Wadden Sea

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/wadden-sea

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is the Wadden Sea?Approximately 10,000 km² (3,900 sq mi)
2. What is the location?Southeastern North Sea, bordering the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark
3. What is the primary habitat type?Intertidal zone, characterized by tidal flats, salt marshes, and shallow estuarine waters
4. What is the Wadden Sea and why is it special?The Wadden Sea is a large tidal area in the North Sea that stretches about 500 kilometers along the coasts of the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a home to many animals and plants.
5. Why do birds visit the Wadden Sea?The tidal flats are full of worms, clams, and shrimp that birds eat to get energy for long flights. About 10 to 12 million birds stop there each year.

Intertidal zone: A coastal ecosystem that is regularly exposed to air at low tide and submerged at high tide, subject to significant environmental fluctuations.
East Atlantic Flyway: A major migratory route for birds that travels along the eastern edge of the Atlantic Ocean.
Storm surge: An abnormal rise of sea level generated by a storm, exceeding the normal astronomical tide, often causing coastal inundation.
Benthic invertebrates: Animals that live on or in the seabed, forming a crucial food source in intertidal ecosystems.