Chesapeake Bay:An Introduction to an Ecosystem
Section 4: CommunitiesII-1E3: Plankton
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________________ are tiny single-celled plants that require light to live and reproduce. Therefore, the largest
concentrations occur near the surface.
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Phytoplankton
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II-1E3-1
True or False: Salinity affects phytoplankton distribution with the
largest number of species preferring the fresher waters near the head of the Bay.
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False: Salinity affects phytoplankton distribution with the largest number of species preferring the saltier waters near the mouth of the Bay.
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II-1E3-2
What season do the largest concentrations of phytoplankton in the
Bay occur? Why?
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Spring. The amount of nutrients in the water is a major determinant to the abundance of these plants so the largest concentrations
occur during the spring when nutrients are replenished by freshwater runoff from the
watershed
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II-1E3-3
These high concentrations of phytoplankton produce the characteristic
_____________ color of estuarine and near-shore waters.
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brown-green
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II-1E3-4
Although there are many species of phytoplankton, the major types in the
Bay are _________ and______________.
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II-1E3-5
diatoms dinoflagellates
__________________ , which are present throughout much of the year, may account for 50% of total algal production.
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Diatoms
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II-1E3-6
When ______________ dominate the water, a red-tinted bloom, called a mahogany tide, may be produced.
Mahogany tides typically occur on warm, calm days, often following rain.
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dinoflagellates
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II-1E3-7
Changes in chemical conditions, such as the addition of nutrients, can cause what changes in algae? What are some consequences of these changes?
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Changes in chemical conditions can cause rapid increases in the amount of algae. These algal
blooms can block light from reaching SAV beds. Even after they die, deposition and subsequent
decomposition of large masses of plankton in the mainstem of the Bay can deplete dissolved oxygen,
suffocating other estuarine animals.
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II-1E3-8
Phytoplankton are the major food source for microscopic animals called
______________.
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zooplankton
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II-1E3-9
Dominating the zooplankton are the __________ (tiny crustaceans about one millimeter long) and _______________.
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II-1E3-10
fish larvaecopepods
Zooplankton are distributed according to __________ levels. Distribution patterns
also are related to those of their main food source—the _____________.
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II-1E3-11
salinity
phytoplankton
Zooplankton also feed on other particulate plant matter and _________.
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bacteria
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II-1E3-12
Tiny ______________ of invertebrates and fish also are considered zooplankton. This planktonic stage is only temporary, these are consumed by larger animals,
and may, as they grow, consume copepods.
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larvae
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II-1E3-13
Another group of zooplankton found in the Bay are the _________ . These single-celled animals feed on detritus and bacteria. They, in turn, become food for larvae, copepods and larger protozoa.
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protozoa
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II-1E3-14
________________ are essentially the decomposers in the Bay. Their primary function is to break down dead matter, particularly plants, making nutrients in dead plant and animal matter again become available for growing plants. They are eaten by zooplankton and other filter-feeding animals.
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Bacteria
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II-1E3-15
Bacteria can be residents of the Bay or can be introduced through various pathways, including _______________ and ________________________.
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II-1E3-16
runoff from the landhuman sewage
_______________ bacteria are normal resident bacteria found in the intestines of mammals.
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Coliform
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II-1E3-17
What does the presence of coliforn in a body of water indicate?
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• human or other animal wastes are present
• disease-producing pathogens may be present in the water.
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II-1E3-18
____________ and ______________ are the largest zooplankton in the Bay.
Some of these gelatinous creatures swim, though they are still at the mercy of the water
currents.
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II-1E3-19
comb jelliesJellyfishes
Jellyfishes have ____________ with stinging cells used to stun prey.
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tentacles
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II-1E3-20
The most famous jellyfish in the Chesapeake is the ________________.
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sea nettle
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II-1E3-21
Sea nettles feed voraciously on other _____________, including
____________, _____________ and even small __________________.
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II-1E3-22
zooplankton
fishcomb jelliesfish larvae
Because of the large volume of water in their bodies, few animals except
________________ prey on sea nettles.
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sea turtles
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II-1E3-23
Comb jellies, lacking the stinging cells of nettles, capture prey with ___________.
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adhesive cells
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II-1E3-24
Comb jellies consume vast quantities of small _____________ and ___________, especially _______________.
C, z & o
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II-1E3-1
copepodsoyster larvae
zooplankton
