Biomes and Marine Productivity Flashcard

Front

What are wetlands and their environmental benefits?

Back

Wetlands are ecosystems that filter pollutants, provide habitat for wildlife, and store carbon, thus improving local and global environments.

Front

What is the effect of adding fertilizer to aquatic ecosystems?

Back

The addition of fertilizer can lead to an increase in biological oxygen demand, which can harm aquatic life.

Front

What is the benthic zone?

Back

The benthic zone is the entire bottom portion of the ocean, where organisms live on or near the ocean floor.

Front

Which trophic level is most susceptible to biomagnification of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)?

Back

Tertiary consumers are most susceptible to biomagnification of POPs due to their position at the top of the food chain.

Front

What ocean zone makes up the greatest percentage of the open ocean?

Back

The aphotic zone makes up the greatest percentage of the open ocean, where light does not penetrate.

Front

Define biological oxygen demand (BOD).

Back

Biological oxygen demand (BOD) is a measure of the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter in water.

Front

What is biomagnification?

Back

Biomagnification is the process by which the concentration of toxic substances increases in organisms at each successive level of the food chain.

Front

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers, such as plants and phytoplankton, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

Front

Explain the difference between the euphotic and aphotic zones.

Back

The euphotic zone is the upper layer of the ocean where sunlight penetrates, allowing photosynthesis, while the aphotic zone is deeper and lacks sufficient light for photosynthesis.

Front

What is the significance of biodiversity in wetlands?

Back

Biodiversity in wetlands is crucial as it supports a variety of species, enhances ecosystem resilience, and provides essential services like water filtration.