26.Estuaries Notes Day 2

• EQ: What are the different aquatic ecosystems? Why are they so important to life on Earth?

• LT: I can identify various aquatic ecosystems & their important features.

• POU: I will describe Estuaries and their importance as a diverse ecosystem.

• I will define and explain the importance of a wetland.

Today’s Warm-Up:

How does an estuary benefit the hydrosphere?

Go to goo.gl/vta7d1 to enter today’s warm up & Monday’s warm up!

Warm-Up: 3/5/14

Table of Contents 1

Title Assignment #Properties of Water Cloze Notes (Handout) 6Properties of Water Vocabulary 7Water Properties Webquest 8Water Cycle Brainpop 9Water Cycle Vocabulary 10Water on Earth Notes 11River Basin Notes 12River Basin Vocab 13River Basin Scavenger Hunt 14Estuaries Notes 15Wetlands 16

Moving to the Oceans –Estuaries 15

8th Grade Science

Copy items in red and images indicated.

Part 2

What does an estuary look like from a satellite vs a helicopter?

Ocean

Brackish

Fresh

Protective Environment

• Estuaries help control erosion & reduce flooding. • 1. Sand bars buffer impact of waves • 2.Plants and shell fish beds anchor the shore against

tides. • Swamps and marshes take the initial impact of high

winds moving in from the ocean, soak up heavy rain and storm surges, and release the extra the extra water gradually into river and groundwater supplies.

Protective Environment

1. Because estuaries are shallow (less than 30 ft deep) sunlight penetrates all the way to the bottom. This promotes plant growth.

2. Rivers feed estuaries sediments rich in nutrients, which settle onto the sand and mud of the estuary floor. These unique conditions create biodiversity in species of (fish, shrimp, crabs, clams, and oysters) that adapt the brackish conditions.

Estuaries are great Nurseries!

• Estuaries are also good nurseries as they provide a protected environment for species to hatch and grow in before they migrate to the sea to live out their adult lives.

Nurseries

• Estuaries act as “Nurseries” for marine and aquatic species.– Marine – Live in ocean– Aquatic – Live in water

• Fish will lay eggs in estuaries– Safe from ocean

predators– Calmer, more nutrient rich water

Resting and Breeding Ground

• Birds depend on the estuary for resting and feeding

• Lots to eat

• Crabs, worms, clams, and more live in the muddy areas.

Work Cited

• http://estuaries.noaa.gov/Teachers/estuaries.aspx

• http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/estuaries/media/supp_estuar03a_marsh.html

Wetlands 16

• What is a wetland?– An area where the water table is at, near or above

the land surface long enough during the year to support adapted plant growth

• What are the types of wetlands?– Swamps, bogs, and marshes• Swamp: a wetland dominated by trees• Bogs: a wetland dominated by peat moss• Marshes: a wetland dominated by grasses

Discovery Education Video

• Water sheds and Wetlands of North America – Time 1:23

• Ecosystems (Watersheds, Estuaries and Wetlands) (Time 2:25)

• Goto www.DiscoveryEducation.com

U: lgrovestudentP: 8science Click on “Assignments” then clickOn “complete”

Wetlands 16Why are they important?

1. Help prevent Flooding by absorbing excess water

2. Help prevent erosion3. Help filter water flowing through it

Brainpop: EvergladesTime 4:17

http://goo.gl/wYQFIQ

What did you learn about the Florida Everglades?