chapter 7 section 2. estuaries estuary – an area in which fresh water from a river mixes with...
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Estuaries This estuary is the Salmon River estuary in Oregon.TRANSCRIPT
Marine EcosystemsChapter 7 Section 2
EstuariesEstuary – an area in which fresh water from a
river mixes with salt water from the oceanNutrients and minerals fall to the bottom
Estuaries act as a “nutrient trap”When the two waters meet the difference in
temperatures create currents and this cause the nutrients and minerals to fall to the bottom
Protected from ocean waves by the surrounding land
EstuariesThis estuary is the Salmon River estuary in Oregon.
Estuaries
EstuariesKlamath River estuary which is also found in Oregon.
Estuaries - AnimalsRight here in our
own Delaware Bay something happens one week every spring
Horseshoe crabs crawl out of the ocean to the shallows of the estuary the bay creates (or the estuary created?)
Estuaries - AnimalsHorseshoe crabs
come to mate and lay eggs
Migrating shore birds depend on these eggs for survival
Estuaries - Animals
Red Knot
Estuaries - AnimalsRed Knots are one of
the most common birds that feed on the eggs
Estuaries - AnimalsThe Red Knot is
currently listed as a “threatened” species
Marine Ecosystems cont.Chapter 7 Section 2
Marine EcosystemsAre identified by the presence of salt water
Salt marshesDevelop in estuaries
Because mineral-rich mud is deposited here
Act as a nursery which many species find protection when they are smallWhen they mature
they migrate to the sea
Mangrove swampsSwamps located
around coastal areas of tropical zones
Mangrove trees dominate these swampsAre salt-tolerant
Protect the coastline from erosion and storms
Are breeding and feeding grounds
Shores1. Rocky
More plants and animals than sandy
Rocks anchor seaweed, sea anemones, muscles, sponges, etc.
Shores cont.2. Sandy
Dry out when tide goes in stranding plankton
Tiny organisms eat the plankton which are then in turn eaten by birds
Shores cont.Barrier islands
Act as barriers that protect the mainland and coastal wetlands
Typically run parallel to the shore
Coral ReefsLimestone ridges built by
tiny animals called coral polyps
The coral is the polyps’ “skeleton” it secretes
The coral relies on photosynthetic algae
Must be in warm, clear, salt waterTherefore they are only
found in shallow, tropical seas
Reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems in the world
OceansSunlight that is
usable for plants only penetrates 330 ft into the ocean
Most life concentrated in shallow coastal areas
In the open ocean, plankton are the most prevalent form of life
Computer LabOn a sheet of paper I need by the end of class:
The name of a: Salt marsh Mangrove swamp Sandy shore Coral reef Ocean Rocky shore (just the name and location of one)
The location of itAnd three facts or bits of information on the
following USE bullet points
It should look likeSalt MarshName: Salty Pete’s BogLocation: Sand Iago, North Carolina1. Highest concentration of salt in any body of
water2. Smallest marsh in the world3. Is foggy every day of the year except for
Memorial Day