1. Ch 06 Aquatic/ Salt Water
Sec 01
Section 02

2. A. AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS
Saltwater and freshwater aquatic life zones cover almost three-fourths of the earth’s surface
Figure 6-2

3. There are four major types of organisms in aquatic systems
Salinity of the water determines the major types of organisms found in an aquatic environment
There are four major types of organisms in aquatic systems
Plankton are weakly swimming, generally one-celled organisms. There are three types of plankton
phytoplankton : plant plankton
zooplankton : animal plankton single-celled to large invertebrates such as jellyfish
ultraplankton : are photosynthetic bacteria

4. Plankton
PLAY
YOUTUBE VIDEO

5. Decomposers are a fourth group
Ultraplankton may be responsible for as much as 70% of the primary productivity
Nekton is a second group of organisms, such as fish, turtles and whales
Benthos are bottom dwellers, such as, barnacles, oysters, worms, lobsters and crabs.
Decomposers are a fourth group
Show video of aquatic food chain asking for terms disc 3

6. Life in most aquatic systems is found in surface, middle, and bottom layers.
Temperature, access to sunlight for photosynthesis, dissolved oxygen content, nutrient availability changes with depth.
Euphotic zone (upper layer in deep water habitats): sunlight can penetrate.
O2 levels are lower in deeper, dark layers
Open oceans tend to have limited nutrients that limit productivity.

7. Animation: Ocean Provinces
PLAY
ANIMATION

8. B. SALTWATER LIFE ZONES
Oceans have two major life zones: the coastal zone and the open sea
The coastal zone interacts with the land
Coastal zones have a high net primary productivity (NPP)
They constitute 10% of the oceans and contain 90% of all marine species
Show continental shelf video disc 3

9. High tide Coastal Zone Open Sea Sun Low tide Sea level Photosynthesis
Euphotic Zone
Estuarine Zone
Continental shelf
Bathyal Zone
Twilight
Abyssal Zone
Figure 6.5
Natural capital: major life zones in an ocean (not drawn to scale). Actual depths of zones may vary.
Darkness
PLAY
ANIMATION
Fig. 6-5, p. 130

10. There is ample sunlight and nutrients flow from land and wind/currents
The coastal zone extends from the high-tide mark on land to the edge of the continental shelf
Provides numerous ecological and economic services.
Subject to human disturbance

11. Marine Ecosystems
Scientists estimate that marine systems provide $21 trillion in goods and services per year – 70% more than terrestrial ecosystems.
Figure 6-4

12. Figure 6.6
Natural capital degradation: view of an estuary taken from space. The photo shows the sediment plume at the mouth of Madagascar’s Betsiboka River as it flows through the estuary and into the Mozambique Channel. Because of its topography, heavy rainfall, and the clearing of forests for agriculture, Madagascar is the world’s most eroded country.
Fig. 6-6, p. 130

13. 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

14. Estuaries PLAY YOUTUBE VIDEO Figure 6.7
Natural capital: some components and interactions in a salt marsh ecosystem in a temperate area such as the United States. When these organisms die, decomposers break down their organic matter into minerals used by plants. Colored arrows indicate transfers of matter and energy between consumers (herbivores), secondary or higher-level consumers (carnivores), and decomposers. Organisms are not drawn to scale. The photo below shows a salt marsh in Peru.
PLAY
YOUTUBE VIDEO

15. 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.

16. Mangrove Forests
Are found along about 70% of gently sloping sandy and silty coastlines in tropical and subtropical regions.
Organisms living in the intertidal zone have adapted ways to survive the daily changes in wet/dry conditions, and changes in salinity
Temperature, Salinity, Wave action
Mangrove Video clip in disc 1
Figure 6-8

17. TIDEPOOLS Hermit crab Sea star Shore crab High tide Periwinkle
Sea urchin
Anemone
Mussel
Low tide
Sculpin
Figure 6.9
Natural capital: living between the tides. Some organisms with specialized niches found in various zones on rocky shore beaches (top) and barrier or sandy beaches (bottom). Organisms are not drawn to scale.
Barnacles
Kelp
Sea lettuce
Monterey flatworm
Nudibranch
PLAY
YOUTUBE VIDEO

18. Barrier Beach Beach flea Peanut worm Tiger Beetle Blue crab Clam Dwarf
Olive
High tide
Sandpiper
Ghost
Shrimp
Low tide
Silversides
Figure 6.9
Natural capital: living between the tides. Some organisms with specialized niches found in various zones on rocky shore beaches (top) and barrier or sandy beaches (bottom). Organisms are not drawn to scale.
Mole
Shrimp
White sand macoma
Moon snail
Sand dollar
Fig. 6-9, p. 132

19. Barrier Islands
Low, narrow, sandy islands that form offshore from a coastline.
Primary and secondary dunes on gently sloping sandy barrier beaches protect land from erosion by the sea.
almost one-fourth of barrier islands are developed.
3 Sand is constantly shifting due to winds and parallel currents along the islands.
4.Undisturbed beaches have one or more rows of sand dunes on them. Grass roots hold the sand in place and the dune is a first line of defense against storms. It is safer to build behind the second set of dunes if any building occurs.
5.Developers want to build on the islands and do not consider the protective services that the dunes provide. Large storms can and have swept away or severely damaged seaside buildings
Figure 6-10

20. Show corral reefs clip in disc 3 prior to next slide

21. Ocean City, Maryland

22. Threats to Coral Reefs:Increasing Stresses
Biologically diverse and productive coral reefs are being stressed by human activities.
PLAY
YOUTUBE VIDEO
Figure 6-11

23. The ideal water temperature is between 18-30oC and will bleach if the water warms above this by so much as 1oC
Severe storms, freshwater floods, and invasions of predatory fish adversely affect the reefs
There are indications that recovery is possible when restrictions are imposed and pollution is reduced.
64 F - 86 f after this show the california reef if time on disc 3

24. Biological Zones in the Open Sea:Light Rules
Euphotic zone: brightly lit surface layer.
Nutrient levels low, dissolved O2 high, photosynthetic activity from phytoplankton.
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 O2.