Ecology Chapter 3

Which of the following are true about the characteristics of aquatic systems that allow them to be classified? -Classifying them on the basis of their dominant photosynthetic organisms is difficult. -The movement of water in them is unimportant to their classification. -The species of decomposers in them often serves as a way to classify them. -Salinity is often considered.

-Classifying them on the basis of their dominant photosynthetic organisms is difficult. -Salinity is often considered.

Which of the following are examples of human threats to marine life? -Dumping nuclear waste into the ocean -Scientists investigating the effects of global warming on the ocean -Dumping chemical waste into the ocean -Overfishing

-Dumping nuclear waste into the ocean -Dumping chemical waste into the ocean -Overfishing

Which of the following statements are true concerning oxygen levels in the ocean? -Oxygen levels reach a minimum of around 1,000 m depth. -Oxygen levels are typically the highest in surface waters. -Oxygen levels decrease as depth increases down to around 1,000 m. -Oxygen levels decrease substantially from 1000 m depth to the bottom of the ocean.

-Oxygen levels reach a minimum of around 1,000 m depth. -Oxygen levels are typically the highest in surface waters. -Oxygen levels decrease as depth increases down to around 1,000 m.

Which of the following is a way in which tidal currents are important in estuaries, salt marshes, and mangrove forests? -They deplete oxygen. -They can be involved in transporting organisms into or out of the habitat. -They hamper the movement of waste materials out of the habitat. -They contribute nutrients to the habitat.

-They can be involved in transporting organisms into or out of the habitat. -They contribute nutrients to the habitat.

These statements all apply to either spring or neap tides. Select only the statements that apply to neap tides. -It occurs at times of the new moon and full moon. -High and low tides are more extreme than usual. -It is created when the earth-moon-sun system is in alignment. -This tide is created when the moon is at a right angle from the sun in the earth-moon-sun system. -High and low tides are weaker than usual. -It occurs at times of the first and third quarter moon.

-This tide is created when the moon is at a right angle from the sun in the earth-moon-sun system. -High and low tides are weaker than usual. -It occurs at times of the first and third quarter moon.

These statements all apply to either spring or neap tides. Select only the statements that apply to neap tides. -This tide is created when the moon is at a right angle from the sun in the earth-moon-sun system. -It is created when the earth-moon-sun system is in alignment. -It occurs at times of the first and third quarter moon. -High and low tides are more extreme than usual. -It occurs at times of the new moon and full moon. -High and low tides are weaker than usual.

-This tide is created when the moon is at a right angle from the sun in the earth-moon-sun system. -It occurs at times of the first and third quarter moon. -High and low tides are weaker than usual.

Which of the following are examples of an environmental issue coral reefs are facing today? -dynamite and poisons used for fishing -less runoff of chemicals from human populations -over-harvesting of organisms -corals losing their zooxanthellae algae -cooling surface temperatures

-dynamite and poisons used for fishing -over-harvesting of organisms -corals losing their zooxanthellae algae

Thermohaline circulation ___________ -does not allow water to resurface after it sinks -is a deep water current -is driven by density differences -transports deep water nearly around the globe -involves water sinking at the equator due to high evaporation rates -involves cold, sinking, saline water

-is a deep water current -is driven by density differences -transports deep water nearly around the globe -involves cold, sinking, saline water

Approximately 80% of the solar energy striking the ocean is absorbed within the first ______________​_ meters.

10 meters

Approximately what percent of the total photosynthesis in the biosphere occurs in the oceans?

50%

How much of the earth's surface is covered by water?

71%

Ocean that borders the western side of Africa

Atlantic

Formed from a submerged oceanic island and ring a lagoon

Atoll

An example of a barrier reef is the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches across the northeast coast of

Australia

Located some distance off the shore of a continent or island

Barrier Reef

Which of the following is not true concerning the clarity of river water? -Inorganic runoff from the landscape can affect the clarity of the water. -Organic runoff and organic debris can lessen the clarity of the water. -Clear streams are generally less turbid than clear lakes or seas. -River turbulence that causes erosion can lessen the clarity of the water.

