Salt Water BiomeDaniel ParmetMatan Ayash

Yakir Gola

Mangrove Swamps - coastal wetlands found in tropical and subtropical regions 

Climate

-Tropical and subtropical coasts of Africa, Australia, Asia and North and South America.

-In the U.S., mangroves are commonly found in Florida.

-Tend to be in warmer places

Mangrove BiomeAnimal Species

-Billions of worms, protozoa, barnacles, oysters, (and other invertebrates), which in turn feed fish and shrimp, which support wading birds, pelicans, and the endangered Crocodile.

Plant Species

-halophytic (salt loving) trees, shrubs and other plants growing in brackish to saline tidal waters

-Mangrove trees dominate this wetland ecosystem due to their ability to survive in both salt and fresh water

Mangrove BiomeThese swamps often found in estuaries, where

fresh water meets salt water 

Human impacts on mangroves have been severe in some places, and include dredging, filling, diking, oil spills, and runoff of human waste and herbicides. Some coastal development results in total loss of habitat

Oceans - Major bodies of saline water and a principal component of the hydrosphere, and approximately 71% of

the Earth's surface is covered by oceans. 5 oceans – Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Arctic 

Climate

Average temperature of all oceans is about 39 degrees F 

Parts of ocean near equator are warmer, whereas those closer to far north and far south are colder

Ocean Biome Animals:

Radiata

Fish

Cetacea such as whales, dolphins, and porpoises

Cephalopods such as octopus and squid

Crustaceans such as lobsters, clams, shrimp and krill

Marine worms

Plankton

Echinoderms such as starfish and sea cucumbers

Ocean BiomePlant Species

Seaweed, seagrass, kelp, algae

Human Impact

Oil Spills, overfishing, ballast water, invasive species, etc.

Estuaries BiomeAnimals: Fish and bottom dwellers than can tolerate a

wide range of salinity, birds, crocodiles, crabs, snakes, and many different insects.

Human impact: very important place for human civilizations since perfect place for commerce and shipping. Also very important for fishing communities.

Estuaries are bodies of water formed where freshwater from rivers or streams connect with salt ocean water. The mixed water is called brackish, and the salinity may fluctuate dramatically for example depending on freshwater input from rains and waves and tides influences from the ocean. Estuary areas include river mouths, bays, lagoons and salt marshes.

Coastal BiomeCoastal Oceans are waters that lie above the

continental shelf.  This is where most of fish come from, where the coral reefs grow and we we swim and play.

In fact, while the oceans cover 71% of Earth, only 7% of that makes up the coastal oceans. This small strip of land is affected adversely by humans in many ways including: over-fishing, industrial pollution, and agricultural runoff. 

These practices may in turn affect us as fish availability varies, algal blooms occasionally occur, and water quality fluctuates through time.

Coastal Biome Overall, coastal oceans can be generalized more easily by

dividing them up into temperate and tropical coastal areas.

In tropical coastlines there is a habitat for coral reefs, which have much more biodiversity.

This zone is also one of the most important for humans. While they cover only a very small percentage of total ocean body, they harbor most of the seafood caught for human consumption.

Fish species worldwide: 28,000

Cnidarians (seapens/Jellyfish/corals) worldwide: 11,000

Crustaceans worldwide: 52,000

Coral Reef BiomeWater temperature: Require warm ocean

temperatures which is 68 to 82 F, or in 20 to 28 C. Warm water flows along the eastern shores of major land masses.

Animal species:

Corals are colonies of made up of tiny animals called polyps.

Some examples: Sponges, nudibranchs, fish, jellyfish, anemones, sea stars, crustaceans (like crabs, shrimp, and lobsters), turtles, sea snakes, snails, and mollusks (like octopuses, nautilus, and clams)

Coral Reef BiomePlant species: Mainly algae and seagrasses. These

2 are the most important element in the entire reef ecosystem. The algae can range in various sizes. They can be simple plants such as the seaweeds

Salinity: The best salinity is between 34 and 37 parts per 1000. The appropriate temperatures and salinities are most often found in the tropics.

Wind/tides: Winds and currents are really important in shaping individual reefs and in determining the orientation and  shape of the coral reef.

Coral Reef BiomeThey commonly form on the more protected

leeward end of the reef. Wind action at low tide on these deposits may build above the high water mark

Human impact: Have become threatened by human activities throughout the world. In southeast Asia, the hot spot of coral diversity, more than 80% of the reefs are at risk from coastal development and harmful fishing practices

Coastal Marshes BiomeWater temperature:  As runoff flows across

paved roads and parking lots into coastal marshes, water temperature rises. More often happens in small tidal creeks. Because these areas are often naturally low in dissolved oxygen, further increases in temperature can push oxygen levels toward zero, (mostly in the summer.)

Animal species: In the marshes, if oil gets in it can affect many animals. It can kill the tiny planktonic larvae and eggs of adult fish, shrimp, jellyfish, squid, and numerous other species.

Coastal Marshes BiomePlant species: They may vary geographically,

however the basic physical conditions that define the ecosystems share similar characteristics across the region.  In general, they are defined by periodic tidal inundation, dominance of salt-tolerant herbaceous plants and a rate of net primary production that is among the highest of all the world’s ecosystems. 

Salinity: Salinity varies widely, from 1 to over 50 ppt in salt marshes.  Net primary production (above-ground plant material) may also be highly variable.  Although production has been estimated in only a few Florida salt marshes, the range spans from 130 to 2500 grams dry mass per square meter per year

Coastal Marshes BiomeWind/tides: Marshes are susceptible to wind-

driven waves. Worsening the saltwater intrusion is coastal subsidence, a natural compaction or sinking of marsh sediments, which further stresses marsh vegetation by increasing the duration of flooding.

The wind constantly creates waves that keep the open water turbid and unproductive. The result is a coastal region that is eroding at an alarming rate.

Coastal Marshes BiomeHuman impact: Coastlines of marshes are highly

vulnerable to human impacts from daily activities that put pressure on these surrounding natural environments. Marshes were once known as coastal ‘wastelands,’ when they were causing considerable loss and change of these ecosystems through land reclamation for agriculture, urban development, salt production and recreation. Ultimately there are the indirect effects of human activities such as nitrogen loading also play a major role in the coastal marsh areas.

Coastal Marsh Biome

Coastal Biome

Coral Reef Biome

Mangrove Swamps Biome

Ocean Biome

Estuary Biome