7

Environmental Science
Activity Sheet
Quarter 3 – MELC 5
Week 4
Importance of Wetlands to the
Aquatic Ecosystems

REGION VI – WESTERN VISAYAS

i
Environmental Science 7
Activity Sheet No. 4 - Importance of Wetlands to the Aquatic Ecosystems
First Edition, 2021

Published in the Philippines

By the Department of Education
Region 6 – Western Visayas

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of
the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

This Learning Activity Sheet is developed by DepEd Region 6 – Western Visayas.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this learning resource may be reproduced or

transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical without written permission
from the DepEd Regional Office 6 – Western Visayas.

Development Team of Environmental Science Activity Sheet

Writer: Hannah A. Villaceran

Editors: Joseph M. Pagalaran
Karyl L. Morano

Division of Himamaylan City Management Team:

Reynaldo G. Gico
Michell L. Acoyong
Grace T. Nicavera
Mylene D. Lopez
Joseph M. Pagalaran

Regional Management Team:

Ramir B. Uytico
Pedro T. Escobarte Jr.
Elena P. Gonzaga
Donald T. Genine
Rovel R. Salcedo
Moonyeen C. Rivera
Anita S. Gubalane
Minda L. Soldevilla
Daisy L. Lopez
Joseph M. Pagalaran

ii
Introductory Message
Welcome to Environmental Science!

The Learning Activity Sheet is a product of the collaborative efforts of

the Schools Division of Himamaylan City and DepEd Regional Office VI -
Western Visayas through the Curriculum and Learning Management Division
(CLMD). This is developed to guide the learning facilitators (teachers, parents
and responsible adults) in helping the learners meet the standards set by the
K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum.

The Learning Activity Sheet is self-directed instructional materials

aimed to guide the learners in accomplishing activities at their own pace and
time using the contextualized resources in the community. This will also
assist the learners in acquiring the lifelong learning skills, knowledge and
attitudes for productivity and employment.

For learning facilitator:

The Environmental Science 7 Activity Sheet will help you facilitate

the teaching-learning activities specified in each Most Essential Learning
Competency (MELC) with minimal or no face-to-face encounter between you
and learner. This will be made available to the learners with the
references/links to ease the independent learning.

For the learner:

The Environmental Science 7 Activity Sheet is developed to help you

continue learning even if you are not in school. This learning material provides
you with meaningful and engaging activities for independent learning. Being
an active learner, carefully read and understand the instructions then
perform the activities and answer the assessments. This will be returned to
your facilitator on the agreed schedule.

iii
Name of Learner: _______________________________________________________
Grade and Section: ______________________________Date: _________________

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ACTIVITY SHEET No. 4

Importance of Wetlands to the Aquatic Ecosystems

I. Learning Competency with Code

Relate the importance of wetlands to the health of aquatic ecosystems,

especially estuaries. (STE_S7ENVISCI-IIf-13)

II. Background Information for Learners

A biological community of organisms and their environment composes

an ecosystem. They are influenced by a variety of factors including the
availability of resources (light, food and water) and shaped by its
topography, soil composition and climate. There are two types of ecosystem,
the terrestrial and the aquatic. Terrestrial ecosystems are located on land
masses while aquatic ecosystems are located within a aquatic environment.
An aquatic ecosystem has two types, the marine ecosystems and the
freshwater ecosystems.
One of the major marine environments is the estuaries. These are
places where rivers meet the sea and maybe defined as areas where salt
water is diluted with fresh water. They are biologically productive due to
their special kind of water circulation that traps plant nutrients and
stimulates primary production.
Wetlands belong to freshwater ecosystem. These are marshy areas and
are sometimes covered in water which have a wide diversity of plants and
animals. Wetland ecosystems include areas with shallow water and
saturated soils. Examples are swamps, marshes and bogs. Wetlands
adjacent to many estuaries filter out sediments, nutrients and pollutants,
and provide cleaner water for marine life thus contributes to the healthier
estuaries.
Freshwater and marine life rely on wetlands for food, cover, spawning,
and nursery grounds. Wetland provides habitat for both plants and
animals. They are the stopping points for migratory birds and breeding
ground for birds, fish and amphibians. In order to survive, many plants
and animals needs wetlands. Estuaries and marine shellfish, various birds
and certain mammals must have coastal wetlands to survive.

