Chapter 7 Section 2 Environmental Science Ms. Mandel Marine Ecosystems Chapter 7 Section 2 Environmental Science Ms. Mandel

Learning Targets I can define a marine ecosystem. I can differentiate between the different types of marine ecosystems. Coastal wetlands Estuaries Salt marshes Mangrove swamps Rocky and sandy shores Coral reefs Oceans Arctic Antarctic

Marine Ecosystems Ecosystems that contain salt water

Coastal Wetlands Coastal land areas that are covered by salt water for all or part of the time Provides habitat and nesting areas Absorbs excess rain Protects areas from flooding Filters out pollutants and sediments Recreational areas Boating Fishing Hunting water.epa.gov

Estuaries Estuary Video Area in which fresh water from a river mixes with salt water from the ocean Considered to be a nutrient trap due to the mixing of the waters Very productive ecosystem Land masses protect them from the force of the ocean waves

Estuaries What is the name of our local estuary? Why is it an estuary? Atlantic Ocean Housatonic River Connecticut River Thames River Quinnipiac River ctcommunity.com

Estuaries Support many marine organisms Phytoplankton Birds Clams Plenty of nutrients Phytoplankton Birds Clams Crabs Plants Fish Threats Sewage Industrial waste Agricultural runoff Human population growth

Salt Marshes Part of an estuary Site where a river deposits mineral-rich mud www.outerisland.org

Salt Marsh Organisms: Clams Fish Birds Plants Turtles Acts as a nursery for Shrimp Crabs Fish Protects them from predators Absorb pollutants Protects inland areas www.nhdfl.org

Mangrove Swamp A marine swamp characterized by the abundance of low to tall trees Trees adapted to living in salt water Mangrove trees Wide, above ground root system www.globe-trotters.ch Mangrove Swamp Video

Rocky and Sandy Shores Which one has more plant and animal species? Rocky shore Why? What is a barrier island? A long ridge of sand or narrow island that lies parallel to the shore

Coral Reefs Limestone ridges built by tiny coral animals called coral polyps and the algae that live inside them Found in shallow, clear tropical seas bailiffafrica.org www.glogster.com kodakboy.deviantart.com

Coral Reefs One of the most diverse ecosystems on earth Fragile ecosystem Water cannot be too hot, too cold, polluted, muddy or high in nutrients What happens if this occurs? Algae dies and coral bleaching happens coralbleachingthefacts.blogspot.com

Coral Reefs in Danger Why are coral reefs in danger? Human activities Global warming Oil spills Pollution Overfishing Why is it important to not stress out or destroy a coral reef? They grow back slowly and may not be able to repair itself

Oceans Threats One of the least productive of all ecosystems Pollution from activities on land Overfishing One of the least productive of all ecosystems Why? Not enough light and nutrients for the phytoplankton Depths of the ocean are perpetually dark Most food at the ocean floor consists of dead organisms that fall from the surface www.exploringnature.org

Arctic and Antarctic Ecosystems Arctic ocean – rich in nutrients from surrounding land masses Supports large populations of plankton Feeds a rich diversity of fish Antarctic – only continent never colonized by humans Plankton is the basis of its food web

Learning Target Checkpoints What is a marine ecosystem? How do you differentiate between the different marine ecosystems? Coastal wetlands Estuaries Salt marshes Mangrove swamps Rocky and sandy shores Coral reefs Oceans Arctic Antarctic