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Science 5
Quarter 2 – Week 7

Module 7: Interaction Among Living Things and

Non-Living Things in Estuaries and Intertidal Zone

Lesson 1: Abiotic Factors in an Intertidal Zone and Estuarine

Ecosystem
What’s In
The Philippines, being an archipelago, is surrounded by seas and oceans. Because of
this, the Philippines is rich in coastal areas which are affected by the rising and receding tides.
These areas which are constantly exposed to the changing tides are called intertidal zones. On the
other hand, areas where seawater meets the fresh water from the river is also a home to various
kinds of animals. These areas are said to have brackish waters, which means they have a mixture
of saltwater and fresh water. These areas are called estuaries.

What I Need to Know

*Discuss the interactions among living things and non- living things in estuaries and
intertidal zone. (S5LT-IIh-8)

What’s New
Every ecosystem is affected by certain abiotic factors. What are abiotic factors? Give
some of the abiotic factors affecting an ecosystem around you, like garden, pond, or river.

What are the non-living things in the picture?

What Is It

Abiotic
factors are
the non-living
things that
affect the
ecosystem in
a certain way.
Intertidal
Zones are
home to
many kinds
of marine
animals and
birds. The
daily changes
in tides play a
major role to the life of living things in this area.

Abiotic Factors that affect the organisms living in intertidal zones and estuaries, waves refer to the
movement of the surface of the water. These are strong forces that organisms must learn to live with.
Salinity refers to the amount of salt in water. Temperature refers to the level of hotness or coldness of water.
Amount of sunlight plants like algae, seaweeds, sea grasses and other marine plants depend on the amount
of sunlight received. Types of soil differ in estuaries depending on the strength of waves and kinds of rock
present in the area.
Abiotic factors are nonliving things that affect the ecosystem in a certain way. Intertidal zones are
home to many kinds of marine animals and birds. The daily changes in tides play a major role to the life of
living things in this area. The effects of salinity in living things in intertidal zones and estuaries are too much
salt in intertidal zone and estuaries will drive away the organisms breeding in the area. This because too
much salt in water is not suitable for the developing young of the fishes and organisms. It is because
estuaries serve as the breeding ground of the many kinds of organisms. The abiotic factors set the condition
in intertidal ecosystem and estuarine. These factors dictate whether a certain organism will be able to live in
the environment or not any small change to the abiotic factors will create an impact to the organisms inside
the ecosystem.

What’s More
Using the table below, describe and discuss how the abiotic factors affect the intertidal zones and estuaries.
 Abiotic Factor Description and effect to intertidal zones and
estuaries

What I Have Learned

A. Unscramble the letters in column A to form the word being described in B
Column A Column B
1. TUESARISE a. nurseries of the seas
2. NIALSIYT b. amount of salt in water
3. NAGMEVOR c. trees which grow in salt water
4. PUREMEATTER d. hotness or coldness of water
5. SEAWV e. movement of the surface water
6. LATED f. a body of water that can also be an estuary
7. SSYECOTME g. the relationship between biotic
and abiotic factors in a certain place
8. SHARKBIC h. the type of water in estuaries
9. ICIBOAT i. non-living factors in the environment
10. DIALTTREIN j. areas which is directly affected by tides

B. Identify the biological indicator that indicates each non-living factor. Choose your answer
from the box
Biological indicators

Mosses Birds Earthworms Bees/Butterflies Lichens Sedges

Non-living Factors
1.Clean air _____________________________________
2.Soil rich in nutrients____________________________
3.High water vapor in the air______________________
4.Ground is full of water__________________________
5.Presence of flowers_____________________________

What I Can Do
On a short bond paper make a poster that will promote protection, conservation, or rehabilitation
of the estuaries in the Philippines.
Rubrics
Skills 4 3 2 1
 Students uses
Students uses their Students uses most of Students does not use
some of their
time to work their time to work of their time to work
Use of time time to work
productively & productively & productively &
productively &
efficiently. efficiently. efficiently
efficiently.

Few of the
Most picture and The picture and
Picture and graphics picture and
Picture/graphics graphics are clear and graphics are not clear
are clear and relevant. graphics are clear
relevant. and relevant.
and relevant.
Has a nice design&
Has an excellent The poster needs
layout and it is neat The poster needs
Visual clarity & design& layout and it significant
and easy to improvement in
appeal is neat and easy to improvement in
understand the design& layout.
understand the content design& layout.
content
The poster had The poster had very The poster had The poster had better
Content
excellent content. good content. good content. content.

