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Chapter 6. Biomes and Aquatic Ecosystems. Aquatic Ecosystems. Aquatic Ecosystems. Differ from terrestrial ecosystems Temperature variations usually less pronounced Salinity a major factor (Fresh water vs. salt water) Three major groups of aquatic organisms- - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Chapter 6
Biomes and Aquatic Ecosystems
Aquatic Ecosystems
Aquatic Ecosystems
• Differ from terrestrial ecosystems• Temperature variations usually less pronounced• Salinity a major factor (Fresh water vs. salt water)• Three major groups of aquatic organisms-
1. Plankton (Microscopic, carried by current)
a. Zooplankton = Protozoans (animals)
b. Phytoplankton = Photosynthetic
2. Nekton- Large, swimming organisms (fish, turtles, etc.)
3. Benthos- Bottom dwelling organisms/Sessile and mobile
Plankton, nekton or benthic?
Freshwater Ecosystems
• Flowing-water ecosystems change greatly between the source (start) and the mouth (end).
• Source headwater tributaries flood plain meanders
Estuary (Salt marsh) mouth delta
The Hudson River• ADK’s to NYC:
Lake Tear of the Clouds …Albany…Newburg… NYC mouth (delta) …Atlantic ocean
Mount Marcy- Elevation 5344 ft.
Headwater Streams: are usually shallow, cold, swiftly flowing, &
highly oxygenated.
Rivers & Steams: Flowing-water Ecosystems.
Streams with fast currents have organisms with adaptations such as sucker-mouth catfish, fish with streamlined bodies, and black fly larvae
(suction disc).
Estuaries
• Where “rivers meet the sea”
• Very productive ecosystems!
Standing-Water Ecosystems Lakes & ponds-
Standing-Water ecosystems are characterized by zonation.
1)Littoral zone2) Limnetic Zone3) Profundal Zone
“Lit”toral Zone: shallow-water area along the shore. Plants include; Cattails, bur reeds,
aquatic plants (Elodea), & Algae. This is the most productive section of a lake.
Animals include; Frogs, tadpoles,worms, crayfish, insect larvae, fishes like Perch, carp, &
Bass. Water striders, whirligig beetles are often on the surface.
Limnetic Zone: the open water beyond the littoral zone(away from the shore). This area extends as
far as light can penetrate (photosynthesis). Main organisms are phytoplankton &
zooplankton. Large fish are found here most of the
time.
3) Profundal Zone: this is the deepest zone.
Small bodies of water typically lack a profundal zone.
Thermal Stratification: the layering of large temperate lakes.
Temperature changes drastically with depth.
Summer: Cool water remain at the bottom.
A thermocline separates the warm (less dense) water from the cool
deep section.
More oxygen dissolves (D.O.) in water at cooler temperatures.
Fall Turnover: falling temperature causes a mixing of the the layers.
Mixing ceases when the lake reaches a uniform temp.
throughout.
Mangrove Forests are habitat for most larval shellfish, game fishes (Mullet, migratory birds, Manatee,
mudskippers, snakes, crabs, & monkeys.
Mangrove Swamps of the World
The Open Ocean
The open ocean is or is not a highly productive ecosystem?
Coral Reefs
Coral Reefs of the world
Changes of the Florida Everglades