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