Clear streams are generally less turbid than clear lakes or seas.

Which of the following statements accurately describes thermohaline circulation? -Thermohaline circulation occurs at the surface of the ocean as the diffusion of heat and salt causes the formation of currents. -Warm pools of freshwater that form under storms over the ocean in low latitudes are moved to higher latitudes, where they cool and absorb more salt. -Cold saline waters sink in polar regions because they are dense and then travel great distances until they rise and connect to surface circulation.

Cold saline waters sink in polar regions because they are dense and then travel great distances until they rise and connect to surface circulation.

For the first 1,000 m down into the ocean, does the amount of dissolved oxygen increase or decrease with depth?

Decreases with depth

What is the result of the process called upwelling?

Deep water is moved to the surface when winds blow surface water offshore.

True or false: The Mediterranean sea is one of the three major ocean basins.

False

True or false: The oceanic zone is on top of the continental shelf.

False

True or false: Water on earth is mostly freshwater, found in rivers, lakes, streams, and other bodies of water.

False

The three largest lakes that acts as a freshwater basin

Great Lakes, Lake Baikal and Lake Tanganyika

Ocean that borders the eastern side of Africa and western side of Australia

Indian

Which of the following is not an example of a human impact on intertidal habitats? -The organisms there may be collected for educational purposes. -The organisms there may be harvested for research purposes. -The organisms there are often harvested for food. -They are areas for recreation. -Intertidal organisms are exposed to air at low tides twice per day.

Intertidal organisms are exposed to air at low tides twice per day.

Why is water not considered a limiting resource in aquatic systems?

It is abundant.

How does high tide level affects light intensity for intertidal organisms?

It is reduced because of higher water turbulence.

Which is true concerning salinity in estuaries, salt marshes, and mangrove forests? -Salinity is fairly constant in most estuaries, salt marshes, and mangrove forests. -Because estuaries are where rivers and seas meet, the salinity is generally higher than the ocean. -Salinity in these areas will never exceed the salinity of the ocean. -It may fluctuate greatly, especially where river flow and tides are substantial.

It may fluctuate greatly, especially where river flow and tides are substantial.

What properties make water an ideal medium for life? -Its resistance to changes in temperature. -Its ability to block light waves. -The buoyancy it provides for organisms in it. -Its unique neutrons and protons.

Its resistance to changes in temperature. The buoyancy it provides for organisms in it.

created when the moon is at a right angle from the Sun in the Earth-Moon-Sun system

Neap tide geometry

Water on earth is mostly found where?

Oceans, which are saltwater environments

What is included in the category "number of species and species composition" with respect to the Index of Biological Integrity?

Overall number, tolerance and kinds of fish

Ocean that borders the western side of the United States

Pacific

The largest ocean basin is the

Pacific Ocean

Three major ocean basins from largest to smallest

Pacific, Atlantic and Indian

Which of the following is not true of estuaries or salt marshes? -They are often nurseries for young organisms. -The number of individual organisms found in these habitats is usually low. -Many of the insects found in estuaries are from freshwater ancestors. -The organisms that live there often have marine ancestors.

The number of individual organisms found in these habitats is usually low.

Why are the proportions of the major ions in the oceans relatively constant around the earth?

There is continuous and vigorous mixing of the world's oceans.

What characteristics do salt marshes and mangrove forests share?

They are located along low-laying coasts.

What function may tidal currents play in salt marshes and mangrove forests?

They may break up and transport plant litter

True or false: Less than 20% of the solar energy that hits the ocean surface penetrates the ocean beyond 10 m.

