Chap 6 Vocab (not for this quiz) Flashcards
Coral Reef
Formed by colonies of polyps which secrete calcium carbonate crust around soft bodies; when polyps die, empty shells remain behind for more reef growth
Coral Bleaching
colorful algae die due to rising water temp/pollution → coral polyps die w/o food
73% of Earth covered in water
71% saltwater, 2% freshwater
Aquatic Life Zones
aquatic versions of biomes; saltwater & freshwater portions of biosphere that can support life
Salinity
amounts of salts (like NaCl) dissolved in given volume of water; determine distribution of water’s organisms
Saltwater (marine life zone)
oceans/bays, estuaries, coastal wetlands, shorelines, coral reefs, mangrove forests
Freshwater life zones
lakes, rivers, streams, and inland wetlands
Plankton
Organisms found in freshwater and saltwater life zones; includes phytoplankton, ultraplankton, and zooplankton
Nekton
swimming consumers like fish, turtles, whales, etc
Benthos
bottom-dwellers; includes organisms that anchor to ocean-bottom structures (oysters/sea stars), organisms that burrow in sand/mud (clams/worms), and organisms that walk on seafloor (lobsters/crabs)
Decomposers
break down organic matter into nutrients for aquatic primary producers to use (think bacteria)
Key factors that distribution of organism populations
Temp, DO content, food, and light/nutrients for photosynthesis
Algal bloom
clouds water & reduces depth of euphotic zone; results from nutrient overload
Turbidity
cloudiness in water which can be caused by algal bloom or by sediments carried by wind, rain, & melting snow
Marine Ecosystems Services
- oxygen from photosynthesis
- water purification
- climate moderation
- CO2 absorption
- nutrient cycling
- reduced storm damage
- biodiversity (species/habitats)
Marine Ecosystems Services
- oxygen from photosynthesis
- water purification
- climate moderation
- CO2 absorption
- nutrient cycling
- reduced storm damage
- biodiversity (species/habitats)
Marine Economic Services
- Food
- Energy from waves/tides
- Pharmaceuticals
- Harbors/Transportation routes
- recreation/tourism
- Employment
- Minerals
Coastal zone
warm, nutrient-rich, shallow water extending from high-tide on land to edge of continental shelf; includes estuaries, coastal marshes, mangrove forests, coral reefs
Estuary
aquatic zone where river meets sea; nutrient rich but pollutants from land
Coastal Wetlands
coastal land areas covered w/ water all or part of yr; includes marshes + mangrove forests; high nutrient inputs from rivers & land, rapid circulation of nutrients by tidal flows, ample sunlight for shallow water
Coastal Wetlands Ecosystem Services
- maintain H20 quality by filtering toxic pollutants/excess plant nutrients/sediments and absorbing other pollutants
- food, habitats, and nursery sits for aquatic and terrestrial species
- reduce storm damage/coastal erosion by absorbing waves/storing water from storms/tsunamis
Tides
caused by gravitational pull of moon and sun; periodic flows of water onto/off short
Intertidal zone
area of shoreline between low/high tides
