5

Science
Quarter 2 – Module 6:
Estuaries and Intertidal Zones

CO_Q2_Science5_Module6
Science – Grade 5
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 6: Estuaries and Intertidal Zones
First Edition, 2020

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over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Perpetua M. Fiel, Rachel E. Oronia
Editors: Rex Briones, Ronald R. Cabigon, Mary Ann T. Garado
Reviewers: Vera Leonora B. Balasanos, Maribel Ponferrada, Rose Naomi C.
Landagan, Rhodora A. Borja, Jocelyn D. Poliño,
Dennis V. Bondos
Layout Artist: Ismael T. Posion, Bella C. Alberca, Henrissa M. Sible, Ryan R. Tiu,
Paolo John D.Bretaña
Management Team:
Ramir B. Uytico Manuel P. Albaño
Arnulfo M. Balane Henrietta T. Managbanag
Rosemarie M. Guino Sherlita A. Palma
Joy B. Bihag Felicidad T. Espinosa
Ryan R. Tiu Ismael T. Posion
Rowena T. Vacal Mauricio M. Catan
Socorro B. Ausa

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Department of Education – Region VIII

Office Address: Government Center, Candahug, Palo, Leyte

Telefax: (053)832-2997
E-mail Address: [email protected]
 5

Science
Quarter 2 – Module 6:
Estuaries and Intertidal Zones
Introductory Message

This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can
continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-step as
you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM. This
will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you need to ask
your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the lesson.
At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check your
learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you will
be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also provided
to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can best
help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of this
SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests, and read
the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the tasks
in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Good luck and happy learning!

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 What I Need to Know

Estuaries and intertidal zones supply essential foods for all living things. The
living or biotic factors like plants, animals, and microorganisms affect the ecosystem
that includes coral reefs, salt marshes, mudflats, rocky shores, and mangrove
forests.

This module will help you understand better how organisms interact with one
other to survive in intertidal zones and estuaries.

The module is divided into two lessons, namely:

• Lesson 1: Interactions among living things and non-living things in

estuaries
• Lesson 2: Interactions among living things and non-living things in
intertidal zones

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• identify the biotic and abiotic components in estuaries

• identify the biotic and abiotic components in intertidal zones
• explain how these components interact with each other for the survival
of organisms in estuarine and intertidal zone ecosystems

Note: Use a separate sheet for your answers in all the activities in this module

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CO_Q2_Science 5_ Module 6
 What I Know

Directions: Match the descriptions in Column A with the correct terms being
described in Column B. Write your answers on your answer sheet.

A B

1. It is the amount of salt in water. A. soil

2. It is the hotness or coldness of the water. B. intertidal zones
3. It is the type of water in estuaries. C. mangrove forests
4. These are the living components in the ecosystem. D. salinity
5. It is the area where the sea meets the land between E. coral reefs
high and low tides. F. brackish
6. These are non-living factors in the environment. G. biotic
7. It is a source of nutrients for living organisms like plants. H. estuaries
8. It is an area where the river meets the sea. I. temperature
9. It provides shelter to thousands of fishes. J. abiotic
10. These serve as breeding grounds for organisms
in estuaries.

Lesson Interactions Among Living

1 Things and Non-living
Things in Estuaries
Estuaries, like any other ecosystem, consists of biotic and abiotic factors.
The biotic and abiotic factors or components of estuarine ecosystems interact in such
a unique way, thus make some organisms choose to reproduce in these areas. For
such reason, estuaries are also called “nurseries of the seas.”
The biotic factors are living things which include plants, animals, and
microorganisms, while biotic factors are the non-living things found in the ecosystem.
In this lesson, you will learn about the different biotic and abiotic components
in estuaries, their interactions, and their importance.

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CO_Q2_Science 5_ Module 6
 What’s In

Directions: Read the poem and make a list of biotic and abiotic factors mentioned
by the author. Make a table like the one below on your answer sheet
where you can write your answer.

AMAZING ECOSYSTEM
Author: Rachel E. Oronia

Sunlight, soil, waves, temperature, nutrients, & salinity

Are abiotic factors affecting organisms’ survival in estuarine ecology

Sunlight helps them grow, it aids plants’ photosynthesis

It secures animal growth and plants’ food-making process

Nutrients and minerals from soil keep plants healthy

Organisms keep up with temperature changes though oceans are wavy

Salinity in estuaries is also a great need

For organisms to survive and feed

Biotic Factors Abiotic Factors

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 What’s New

Directions: Identify the biotic and abiotic factors found in the picture. Make a
graphic organizer on your answer sheet like the one below whereyou can
write your answer.

