oceans Ch15

Some organisms living in the high water portion of the intertidal zone cannot survive in the supralittoral zone because they

cannot keep moist

The loss of color (coral bleaching) in coral reef organisms is caused by

increases in ocean water temperature

The depth to which a bivalve can bury itself depends on the

length of respiratory structure

The distribution of benthic biomass is related to

primary productivity

What factors does limit coral growth

primary productivity

Zooxanthellae are important members of hydrothermal vent communities.

False (coral reef community)

Benthic diversity decreases below upwelling zones

False (increase)

The increase in the number of crown-of-thorn sea stars has been strong linked to human activities.

False (it is not related to humans)

Organisms that live in the spaces between sediment particles are called

Meiofauna

What threatens coral reef survival

boats, fishing, recreation, sight-seeing

The most successful adaptation for living on a sediment-covered shore is

burrowing into sediments

Oysters prefer

clear water

Eutrophication is detrimental to coral growth because it increases the

excessive algal growth

eelgrass

muddy bottom

Which marine habitats has the lowest species diversity?

mudflats

kelp

rocky bottom & temperate

crown-of-thorns starfish

rocky bottom & tropica

coral

rocky bottom & tropical

sand dollar

sandy bottom

The most important limiting factor in intertidal communities is:

space

Primary producers in hydrothermal vent communities are

sulfur oxidizing bacteria

Coral reefs contain more algal biomass than animal biomass.

true

Coral reefs contain twenty-five percent of all marine species

true

One characteristic of hydrothermal vent communities is unusually large organisms such as tubeworms and clams.

true

Species diversity is highest in coral reef communities

true

The variables that affect species diversity of benthic animals include:

water temperature, space, light, primary productivity