This learning activity will take you to another exciting journey to the
environment that surrounds you. This will help you realize the importance
of wetlands to the health of aquatic ecosystems, especially estuaries that
needs to be saved and maintained.

1
III. Activity Proper

Activity 1: You Should Know Me by Now

Directions: Read and analyze the description in each of the following item.
Arrange the letters to discover the magic word/s. Write your answer on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. These are marshy areas and sometimes covered in water which have
wide diversity of plants and animals. The fauna consists of dragonflies,
damselflies, birds like heron and fishes and plants such as black
spruce and water lilies are commonly found here. Examples are
swamps, marches and bogs.
- L A T W E N D S - ______________________
2. These are connected but each have unique species living in and
features. Examples are Pacific, Indian, Arctic, Atlantic and Antarctic.
- O N C E S A - ______________________
3. Land and water join to create these ecosystems. They have distinct
structure diversity and flow of energy. Fauna is diverse and consists of
insects, snails, fish, crabs, shrimps, lobster, etc. Plants and algae are
found in the bottom of these ecosystems.
- A T L A S C O - ______________________
4. These includes all standing water habitats such as lakes and ponds.
These are home of algae rooted and floating-laved plants and
invertebrates such as crabs and shrimps. Amphibians such as frogs
and salamanders and reptiles like alligators and water snakes are also
found here.
- T E N C I L - ______________________
5. These are ecosystems with rapid flowing of waters that have
unidirectional way such as rivers and streams. These environment
harbors numerous species of insects which have developed adapted
features to survive. Several fishes and various mammals are found
here.
- C O L I T - ______________________
6. These are the world’s second richest ecosystem according to
Environmental Protection Agency. Have a wide diversity of plants and
animals and is referred to as a rainforest of the oceans.
- L O R C A F R E E S - ______________________
7. Places where rivers meet the sea and may be defined as areas where
salt water is diluted with fresh water. They are biologically productive
because they have special kind of water circulation that traps plant
nutrient and stimulates primary production. Examples are River
mouths, coastal bays, tidal marshes and water bodies behind barrier
beaches.
- S E R A E T U S I - ______________________
2
Activity 2: We Are Family!

Directions: Read and analyze the selection. Answer the following tasks
afterwards.
Aquatic ecosystems are any water-based environment where in plants
and animals interact with the chemical and physical features of the aquatic
environment. Generally, aquatic ecosystems are divided into two types: the
marine ecosystem and the freshwater ecosystem. The largest water
ecosystem is the marine ecosystem, covering over 70 percent of the earth's
surface area. The various kinds of marine ecosystems are oceans, estuaries,
coral reefs and coastal ecosystems. Freshwater ecosystems that cover less
than 1 percent of the earth and are subdivided into lotic, lentic and wetlands.

Oceans produce 70% of oxygen, absorb and redistribute heat around

the world thereby affecting the world’s weather system. You eat the products
of the ocean, swim, surf and sail on its water, transport goods across its
surface and mine minerals, oil and gas from its depth.

The earth has five major oceans: Pacific, Indian, Arctic, Atlantic and
Antarctic. Even though the oceans are connected, each of them has unique
species and features. Oceans are home to different species of life.

Estuaries are places where rivers meet the river meets the ocean.
Estuaries are also called bays, sounds or harbors. They are home to many
organisms that can live in brackish water. This kind of water is saltier than
river water but less salty than sea water.

Coral reefs are also referred as the rainforests of the sea. Most marine
life depends on coral reefs for food and protection from predators. They are
the spawning ground of different species of marine life. Together with
mangroves and sea grass plants, they are interconnected ecosystems. Sea
grass plants provide oxygen through photosynthesis while mangroves
protect coral reefs from sedimentation by keeping the water clear of particles.

The coastal ecosystems comprise of the land and water. These types of
ecosystems have a distinct structure, diversity, and flow of energy. The
plants and algae are found at the bottom of the coastal ecosystem. The fauna
is said to be diverse and consists of insects, snails, fish, crabs, shrimp,
lobsters etc.

Lotic ecosystems are the systems with rapid flowing waters that move
in unidirectional way such as rivers and streams. These environments
harbor numerous species of insects such as mayflies, stoneflies and beetles
which have developed adapted features such as weighted cases to survive
the environment. Several species of fishes such as eel, trout and minnow are
found in here. Beavers, otters, river dolphins and various mammals inhabit
lotic ecosystems.

