Aquatic Biomes

This set of flashcards contains key vocabulary terms and definitions related to aquatic biomes, focusing on ocean currents, productivity, water bodies, and ecosystems.

Ocean Currents

Movements of warm and cold water around the globe, affecting climate and primary productivity.

Primary Productivity

The process by which organisms transform sunlight or chemical energy into their own food, forming the base of food chains.

Gyre

A large-scale pattern of water circulation that is clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Upwelling

The upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents, bringing nutrients to support producers.

Thermohaline Circulation

Deep ocean currents driven by temperature and salinity differences, crucial for global climate regulation.

El Niño

A climate pattern characterized by warmer Pacific Ocean waters, impacting weather and ocean currents.

La Niña

Opposite of El Niño; cooler than average ocean temperatures in the Pacific, affecting global weather patterns.

Wetlands

Areas where soil is saturated with water, providing diverse habitats and ecosystem services such as flood reduction.

Marshes

Wetlands periodically flooded with shallow water, supporting plant life like cattails and bulrushes.

Swamps

Low-lying areas permanently covered with water, often featuring forested ecosystems.

Vernal Pool

Temporary wetland that provides essential breeding grounds for various species.

Coral Reefs

Highly diverse marine ecosystems built from coral polyps, often threatened by climate change.

Coral Bleaching

The process where corals lose their symbiotic algae due to stress, resulting in whitened, weakened corals.