)

Subjected to pressure that is up to 1000 times greater than at the ocean surface

d)

Minerals and nutrients are widely abundant

13.

Which of these organisms would you NOT expect to find in the deep sea?

a)

Viper fish

b)

Dumbo octopus

c)

Vampire squid

d)

Leatherback sea turtle

14.

Which of the following is TRUE of coral reef ecosystems?

a)

Contain low species diversity

b)

Found mostly in polar regions

c)

Threatened by human activities such as ocean mining and blast fishing

d)

Highly resistant to changes in water temperature and pH

15.

Which of the following describes a benefit provided by marine wetlands?

a)

The protect the shorelines from flooding and erosion, especially during storms

b)

Act as a crucial pathway for human travel

c)

Cause additional erosion to occur, as well as turn seawater muddy

d)

Provide a source of minerals such as magnesium and copper

16.

All of the following are factors that organisms in intertidal zones need to deal with EXCEPT:

a)

Extremely high salinity as tide pools evaporate

b)

Extreme changes in temperature

c)

Constant wind and waves

d)

Low levels of sunlight

17.

Which of the following is a predator that targets intertidal zone organisms during low tide?

a)

Great white shark

b)

Dolphins

c)

Octopus

d)

Seagulls