Saltwater Ecosystems
Part 1: Shorelines
http://www.mbgnet.net/salt/sandy/index.htm
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Water/life_intertidal.html
http://water.epa.gov/learn/kids/estuaries/index.cfm
What are shorelines?
What is the Intertidal Zone?
What might you find when walking along a shoreline?
What is a barrier island?
Explain what causes the environment in the barrier islands to be constantly
changing.
Describe the different zones of barrier islands.
How do rocky shores vary?
Describe tide pools and animals that live in them.
What are estuaries and what is life like in them?
How are estuaries influenced by tides?
Describe how estuaries are filtration systems and flood/storm control.
Describe salt marshes.
Describe mud flats.
Explain mangrove forests and trees, where they are found, and how to save
them.
Describe in detail at least 5 creatures that live on shorelines. Be sure to include
where the creatures are found.
Part 2: Temperate Oceans
http://www.mbgnet.net/salt/oceans/index.htm
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/coastal.html
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/education/kids_times_turtle_loggerhead.pdf
What causes waves?
What are the main oceans?
What is a sea?
Why are oceans salty?
Describe the ocean zones.
Summarize and describe the different light zones of the ocean.
Explain and describe the ocean forests.
Explain the patterns of plant life.
How are the Atlantic and Pacific oceans different?
Explain how the ocean refreshes itself.
Explain overfishing and why it is a problem.
What is dolphin safe tuna?
Describe in detail at least 5 creatures that live in temperate oceans. Be sure to
include where the creatures are found.
Part 3: Tropical Oceans
http://www.mbgnet.net/salt/coral/index.htm
http://www.seasky.org/reeflife/sea2.html
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/00/earthpulse/reef/reef1_flash.html
http://www.coralreefnetwork.com/
What is a coral reef?
Where are coral reefs found?
Is coral an animal?
Why is the reef hard?
Why are there so many fish near the coral?
Explain where tropical oceans/coral reefs are found.
Explain the different threats to coral reefs.
Describe in detail at least 5 creatures that live in temperate oceans. Be sure to
include where the creatures are found.