Chesapeake Bay: An Introduction to an Ecosystem Section 4: Communities

1. Chesapeake Bay: An Introduction to an Ecosystem Section 4: Communities II-1E2: Underwater Bay Grasses View this quiz as a slide show from “the beginning” During the slide show, you can right click on any slide and choose pointer options then pen or highlighter to write on any slide. But you will need to right click & choose pointer options then arrow before you can click on any of the navigation links again. Click to Start

2. II-1E2-1 In the shallow waters of the Bay, underwater grasses sway in the aquatic breeze of the current. Known as _________________________, these amazing plant communities provide food and shelter for waterfowl, fish, shellfish and invertebrates. submerged aquatic vegetation SAV Hint Answer Next Slide

3. II-1E2-2 Name three ecological benefits of bay grasses. produce oxygen trap sediment protect shorelines from erosion removing excess nutrients No hint Hint Answer Next Slide

4. II-1E2-3 Shedding ________________ conceal themselves in the bay grass vegetation until their new shells have hardened. blue crabs No hint Hint Answer Next Slide

5. II-1E2-4 In the fall and winter, migrating __________ search the bay grass sediment for nutritious seeds, roots and tubers. Resident ___________ may feed on bay grasses year-round. waterfowl waterfowl same word Both blanks the same word Hint Answer Next Slide

6. II-1E2-5 Microscopic _______________ feed on decaying Bay grasses and, in turn, are food for larger Bay organisms. zooplankton No hint Hint Answer Next Slide

7. II-1E2-6 _____________ dart between the Bay grass plants and graze on tiny organisms that grow on the stems and leaves. Minnows No hint Hint Answer Next Slide

8. II-1E2-7 What is the primary cause for declining grasses? Poor water quality resulting in less light penetration No hint Hint Answer Next Slide

9. II-1E2-8 Fourteen species of grasses are commonly found in the Bay or nearby rivers. What three factors determine where each species can grow? Salinity water depth bottom sediment No hint Hint Answer Next Slide

10. II-1E2-9 Label each grass species. Eelgrass Widgeon grass Redhead grass Wild cherry Hint Answer Next Slide

11. II-1E2-10 What is the primary cause for declining Bay grasses? Survival of Bay grasses is affected most by the amount of light that reaches the plants. Therefore, poor water quality resulting in less light penetration is the primary cause for declining Bay grasses. No hint Hint Answer Next Slide

12. II-1E2-11 Shoreline erosion also adds sediment to the Bay. Name three activities that can accelerate natural erosion. Land development boat traffic Loss of shoreline vegetation No hint Hint Answer Next Slide

13. II-1E2-12 Runoff from what three areas are sources of suspended sediments in the Bay? Farmland building sites highway construction No hint Hint Answer Next Slide

14. II-1E2-13 High levels of nutrients stimulate rapid growth of algae, known as blooms. Why is this a Bay issue? Algal blooms cloud the water and reduce the amount of sunlight reaching Bay grasses. Certain types of algae grow directly on the plants, further reducing available sunlight. No hint Hint Answer Next Slide

15. II-1E2-14 What are four major sources of nutrients in the bay? sewage treatment plants acid rain agricultural fields fertilized lawns No hint Hint Answer Next Slide

16. II-1E2-15 Historically, there were more than 200,000 acres of grasses in the bay but by its low point in _____, only 37,000 acres remained. However, bay grasses have rebounded steadily since this low point. In 2003, scientists estimated that about 64,709 acres of underwater grasses were living in the Bay. 1984 No hint Hint Answer Next Slide

17. II-1E2-16 Three causes of the Bay wide bay grass decline. Declining water quality disturbance of grass beds alteration of shallow water habitat No hint Hint Answer Next Slide

18. II-1E2-17 Scientists have studied five grass species that are an important source of food for waterfowl: _____________ found in freshwater, ______ pondweed, ___________ grass and _________ grass found in more estuarine water and __________ found in the lower Bay in saltier water. wild celery sago redhead widgeon eelgrass No hint Hint Answer Next Slide

19. II-1E2-18 Name four reason why water quality is beginning to improve. the ban of phosphates in detergents reduction of fertilizer use by farmers and homeowners protection of shallow water habitat the reduction of nutrients in sewage effluent. No hint Hint Answer LasttSlide