What are the characteristics of the Earth’s major aquatic communities?

What does aquatic mean? Aquatic means water.

Nearly 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water Nearly 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. The biotic and abiotic factors in these ecosystems make up aquatic communities.

Aquatic communities are influenced by: Amount of light present Amount of oxygen present Amount of nutrients available Salinity (salt) level of the water

There are three types of Aquatic communities we will discuss: Marine Freshwater Wetland

5. Marine Marine ecosystems exist in salt water There are four general marine zones: intertidal, neritic, oceanic, and benthic

Label your diagram

Marine – Intertidal Zone Area of shore between low and high tide Organisms must be able to survive the changing tides and the pounding waves Sometimes under water, sometimes exposed to air and sunlight Most biologically active due to high level of light and nutrients

Marine – Intertidal Zone Biotic Life Crab Clam Oyster They burrow in the sand or retreat to shells during low tides

Marine – Intertidal Zone Biotic Life Snail Sea Star Sea Urchin They cling to rocks and other surfaces

Marine – Neritic Zone Characteristics Located above the continental shelf Water is shallow enough that light can penetrate it, which makes photosynthesis possible

Marine – Neritic Zone Biotic Life Collection of small or microscopic organisms, including algae and protozoans, that float in great numbers in fresh or salt water, especially at or near the surface, and serve as food for fish and other larger organisms Plankton

Marine – Neritic Zone Biotic Life Sea Turtle Dolphins Squid

Marine – Oceanic Zone Characteristics Open ocean and the largest marine zone Makes up most of the world’s oceans Sunlight can only pass through about 200 meters Most of the photosynthesis occurs in this zone because of the huge area Where sunlight does not reach, it becomes dark and cold with increased pressure

Marine Oceanic Zone: Biotic Life Sword Fish Fishes, mammals, and animals without backbones live here. Some fish have no eyes or have developed luminescent organs Whale Tuna

Marine – Benthic Zone Characteristics Ocean floor Extends horizontally from the Neritic zone through the Oceanic zone Hydrothermal vents found in deep areas Coral reefs are commonly found in the warm, shallow waters of benthic areas

Marine – Benthic Zone Biotic Life Hagfish Clam Tubeworm

Double check your diagram and ensure it is labeled!

Only 3% of all the water on the Earth’s surface is fresh water

Label your diagram Ocean Stream Lake River Estuary

Fresh Water Characteristics Low salt content (salinity) Found in most places Found in areas with differing temperatures Supports a variety of animal and plant life Important in recycling the Earth’s water supply through the water cycle

Fresh Water Lake Pond

Fresh Water – Lakes & Ponds Characteristics Bodies of fresh water that flow slowly or not at all Lakes are deeper and larger than ponds Ponds are shallow enough to allow sunlight to reach the bottom; therefore, plants can grow

Fresh Water – Lakes & Ponds Biotic Life Frog Algae Bass Turtle Catfish River Stream Creek

Fresh Water – Rivers & Streams Characteristics Water that flows Rivers begin as cold streams in the mountains or hills that flow rapidly Farther down the mountain, water slows down and forms twists and turns Small streams join together to form large rivers Plants and animals must be able to survive the flowing currents

Fresh Water – Rivers & Streams Biotic Life Trout and other fish have sleek bodies that help them move with the current; others have “suckers” they use to latch on to rocks Where the water slows down you can find beavers and otters

7. Wetlands

Wetlands An ecosystem where water either covers the soil or is near the soil’s surface for all or part of the year Includes marshes, swamps, and estuaries May be fresh water or salt water Water may flow or stand still Important because it provides breeding grounds for organisms Plant life adapted to live in water

Wetland - Estuary Shrimp Mullet

Wetland – Estuary Characteristics Wetland which forms at the mouth of a river where fresh water mixes with salt water from an ocean or bay Great diversity of plants and animals Dense (thick) plants protect organisms from waves and hide them from predators Tides circulate nutrients

Wetlands – Estuary Biotic Life Osprey Heron Scallop

Wetlands – Marshes & Swamps

Wetlands – Marshes & Swamps Characteristics Areas where water is more or less permanently at the surface Abundance of plant and animal life because nutrients are plentiful Marsh consists of soft stemmed vegetation Swamp is mainly woody plants or shrubs

Wetlands – Marsh Biotic Life Blackbird Butterfly Otter Duck Blue Heron Turtle

Wetlands – Swamp Biotic Life Crocodile Bald Eagle Frog Egret Dragonfly Shrimp

Study Jams: Aquatic Ecosystems Click the following link Right click Click “open hyperlink” Take notes during the video Take the quiz at the end Study Jams: Aquatic Ecosystems