Salt Marsh Objectives

1. Describe salt marshes.

2. Characterize the environment of salt marshes.

3. Define tidal cycle.

4. Describe the composition and distribution of plants in the marsh.

5. Describe the composition and distribution of animals in the marsh.

6. Explain the relationship between the two types of salt marshes found in North America and
    topography.

7. Explain physiognomy and zonation of the marsh in relation to environmental characteristics
    and composition of the marsh.

8. Compare development of a marsh with pond or lake succession.

9. Identify sources of primary production in salt marshes.

10. Discuss the diversity and abundance of herbivores in the salt marsh.

11. Identify the effect of grazing on marsh biomass.

12. Compare the nature of the salt marsh ecotone with the fauna found in the ecotone.

13. Describe some of the interactions which occur between animals and between plants and
      animals.

14. Explain the commercial, ecological, and aesthetic value of salt marshes.

Vocabulary

cyanobacteria                            bacteria which are able to function as heterotrophs or
                                                       autotrophs
benthic coastal shelf zones
   supralittoral
   littoral
   sublittoral
emergent plant
tidal cycle
dominant species
halophyte
physiognomy
dendritic                                    channeled; having many branches
accretion                                   accumulation
primary productivity                   biomass of autotrophs
secondary productivity               biomass of heterotrophs
standing crop                             live standing above ground biomass
ecotone
various plant species
various animal species

In Text:
pg. 102, 246, 250-252.
You’ll need class notes to survive.

Marine Biology Objectives