Chapter 7 Aquatic Ecosystems

Aquatic Ecosystem Characteristics Major Factors Affecting ALL Aquatic Biomes Temperature Sunlight Oxygen Content of Water Salinity (amount of salt in the water) Major Groups of Organisms in ALL Aquatic Biomes Plankton – floats near surface ; most are microscopic Zooplankton are animal like Phytoplankton are plantlike (do photysynthesis and are major producers of aquatic biomes

Aquatic Ecosystem Characteristics Major Groups of Organisms in ALL Aquatic Biomes 2. Nekton – any free swimming organism Turtles Fish Mammals

Aquatic Ecosystem Characteristics Major Groups of Organisms in ALL Aquatic Biomes 3. Benthos – bottom-dwelling organisms (many attached) Mussels Oysters Sponges There are existing decomposers in all groups

Freshwater Lakes Types of Lakes Barrier lakes – form when landslides or glacial till block streams or rivers

Freshwater Lakes Types of Lakes 2. Glacier Lakes – form when glaciers gouge depressions in the land that fill with water

Freshwater Lakes Types of Lakes 3. Tectonic Lakes - form in rift valleys formed from separating tectonic plates

Freshwater Lakes Types of Lakes 4. Crater Lakes - form in the craters of volcanoes (can be very dangerous due to gas buildup at bottom of lake) Lake Nyos in Cameroon, Africa (1986) let out a “belch” of CO2 that killed 2,000 people in villages around the lake

Freshwater Lakes Types of Lakes 5. Artificial Lakes - lakes created by the activities of man Lake Meade behind the Hoover Dam

Freshwater Lakes/Ponds – Major Still Water Zones Littoral Zone – Nutrient rich/sunlight penetrates so photosynthesis occurs/has plant life/close to shore

Freshwater Lakes/Ponds – Major Still Water Zones 2. Benthic Zone - area where sunlight does not reach/ decomposers live here/ scavenger organisms/fish adapted to cold and pressure

Freshwater Lakes/Ponds – Major Still Water Zones 3. Limnetic Zone – open water

Freshwater Lakes/Ponds – Major Still Water Zones 4. Euphotic Zone - regions from surface to 1% light (area where photosynthesis can occur)

Threats to Still Water Lakes/Ponds Eutrophication causing oxygen depletion in water

Threats to Still Water Lakes/Ponds Eutrophication causing oxygen depletion in water Overuse by cities as water resource Lake Lanier is the main source of water for the city of Atlanta, GA

Freshwater Wetlands Areas covered by water for at least part of the year Two Major Freshwater Wetlands Marshes - occur on low, flat land with very little movement of water Dominated by reed-like plants Have varying levels of salinity Brackish Marshes have less salinity than a salt marsh.

Freshwater Wetlands Areas covered by water for at least part of the year Two Major Freshwater Wetlands Marshes - occur on low, flat land with very little movement of water Dominated by reed-like plants Have varying levels of salinity Salt Marshes are salt water dominated and therefore part of marine ecosystems

Freshwater Wetlands Areas covered by water for at least part of the year Two Major Freshwater Wetlands Marshes - occur on low, flat land with very little movement of water Dominated by reed-like plants Have varying levels of salinity Home for many migratory birds Salt Marshes are salt water dominated and therefore part of marine ecosystems Brackish Marshes have less salinity than a salt marsh.

