Aquatic BiomesAquatic Biomes
Chapter 7Chapter 7
Aquatic EcosystemsAquatic Ecosystems
Characteristics of aquatic ecosystemsCharacteristics of aquatic ecosystems– SalinitySalinity– TemperatureTemperature– SunlightSunlight– OxygenOxygen– NutrientsNutrients
Aquatic EcosystemsAquatic Ecosystems
Types of organismsTypes of organisms– Plankton- organisms that float near the surfacePlankton- organisms that float near the surface
Phytoplankton- photosyntheticPhytoplankton- photosynthetic Zooplankton- heterotrophicZooplankton- heterotrophic
– Nekton- free swimming organismsNekton- free swimming organisms Fish, turtles, whalesFish, turtles, whales
– Benthos- bottom dwelling organismsBenthos- bottom dwelling organisms Mussels, worms, barnaclesMussels, worms, barnacles
FreshwaterFreshwater
Ponds and LakesPonds and Lakes– Life in a lakeLife in a lake
Littoral zone- nutrient rich area near the shoreLittoral zone- nutrient rich area near the shore– Life is abundantLife is abundant
Benthic zone- bottom of a pond or lakeBenthic zone- bottom of a pond or lake– Dead and decaying organisms are found hereDead and decaying organisms are found here
– Nutrients in a lakeNutrients in a lake Eutrophication- increase in the amount of nutrients in Eutrophication- increase in the amount of nutrients in
a lake or ponda lake or pond– Algal bloomAlgal bloom
FreshwaterFreshwater
FreshwaterFreshwater
Wetlands- areas saturated with water Wetlands- areas saturated with water during part of the year (growing season)during part of the year (growing season)
FreshwaterFreshwater
WetlandsWetlands
FreshwaterFreshwater
WetlandsWetlands– Marshes- Marshes-
low, flat lands with little or no water movementlow, flat lands with little or no water movement Dominated by non-woody plantsDominated by non-woody plants Bethic zone is very nutrient richBethic zone is very nutrient rich Characterized by salinityCharacterized by salinity
– Brackish marsh- slightly salty waterBrackish marsh- slightly salty water– Saltwater marsh- contains salty water Saltwater marsh- contains salty water
FreshwaterFreshwater
SwampsSwamps– Flat, poorly drained land , often near streamsFlat, poorly drained land , often near streams– Dominated by woody plants (trees and shrubs)Dominated by woody plants (trees and shrubs)– Types determined by lattitude and climateTypes determined by lattitude and climate
Mangrove swamp- warm climate, salty waterMangrove swamp- warm climate, salty water
FreshwaterFreshwater
Human impact on WetlandsHuman impact on Wetlands– Drained, filled, and cleared for farms, Drained, filled, and cleared for farms,
residential, or commercial usesresidential, or commercial uses Ex: Florida everglades covered 8 million acres in Ex: Florida everglades covered 8 million acres in
south florida but today cover less than 2 million.south florida but today cover less than 2 million.
– Today, protected by federal, state, and local Today, protected by federal, state, and local laws.laws.
FreshwaterFreshwater
Rivers and streamsRivers and streams– Headwaters- usually cold, rapidly moving water Headwaters- usually cold, rapidly moving water
at high elevation.at high elevation. High oxygen levelsHigh oxygen levels
– Lower Channel- warmer, slower moving waterLower Channel- warmer, slower moving water lower oxygen levelslower oxygen levels
– Delta- where the river meets a gulf, ocean, or Delta- where the river meets a gulf, ocean, or seasea
FreshwaterFreshwater
River or streamsRiver or streams– Life in a riverLife in a river
Headwaters- mosses, trout, minnowsHeadwaters- mosses, trout, minnows Lower Channel- plankton, fish, turtles, snakes, Lower Channel- plankton, fish, turtles, snakes,
alligators alligators
Marine EcosystemsMarine Ecosystems
Coastal wetlandsCoastal wetlands– EstuariesEstuaries
An area in which freshwater from a river mixesw with An area in which freshwater from a river mixesw with salt water from the oceansalt water from the ocean
Very productive ecosystemVery productive ecosystem Fresh nutrients enter from both the river and oceanFresh nutrients enter from both the river and ocean Area protected from harsh ocean waves because of Area protected from harsh ocean waves because of
land forms like a peninsulaland forms like a peninsula
Marine EcosystemMarine Ecosystem
EstuariesEstuaries
Marine EcosystemMarine Ecosystem
EstuariesEstuaries– PlantsPlants
Many rooted plants and planktonMany rooted plants and plankton
– AnimalsAnimals Many ocean dwelling animals move into estuaries to Many ocean dwelling animals move into estuaries to
lay eggslay eggs
– ThreatsThreats Urban growthUrban growth pollutionpollution
Marine EcosystemsMarine Ecosystems
Coastal wetlandsCoastal wetlands– Salt marshSalt marsh– Mangrove swampsMangrove swamps– Rocky and Sandy beachesRocky and Sandy beaches
Barrier islands- run parallel to the shore and protect it Barrier islands- run parallel to the shore and protect it from the oceanfrom the ocean
Marine EcosystemsMarine Ecosystems
Coral ReefsCoral Reefs– Built by of the limestone exoskeletons of coral Built by of the limestone exoskeletons of coral
polypspolyps– Occur in warm, shallow seasOccur in warm, shallow seas– Very biodiverseVery biodiverse– ThreatsThreats
Human activitiesHuman activities Water temperature changeWater temperature change Fresh water intrusionFresh water intrusion pollutionpollution
Marine EcosystemMarine Ecosystem
Coral ReefsCoral Reefs
Marine EcosystemsMarine Ecosystems
OceansOceans– Much of the life is concentrated in the shallow Much of the life is concentrated in the shallow
(less than 100m) warm water near the shore(less than 100m) warm water near the shore– Deep ocean water is very unproductive because Deep ocean water is very unproductive because
of a lack of light and nutrientsof a lack of light and nutrients– ThreatsThreats
PollutionPollution OverfishingOverfishing
– Artic and Antarctic ecosystems depend of the Artic and Antarctic ecosystems depend of the ocean ecosystem for survival ocean ecosystem for survival
Marine EcosystemMarine Ecosystem
OceanOcean