3
 All standing water habitats such as lakes and ponds are part of lentic
ecosystems. These lentic ecosystems are home to algae, rooted and floating-
leaved plants and invertebrates such as crabs and shrimps. Amphibians like
frogs and salamanders and reptiles such as alligators and water snakes are
also found here.

Wetlands are muddy areas and are sometimes covered in water which
have a wide diversity of plants and animals. Marshes, swamps, and bogs are
some examples in this regard. Wetlands are vital for people, fishes and
wildlife. It protects and improve water quality, provide fish and wildlife
habitats, stores floodwaters and maintain surface water flow during dry
periods. These valuable functions resulted from the unique natural
characteristics of wetlands.

A wetland ecosystem has an immense variety of species of microbes,

plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and mammals. A great
volume of food provided by the wetlands attracts many animal species
making them inhabit the wetlands for either part or all of their life-cycle.
Wetlands play an integral role in the ecology of watershed. An ideal place for
production and development of organisms is the combination of shallow
water and high levels of nutrients. During migration and breeding many
species of birds and mammals rely on wetlands for food, water and shelter.

Wetland’s microbes, plants and wildlife are part of global cycles for
water, nitrogen and sulfur, because of this, scientist now know that
atmospheric maintenance may be an additional wetlands function. They
store carbons within their plant communities and soil instead of releasing it
to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Thus, wetlands help to moderate the
global climate conditions.

In order to survive, many other animals and plants depend on

wetlands. Coastal wetlands are necessary for estuarine and marine fish and
shellfish, various birds and certain mammals in order to survive. Most fish
breed and raise their young in coastal marshes and estuaries and these are
the only place where they can live.

Natural water quality enhancement, flood protection, shoreline erosion

control, opportunities for recreation, and aesthetic appreciation of natural
products used at no cost are provided by wetlands that no other ecosystem
can protect yourselves and our welfare.

Failure to restore aquatic ecosystems, will result in abruptly increased

environmental costs later, in the extinction of species or ecosystem types,
and in permanent ecological damage.

4
 A. Complete the concept map using the word/s inside the box.

Aquatic Coastal Coral Reefs Estuaries Freshwater

Lentic Lotic Marine Oceans Wetlands

ECOSYSTEMS

Terrestrial

B. Answer the following questions as briefly as you can.

1. What are wetlands?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

2. Are wetlands important in aquatic ecosystems? Why?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

3. How are wetlands related to estuaries?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

4. What is the importance of wetlands in keeping the health condition of

aquatic ecosystems especially the estuaries?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5
 5. What will happen to the aquatic ecosystem if wetlands are polluted?
What is the effect to this to people?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

IV. Reflection

Complete the statements below.

As a grade 7 student, how will help protect the wetland?

____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

6
V. Answer Key

Activity 1

1. WETLANDS
2. OCEANS
3. COASTAL
4. LENTIC
5. LOTIC
6. CORAL REEFS
7. ESTUARIES

Activity 2

Activity 3

1. Wetlands are aquatic ecosystem that are marshy areas and

sometimes covered in water which have wide diversity of plants and
animals. It is where you can find the faunas such as dragonflies,
damselflies, birds like heron and fishes and plants such as black
spruce and water lilies. Swamps, marches and bogs belongs to this
kind of aquatic ecosystem.
2. Yes. Answers may vary
3. Answers may vary
4. Answers may vary
5. Answers may vary

7
VI. Links and/or Other References

Lomotan, Yolanda I. (2007) Connecting with Science Integrated Science,

(196-204). Salesiana Books: Don Bosco Press, Inc. Makati City,
Philippines.

Neal, Emily. “Aquatic Ecosystem Facts.” updated July 31, 2019. Accessed
January 28, 2021. https://www.sciencing.com/aquatic-ecosystem-
9590.html

Sen, Debashree. “Types of Aquatic Ecosystem.” updated November 22,

2019. Accessed January 28, 2021.
https://www.sciencing.com/types-aquatic-ecosystems-6123685.htm

Synder, Robert E, et al. “Earth Science: The Challenge of Discovery”. 548,

554-556,
Lexington, Massachusetts/ Toronto, Ontario, United States of
America: D.C. Heath and Company, 1991.

https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/why-are-wetlands-important

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/wetlands/why.htm

https://watershedsentinel.ca/articles/life-on-the-edge-estuaries-
and-wetlands/