Continental Shelf
By Chloe J, Charlie L, and Sofia A
What is a Continental Shelf?
A continental shelf is a broad, relatively shallow, marine terrace of continental crust forming the edge of a continental landmass. Continental shelves are found most places directly next to a landmass
Plant and Animal life
Coral, seaweed, bacteria, fish, eels, sharks and many other shallow water marine creatures can be found on a continental shelf.
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Abiotic factors that influence a continental shelf are temperature, salinity, light, water movements, and nutrients from the ocean.
Biotic factors that influence a continental shelf are the flora and fauna that live there, along with the bacteria and plankton that drift in the shallow water.
Anthropogenic Impact
Humans have both helped and destroyed continental shelves with their interference. Humans have managed to weed out most invasive species but they have also seriously harmed the ocean through pollution and overfishing.
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