1. What is NOT a reason why the Cape Fear River was important for shipping supplies during the Civil War?

       The shoals at the mouth of the river made it easy for Confederate forces to defend.

       The Union navy blocked the larger Southern ports of Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia at the start of the war.  Wilmington was the closest open port to the eastern battlefront.

       The largest forts in the Confederacy were on the Cape Fear River.

2. How does smooth cordgrass survive in the salty, flooded, low marsh?

     It has special glands that excrete salt.

       Salt builds up in the tip of the leaves.  When the tips break off, salt is removed from the plant.

       It has leaves that float on top of the water when the marsh is flooded.

3. Why is the high marsh saltier than the low marsh?

       The high marsh gets more tidal flooding than the low marsh.

       In the low marsh, salt water mixes with fresh water from streams.

       When the high marsh is not flooded, the water in the marsh evaporates.  The salt is left behind and builds up in the soil.

4. What is NOT a reason why trees in maritime forests need each other to survive?

       The trees need the shade from other trees to keep from losing water by evapotranspiration.

       The forest canopy created by the branches shields the trees from strong winds and salt spray.

       Growing close together helps the trees get more sunlight.

5. How do lights on the beach affect sea turtles?

       Sea turtles are scared by the lights and will swim far out to sea to avoid them.

       Female sea turtles will not nest on beaches with bright lights.  They like to nest in the dark.

       Bright lights on the beach help female sea turtles find good nesting spots.

Click below to find out how you did.  After you have checked your answers, click on the bird to continue exploring the Lower Cape Fear River Basin...

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