New
New
Year 6

Coastal habitats and ecosystems

I can identify some threats to coastal habitats around the world and explain why these places matter to wildlife.

New
New
Year 6

Coastal habitats and ecosystems

I can identify some threats to coastal habitats around the world and explain why these places matter to wildlife.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Coastal habitats and their unique ecosystems are under threat from human activity and climate change.
  2. Coastline settlements and industries impact on natural habitats affecting wildlife populations.
  3. River estuaries can be hot spots of pollution emptying into the oceans.
  4. Eco-tourism is a way of trying to redress environmental damage by focusing on outcomes beneficial for wildlife.

Common misconception

Nature reserves or world heritage sites only apply to places on land.

Many coasts and underwater ecosystems are classed as Marine Protected Areas and are protected in the same way as nature reserves.

Keywords

  • Ecosystem - An ecosystem is a natural environment and the plants and animals live and interact within that environment

  • Habitat - Habitat is the natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organism

  • Pollution - Pollution is anything that makes the environment dirty or unhealthy

  • Organism - An organism is a living thing

As an extension activity, children could investigate if the coastline nearest to them has been affected by climate change, pollution, farming and fishing or tourism. Or they could locate the MPA closest to them.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these are advantages to being a maritime nation?
Correct answer: natural defence - can help protect from invasion
isolation from other countries
Correct answer: provides food (fishing)
it is harder/more expensive to transport items to and from other countries
Q2.
A coast is a strip of land made of rock, sand, mud or gravel, that meets the...
Correct Answer: sea, ocean
Q3.
The UK is surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, Irish Sea, and the...
Pacific Ocean
Scottish Channel
Correct answer: English Channel
Q4.
Order the processes that form a spit.
An image in a quiz
1 - Sediment is carried by longshore drift.
2 - When the waves meet a change in direction of the coastline they lose energy.
3 - The transported material is deposited.
Q5.
Sometimes a spit grows across a bay joining two . This is called a bar.
Correct answer: headlads
bars
beaches
Q6.
What forms behind a bar?
An image in a quiz
saltmarch
spit
Correct answer: lagoon

6 Questions

Q1.
is a natural environment and the plants and animals live and interact within that environment.
A habitat
A human feature
Correct answer: An ecosystem
Q2.
Match the keyword to its definition.
Correct Answer:pollution,anything that makes the environment dirty or unhealthy

anything that makes the environment dirty or unhealthy

Correct Answer:habitat,the natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organism.

the natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organism.

Correct Answer:organsm,a living thing.

a living thing.

Q3.
Which three of these are examples of coastal habitats?
Correct answer: mangroves
Correct answer: coral reefs
mountains
Correct answer: estuaries
Q4.
Why are mangroves important?
Correct answer: Their roots help to prevent coastal erosion
They cannot withstand freezing temperatures.
Correct answer: They provide a habitat for thousands of species.
Correct answer: Their roots shelter young creatures like a nursery.
Q5.
Which of these statements about coral reefs are true?
Correct answer: They are are home to approximately 25% of the ocean’s species.
Correct answer: Corals protect shorelines by breaking up wave action.
They are mainly found near to the Arctic Circle.
Correct answer: They are a source of new medicines.
Q6.
Estuaries are often called the “ ” because many species rely on these coastal habitats for nesting and breeding.
incubator of the sea
daycare for fish
Correct answer: nurseries of the sea