Name: _________________________
AP Environmental Science
Marine and Coastal Ecosystems
26 February 2014
Chapter 16 – pp 438-444
_____ 1. In which of the following ecosystems would you find the least species diversity?
a. reef
b. pelagic zone
c. benthic zone
d. estuary
e. salt marsh
2. Draw an open ocean food chain. Include organisms in at least five levels.
_____ 3. True or False: All marine ecosystems rely on sunlight for energy.
4. Match the ecosystem in Column A with its description in Column B.
Column A
_____ rocky intertidal zone
_____ salt marsh
_____ estuary
_____ mangroves
_____ reef
_____ kelp bed
_____ pelagic zone
_____ sandy intertidal zone
Column B
A. Underwater outcrop of rock, sand, or calcium carbonate
upon which living things make their homes.
B. Open water area between the ocean’s surface and floor
C. Rocks and boulders strewn along a shoreline between the
uppermost reach of the high tide and the lowest limit of the
low tide.
D. Broad, flat, sandy areas that form a gradual transition
throughout the tidal range from high to low tide.
E. Area where tides overwash gently sloping sandy or silty
substrates upon which salt-tolerant grasses, rushes, or shrubs
grow.
F. Salt tolerant trees with unique and elaborate prop root
networks that stabilize shorelines in subtropical and tropical
regions.
G. Partially enclosed water bodies where rivers flow into the
ocean, mixing salt and fresh water.
H. Dense stands of large brown algae found on continental
shelves along temperate coastlines.
Estuary
Mangroves
Salt marsh
Intertidal
Reef
Kelp bed
5. Read each statement. In the grid, check the boxes for all of the
ecosystems to which it applies. You may make more than one check
mark per statement.
a. Described as a “forest.”
b. Location with high primary productivity.
c. Protect shorelines from erosion by absorbing wave energy.
d. Provide complex physical structure or habitats.
e. Host tremendous biodiversity.
f. Negatively affected by increasing ocean acidification.
g. Associated with important fisheries.
h. Provide shelter for small organisms or nursery areas for juveniles
i. Threatened by coastal development.
j. Considered transitional between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
6. What are zooxanthellae? Why are they important to corals?
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7. Write the correct chemical reaction described to the right of the description.
Description
Chemical Reaction
Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere reacts with
ocean water to form carbonic acid.
Carbonic acid dissociates into a proton and a
bicarbonate ion.
Protons combine with carbonate ions to form
bicarbonate.
Calcium carbonate shells of marine creatures
dissolve into calcium ions and carbonate ions.
8. Give two pieces of evidence that suggest to scientists that coral reefs may disappear by the middle of this
century if ocean acidification continues at current rates.
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9. List three consequences for people, if coral reef communities collapse.
i.
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ii.
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iii.
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