Freshwater Wetlands 2. Swamps - occur on flat, poorly drained areas near streams dominated by woody shrubs and water-loving trees Freshwater(Brackish) swamps – contains brackish water that is ideal for amphibians and reptiles

Marine Wetlands 2. Swamps - occur on flat, poorly drained areas near streams Mangrove Swamps – salty water/found near ocean and are actually part of coastal wetlands Dominated by mangrove trees, these swamps help to reduce coastal erosion, absorb pollutants, and are breeding grounds for many species

Burmese Python in Everglades Threats to Wetlands Wetlands are important because they remove pollutants (purifying wastewater), flood control, and are the breeding grounds for many species Development/Drainage by Humans Invasive species The draining of a swamp Water Hyacinth in Louisiana Swamps Burmese Python in Everglades Melaleuca tree in Everglades

The Lynn River Headwater Rivers Many originate from melt water in mountains Adaptations depend upon which part of the river Headwaters - beginnings of rivers- cold, oxygen rich, fast flowing Animals and plants need to be able to anchor themselves The Lynn River Headwater

The Lynn River Down River Rivers Many originate from melt water in mountains Adaptations depend upon which part of the river Down River – broader, slower moving (so plankton can float here), more nutrient rich The Lynn River Down River

Threat to Rivers The biggest threat to rivers is Pollution Solid Waste Industrial Waste

Threat to Rivers The biggest threat to rivers is Pollution In 1969, the Cuyahoga River near Cleveland, Ohio was so heavily polluted with chemical waste from industry that it actually caught fire.

Marine Ecosystem Coastal Wetlands important because they filter pollution, provide flood control, and provide breeding grounds for organisms Salt Marshes Mangrove Swamps Estuaries - areas where a river meets the ocean so fresh and salt water mix creating a nutrient trap Nutrient trap

Marine Ecosystem 3. Estuaries (cont.) Major breeding area for many commercial fish Provide protected harbors Nutrient rich area supports many types of organisms

Marine Ecosystem Shorelines Rocky Shorelines provide anchorage for plants and animals creates tide pools where many organisms are found

Marine Ecosystems Shorelines (cont) Sandy Shorelines Dry out when the tide goes out Has fewer organisms than rocky shorelines, but have many birds adapted to this area

Marine Ecosystems Shorelines (cont) Sandy Shorelines Dry out when the tide goes out Has fewer organisms than rocky shorelines, but have many birds adapted to this area Includes barrier islands that help protect the mainland

Marine Ecosystems 5. Coral Reefs limestone (calcium carbonate) reef is created by secreted skeletons of coral polyps grow in warm waters that sunlight can penetrate

Threats to Coral Reefs Pollution Bleaching Human Disrespect

Marine Ecosystems 6. Oceans Photosynthesis occurs in the first 330ft only. 250 C (Surface Zone) (Thermocline) Scavengers, filter feeders, and decomposers are found here. 40 C (Deep Zone)

Marine Ecosystems Threats to Oceans Most ocean pollution comes from activities on land. Industrial waste and sewage are the main sources of coastal/ocean pollution Phosphorus and nitrogen from industrial waste is put into the Mississippi River. As the river dumps the pollution into the Gulf of Mexico causing a build up of nutrients that depletes the area of oxygen. Dead Zone

Marine Ecosystems Threats to Oceans Most ocean pollution comes from activities on land. Overfishing /Fishing Waste Phosphorus and nitrogen from industrial waste is put into the Mississippi River. As the river dumps the pollution into the Gulf of Mexico causing a build up of nutrients that depletes the area of oxygen.

Marine Ecosystems Oil Spills Threats to Oceans Most ocean pollution comes from activities on land. Phosphorus and nitrogen from industrial waste is put into the Mississippi River. As the river dumps the pollution into the Gulf of Mexico causing a build up of nutrients that depletes the area of oxygen. Oil Spills

Some organisms eat plankton in large quantities Marine Ecosystems 7. Arctic/Antarctic Ecosystems Considered marine ecosystem because almost all food comes from the ocean. Some organisms eat plankton in large quantities

Marine Ecosystems 7. Arctic/Antarctic Ecosystems Considered marine ecosystem because almost all food comes from the ocean. Some organisms eat fish

Marine Ecosystems 7. Arctic/Antarctic Ecosystems Considered marine ecosystem because almost all food comes from the ocean. Top predators eat large mammals

THE END