Unit 3 (2)
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School
Broward College *
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Course
1001
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
3
Uploaded by JusticeProtonNightingale35
Name: Stacie Burnette
Instructor: Professor
Kristine Stewart
Course ID: EVR1001
Unit 3 Assignment Student Word Document
(20 points total)
Note: Submit this document as either a Word Document or PDF file
AND the Unit 3 Concept
Map to the Unit 3 Assignment Dropbox on D2L by the due date to earn credit for this
assignment.
Unit 3 Part 1:
Your watermap will be completed on a separate document
(6 points)
Unit 3 Part 2:
Part A:
(3 points)
1.
How has the pH of the ocean changed since the 1860s? Hint: at the bottom of the info
box, check the “Data Values.” What is the pH in the open oceans in the 1860s and what
is it now?
The pH of the ocean has changed from an in the 1860s 8.2 to now an 8.0-8.1.
2.
How is it projected to change by 2100? Using what you know about pH (or what you
research) is a change of about 1 unit of pH a big deal? Explain.
By 2100, the pH in the ocean is projected to be at a high of 7.8 and a low of 7.7. The ocean is
absorbing more carbon dioxide which is causing the pH to decrease more.
3.
Using background research, discuss potential effects of ocean acidification on marine
ecosystems. Be specific and show all your sources.
Ocean acidification is weakening coral structures in the Caribbean and in cold-water reefs in
waters off of Scotland and Norway. The effects can cause shelled creatures to dissolve in
corrosive conditions, affecting food sources for fish, birds, and marine mammals.
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/understanding-ocean-acidification#where-are-the-
effects-of-ocean-acidification-hitting-hardest?
Part B:
(4 points)
The main condition that is linked to coral bleaching is unusually high-water temperature. Your
task is to use satellite data to investigate whether this condition is occurring at a station of your
choice.
1.
On the map, select one marker from “All stations and Products.” Record the location of
the station here:
SST.
2.
Explore the data on your chosen station.
3.
Answer the following questions using the station data page.
a.
What is the current coral bleaching alert level at this location (Thermal Stress Guage)?
What does this alert status mean?
The current coral bleaching alert level is at Alert Level 2, 30.680. The alert level means that the
coral is under extreme stress due to the heat levels, but they can survive from it.
b.
What are the trends and the projected coral bleaching alert levels over the next 16
weeks (click on Outlook)? How does the Alert Warning change? What time of the year is
coral bleaching threat the highest (Find your station on the All Stations and Products; Pro
Tip. Are you in the northern or southern hemisphere?)? Can you surmise why this time
of year is the worst threat?
Phoenix Islands, Kiribati. The trends for my current location is that the heat level increases over
the next 16 weeks. The Alert Warning stays the same at Level Alert 2. I am in the southern
Hemisphere.
c.
Look at the multi-year graph (below second graph). What years had the worst coral
bleaching threat?
2019
d.
Make some conclusions about these data; what does the data mean for this location? Be
specific.
This may mean in the future that the corals may permanently be in distressed due the high
temperatures.
e.
Explain the effects of coral bleaching on marine ecosystems, especially at your chosen
location?
The effects of coral bleaching could cause the corals to die. The reefs barely come back. The
corals would need to rejuvenate. They help with the ecosystems.
Unit 3 Part 3:
(7 points)
Choose one ecosystem from the Lesson 3.4 that interests you. You may need to narrow down
your choice so you can describe it adequately. For example, "marshes" is too general. Even
Freshwater Marshes is too general. You would need to choose a freshwater marsh in a specific
place that you can fully evaluate. If it is specific enough, it might have a name. Show all your
sources with either a full citation or link (preferred) or both. Please number your responses.
1.
Name and describe your ecosystem – Where is it? How big is it? Are there many like it
around the globe or is it unique?
Lake or pond. A lake can be shallow. They can be manmade. The three different zones are the
littoral zone, limnetic zone, and profundal zone.
2.
Discuss the physical conditions of the ecosystem that you selected – temperature,
salinity, density, freshwater/saltwater, sediment type, etc.
Lakes are freshwater bodies, which are typically “still” or non-moving water. Lakes provide water
for irrigation and the soil surrounding them makes them fertile.
3.
Discuss the biological aspects of the ecosystem:
a.
What animals are commonly found in this ecosystem?
Fish, such as catfish and bass, insects, amphibians, reptiles such as gators, and a wide variety of
birds including hawks, herons and ducks
b.
What plants are commonly found in this ecosystem?
Aquatic plants, floating plants and emergent plants
c.
Discuss types of invasive species that are threatening this ecosystem.
Carps, Giant salvinias, and zebra mussels to name a few
d.
Discuss anthropogenic (human-related) threats to this ecosystem.
Removing water from the lakes can put fish and wildlife at risk by damaging habitat and
degrading water quality.
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