New York State Elementary Test Prep- ELA 3 Compare and Contrast

Show You Know?

Do you know the difference between a Saltwater Ecosystem and a Fresh water Ecosystem? How are they the same? How are they different? Let's read to find out!

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Fresh Water or Salt Water?

     Water covers more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface. Oceans and seas contain salt water and are called salt water ecosystems. The oceans are the Earth's largest ecosystems. Fresh water is water that has very little salt in it. Lakes, rivers, ponds, streams and marshes are freshwater ecosystems.
      There are many different saltwater ecosystems because the saltwater is not the same everywhere. Ocean water that is near the shore or at the surface is often warmer than deep water in the ocean. Many plants and animals live in this warm shallow water. In the deeper parts of the ocean, the water is much colder and there is very little sunlight. This part of the ocean has very little plant life and very few fish.
        Like the saltwater ecosystem, not all freshwater ecosystems are the same. Rivers and streams have moving water. How fast the water moves determines what can survive in the water. Many plants and animals live in rivers and streams. The water in lakes and ponds is still. Lakes are usually deeper and the water temperature depends on how deep the lake is.
           Like the ocean most animals and plants live in the shallow water. Fewer plants and animals live near the bottom of a lake because it is too deep for sunlight to reach the bottom.

Answer Key T-Chart

Answer Key Venn Diagram