EQ: What differentiates the Earth’s biomes? Aquatic Biomes EQ: What differentiates the Earth’s biomes?

There are two types of aquatic biomes Marine Ecosystems Freshwater ecosystems Oceans Cover ¾ of the Earth’s surface Home to the largest and smallest animals Brooks, rivers, swamps, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes

Marine Marine ecosystems are shaped by abiotic factors: Water temperature Water depth Amount of sunlight that passes into the water.

Water Temperature The temperature of the water decreases as the depth increases. However, this change is not gradual. There are three zones of ocean water: Surface: Top layer to 300 meters below sea level. Warm Thermocline: 300 meters-700 meters below sea level. Temperature drops fast! Deep zone: 700 meters-ocean floor. Frigid cold.!

Depth and Sunlight In addition to water temperature, life in the ocean is affected by water depth, and the amount of sunlight that passes into the water. The major ocean zones with regard to depth and sunlight are: The Intertidal Zone The Neritic Zone The Oceanic Zone The Benthic Zone

The Intertidal Zone Where the ocean meets the land Exposed to air for part of the day Abundant sunlight, warm water Waves are constantly crashing on the rocks and sand Animals must be adapted for exposure to the air and to keep from being washed away Snails, crabs, clams

The Neritic Zone The water becomes deeper The ocean floor begins to slope Warm water and a lot of sunlight Many interesting plants and animals Corals, sea turtles, dolphins, plankton

Coral Reefs Found in warm, shallow areas of the neritic zone. Corals are small animals that leave hard skeletons behind when they die, Over time, the skeletons build upon themselves providing homes for animals and plants.

The Oceanic Zone The sea floor drops sharply Deep water Some sunlight, chilly water Plankton near the surface Whales and sharks Food found from material that sinks down from the surface

The Benthic Zone The ocean floor Deepest parts receive no sunlight Very cold Animals have special adaptations to the deep, dark water Heat from thermal vents Angler fish

Estuaries An area where freshwater from streams and rivers spill into the ocean. Salt and fresh water mix Plants and animals must be able to adapt to changing salt levels. Crabs!

Freshwater Ecosystems Include streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes, swamps. Water can be fast or slow moving. Freshwater ecosystems are characterized by their abiotic factors: Water speed Amount of sunlight Absorbency of soil Water depth Precipitation totals

Ecosystems of The Ocean Many ecosystems exist in the ocean. Some are found near the shore, while others are found in the middle of the ocean or near the poles. Examples of ocean ecosystems are: Intertidal Areas Coral Reefs Estuaries The Sargasso Sea Polar Ice

The Sargasso Sea Found in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Contains floating rafts of algae called sargassums. Animals that live in the Sargasso Sea are the same color as the sargassums so that they camouflage.

Polar Ice The Artic Ocean and the ocean around Antarctica Icy waters that are rich in nutrients Polar bears and penguins

Intertidal Areas Near the shore Mudflats, sandy beaches, rocky shores Organsims must be able to live in and out of the water