True

A riparian zone is the transitional area between the _______________ river channel and the terrestrial environment

active

Eutrophication of aquatic systems can lead to ________​_. -increased biodiversity -algal blooms -increased turbidity -reduced oxygen content -increased oxygen content

algal blooms, increased turbidity and reduced oxygen content

displays the great biodiversity characteristic of tropical rivers

amazon river basin

What types of ecosystems are first classified by the salinity of the water in them?

aquatic

Oxygen levels are generally highest in ___________ water​_.

cold

Oftentimes, corals are harvested and bleached for

decorations

The discharge of organic wastes and addition of nitrogen to estuary waters _________________ oxygen directly or through increased primary production.

depletes

The average rate of photosynthesis per square meter of ocean surface is similar to photosynthesis in which other habitat?

deserts

When there is one high tide and one low tide per day, the tides are called __________​_ tides.

diurnal

Estuaries and salt marshes do or do not support a high number of species?

do not

River discharge is often unpredictable in arid regions due to extended _________________ followed by heavy rains

droughts

Which one of the following vertical zones in the ocean receives enough sunlight to support photosynthesis?

epipelagic

the warm, well-lighted surface layer of the oceans.

epipelagic

Areas where rivers meet the sea are called

estuaries

The mouth of a river, where it empties into an ocean, gulf, or other marine habitats, is called a(n)

estuary

A lake with high biological production that is often oxygen-depleted is called

eutrophic

Excessive nutrient enrichment in aquatic environments can cause an increase in primary production followed by oxygen depletion as the organic matter decays. This process is called

eutrophication

Areas battered by the full force of ocean waves are called

exposed shores

As compared to aquatic environments that rank high, aquatic environments that rank low on the Index of Biological Integrity would have __________​_.

fewer fish

What are the indicator of poor environmental quality as assessed by the Index of Biological Integrity?

fin damage, skeletal deformities, and disease in fish

Headwater streams

first order

omnivores

fish that eat a wide range of food

piscivores

fish that feed on other fish

insectivores

fish that only eat insects

Near the shore of a continent or island

fringing reefs

The main vegetation found in salt marshes are

grasses

For tides to form, what force is in effect among the Sun, the Moon, and Earth?

gravity

The biodiversity of a tropical river is _____________​_ a temperate river.

greater than

The ability of water to resist changes in temperature is related to its ______________.

high specific heat

There is a ____________​_ demand and ______________​_ supply for coastal property, such as that near salt marshes.

high; low

The dynamic movement of water among reservoirs is called the

hydrologic cycle

Which of the following is not a result of human actions on rivers? -interruption of the natural flow of rivers -improvement of migratory pathways for fish -pollution -alteration of water temperatures

improvement of migratory pathways for fish

Kelp forests and coral reefs are typically found ___________.

in shallow waters along continents and around islands

-Oxygen levels _____________ substantially from 1000 m depth to the bottom of the ocean.

increase

The shallow shoreline that is under the influence of the change of tides is called the

intertidal or littoral zone

The shallow shoreline under the influence of the rise and fall of the tides is called the

intertidal or littoral zone

Oxygen content of water is ________________ correlated with temperature

inversely

Food additives and fertilizer are made from______________ that grow in the ocean, however, the harvested material is quickly replaced by growth

kelp or algae

A topographic depression in the landscape that collects water is called a(n)

lake

Most of the world's accessible freshwater is present in a few large bodies of water called

lakes

Light intensity for intertidal organisms is highest at high or low tides?

low tides

Which of the regions is only uncovered during the lowest tides?

lower intertidal zone

A ___________ forest is found at the transition between land and sea. They are typically concentrated along low-lying coasts with sandy shores.

mangrove

These organisms are often from many different genera.

mangrove trees

The smallest fragments of plastic in aquatic environments are called

microplastics

What has the largest effect on the tides on the earth?

moon

Occurs at times of the first quarter moon and third-quarter moon

neap tide timing

Beyond the continental shelf lies the ______________.

oceanic zone

The region beyond the continental shelf is called the

oceanic zone

lakes of low nutrient content, abundant oxygen, and low primary production.

