Research
the following questions and answer them thoroughly in complete sentences .
1.
What
sorts of catastrophic events influence estuaries and how do they affect them?
Discuss.
2.
Discuss
why benthic diatoms are more abundant in estuaries than planktonic diatoms.
3.
Explain
why salt marshes tend to be species poor.
4.
What
function can the open areas on pans and shallow pools serve in a salt marsh?
5.
Bacteria
are very important in the intertidal community. Name two different roles that bacteria play in the sand and
mud off the intertidal shore line.
6.
Describe
a salt-wedge estuary. Why is it
given an unusual name?
7.
What is
an estuary? Why are bodies such as
Great Salt Lake ( Utah ) and Mono Lake ( California ) not considered estuaries?
8.
What are
the major factors that limit algal primary production in an estuary?
9.
Distinguish
among the origins and geomorphologies of the following estuaries:
coastal plain estuary, tectonic, semi-enclosed bay ( lagoon ), and fjord.
10.
How is
the fiddler crab, Uca, like an earthworm? Discuss.
11.
How does
decomposition of salt marsh plants increase their food value to animals?
12.
What
factors affect production in a salt marsh?
13.
Discuss
factors that explain the migration of the marsh periwinkle (Littoraria irrorata
) on cordgrass blades. How could
you develop an experimental test ( s ) of your ideas?