Landforms - progress learning

What ecosystem is being described in the passage?

This ecosystem is a partially enclosed body of water and the surrounding coastal habitat. It is a transitional zone, where saltwater from the ocean mixes with fresh water from rivers or streams. This ecosystem is also influenced by the daily tides. Examples include salt marshes and Florida's mangrove forests.

What ecosystem is being described in the passage?

• Lake

• Ocean

• Estuary

• Tropical forest

Answer explanation

The passage describes an ecosystem where saltwater and freshwater mix, influenced by tides, which defines an estuary. Examples like salt marshes and mangrove forests further confirm this, making 'Estuary' the correct answer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

The north Florida salt marsh is an example of what type of ecosystem?

• Desert ecosystem

• Estuary ecosystem

• Forest ecosystem

• Mountain ecosystem

Answer explanation

The north Florida salt marsh is a coastal ecosystem where saltwater from the ocean mixes with freshwater from rivers, making it an estuary ecosystem. This unique environment supports diverse plant and animal life.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

What is a characteristic of the salt marsh estuary?

• It is only fresh water.

• It is only salt water.

• It is a mix of fresh and salt water.

• It is a mix of sand and rocks.

Answer explanation

A salt marsh estuary is characterized by the mixing of fresh water from rivers and salt water from the ocean, creating a unique brackish environment. This makes 'It is a mix of fresh and salt water' the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which of the following is true about the ocean ecosystem?

• It contains only fresh water.

• It contains only salt water.

• It contains no water.

• It contains a mix of fresh and salt water.

Answer explanation

The ocean ecosystem is primarily composed of salt water, making the statement "It contains only salt water" true. Fresh water is found in rivers and lakes, while the ocean is characterized by its saline content.

What is one way the salt marsh is similar to an ocean ecosystem?

• Both are dry and arid.

• Both contain only fresh water.

• Both vary with the tides.

• Both are made of sand dunes.

Answer explanation

Both salt marshes and ocean ecosystems are influenced by tidal movements, which cause variations in water levels and salinity. This similarity affects the habitats and species found in both environments.

Which ecosystem is known for having a mix of fresh and salt water?

• Ocean

• Desert

• Estuary

• Forest

Answer explanation

An estuary is a unique ecosystem where fresh water from rivers meets and mixes with salt water from the ocean, creating a rich habitat for diverse wildlife. This distinguishes it from oceans, deserts, and forests.

Which of the following ecosystems varies with the tides?

• Desert

• Forest

• Ocean

• Mountain

Answer explanation

The ocean ecosystem varies with the tides due to the gravitational pull of the moon and sun, causing regular changes in water levels. Deserts, forests, and mountains do not experience such tidal variations.

Which of the following is not true about the ocean ecosystem?

• It contains only salt water.

• It varies with the tides.

• It is a mix of fresh and salt water.

• It is not a breeding ground for many life forms.

Answer explanation

The statement 'It is a mix of fresh and salt water' is not true about the ocean ecosystem, as oceans primarily contain salt water. Freshwater bodies, like rivers and lakes, are separate from the ocean.

What are the large bodies of flowing freshwater in the United States that empty into a larger body of water called?

• Glaciers

• Rivers

• Lakes

• Oceans

Answer explanation

The large bodies of flowing freshwater that empty into larger bodies of water are called rivers. They are essential for drainage and transportation, distinguishing them from glaciers, lakes, and oceans.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What feature is labeled at the top of the diagram?

• River

• Sinkhole

• Mountain

• Valley

Answer explanation

The feature labeled at the top of the diagram is a sinkhole, which is a depression or hole in the ground caused by the collapse of a surface layer. This distinguishes it from other features like rivers, mountains, or valleys.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2