Scl # 4 & 5 Salt Marsh And Tidal Flat Flash Quiz

The explanation for the correct answer is that the salt marsh community is considered one of nature's most self-sustaining ecological systems because it supplies virtually all its own needs. This means that the community does not rely heavily on other communities for resources such as nutrients or energy. The presence of a wide variety of plants and animal species occupying different niches allows the marsh community to efficiently utilize available resources and maintain its own ecological balance.

Phytoplankton refers to microscopic plants that serve as a food source for organisms and are carried along by tides and currents. This explanation accurately describes the role and behavior of phytoplankton in aquatic ecosystems.

Spartina alterniflora, also known as marsh cordgrass, is an ecologically important plant due to its salt tolerance. This means that it can survive and thrive in marsh environments with high levels of salt, where other plants may struggle to grow. Its ability to tolerate salt allows it to play a crucial role in stabilizing marsh ecosystems and preventing erosion. Additionally, its salt tolerance enables it to provide habitat and food sources for various organisms, making it a key component of the marsh ecosystem.

The characteristic rotten egg odor in marshes is due to the process of decomposition. Decomposition uses a significant amount of oxygen and releases hydrogen sulfide. As a result, the oxygen level in the marsh is reduced, and the release of hydrogen sulfide contributes to the foul smell.

The unique characteristic of the oyster crab is that it lives inside the shells of oysters and other bivalves. It also has the ability to eat the muscle tissue of the "host" oyster, making it a parasitic organism.

The Eastern Oyster is the correct answer because when it attaches to a solid object, it becomes immobile and unable to move. This is a characteristic of many pelecypods, including oysters, as they rely on attaching themselves to a substrate for stability and protection. The Blue or ribbed mussel, Mud snail, and Scallop are not necessarily immobile when attached to a solid object, so they are not the correct answer.

During a tide cycle in the tidal flats, the incoming tides flush in cooler ocean waters. This is because the sound waters in the tidal flats are shallower, allowing them to heat or cool more quickly. The shallow waters are more susceptible to temperature changes, so when the cooler ocean waters are brought in by the incoming tides, they cause a considerable change in water temperatures in the tidal flats.

In tidal flats, fine sand grain-sized sediments are deposited where tide current velocity is strong in the sound. This suggests that the strong tide current is able to carry and deposit the fine sand particles, while larger particles such as coarse sand or silt sediment may be too heavy to be transported by the current. The saltated sand, which refers to sand particles that are transported by bouncing or hopping along the bottom, may also be too heavy to be deposited in areas with strong tide current velocity.

The correct answer is that during high tide, incoming tides replenish ocean level salinity. During low tide, areas of salt marsh are exposed and may have pools of water that, when evaporated, leave the salt behind, creating a salty substrate. Evaporation is a factor in intertidal areas, and heavy rains alter the salinity, making the sound less salty. This explanation suggests that the fluctuation in salt content is due to the combination of tidal movements, evaporation, and rainfall, which all contribute to the varying levels of salinity in the tidal flat.

Eel grass in the sound serves as a protective covering for scallops. This is because scallops often bury themselves in the eel grass, which provides them with camouflage and protection from predators. The eel grass also provides a suitable habitat for scallops, as it offers them a place to attach themselves and grow. Therefore, the presence of eel grass in the sound is beneficial for the survival and well-being of scallops.

Silt is deposited in the tidal flats where the tides are weak, usually farther up in the estuary. This is because silt particles are finer and lighter compared to sand and sediment, allowing them to settle in areas with weaker water currents. The deposition of silt in tidal flats contributes to the formation of mudflats and marshes, which are important habitats for various species of plants and animals.

High summer temperatures in shallow water and in the underlying sediments can lead to increased biological activity, causing an increase in oxygen demand. At the same time, warm water holds less dissolved oxygen, leading to a decrease in oxygen levels. Additionally, the decomposition of organic matter on the tidal flat shoreline can further deplete oxygen levels. Therefore, the combination of these factors results in low dissolved oxygen levels in the summer.