Kelp forests: List, with brief explanations, four (4) ways that the role of kelp in the ocean ecosystem, i.e., effect on the ecosystem, is similar to the role of trees on land.  If you list structural similarities between kelp and trees, you must explain the roles/effects of those kelp structures in the ecosystem.

Deep-ocean trenches are the deepest parts of the ocean.  a) What are deep-ocean trenches?  How are they related to plate tectonics?  Be sure to explain in your own words. b) Name a deep-ocean trench and describe where it is located. Extra credit:  Why are trenches always deeper than the seafloor next to them?    Do not rely just on Figure 4-11 for this question.  Also see Figure 4-15.

Global warming and sea level: a) How has global warming caused global sea level to rise over the past century?  Explain 2 different mechanisms.  b) Where are the 2 regions of ice that could cause the largest global sea level rise if they melt?

Global climate models: Refer to Figure 12.23 in the chapter (or click to download it).  This figure shows “Components of global climate models and improvements to each over time.” a)  Why did global climate models start with the atmosphere?  (There are several good answers to this.) b)  Why is ocean carbon important to these models? c)  Constructing a model to simulate a highly complex system like Earth’s climate is a long, stepwise process.  This figure shows that scientists have been working on it for 50 years.  Consider a point in the process before the model is “complete” and “perfect”.  How would you decide whether the model is good enough to be useful?

Ocean in the climate system: a) Why is the ocean a dominant factor in the Earth’s climate system?  Give 4 global-scale reasons and for each one explain how the ocean affects climate. b) Which do you think is the most important, and why?

Longshore currents: a) Under what conditions do longshore currents form? b) Describe 2 ways in which rip currents are different from longshore currents.  Do not simply give definitions of each one.  Instead, explain how they are different.Rip currents are described in the second reading assignment: Segar page or Mpora page.

Barrier islands: a) What effects do waves have on the size and location of barrier islands? b) What is the effect of barrier islands on waves, and what consequence does this have for the mainland coast?

How is ocean acidification connected to global warming and climate change?  Be sure to answer in your own words.

Tidal Wetlands: Describe three (3) important differences between beaches and tidal wetlands (not ordinary wetlands). Present your answer in the form of a list that directly compares the two, like this:1.  Beaches have _____.  This is different from tidal wetlands which have _____.2.  3. If you are not familiar with tidal wetlands, see the photos in the OPTIONAL folder.

The two modern methods of mapping the seafloor are echo sounding and satellite altimetry, as described in the chapter and the Townsend 1-page reading assignment.  Explain how each method works for mapping the seafloor (approximately 3 sentences each).  Include      (1) what is measured     (2) how these measurements are converted to water depth.