Marine Ecosystems

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Marine Ecosystems 7.2
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Marine ecosystems are located mainly in coastal
areas and in the ocean
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Coastal Wetlands Land covered by salt water for
at least part of the year
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Estuary Area where freshwater (from a river)
mixes with salt water Many coastal wetlands form
estuaries
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Threats to Estuaries Used to dump
waste Pollution Development
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Salt Marshes Marsh grasses that dominate the
shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic
Coast (develop in estuaries)
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Mangrove Swamps Swamps located along coastal
areas of tropical and subtropical zones
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Barrier Islands Run parallel to the shore Help
protect the mainland and the coastal wetlands
(erosion)
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Coral Reefs Limestone (calcium carbonate) ridges
built by tiny coral animals called coral polyps
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Coral reefs are among the most diverse
ecosystems Found in shallow clear waters Very
fragile
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Oceans Much of the oceans life is concentrated
in the shallow, coastal waters