Name:_____________________________ Date:_____________ Period:______________
Estuary Scavenger Hunt
1. Define estuary.
2. Define salt-wedge estuary.
3. Copy fig. 14.3 on pg. 421.
4. Why are coastal ecosystems highly productive ecosystems?
5. Give three reasons why estuaries are important?
6. What factors limit the productivity of estuary ecosystems?
7. For about what percentage of commercial fish species do estuary ecosystems serve as nurseries?
8. How do estuaries contribute to the productivity of surrounding ecosystems?
9. What is a salt marsh?
10. Why do we associate salt marshes with estuaries?
11. What adaptations allow the halophytes to survive in salt water?
12. What adaptations do pickleweed have that help it to survive the salty conditions?
13. How do conditions differ in the upper marsh compared to the lower marsh of a salt marsh?
14. What is humus?
15. Copy fig. 14.15 Bottom on pg. 434.