Life at the Ocean’s Edge

Earth’s Waters Chapter 5.2Pages 156-161

Living ConditionsPage156-157

• What are the 6 physical factors that affect ocean environments?

• How do scientists classify marine organisms?

• What are the 3 categories of classification for marine organisms? Describe each one.

Living ConditionsPage156-157

• What are the 6 physical factors that affect ocean environments?– Salinity, Water temperature, Light,

Dissolved gases, Nutrients, and Wave action

• How do scientists classify marine organisms?– According to where they live and

how they move

Living ConditionsPage156-157

• What are the 3 categories of classification for marine organisms? Describe each one.– Plankton are tiny algae / animals

that float along currents–Nekton can swim freely (fish, squid

& marine mammals)– Benthos organisms like crabs and

sponges live on the ocean floor

On the RocksPage 158

• What is the Intertidal Zone?– Area including the highest high-tide

point on land to the point on the continental shelf exposed by lowest low-tide

• Why is it difficult for organisms to survive in this zone?–Organisms must tolerate harsh

wave action, changing temperature & salinity, and being exposed to the open air (predators)

Ocean Breathes SaltyPage 160

• What are Estuaries?• Describe brackish water.• Why is a Salt Marsh a suitable

environment for many organisms? Give 3 reasons.

• Explain why Mangroves are valuable to coastal regions.

Ocean Breathes SaltyPage 160

• What are Estuaries?– Coastal inlets or bays where fresh river

water mixes with salty ocean water• Describe brackish water.– Brackish water is partly salty and

partly fresh

Ocean Breathes SaltyPage 160

• Why is a Salt Marsh a suitable environment for many organisms? Give 3 reasons.–Salt Marshes provide sediments from

fresh water; nutrients from cordgrass; breaks up waves, creating shelter for many organisms

Ocean Breathes SaltyPage 160

• Explain why Mangroves are valuable to coastal regions.–Mangroves can withstand hurricane

winds, preventing dramatic change to the coastline each hurricane season