Marine Science Notes Outline
Aquatic Ecosystems
Aquatic Ecosystems
1. List the six main abiotic factors that influence life in aquatic ecosystems.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
2. Define each of these types of living organisms in aquatic ecosystems.
a. Plankton –
i. Phytoplankton –
ii. Zooplankton –
b. Nekton –
c. Benthos –
d. Decomposers –
Freshwater Lakes
3. Freshwater ecosystems have a very low _________________ level.
4. What is a lentic system?
5. What is a lotic system?
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Marine Science Notes Outline
Aquatic Ecosystems
6. Describe each of these zones of freshwater lakes:
a. Littoral zone –
b. Limnetic zone –
c. Benthic zone –
7. Label the littoral zone and limnetic zone in this diagram.
8. Lake can be classified based on their ____________ levels and biological _________________.
a. Define oligotrophic lakes –
b. Define eutrophic lakes -
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Marine Science Notes Outline
Aquatic Ecosystems
Rivers and Streams
9. Define stream –
10. How do rivers form?
11. Describe the temperature, oxygen level, and nutrient level of water in the source zone:
12. Describe the temperature, oxygen level, and nutrient level of water in the transition zone:
13. Describe the temperature, oxygen level, and nutrient level of water in the flood plain zone:
14. What happens at the mouth of the river?
Freshwater Inland Wetlands
15. Inland wetlands are ____________________ bodies of fresh water.
a. Marsh –
b. Swamp –
c. Bog –
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Marine Science Notes Outline
Aquatic Ecosystems
Aquatic Light Zones
16. Define the coastal zone –
a. Describe the level of biodiversity in this zone.
b. Why is life so plentiful here?
17. What is an estuary?
18. Define each of these coastal wetlands:
a. Salt marsh –
b. Sea grass bed –
c. Mangrove forest –
19. Describe each of the three main benefits of wetlands.
a. Biodiversity –
b. Flood Control –
c. Pollution Control –
20. What creates the intertidal zone?
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Marine Science Notes Outline
Aquatic Ecosystems
21. Where are rocky shores and sandy shores found?
22. Coral polyps use as a source of energy. What do they produce as protection?
23. Define coral reef –
24. What is the biggest limiting factor in open ocean ecosystems?
25. Describe the depth and the amount of light penetrating into each of these ocean light zones.
a. Photic zone –
b. Aphotic zone –
c. Benthic zone –
26. What is the base of the food webs in the benthic zone?
27. What is bioluminescence, and where are organisms that have it found?
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