Introduction to Aquatic Science
What is Aquatic Science? • Aquatic Science is the multidisciplinary study of aquatic systems, encompassing both freshwater and marine systems. – Some of the major fields of study within aquatic sciences include: hydrology, freshwater ecology, oceanography & marine biology.
What is Hydrology? • Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources, and environmental watershed sustainability.
What is Oceanography? • Scientific study of the oceans • Covers geology, chemistry, meteorology, biology, & physics • A biological oceanographer focuses on organisms in the deep while marine biologists tend to study organisms close to shore
What is Marine Biology? • Scientific study of organisms of the seas
Why study Marine Biology? • Curiosity: Oceans hold a variety of life‐ adventurous to study • Provides clues to Earth’s past • Economics: Source of human wealth – Food, medicines, raw materials, recreation • Marine life helps to determine the nature of our planet‐ make oxygen • To solve problems created by marine organisms.. -For example- barnacles
What is Freshwater Ecology? • Freshwater Ecology can include lakes (limnology), streams and rivers, freshwater wetlands. • It is a broad subject that can include topics of water quality and quantity; inland fisheries; amphibians and other vertebrates associated with fresh water habitats; aquatic invertebrates and aquatic vegetation