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Questions and Answers
What characterizes brackish marshes compared to salt marshes?
What characterizes brackish marshes compared to salt marshes?
Which type of ecosystem is primarily characterized by mangrove trees?
Which type of ecosystem is primarily characterized by mangrove trees?
Which of the following is NOT a consequence of polluting rivers?
Which of the following is NOT a consequence of polluting rivers?
In what way do organisms in coastal areas generally adapt?
In what way do organisms in coastal areas generally adapt?
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What is a major environmental threat to coral reefs?
What is a major environmental threat to coral reefs?
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What role do barrier islands play in coastal ecosystems?
What role do barrier islands play in coastal ecosystems?
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What is a primary source of ocean pollution?
What is a primary source of ocean pollution?
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What happens to fish populations as a result of overfishing?
What happens to fish populations as a result of overfishing?
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What primarily determines the types of organisms in an aquatic ecosystem?
What primarily determines the types of organisms in an aquatic ecosystem?
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Which of the following is NOT a type of freshwater ecosystem?
Which of the following is NOT a type of freshwater ecosystem?
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What is a characteristic of the littoral zone in freshwater habitats?
What is a characteristic of the littoral zone in freshwater habitats?
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What does the term eutrophication refer to in an aquatic ecosystem?
What does the term eutrophication refer to in an aquatic ecosystem?
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Which of the following statements about freshwater wetlands is true?
Which of the following statements about freshwater wetlands is true?
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Which organisms are primarily found in the benthic zone of aquatic ecosystems?
Which organisms are primarily found in the benthic zone of aquatic ecosystems?
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What is the primary feature that distinguishes marshes from swamps?
What is the primary feature that distinguishes marshes from swamps?
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What human activity can intentionally create artificial lakes?
What human activity can intentionally create artificial lakes?
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Study Notes
Aquatic Ecosystem Types
- Aquatic ecosystems are categorized by salinity: freshwater and marine.
- Freshwater includes ponds, lakes, streams, and wetlands.
- Wetlands are periodically underwater or have high soil moisture.
- Factors like temperature, light, oxygen, and nutrients determine habitat suitability.
Freshwater Ecosystem Components
- Plankton: Microscopic organisms (phytoplankton, zooplankton) that float freely.
- Nekton: Active swimmers (fish, turtles) independent of currents.
- Benthos: Bottom-dwelling organisms (clams, insects).
- Decomposers: Organisms breaking down organic matter.
Lake and Pond Structure
- Lakes and ponds can be structured into horizontal and vertical zones.
- Littoral zone: Shallow, light-penetrating zone with abundant plant and animal life.
- Benthic zone: Bottom region inhabited by decomposers and other bottom-dwelling organisms.
- Eutrophication: Increased nutrients (e.g., nitrates) leading to excessive plant growth and oxygen depletion, harming other organisms.
- Eutrophic lake: A lake with significant plant growth due to excessive nutrients.
Freshwater Wetlands
- Freshwater wetlands are periodically flooded areas.
- Marches: Dominated by non-woody plants, often in low, flat areas, with little water movement.
- Swamps: Dominated by woody plants (trees, shrubs).
- Occur on flat, poorly drained lands, often near streams.
- Various marsh types exist based on salinity (brackish, salt marsh).
- Benthic zones rich in nutrients, plants, decomposers, and scavengers.
- Found in the southeastern U.S., such as the Florida Everglades.
River Pollution
- Rivers are polluted through industrial waste, sewage, and garbage disposal.
- Runoff (pesticides, poisons, sediments) is a major source of pollution.
- River pollution can kill organisms and make fish inedible.
Marine Ecosystem Components
- Coastal areas: Organisms adapt to changing water levels and salinity.
- Open ocean: Organisms adapt to temperature, light, and nutrient variations.
- Coastal wetlands: Land areas covered by saltwater periodically.
- Estuaries: Where freshwater mixes with saltwater (mineral-rich mud).
- Coral reefs: Limestone ridges in tropical climates, composed of coral fragments.
- Salt marshes: Maritime areas with salt-tolerant grasses, sedges.
- Mangrove swamps: Tropical/subtropical swamps with mangrove trees.
- Barrier Islands: Long ridges of sand parallel to the shore.
Marine Ecosystem Threats
- Pollution: Oil spills, sewage, pesticides, and silt runoff pollute marine ecosystems.
- Overfishing: Depletes fish populations and disrupts the ecosystem balance.
- Destructive fishing practices: Damage to coral reefs; entanglement of marine mammals.
- Ocean pollution sources: Runoff from farms and industries, and sewage discharge.
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Description
This quiz explores the types and components of aquatic ecosystems, focusing on freshwater environments such as lakes and ponds. Learn about the various organisms, their roles, and the structure of these vital habitats. Test your knowledge on factors that influence aquatic ecosystems.