Lesson 2: Biotic Factors in an Intertidal Zone and Estuarine

Ecosystem
What I Need to Know

*Discuss the interactions among living things and nonliving things in

estuaries and intertidal zone. (S5LT-IIh-8)

What’s In
In the previous lesson, you learned that nonliving things or abiotic factors can affect an ecosystem.
However, ecosystems are not solely dependent on these factors. The living or biotic factors also have an
effect to ecosystems. Biotic factors in an ecosystem such as intertidal zone and estuary are composed of all
plants, animals and microorganisms
living in i

What’s New

Look at the pictures, can you enumerate the living things found in the pictures?

What is the other term for living things?

What Is It
Coral reef is an area of the estuaries which part of the subtidal zone where
biodiversity is rich. It provides shelter to thousands of fish. They are animals that
feed on plankton. Form reefs that protect the coast from strong waves and currents.
Biodiversity refers to the abundance of different living organisms living in an area.
 Salt marshes are areas in the estuary that are filled with seawater during high
tides and are drained during low tides. They are marshy because they are filled with
decomposing plant matter. Organisms found in salt marshes are clams, mussels,
oysters, crabs, snails, and shrimps. Plants found in salt marshes are sea grasses and
other plants that are tolerant of salt water. Halophytes-salt tolerant plant.

Mud flats/tidal flats are areas in estuaries where mud from the seas or rivers
is deposited. They are usually the areas for migratory birds, crabs, sand dollars,
mussels, clams, mollusks, shellfish, and some fish. Algae, like sea lettuce and sea
spaghetti provide food for herbivores in this area.

Rocky shore are areas in estuaries where solid rocks are found. Animals
found in the rocky shores are plankton, brittle stars, starfish, hermit crab,
barnacles, limpets, mollusks, periwinkle, shore crabs, shrimps and prawns.
Since many of the organisms in rocky shores are herbivores, seaweeds
provide food for them. Large predators in the rocky shores are fish and
migratory birds.

Mangrove forests are areas in the estuary that are filled with mangrove
trees. These trees have adapted to salt water. It protects the coast against
erosion caused by waves, winds and tides. They also protect coral reefs and
sea grass beds from silting or deposition of sand. It is also the breeding
ground s for different kinds of fish and shellfish. Other organisms found
in mangrove ecosystem s are algae, barnacles, oysters, shrimps, lobsters
and crabs. There are many or few organisms in the intertidal zone or
estuary. Lot of organisms found living in intertidal zone or estuary. These organisms depend on another for
survival. Some fishes seek shelter in the stocky roots of the mangrove trees underwater.in return, waste
materials from fishes are deposited in the soil providing nutrients for mangrove. The coral reefs provide
shelter for the fishes to breed and hide from the predators.
Coral reefs areas of the estuaries which part of the subtidal zone where biodiversity is rich. Provide
shelter to thousands of fish. They are animals that feed on plankton. Form reefs that protect the coast from
strong waves and currents. Biodiversity refers to the abundance of different living organisms living in an.
Salt marshes areas in the estuary that are filled with seawater during high tides and are drained
during low tides. They are marshy because they are filled with decomposing plant matter. Organisms found
in salt marshes are clams, mussels, oysters, crabs, snails, and shrimps. Plants found in salt marshes are sea
grasses and other plants that are tolerant of salt water. Halophytes salt tolerant plant.
Mud flats/tidal flats- are areas in estuaries where mud from the seas or rivers is deposited. They are
usually the areas for migratory birds, crabs, sand dollars, mussels ,clams, mollusks, shellfish, and some fish
.Algae, like sea lettuce and sea spaghetti provide food for herbivores in this area.
Rocky shore are areas in estuaries where solid rocks are found. Animals found in the rocky shores
are plankton, brittle stars, starfish, hermit crab, barnacles, limpets, mollusks, periwinkle, shore crabs,
shrimps and prawns. Since many of the organisms in rocky shores are herbivores, seaweeds provide food for
them. Large predators in the rocky shores are fish and migratory birds.

Mangrove forests are areas in the estuary that are filled with mangrove trees. These trees have
adapted to salt water. It protects the coast against erosion caused by waves, winds and tides. They also
protect coral reefs and sea grass beds from silting or deposition of sand. It is also the breeding ground s for
different kinds of fish and shellfish. Other organisms found in mangrove ecosystem s are algae, barnacles,
oysters, shrimps, lobsters and crabs.