oligotrophic

As aquatic systems are damaged, the Index of Biological Integrity suggests that the percentage of ____________ increases, while the percentages of the other two trophic groups decrease.

omnivores

Clusters of green algae cells would be an example of

phytoplankton

Tiny photosynthetic organisms that drift with the currents are called _______________, while their animal counterparts are called _____________.

phytoplankton, zooplankton

The main problem with microplastics in aquatic environments, beyond the effect on any individual organism, is:

poisoning of the food chain

A growing threat to coral reefs, including the nutrient enrichment from human populations, is

pollution

How can water enter reservoirs in the hydrologic cycle?

precipitation, surface, and subsurface flow

The term for where corals grow in the surge zone created by waves from the open sea is __________​_.

reef crest

The proportions of ions such as sodium, magnesium, and chloride ions ____________.

remain constant across the world ocean

One of the most severe human impacts on river systems has been the building of

reservoirs or dams

Outside of the river channel, the transition between the aquatic environment and the terrestrial environment is called the

riparian zone

An area of a continent or an island that is drained by a river drainage network is called a

river basin

In hot dry climates, evaporation often exceeds freshwater inputs, such as rain. This may cause the upper portion of estuaries to exceed the _____________________ of the open ocean

salinity

The amount of salt dissolved in water is called

salinity

What two chemical factors listed have the biggest impact on the biology of aquatic environments?

salinity and oxygen concentration

transition between land and sea

salt marsh and mangrove forests

Stream formed by joining two first-order streams

second order

When there are two high tides and two low tides per day, the tides are described as __________.

semidiurnal

Places, where people piled the remains of their seafood dinners, are evidence that intertidal areas have been used for harvesting organisms such as clams and mussels for food for many thousands of years. These deposits are called

shell middens

Chesapeake Bay is an example of a________.

sheltered shore

Shores on the inside of headlands or in coves and bays are called

sheltered shores

What are the three ways a lake can form?

shifting of earth's crust, volcanic action and glacial activity

The highest portion of the intertidal zone is called the _________​_.

splash zone or supratidal fringe

Created when the Earth-Moon-Sun system is in alignment

spring tide geometry

Occurs at times of the new moon and full moon

spring tide timing

The stems of the kelp that extends from the canopy of the kelp forest to the seafloor are also called __________​_.

stipes

A way of classifying streams and rivers by where they occur in a drainage network is called

stream order

The most consistent levels of river flow are often found in forests called _________________ because precipitation levels are relatively even year-round.

temperate

Kelp forests are typically found at ______________ latitudes

temperate or mid

Salinity

the amount of salt dissolved in water

Stream formed by joining two second-order streams

third order

The image shows meandering __________ that are characteristic of salt marshes.

tidal creek

Channels in salt marshes that fill and empty with the tides are called

tidal creeks

The two most important water movements that affect the distribution and abundance of intertidal organisms are breaking waves and

tides

Chemicals that are harmful to the environment:

toxic wastes

The primary ecological impact of human populations on lakes is the dumping of nutrients and ______________.

toxic wastes

Mangrove forests are mainly composed of mangrove

trees

For the Index of Biological Integrity, the ______________ is an analysis of the dietary habits of fish in the community.

trophic composition

corals are typically found at ______________ latitudes.

tropical or low

True or false: The two main factors that affect the clarity of river water are the intimate contact with the landscape and river turbulence.

true

Off the western coast of South America, surface water moves offshore and deep water moves toward the surface. The upward movement of deep water here is called

upwelling

What substance is never a limiting resource in the ocean?

water

River basins are separated from each other by high points of land called

watersheds

What are the two most important water movements that affect the distribution and abundance of intertidal organisms?

waves that break on the shore and tides

Due to human's killing them directly and a decline in krill (zooplankton) populations, which marine organism suffered great loss in numbers?

whales

An introduced species in the Great Lakes

zebra mussels

Small invertebrate larvae would be an example of

zooplankton