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