What’s More
Tabulate the different habitats found in an intertidal zone and estuary.
Habitat Description Animals living in it
 What I Have Learned
Fill in the blanks with correct answer. Choose the correct answer from the word pool below.
High tide rocky shores decomposing plant matter
Mangrove trees plants low tide
Biodiversity saltwater mud
Coral reef microorganisms tide

1. Salt marshes are areas in estuaries that are filled with seawater during____________
and are drained during______________________________________.
2. Mud flats are areas in estuaries where____________ is deposited from the seas or
rivers.
3.Mangrove forests are areas in estuaries that are with __________________________
4. _________ are areas in estuaries where solid rocks are found.
5.Salt marshes are marshy because of the presence of________________.
6. The living factors in estuaries consist of all the _____________animals, and _________________that
are found in them.
7. Mangrove trees have adapted to________ and play a significant role in the environment.
8._________________refers to the changing levels of waters in the coastal areas.
9._________________refers to the abundance of different living organisms living in an area.
10.Some animals found in _______________are starfish, mollusks, shrimps, hermit crabs, and prawns.

What I Can Do
Reflect your stand on the question below.
● How do living things/ biotic factor interact in intertidal zones and estuaries ecosystem?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

Lesson 3: Feeding Relationships in an Intertidal Zone and Estuarine

Ecosystem

What I Need to Know

● Discuss the interactions among living things and nonliving things in
estuaries and intertidal zone. (S5LT-IIh-8)

What’s In
The earth is a huge ecosystem that consists of biotic and abiotic factors. Of all the abiotic factors, the
most important is sunlight. How important is the Sun Energy in our living?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
What’s New
Look at the picture what do you observe?
Describe the feeding relationship among the living things
in the picture.
Which animal feeds on plants? Which animals feed on
both plants and animals?

What Is It
The living things in any ecosystem consist of the producers, consumers, and decomposers. Energy and
nutrients are transferred from producers to consumers then to the decomposers through their feeding relationships.
Producers: are green plants, algae, or microorganisms that are capable of making their own food by converting the
energy from the sun into chemical energy. They provide energy and nutrients to the other organisms. Consumers get
their energy by feeding on plants and other organisms.
Types of consumers
1. Herbivore-organisms that eat only plants. Known as primary consumer.
2. Carnivore- organisms that eat meat or other animals,
3. Secondary consumer: Carnivore that eat herbivore
4. Tertiary consumer: Carnivore that feed on other carnivores.
5. Omnivores: animals that eat both plants and animals

Decomposers: get energy by breaking down dead organisms and their wastes.
Food chain: a series of organisms in which each organism feeds on other organisms and so on. The eating process of
organism from producer down to the consumers and then decomposers. The transfer of energy from producers to
consumers.
Food web: Interlinked of food chain.

The energy flow s in an ecosystem with the help of food chains. The producers start harnessing the
energy from the sun. Later on the producer will be eaten by the primary consumer which will then be eaten
by the secondary consumer. As this trend continues the energy is passed from one organism to another by
means of feeding. The decomposers break down the remains of the organisms. By doing so, it returns the
nutrients to the environment. The feeding relationships in an intertidal zone or estuarine ecosystem are the
food chain and food web. A food chain is the transfer of energy and nutrients from producer to consumers
through eating process. A food web is an interlinked food chain. It consists of two or more food chains and
contains more organisms compared to a single food chain. The difference of a food chain and food web lies
on the size of the linked networks of organisms which feed on each other.
What’s More
Fill the table of the information needed
Organism Type/Role Source of food
Mangrove Producer Nutrients from the soil, carbon
dioxide, sunlight

What I Have Learned

A. Match the descriptions in column A with the items in Column B.

Column A Column B

1.Organisms that can make their own food a. carnivores

2. Organisms that eat plants only b. consumers
3. Organisms that get energy by feeding on plants
and other organisms c decomposers
4. Organisms that eat animals only d. food chain
5. Organisms that are also known as herbivores e. food web
6. Organisms that eat both plants and animals f. herbivores
7. A series of organisms that feed on each other g. omnivores
8. Organisms that feed on dead animals and wastes h. primary consumers
9. Consists of two or more food chains i. producers
10. Organisms that eat herbivores j. scavengers

B. Identify the following organism if it is a producer, consumer, or decomposer. If the organism is a

consumer, identify if it is carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore

____________1. shrimp ______________6. snail

____________2. human ______________ 7. mangrove
____________3. seaweed _______________8. fungi
____________4. green algae ________________9. tilapia
____________5. heron _______________10. bacteria

