What are the three main aquatic biome types?
Freshwater, Brackish, Marine (saltwater)
what type of water is found in estuaries? (coastal area where fresh water from rivers mixes with salt from the ocean)
Brackish water (mix of fresh and salt)
why are estuaries important ecosystems?
they serve as nurseries for many fish species, meaning young organisms can grow there before moving to open ocean
what are three types of freshwater wetlands?
Swamps (wetland dominated by trees), marshes wetlands dominated by grasses and plants), and bogs (wetland with acidic water and mosses)
what are two important functions of wetlands?
flood control (wetlands absorb excess water) and water filtration (they trap pollutants and sediments)
which Marine ecosystems has the highest biodiversity?
coral reefs (underwater ecosystem made of calcium carbonate skeletons made by coral animals = diverse Marine life = high biodiversity)
what Marine ecosystems protect coastlines and support biodiversity?
mangroves (salt tolerant trees that grow in coastal tropical areas which stabilizes shoreline and provides habitat for fish)
what ocean zone is exposed to both air and water?
intertidal zone (the area between high tide and low tide where organisms must survive between both underwater and exposed conditions)
what ecosystems forms underwater forests and support many species?
Kelp forests (underwater ecosystems formed by large brown algae= kelp which grow in cold coastal areas)
what zone of the ocean receives sunlight?
Photic zone (upper ocean layer where sunlight penetrates allowing photosynthesis) problems include overfishing, Pollution, and oil spills solutions would be reduce CO2 emissions and sustainable fishing practice and Marine protected areas
where does most photosynthesis occur?
the photic zone because sunlight allows phytoplankton and algae to photosynthesize
what zone of the ocean receives little to no sunlight?
the aphotic zone (the deep ocean where sunlight cannot reach)
major problems =, deep sea mining, bottom trawling /destroying habitats and solutions would be ban deep sea mining or regulate it or reduce pollution entering oceans
what process brings cold nutrient-rich water to the surface?
Upwelling (when deep ocean water rises to the surface bringing nutrients)
why is upwelling important?
It increases nutrients and Marine productivity, which support large fisheries)
(A fishery is a broad term that refers to the organized effort to harvest fish or other aquatic species (like shellfish and crustaceans) for human use.)
what causes coral bleaching?
an increase in ocean temperatures, from stress by heart causing them to turn white
what causes ocean acidification?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolving into ocean water
what acid forms when CO2 dissolves in ocean water?
carbonic acid
what happens to ocean pH during acidification?
pH decreases, meaning the water becomes more acidic
which organisms are most affected by ocean acidification?
shell forming organisms, like coral, oysters, and clams
what does turbidity measure? why can it be harmful?
water cloudiness by suspended particles. blocks sunlight and reduces photosynthesis
what causes eutrophication?
excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) entering water
what is the main human source of eutrophication?
fertilizer runoff from agriculture
islands closer to the mainland have _________ species.
More species, because organisms can migrate there more easily
larger islands have _______ biodiversity.
Greater biodiversity, because they have more habitats.