Biotic and Abiotic Factors in an Estuary

Figure 1
(Pogoy,Charlito Louis S. nd)

Estuary
consists of
c

Biotic Factors Abiotic Factors

(Living Components) (Non-living Components)

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CO_Q2_Science 5_Mod 6
 What Is It

What are the biotic and abiotic components in estuaries? An estuary is a place
where the freshwater from the river mixes with the salt-water from the sea.
Biotic factors are the living components in an ecosystem. These include all
the plants, animals, and microorganisms found in estuaries such as mangrove trees,
migratory birds, and small fishes.
Abiotic factors, on the other hand, are non-living components in the
ecosystem. These are the factors that affect organisms in estuaries. These include
waves, salinity, temperature, amount of sunlight, and type of soil.

Biotic and Abiotic Factors in an Estuary

Figure 2
(Oronia.nd)

❖ Waves refer to the movement of the surface of the water. These are strong
forces that organisms must learn to live with. An example of these organisms
is the kelp, a kind of algae, which has strong root-like structures that attach
themselves to rocks to keep it from being carried away by the waves.

❖ Salinity refers to the amount of salt in water. The combination of seawater

and freshwater in estuaries is called brackish water. Mangroves and blue
crabs have adjusted well to the constantly changing salinity of water due to
the nonstop flow of freshwater and saltwater through the estuary.

❖ Temperature refers to the level of hotness and coldness of the water.

Temperature differs because of the tides and the amount of sunlight. Some
organisms use plants like mangroves to keep themselves concealed from direct
sunlight or away from the coldness of the water.
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 ❖ Since estuaries are shallow as compared to the seas, they are conducive for
photosynthesis to take place. Algae, seaweeds, seagrasses, and other marine
plants depend on the amount of sunlight that they receive in the estuaries.

❖ The type of soil varies in the estuaries depending on the strength of waves
and the kinds of rocks present in the area. Some areas are full of rocks, sand,
pebbles, or clay. The topsoil layer found in an estuary is composed mostly of
peat or salt crust. Salt can be found within the soil which can be acidic, posing
problems to the survival of plant life.

What’s More

Activity 1

Directions: Unscramble the letters in Column A to form the word being described by
the phrase in Column B. Write your answers on your answer sheet.

Column A Column B

1. NIALSIYT amount of salt in water

2. PUREMEATTER hotness or coldness of water
3. SEAWV movement of the surface of water
4. LOSI source of nutrients of living organisms like plants
5. LUNGTHSI needed by plants for the photosynthesis

Activity 2

Directions: Write True if the statement conveys correct information and False if not.
Write the answers on your answer sheet.

1. Biotic factors are the non-living factors in the environment.

2. Plants and animals need abiotic factors in order to survive.
3. Mangroves provide shelter to marine organisms.
4. Sharks, dolphins, and other big fishes may also be found visiting in estuaries.
5. Migratory birds would stay in estuaries because of the availability of food in the
area.

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Activity 3

Directions: Read the description and the situation given below, then identify the abiotic
andbiotic factors that interact in each situation. The first one is done for
you. Write your answers on your answer sheet.

Description and Situation Abiotic Factor Biotic Factor

It refers to the movement of the
surface of the water. Someorganisms
like mussels and seaweeds attach 1. Waves Mussels and seaweeds
themselves to the roots so that they
will not be carried by the strong
force.
It refers to the amount of salt in the
water. The salt amount in estuaries
is lower than that of the sea and
ocean due to the continuous flow of
2.
freshwater and saltwater. Some
organisms, like fishes prefer to breed
in places with a low amount of salt.

It refers to the hotness and coldness

of the water. It changes because of
the tides and the amount of sunlight. 3.
Some organisms use plants like
mangroves to keep themselves from
direct sunlight or away from the
coldness of the water.

It is the source of energy needed for

photosynthesis. Marine plants
create their own food and produce 4.
oxygen through photosynthesis.
These plants support other
organisms like marine animals in
order to survive.
It is the source of nutrients for living 5.
organisms like plants. Some areas
are full of rocks, sand, pebble, or
clay. Salt canbe found within the soil
whichcan be acidic, posing problems
to the survival of plant life.

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 Lesson Interactions Among Living
2 Things and Non-living
Things in Intertidal Zones
Intertidal zones are areas that are constantly exposed to the changing
tides. They provide homes to many kinds of plants and animals. The daily changes
in the tides play a major role in the life of living things in this area. The intertidal
zone, which is also known as the foreshore or seashore, is the area that is above
water level at low tide and underwater at high tide.

