75% of Earth is covered with water 71% is Saltwater Salinity of
the water determines the type of life that can survive
Slide 3
Marine LIFE ZONES ESTUARIES COASTAL MARSHES (WETLANDS) MANGROVE
SWAMPS (FORESTS) CORAL REEFS COASTLINES OCEANS
Slide 4
Estuary and Coastal Wetlands Estuaries are rivers that meet the
sea where seawater mixes with freshwater (brackish water). Coastal
wetlands are land areas covered with water some or all of the year.
river mouths, inlets, bays, sounds, salt marshes=temperate zones
Mangrove forests=tropical zones
Slide 5
Estuaries and Coastal Wetlands: Centers of Productivity
Estuaries include river mouths, inlets, bays, sounds, salt marshes
in temperate zones and mangrove forests in tropical zones. Figure
6-7
Slide 6
Fig. 6-7b, p. 131 WETLANDS
Slide 7
Mangrove Forests Are found along about 70% of gently sloping
sandy and silty coastlines in tropical and subtropical regions.
Figure 6-8
Slide 8
Estuaries and Coastal Wetlands: Centers of Productivity
Estuaries and coastal marshes provide ecological and economic
services. Filter toxic pollutants, excess plant nutrients,
sediments, and other pollutants. Reduce storm damage by absorbing
waves and storing excess water produced by storms and tsunamis.
Provide food, habitats and nursery sites for many aquatic
species.
Slide 9
Where does the color of the coral come from? Video- polyps and
zooxanthellae CORAL REEFS
Slide 10
What are benefits of coral reefs? Remove Carbon Dioxide from
water (too much CO2 can form (carbonic acid) Ca 2 CO 3 !!) Protects
coastlines from waves=erosion Habitat for marine life Supports
fishing and tourism
Slide 11
What causes this?
Slide 12
THREATS TO CORAL REEFS
Slide 13
The Coastal Zone (COASTLINE): Where Most of the Action Is The
coastal zone: the warm, nutrient-rich, shallow water that extends
from the high-tide mark on land to the gently sloping, shallow edge
of the continental shelf. The coastal zone makes up less than 10%
of the worlds ocean area but contains 90% of all marine species.
Provides numerous ecological and economic services. Subject to
human disturbance.
Slide 14
Fig. 6-5, p. 130 Darkness Twilight Photosynthesis Sun
Continental shelf Estuarine Zone High tide Low tide Coastal Zone
Bathyal Zone Euphotic Zone Abyssal Zone Sea level Open Sea
Slide 15
Rocky and Sandy Shores: Living with the Tides Organisms
experiencing daily low and high tides have evolved a number of ways
to survive under harsh and changing conditions. Gravitational pull
by moon and sun causes tides. Intertidal Zone: area of shoreline
between low and high tides.
Slide 16
Rocky and Sandy Shores: Living with the Tides Organisms in
intertidal zone develop specialized niches to deal with daily
changes in: Temperature Salinity Wave action Figure 6-9
Slide 17
Levels of Open ocean feeders: Plankton- 70% of primary
productivity from Phytoplankton Zooplankton Ultraplankton Nekton
Turtles fish Benthos- bottom dwellers Oysters, lobsters, crabs,
worms Decomposers Specialized bacteria
Slide 18
Ocean Layers Euphotic zone: brightly lit surface layer.
Nutrient levels low, dissolved O 2 high, photosynthetic activity.
Bathyal zone: dimly lit middle layer. No photosynthetic activity,
zooplankton and fish live there and migrate to euphotic zone to
feed at night. Abyssal zone: dark bottom layer. Very cold, little
dissolved O 2.
Slide 19
NPP is highest near surface where sun is abundant. Nitrates and
Phosphates are limiting factors in open oceans and limit NPP. How
do you think algal blooms affect NPP?
Slide 20
Benefits of a marine ecosystem.
Slide 21
FRESHWATER LIFE ZONES Freshwater life zones include: Standing
(lentic) water such as lakes, ponds, and inland wetlands. Flowing
(lotic) systems such as streams and rivers. Figure 6-14
Slide 22
Lakes: Water-Filled Depressions Lakes are large natural bodies
of standing freshwater formed from precipitation, runoff, and
groundwater seepage consisting of: Littoral zone (near shore,
shallow, with rooted plants). Limnetic zone (open, offshore area,
sunlit). Profundal zone (deep, open water, too dark for
photosynthesis). Benthic zone (bottom of lake, nourished by dead
matter).
Slide 23
Lakes: Water-Filled Depressions Figure 6-15
Slide 24
Effects of Plant Nutrients on Lakes: Plant nutrients from a
lakes environment affect the types and numbers of organisms it can
support. Oligotrophic (poorly nourished) lake: Usually newly formed
lake with small supply of plant nutrient input. Eutrophic (well
nourished) lake: Over time, sediment, organic material, and
inorganic nutrients wash into lakes causing excessive plant
growth.
Slide 25
Effects of Plant Nutrients on Lakes: Too Much of a Good Thing
Plant nutrients from a lakes environment affect the types and
numbers of organisms it can support. Figure 6-16
Slide 26
Effects of Plant Nutrients on Lakes: Cultural eutrophication:
Human inputs of nutrients from the atmosphere and urban and
agricultural areas can accelerate the eutrophication process.
Slide 27
Freshwater Inland Wetlands: Vital Sponges Inland wetlands act
like natural sponges that absorb and store excess water from storms
and provide a variety of wildlife habitats. Figure 6-18
Slide 28
Freshwater Inland Wetlands: Vital Sponges Filter and degrade
pollutants. Reduce flooding and erosion by absorbing slowly
releasing overflows. Help replenish stream flows during dry
periods. Help recharge ground aquifers. Provide economic resources
and recreation.
Slide 29
River Zones Source zone- cold water, clean, high DO (trout)
Transition zone- somewhat stagnant deep water, lower DO, warmer
(bass) Floodplain- algae, rooted aquatic plants, low DO, very warm,
more stagnant water
Slide 30
Water flowing from mountains to the sea creates different
aquatic conditions and habitats. Figure 6-17
Slide 31
Impacts of Human Activities on Freshwater Systems Dams, cities,
farmlands, and filled-in wetlands alter and degrade freshwater
habitats. Dams, diversions and canals have fragmented about 40% of
the worlds 237 large rivers. Flood control levees and dikes alter
and destroy aquatic habitats. Cities and farmlands add pollutants
and excess plant nutrients to streams and rivers. Many inland
wetlands have been drained or filled for agriculture or (sub)urban
development.