All Flashcards
How do buffer zones help protect coastal wetlands?
Reduce nutrient runoff from agricultural fields.
How do cover crops help protect coastal wetlands?
Reduce nutrient runoff from agricultural fields.
Why are aquatic biomes important?
They support biodiversity, play a role in the water cycle, and provide resources for humans.
What determines productivity in lakes?
Nutrient levels (nitrogen and phosphorus) determine productivity.
Why are wetlands important?
They prevent floods, filter pollutants, and provide habitat for migrating birds.
What is the significance of estuaries?
They are highly productive areas where freshwater rivers meet the ocean, providing nutrients and serving as nurseries for many species.
Why are mangrove swamps important?
They protect coastlines from storms and erosion and provide habitat for many species.
Why are coral reefs important?
They are highly biodiverse ecosystems that provide habitat for many species and protect coastlines.
What is the role of photosynthetic algae in coral reefs?
They provide food for corals and are essential for their survival.
What are ecosystem services?
Benefits that biomes provide, such as water filtration, flood control, and habitat.
Describe the importance of oxygen levels in streams and rivers.
Higher oxygen levels, typically found in fast-moving water, are essential for supporting freshwater fish and other aquatic life.
Explain the challenges faced by organisms in the intertidal zone.
Organisms must adapt to changing conditions, including being underwater during high tide and exposed to air and sun during low tide.
Define aquatic biome.
Biome characterized by the presence of water, either freshwater or saltwater.
Define freshwater biome.
Aquatic biome with low salinity, including lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
Define marine biome.
Aquatic biome with high salinity, including oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries.
Define eutrophic lake.
Lake with high productivity due to abundant nutrients.
Define mesotrophic lake.
Lake with moderate productivity.
Define oligotrophic lake.
Lake with low productivity due to limited nutrients.
Define littoral zone.
Shallow area near the shore of a lake or pond with high photosynthesis.
Define limnetic zone.
Open water zone of a lake or pond, as far as sunlight can reach.
Define profundal zone.
Deep zone of a lake where sunlight does not reach.
Define benthic zone.
The muddy bottom of a lake, ocean, or other body of water.
Define salt marsh.
Coastal wetland with non-woody plants, often found in estuaries.
Define mangrove swamp.
Coastal wetland with salt-tolerant trees with submerged roots.
Define intertidal zone.
Area of coastline between high and low tide lines.
Define coral bleaching.
Loss of algae within corals, causing them to turn white and potentially die.
Define photic zone.
The upper layer of the ocean where sunlight penetrates, allowing photosynthesis.
Define aphotic zone.
The deep layer of the ocean where sunlight does not penetrate.