The Great Lakes Study Guide

Questions and Answers

How were the Great Lakes created?

The Great Lakes were created during the last Ice Age when the melting glaciers filled the holes that they had dug out over the years.

What is a geographic area that includes all of the rivers and streams that flow into a lake or sea?

Watershed

What is a series of plants and animals, each of which depends on the one below it for food?

Great Lakes food chain

Which organisms suffered the most from DDT poisoning in the Great Lakes?

Fish-eating birds, like the bald eagle Signup and view all the answers

The sea lamprey and zebra mussel are part of which of these Great Lakes ecosystem problems?

Invasive species Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between point-source and non-point-source pollution?

Point-source pollution comes from a single source; non-point-source pollution comes from many different places. Signup and view all the answers

Which conclusion about Michigan is best supported by the graph?

Housing areas (urban areas) are expanding at the expense of wetlands, open land, and farmland. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major reason that there is a growing water shortage in many countries?

Population growth Signup and view all the answers

Why are the Great Lakes often called 'the fourth seacoast'?

Because the Great Lakes are so large that they look and act like oceans. Signup and view all the answers

What is a cause of habitat loss in the Great Lakes?

Loss of forests and wetlands to industrial activity and housing development Signup and view all the answers

What is the best definition of 'food chain'?

A food chain is a series of plants and animals, each of which depends on the one below it for food. Signup and view all the answers

Which species in this food chain depends on smelt to survive?

Lake trout and herring gulls Signup and view all the answers

How might the death of all phytoplankton affect the food chain?

The smelt, lake trout, and herring gulls would all lose their food sources. Signup and view all the answers

What are the threats to the Great Lakes?

Pollution, invasive species, and habitat loss Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Creation of the Great Lakes

Formed during the last Ice Age as melting glaciers filled depressions carved into the land.

Watersheds

A geographic area encompassing all rivers and streams flowing into a lake or sea, crucial for understanding water systems.

Great Lakes Food Chain

Comprises a series of interconnected species where each depends on the preceding one for food, forming a complex food web.

Impact of DDT Poisoning

Fish-eating birds, particularly bald eagles, were severely affected by DDT, leading to weakened eggshells and population declines.

Invasive Species Issues

The sea lamprey and zebra mussel are invasive species threatening the Great Lakes ecosystem, disrupting native species and habitats.

Pollution Types

Point-source pollution originates from a single identifiable source, while non-point-source pollution comes from multiple unspecified sources.

Urban Expansion in Michigan

Data indicates urban housing development is encroaching on wetlands, open lands, and farmland in Michigan, leading to habitat loss.

Water Shortage Causes

Population growth is a primary driver of increasing water shortages, as demand exceeds available water resources.

"Fourth Seacoast" Concept

The Great Lakes are often referred to as "the fourth seacoast" due to their vast size and ocean-like characteristics, such as wave action and weather patterns.

Habitat Loss Factors

Habitat loss in the Great Lakes is driven by the removal of forests and wetlands for industrial purposes and housing development.

Definition of a Food Chain

A food chain consists of a linear sequence of plants and animals, each reliant on the one before for sustenance.

Species in the Food Chain

Lake trout and herring gulls depend on smelt as a critical food source within the Great Lakes ecosystem.

Consequences of Phytoplankton Die-off

If phytoplankton were to die due to pollution, it would result in a cascading effect, eliminating food sources for smelt, lake trout, and herring gulls.

Threats to the Great Lakes

Pollution, invasive species, and habitat loss represent significant threats to the ecological integrity of the Great Lakes.

Description

Explore key concepts about the Great Lakes with this study guide quiz. Learn about their formation during the Ice Age and the significance of watersheds in their ecosystem. Test your knowledge with flashcards that cover essential terms and definitions related to the Great Lakes.