What’s In

A. On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Yolanda hit most provinces in Eastern Visayas.

Many houses, properties, and trees were destroyed. Many people died especially
those who lived near the seashore. The entire ecosystem was damaged during
that time.

Aftermath of the Catastrophic Typhoon Yolanda

Figure 1
(Fiel.nd)

What do you think are the specific factors that caused damages to the
habitats of organisms in the seashores and the nearby areas?

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CO_Q2_Science 5_Mod 6
B. Directions: Write true if the statement is correct and false if the statement is
wrong. Write your answers on your answer sheet.

1. The intertidal zone is known as the area where land meets the sea, between
high and low tide zones.
2. All plants and animals can survive in too much salty water.
3. The temperature in an intertidal zone changes because of the tides and
the amount of sunlight.
4. The different types of soil in an intertidal zone have an effect on the kind of
living organisms that lives on it.
5. Intertidal zones are covered with water during low tide.

What’s New

Directions: Read the short story then answer the questions that follow. Write your
answers on your answer sheet.

Living at the Shoreline

Author: Perpetua M. Fiel

Shirley has lived near the shoreline with her family for 5 years. She loves
living near the sea and being near to a variety of creatures on the shoreline. Some
rocks are spiky and pokey, sometimes they’re smooth and they come in all different
colors. The sand beneath their feet is boiling, especially when you stand on it when
you’ve been from the sea. The water’s tides come and go every day and Shirley likes
to play with the waves every morning. The shells on the seashore are all colorful
and they glisten as the sun rises and sets each day. Her shell collection already
counts up to 85 various shells! Shirley sees different sea creatures daily - from
fishes popping up and down from the water, whales flapping their tails, dolphins
giggling as they swim in groups, crabs making their tiny homes in the sand, and
seagulls flying over the horizon and looking down to all creatures both from land
and sea. The lighthouse in the north near their home shines every night, guiding
all fishermen as they make their living. Clouds of all sizes and shapes follow Shirley
everywhere she goes. Shirley’s most favorite thing living at the shoreline is seeing
the crystal-clear water change colors from blue to green, green to gray, gray to light
purple, then purple to blue again. Shirley loves living near the sea and being close
to beautiful ocean life.

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CO_Q2_Science 5_Mod 6
 Answer the following questions:
1. Where does Shirley play every morning?
2. What is Shirley’s collection that reach almost 85 various types?
3. What type of ecosystem does the story describes?
4. What are the biotic factors found in this type of ecosystem?
5. What are the abiotic factors found in this type of ecosystem?
6. How can we protect our shoreline?

The story mentioned several biotic factors. These organisms live in different
habitats or areas found in intertidal zones. These include shells, fishes, whales,
dolphins, crabs, and seagulls. These biotic factors need abiotic factors for survival.
Air and water are examples of abiotic factors that are needed for an organism to
live.

What Is It

Intertidal zone is an area in the estuary which is covered with water during
high tide and exposed to air at low tide. There are organisms that live in different
habitats or areas found in intertidal zones.

Biotic factors in an ecosystem such as the intertidal zone and estuary are
composed of all plants, animals, and microorganisms living in it. These organisms
live in different habitats found in intertidal zones and estuaries. These include coral
reefs, salt marshes, mud flats, rocky shores, and mangrove forests.

Coral reefs provide shelter to thousands of fish. The corals themselves are
animals that feed on plankton. These corals form reefs that protect the coast from
strong waves and currents.
Salt marshes are areas that are filled with seawater during high tides and
drained during low tides. 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 saltwater.
Mud flats or tidal flats are areas 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, provide
food for the herbivores in this area.
Rocky shores are areas where solid rocks are found. Animals found in the
rocky shores are plankton, brittle stars, sea stars, hermit crab, barnacles, limpets,
mollusks, periwinkle, shore crabs, shrimp, and prawns. Mangrove forests are areas
that are filled with mangrove trees. These trees have adapted to saltwater.

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CO_Q2_Science 5_Mod 6
 Mangrove forests are breeding grounds for different kinds of fish and
shellfish.
Like estuaries, abiotic factors such as waves, salinity, amount of sunlight,
temperature, and type of soil affect the organisms in intertidal zones.

Intertidal Zone During High Tide

Figure 2
(Fiel.nd)

Intertidal Zone During Low Tide

Figure 3
(Fiel.nd)

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 What’s More

Activity 1

Directions: Identify the biotic components only that are found in intertidal zones
and write these on your answer sheet.