Key to Answers
 Lesson 1 – what’s more
A. Using the table below, describe and discuss how the abiotic factors affect the intertidal zones and
estuaries.
Abiotic Factor Description and effect to intertidal zones
and estuaries
waves The waves from the sea may affect the type
of organisms living in estuary. Some
organisms like mussels and sea weeds
attach themselves to rocks so that they will
not be carried by the waves.
temperature The temperature of the water must not be
too hot nor too cold for the young
organisms to live. This factor is also
affected by the tides and the presence of
mangroves in the area.
salinity The salinity of water refers to the amount of
salt present in the water. The salinity of the
estuaries is lower than that of the sea and
ocean. Some organisms prefer to breed in
places with low salinity.
Amount of sunlight The amount of sunlight is crucial to
photosynthetic organisms like
phytoplanktons, seaweeds, and sea grass.
These organisms need sunlight to create
their own food and produce oxygen for the
living things in the intertidal and estuarine
ecosystem. If the amount of sunlight in an
estuary is low ,then there will be less of
these organisms that supports others
organisms in an estuarine and intertidal
ecosystem.

What I have learned

B. Unscramble the letters in column A to form the word being described in B

_
__ Column A Column B

(estuaries) 1. TUESARISE nurseries of the seas

( salinity) 2.NIALSIYT amount of salt in water

( mangrove) 3 . NAGMEVOR trees which grow in salt water (temperature) 4
.PUREMEATTER hotness or coldness of water

( waves) 5 . SEAWV movement of the surface water

 (delta) 6 .LATED a body of water that can also be an estuary

(ecosystem) 7. SSYECOTME 20 the relationship between biotic

and abiotic factors in
a certain place

(brackish) 8. SHARKBIC the type of water in estuaries

(abiotic) 9. ICIBOAT non-living factors in the environment

( intertidal) 10. DIALTTREIN areas which is directly affected by tides

B. Identify the biological indicator that indicates each non-living factor. Choose your answer
from the box
Biological indicators
Mosses Birds
Lichens Sedges
Earthworms Bees/Butterflies
Non-living Factors

1.Clean air__________lichens
2.Soil rich in nutrients_______earthworms
3.High water vapour in the air____moses
4.Ground is full of water________sedges
5.Presence of flowers__________bees and butterflies
LESSON 2 – What I have learned
D. Fill in the blanks with correct answer. Choose the correct answer from the wordpool below.

1 . Salt marshes are areas in estuaries that are filled with seawater during_high tide
And are drained during______low tide.
2 . Mud flats are areas in estuaries where_mud is deposited from the seas or
rivers.
3.Mangrove forests are areas in estuaries that are with _____mangrove trees
4.Rocky shores are areas in estuaries where solid rocks are found.
5.Salt marshes are marshy because of the presence of decomposing plant matter
6. The living factors in estuaries consist of all the _plants, animals, and ___microorganism that are
found in them.
7.Mangrove trees have adapted to salt water and play a significant role in the
environment.
8._Tides refers to the changing levels of waters in the coastal areas.
9__Biodiversityrefers to the abundance of different living organisms living in an area.
10.Some animals found in __rocky shores are starfish,mollusks, shrimps,hermit crabs,and prawns.

LESSON 3 – What I have learned

E. High tide rocky shores decomposing plant matter Match the

Mangrove trees plants low tide descriptions in
Biodiversity saltwater mud column A with
the Coral reef microorganisms tide items in
Column B.
 Column A Column B

i 1 . Organisms that can make their own food a . carnivores

f 2. Organisms that eat plants only b . consumers

b 3. Organisms that get energy by feeding on plants
and other organisms c . decomposers
a 4. Organisms that eat animals only d. food chain
h 5. Organisms that are also known as herbivores e . food web
g 6. Organisms that eat both plants and animals f .herbivores
d.7. A series of organisms that feed on each other g. omnivores
c 8. Organisms that feed on dead animals and wastes h. primary consumer
e 9. Consists of two or more food chains i. producers
j10. Organisms that eat herbivores j. scavengers

F. Identify the following organism if it is a producer, consumer, or decomposer. If the organism is a

consumer , identify if it is carnivore, herbivore ,or omnivore

consumer -omnivore 1. shrimp

consumer -omnivore 2. human
producer 3. seaweed
producer 4. green algae
consumer- carnivore 5. heron
Consumer –omnivore 6. snail
Producer 7. Mangrove
Decomposer 8. Fungi
Consumer 9. Omnivore
Decomposer 10. bacteria