Exploring Cape May's Connected Ecosystems
Ranger Maya: (looking through binoculars) Good morning, Ranger Lee! It is a crisp, beautiful day for a patrol here at Cape May National Wildlife Refuge.
Ranger Lee: (adjusting a backpack) It sure is, Ranger Maya! Every time I walk through this refuge, I am amazed by how many different ecosystems exist in just one area.
Ranger Maya: That is what makes this place so special. Take a look right out here at the salt marsh. This grassy wetland is filled with salt cordgrass, and it acts like a giant sponge, absorbing ocean tides and filtering water.
Ranger Lee: (pointing toward the water) And look at the wildlife! The salt marsh is a crucial nursery for young fish, blue crabs, and ribbed mussels. Plus, tall egrets and snowy herons love wading in the shallow water to hunt for food.
Ranger Maya: (turning toward the trees) If we turn around and step away from the water, we enter a completely different world: the maritime forest.
Ranger Lee: (smiling) Ah, the forest shade feels wonderful. Here, sturdy American holly trees, oaks, and red cedars grow. These trees have adapted over time to endure strong, salty ocean winds.
- ecosystems:
- Communities of living plants and animals interacting with their environment.
- canopy:
- The high, overhead roof formed by tree branches and leaves.
- barrier:
- A natural structure that protects an area from harm or strong forces.
- endangered:
- At risk of completely dying out or becoming extinct.
- migratory:
- Moving regularly from one region to another depending on the season.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What function does the salt marsh serve according to Ranger Maya?
- 2Which animals rely on the salt marsh as a crucial nursery?
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About this reader's theater passage for Upper Elementary
“Exploring Cape May's Connected Ecosystems” is a reader's theater reading passage about Cape May National Wildlife Refuge Ecosystems, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (411 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.