1. mollusks 6. shellfish 11. corals

2. starfish 7. amount of sunlight 12. rocks
3. fish 8. mussels 13. clams
4. mudflats 9. salt marshes 14. waves
5. shrimps 10. crabs 15. sea urchins

Activity 2

Directions: Fill in the blank with the correct answer from the box. Write your
answers on your answer sheet.

temperature mud high tide

solid rocks seashores decomposing

1. Salt marshes are filled with seawater during ____________ and drained during
low tide.
2. A quick change of water ____________ may cause death of fishes.
3. Sea stars and sea urchins can be found in ____________.
4. Salt marshes are marshy because of the presence of ____________ plant matter.
5. Rocky shores are areas in intertidal zones where ____________ are found.

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CO_Q2_Science 5_Mod 6
Activity 3

Directions: Write the kind of ecosystem in the intertidal zone being described.
The first one is done for you. Write your answers on your answer sheet.

Ecosystem Description Animals living in it

Areas which are packed with Corals, different kinds of
1. Coral reef many corals. These serve as fishes, jellyfishes, sea
the sanctuary for young fishes.anemones and sea stars
2. Areas where mud from the seas They are usually the areas for
or rivers is deposited migratory birds, crabs, sand
dollars, mussels, clams,
mollusks, shellfish, and
some fish.
3. Areas that are filled with Organisms found in these
seawater during high tides and areas are clams, mussels,
drained during low tides. oysters, crabs, snails, and
shrimps.
4. Areas where solid rocks are Animals found in these areas
found are plankton, brittle stars,
sea stars, hermit crab,
barnacles, limpets, mollusks,
periwinkle, shore crabs,
shrimp, and prawns.

What I Have Learned

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct word to complete the statement. Write
your answers on your answer sheet.

Ecosystems consist of 1. __________ and 2. __________ factors. Abioticfactors

are the 3. __________ components in the environment. In estuaries and intertidal
zones, these include the amount of 4. __________, waves,
5. __________, 6. __________, and type of 7. __________. These factors affect the
survival of organisms in these types of ecosystems.

Biotic factors, on the other hand, are composed of all 8. _________,

9. __________, and microorganisms. These organisms live in different habitats
found in intertidal zones and estuaries. These habitats include 10. __________
reefs, 11. __________ marshes, 12. __________ flats, rocky shores, and 13.
__________forests.

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CO_Q2_Science 5_Mod 6
 What I Can Do

Directions: Identify the word being described. Choose your answers from the pool of
options inside the box. You can use the word more than once. Write your
answers on your answer sheet.

Soil Salinity Waves

Sunlight Abiotic Temperature

1. It is a light from the sun.

2. It is the hotness or coldness of water.
3. It refers to the amount of salt in water.
4. The non- living factors in the environment.
5. The upper layer of earth in which plants grow.
6. It is one of the factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis.
7. Refer to the movement of the surface of the water.
8. It is the main source of nutrients needed for plant’s growth.
9. The source of energy needed for photosynthesis in plants.
10. These non-living factors exemplified by water in waves, salinity, temperature,
amount of sunlight, and type of soil.

Assessment

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer to the corresponding questions.
Write your answers on your answer sheet.

1. How do coral reefs contribute to the survival of fishes?

A. fishes fly in coral reefs
B. fishes play in coral reefs
C. fishes swim in coral reefs
D. fishes get food and shelter from coral reefs

2. How do organisms use the areas under the mangrove trees?

A. as fuel C. as forest
B. as foods D. as breeding grounds

3. What serves as food for herbivores in a mudflat area?

A. seaweeds C. sea lettuce
B. sea grasses D. sea spaghetti
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CO_Q2_Science 5_Mod 6
4. Algae provide food to the ________________ organisms in mudflats area.
A. carnivorous C. omnivorous
B. herbivorous D. reptile

5. What is the source of energy needed for photosynthesis so that marine plants
like algae and seaweeds can make their own food?
A. air C. sunlight
B. soil D. water

6. What will happen to the ecosystem if more garbage will be dumped at the
seashore?
A. It becomes attractive.
B. It becomes polluted.
C. It helps the corals become healthy.
D. It helps produce large number of fish.

7. How does cleaning the coastal areas affect the ecosystem?

A. It gives jobs to people.
B. It destroys the environment.
C. It contributes a small number of fishes.
D. It provides sustainable shelter to organisms.

8. Which statement is NOT correct about coral reef?

A. It provides shelter for marine organisms.
B. It is the source of food for fishes.
C. It is found in estuaries and not in intertidal zones.
D. It protects small fishes from predators.

