Aquatic

Question 1

Streams & Rivers

Answer 1

Low productivity due to fast moving water
Variety of fish due to to rapids (air mixing with water)
Freshwater
Flowing water
As flow changes, biological communities change
Threats: dams and canals, fertilizer runoff, pollution, littering

Question 2

Lakes & Ponds

Answer 2

Freshwater
Standing water
Divided into zones
Threats: hypoxic conditions, algal blooms, bacteria, runoff, pollution, climate change, fishing, boating

Question 3

Littoral Zone

Answer 3

The shallow zone of soil and water in lakes and ponds where most algae and emergent plants grow

Question 4

Limnetic Zone

Answer 4

A zone of open water in lakes and ponds

Question 5

Profundal Zone

Answer 5

A region of water where sunlight does not reach, below limnetic in very deep lakes

Question 6

Benthic Zone (lake)

Answer 6

The muddy bottom of a lake, pond, or ocean

Question 7

Oligotrophic

Answer 7

Lake with a low level of productivity

Question 8

Mesotrophic

Answer 8

Lake with moderate levels of productivity

Question 9

Eutrophic

Answer 9

Lake with high levels of productivity

Question 10

Wetlands

Answer 10

Freshwater
Submerged/saturated by water for at least part of the year
Shallow enough to support emergent vegetation
Among the most productive biomes on the planet
Threats: over 1/2 has been drained for agriculture, development, and to remove breeding grounds for pests (ex. mosquitos)

Question 11

Marshes

Answer 11

Saltwater (marine biome)
Contain non-woody emergent vegetation
One of the most productive biomes in the world
many are found in estuaries
Threats: commercial fishing, pollution, littering, infrastructure, urban development

Question 12

Estuaries

Answer 12

Mixture of freshwater and saltwater
Extremely productive for plants and algae
Where freshwater meets saltwater
Help filter contaminants out of the water
Threats: development, population growth, invasive species, cliamate change, pollution

Question 13

Cultural Eutrophication

Answer 13

An increase in fertility in a body of water, the result of anthropogenic inputs of nutrients

Question 14

Mangrove Swamps

Answer 14

Saltwater
Occur along tropical/subtropical coasts
Contain trees that are submerged
Leaves and trapped organic material = nutrients
Provides sheltered habitat for fish and shellfish
Filter toxic pollutants, excess nutrients, and sediments
Threats: pollution

Question 15

Coastal/Intertidal

Answer 15

Saltwater
Narrow band of coastline that exists btwn levels of high tide and low tide
Range from steep, rocky areas to broad, sloping mudslides
Home to organisms that have adapted to harsh conditions
Threats: pollution, hurricanes and storms, intense waves/wind

Question 16

Coral Reef

Answer 16

Saltwater
Located in warm/shallow water off the shoreline
Most diverse marine biome
When coral dies, limestone skeletons remain and accumulate to form reefs
Extremely sensitive to changes in temp, salinity, pollution, turbidity (amt of sediment), etc.
Threats: humans snorkeling/diving, chemicals from sunscreen, pollution

Question 17

Open Ocean

Answer 17

Saltwater
Deep ocean water away from the coast where sunlight can no longer reach the ocean bottom
Threats: Pollution, boating, cargo ships, oil rigs

Question 18

Photic Zone

Answer 18

Upper layer, receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis

Question 19

Aphotic Zone

Answer 19

Deeper layer, lacks sunlight for photosynthesis

Question 20

Benthic Zone (ocean)

Answer 20

Ocean floor