NAUI Marine Environment & Ecology 2

Question 1

What is the primary cause of coral bleaching?

Accepted Answer

Elevated water temperatures causing coral to expel zooxanthellae algae

Answer

Overfishing of herbivores

Answer

Physical damage from storm activity

Answer

Invasive species competing with coral for space

Question 2

Which species is considered a keystone predator in kelp forest ecosystems on the US Pacific Coast?

Accepted Answer

Sea otter

Answer

Harbor seal

Answer

Garibaldi fish

Answer

California sea lion

Question 3

What characterizes a benthic marine organism?

Accepted Answer

It lives on or near the ocean floor

Answer

It lives in the open water column far from shore

Answer

It migrates between saltwater and freshwater

Answer

It inhabits the intertidal zone only

Question 4

What is the primary function of a fish's lateral line system?

Accepted Answer

Detects pressure changes and vibrations in surrounding water

Answer

Regulates the swim bladder for buoyancy

Answer

Filters dissolved oxygen from the water

Answer

Controls chromatophore color changes

Question 5

Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor but support what approximate percentage of all marine species?

Accepted Answer

25%

Answer

5%

Answer

10%

Answer

50%

Question 6

What is bioluminescence as observed in many deep-sea marine organisms?

Accepted Answer

Light produced through chemical reactions within the organism

Answer

Reflection of sunlight from iridescent scales

Answer

Fluorescence triggered by ultraviolet light

Answer

Phosphorescent coating absorbed from seawater

Question 7

What is eutrophication in marine coastal environments?

Accepted Answer

Excessive nutrient enrichment causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion

Answer

Natural nutrient cycling through ocean upwelling zones

Answer

Saltwater stratification in estuarine systems

Answer

The gradual formation of new coral reef structure