9. How can people protect the ecosystem?

A. Cut the trees in the forests.
B. Kill the endangered species.
C. Plant more trees.
D. Sell the corals.

10. Which of the following provides oxygen to the ecosystem?

A. fish
B. rock
C. sand
D. trees

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CO_Q2_Science 5_Mod 6
 Additional Activities

Directions: Draw an estuary or an intertidal zone on a short bond paper. Label the
biotic and abiotic factors found in your drawing.

Rubrics:

Criteria Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs Rating

(5) (4) (3) Improvement
(2)
Creativity Highly Demonstra Demonstrat Demonstrated
demonstrat ted ed less least creativity
ed creativity creativity creativity in in
in in preparation preparation.
preparation preparatio .
. n.
Appropriaten All pictures Almost all More Less pictures
ess to the were pictures pictures were labeled
topic labeled were were correctly.
correctly. labeled labeled
correctly. correctly.
Timely Submitted Submitted Submitted Submitted the
submission the work on the work the work work after
time. few days few weeks quarter
after after ended.
deadline. deadline.

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CO_Q2_Science 5_Mod 6
CO_Q2_Science 5_Mod 6
17
Lesson 1
Lesson 1
What’s More What’s New
Estuary consists of
Activity 1
1. Salinity
2. Temperature Abiotic Factors Biotic Factors
3. Waves (Non-living Components) ( Living Components)
1. Sunlight 1. Seal
4. Soil
2. Soil/rocks 2. Heron
5. Sunlight 3. Waves/water 3. Stonefly larva
Activity 2 4. Temperature 4. Shrimp
1. False 5. salinity 5. Small fish
6. Fresh water
2. True mollusk
3. True 7. Worm
4. True 8. Animal plankton
9. Plankton
5. True
10. Green plants
Activity 3 11. Crab
1. Waves- mussels 12. Mussels
and seaweeds 13. Big fish
2. Salinity- fishes
3. Temperature
Lesson 1
and sunlight-
What’s In
plants
4. Sunlight-
Biotic
marine plants Abiotic Factors What I know
Factors
and marine 1. D
Plants 1.Sunlight
animals 2. I
Animals 2.soil 3. F
5. Soil-plants organisms 3.waves 4. G
4.temperature 5. B
5.nutrients 6. J
6.salinity 7. A
8. H
9. E
10. C
CO_Q2_Science 5_Mod 6
18
Lesson 2 What I Have Assessment
Learned 1. D 6. B
What’s More
1-2.Biotic 2. D 7. D
Activity 1
Abiotic 3. C 8. C
mollusks
3. non-living 4. C 9. C
starfish
4. sunlight 5. C 10. D
fish
5-6 temperature Additional Activity
shrimps
salinity Answers/drawings may vary
shellfish
7. soil
mussels
8-9 plants What Can I Do
crabs
animals 1.Sunlight 6. Temperature or
corals
10. coral 2.Temperature sunlight
clams
11. salt 3.Salinity 7. Waves
sea urchins
12. mud 4.Abiotic 8. Soil
Activity 2:
13.mangrove 5.Soil 9. Sunlight
1. High tide
10. Abiotic
2. Temperature
3. Seashores
Lesson 2 Lesson 2
4. Decomposing
What’s New What’s In
5. Solid rocks
1.Near the shoreline A. Strong winds, big
Activity 3 waves
2.Shell
1. Coral reef B.1. True
3.Intertidal zone
2. Mud flats 2. False
4.Shellfish, fishes, whales,
3. Salt marshes dolphin, crabs, sea gulls 3. True
4. Rocky shores 5.Sea, sand, waves, sunlight 4. True
6.Answers may vary 5. False
References

A. Books:

Abracia, N. M., and et.al. 2014. Science in our World. Quezon City: Vibal Group,Inc.

Casimiro, Ma. Cheryl V, and eta.al. 2019. Understanding Life Through Science.
Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.

Hackett, Jay, and et.al. 2013. Science a Closer Look Philippines. Manila: Phoenix
Publishing House, Inc.

Larisma, Evelyn T., and et.al. 2017. The New Science Links. Rex book store, Inc.

Nevaza, Delia, and et.al. 2005. Science for Active Learning.

Sarte, Evelyn T., and et. al. 2016. Science Beyond Borders. Quezon City: Vibal
Group, Inc.

Valencia, N.G. 2018. Cyber Science. Manila: Rex Bookstore, Inc.

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education –Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR)

Ground Floor, Bonifacio Bldg., DepEd Complex

Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines 1600

Telefax: (632) 8634-1072;8634-1054;8631-4985

Email Address: [email protected] * [email protected]