Aquatic Ecosystems Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is an essential factor for the productivity of photoautotrophs in aquatic ecosystems?

Salinity

pH levels

Light availability (correct)

Temperature

Which zone is characterized by very low light availability?

Benthic Zone

Epipelagic Zone

Abyssal Zone (correct)

Mesopelagic Zone

Which of the following is primarily responsible for sediment pollution impact?

Coral reefs

Photoautotrophs

Human activities (correct)

Zooplankton

In aquatic ecosystems, what is a key factor that correlates directly with the productivity of producers?

Dissolved oxygen concentration (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a characteristic of the Abyssal Zone?

No light, very low temperatures, and high nutrients (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of seawater concerning pH?

Seawater is slightly basic with a pH of about 8.6. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about temperature in aquatic environments?

Temperature decreases with increasing depth. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What two qualities do the most productive aquatic ecosystems have?

Exposure to light and a supply of nutrients. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What human impact is associated with aquifers?

Saltwater intrusion. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during seasonal turnover in lakes?

Dense water at the bottom rises and recycles nutrients. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary contributor to the run-off that leads to eutrophication?

Nitrogen and phosphorus (C) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to algae after it blooms due to fertilizer run-off?

It decomposes quickly (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do bacteria affect marine life during the process of decomposing dead algae?

They consume oxygen (A) Signup and view all the answers

What ecological role do mangroves play in marine environments?

They serve as fish nurseries (B) Signup and view all the answers

What effect do dams have on nutrient supply to downstream aquatic ecosystems?

They act as a sediment trap (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of extra-strong tropical trade winds blowing from east to west?

Increased biodiversity and fishing revenue (C) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes an estuary?

Brackish waters and sheltered habitats (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which freshwater wetland is characterized by being submerged in water for part of the year and supporting emergent vegetation?

Marsh (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the limnetic zone primarily known for?

Having abundant algae and phytoplankton (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes freshwater ponds?

Shallow water bodies with emergent vegetation (C) Signup and view all the answers

What role do watersheds play in aquatic ecosystems?

They channel all water to a singular point (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of marine wetlands?

They can include seagrass and mangroves (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which zone of a lake is typically oxygen-poor and sediment-rich?

Profundal Zone (B) Signup and view all the answers

What causes sea breezes during the day?

Both A and B are correct. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What role do ocean gyres play in climate?

They influence temperature, salinity, and nutrient distribution globally. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What initiates the formation of a land breeze during the night?

Both B and C are correct. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the cause of upwellings in the ocean?

The upward movement driven by winds. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the Coriolis effect influence ocean gyres?

It enhances the circular motion of ocean currents. (A) Signup and view all the answers

During the day, why does cool air flow from the sea to the land?

All of the above are correct. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary driver of small-scale winds like sea breezes?

Differences in heating rates between land and water. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes least to the development of climate and weather?

Human activities. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role do mangroves play in preventing coastal erosion?

They have enormous root systems. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to fish populations if mangroves are destroyed?

The ocean food web collapses. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What has caused a significant decrease in Florida's total acreage of wetlands?

Urbanization and agriculture. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the phenomena where no one has an incentive to protect fish stocks?

Tragedy of the Commons. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a keystone species?

A species that significantly affects its ecosystem's structure. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of invasive species on native ecosystems?

They tend to outcompete native specialists. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does bycatch refer to in the context of fishing?

Unwanted catch that is often killed. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What result can occur from the loss of keystone species?

Trophic cascade of biodiversity loss. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview

The presentation is about ocean, climate, and how humans affect it, with a lab component.
Six factors contributing to climate and weather are discussed.
Earth's tilt and orbit around the sun are key factors.

Ocean Factors

Winds near bodies of water: Small-scale winds/breezes arise from differences in heating rates between land and water.
- Sea breezes: During the day, land heats faster than the ocean, creating cooler air over the water. Cooler, denser air from the ocean moves towards the warmer, less dense air over land.
- Land breezes: At night, land cools faster than the ocean, leading to denser, cooler air over the land. This air moves towards the warmer, less dense air over the ocean.
Ocean gyres: Five massive circular current systems affected by Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect).
- Impact temperature, salinity, and nutrient distribution globally.
- Currents are influenced by global wind patterns.
Upwellings: Upward movement of ocean water driven by winds.
- Winds push surface water away from a coast, causing deeper, colder, nutrient-rich water to rise.
- Upwelling provides nutrients for marine life.
- Changes in upwelling patterns significantly affects local climates and weather.

El Niño and La Niña

El Niño: A periodic warming of surface waters in the Pacific Ocean affecting global weather patterns often (but not always) characterized by:
- Slowdown or inversion of trade winds.
- Warmer water pushed towards the coast of South America.
- Less upwelling.
La Niña: A periodic cooling of surface waters in the Pacific Ocean affecting global weather patterns often (but not always) characterized by:
- Enhancement of normal trade winds.
- More upwelling.

Freshwater Ecosystems

Streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes, as well as wetlands (marshes, swamps, and bogs) and estuaries. Estuaries: a transition zone between rivers and oceans.

Marine Ecosystems

Wetlands (estuaries, seagrass marshes, and mangroves), Intertidal zones, coral reefs, and the open ocean.

The Hydrosphere

The hydrosphere encompasses all the water on Earth.
Watersheds are land areas that channel precipitation to a common point.
Groundwater links marine and freshwater systems.

Layers of Lakes and Oceans

Various zones with specific characteristics, like the littoral, limnetic, profundal, and benthic zones. Ocean zones include intertidal, pelagic (photic and aphotic), and abyssal.
These zones differ in light penetration, temperature, nutrient levels, and salinity.

Aquatic Abiotic Factors

Light availability, salinity, pH, temperature, and nutrients/gases affect the variety and distribution of species.

Human Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystems

Sediment pollution, saltwater intrusion into aquifers, ocean acidification, climate change warming of the ocean, coral bleaching, overfishing, loss of keystone species, invasive species, dams, and eutrophication. Fertilizer run-off.
These impacts can drastically alter aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity.

Additional Notes

Presentation included a variety of images and data illustrating the various points and concepts.
Data on specific locations, such as temperature data for Buenos Aires, was provided for specific examples.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the productivity and characteristics of aquatic ecosystems in this quiz. Explore factors such as light availability, sediment pollution, and the ecological roles of marine life. Understand the impacts of human activities and seasonal changes on these vital environments.