Ch. 5 Aquatic Biomes Flashcards
Why are wetlands important
Filter water and prevent flooding
Have high productivity and high levels of biodiversity
Support plants adapted to water - saturated soil
Important services provided by estuaries
2/3 marine life rely on them for spawning and development
Buffer coastal areas from storms
Important services provided by mangroves
Help stabilize shoreline
Protect agains storms
Support high levels of biodiversity
Important services provided by barrier islands
Provide protection from storms , waves ,tides
3 zones open ocean is divided into
Photic zone
Twilight zone
Benthic zone
Sunlight warmer low levels of nutrient and productivity
Photic zone
Not enough light for photosynthesis colder daily vertical migrations
Twilight zone
No light very cold
High pressures
Very low productivity and biodiversity
Depend ln food raining down from upper zones
Benthic zone
Why are coral reefs important
Generate income thru tourism
High levels of biological productivity and biodiversity
How are coral reefs threatened
Pollution
Exploitation by humans
Coral bleaching
Ocean acidification
which biomes are most impacted by humans
Temperate grasslands
Mediterranean rainforests
Tropical dry forests
Which biomes are least affected by humans
Deserts tundra
Examples of ways human have affected ecosystem
Fishing
Creation of damns and other structures
Water removal for humans
Converted primarily to agriculture
What are the 2 categories aquatic biomes are divided into?
Freshwater (less than 1%)
Saltwater ( less tban 1% salt)
