Chapter 7 Section 2

Estuaries Estuary – an area in which fresh water from a river mixes with salt water from the ocean Nutrients 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

Estuaries This estuary is the Salmon River estuary in Oregon.

Estuaries

Klamath River estuary which is also found in Oregon.

Estuaries - Animals Right 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 - Animals Horseshoe crabs come to mate and lay eggs Migrating shore birds depend on these eggs for survival

Estuaries - Animals Red Knot

Estuaries - Animals Red Knots are one of the most common birds that feed on the eggs

Estuaries - Animals The Red Knot is currently listed as a “threatened” species

Chapter 7 Section 2

Marine Ecosystems Are identified by the presence of salt water

Salt marshes Develop in estuaries Because mineral-rich mud is deposited here Act as a nursery which many species find protection when they are small When they mature they migrate to the sea

Mangrove swamps Swamps located around coastal areas of tropical zones Mangrove trees dominate these swamps Are salt-tolerant Protect the coastline from erosion and storms Are breeding and feeding grounds

Shores 1. 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 Reefs Limestone 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 water Therefore they are only found in shallow, tropical seas Reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems in the world

Oceans Sunlight 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 Lab On 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 it And three facts or bits of information on the following USE bullet points

It should look like Salt Marsh Name: Salty Pete’s Bog Location: Sand Iago, North Carolina 1. Highest concentration of salt in any body of water 2. Smallest marsh in the world 3. Is foggy every day of the year except for Memorial Day