Aquatic Biomes

Question 1

lakes and rivers

Answer 1

• fresh flowing water
• lotic systems
• downstream flow is slower and richer in nutrients and productivity

Question 2

ponds

Answer 2

• non-flowing fresh water
• usually smaller than lakes
• at least some area too deep for plants to rise above the water’s surface

Question 3

freshwater wetlands

Answer 3

• contain standing wetlands, or soils saturated with freshwater
• shallow enough to have emergent vegetation throughout all depths
• include swamps, marshes, and bogs
• eg. Florida everglades

Question 4

salt marshes/estuaries

Answer 4

• saltwater that contains nonwoody emergent vegetation
• found along coasts of continents in temperate climates often within estuaries
• frequently mouths of freshwater rivers mix with saltwater from oceans

Question 5

mangrove swamps

Answer 5

• exists in salt water along tropical and subtropical coasts
• contains salt-tolerant trees with roots submerged in water
• can also occur in estuaries where saltwater and freshwater mix
• unique physiological characteristics of toxic salt

Question 6

intertidal zones

Answer 6

• consists of the narrow band of coastline between levels of high and low tide
• as tides come in and out, it experiences fluctuating temperatures and concentrations
• many oceanic species must be tolerant to desiccation cycles

Question 7

coral reefs

Answer 7

• marine biome found in warm, shallow waters
• above 20 degrees year-round
• often surround volcanic islands

Question 8

open ocean

Answer 8

• part of the ocean that is away from the shoreline and coral reefs
• cover largest proportion of surface
• layers characterised by the availability of sunlight