Aquatic Ecosystems

NOTES: Aquatic Ecosystems: There are 2 types: Freshwater – Life in lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and wetlands Marine – Life in the ocean What makes up an ecosystem? Ecosystem – all the living and nonliving parts of an environment What determines the health of an ecosystem? Biotic factors – the living parts of an ecosystem Abiotic – the nonliving parts of an ecosystem

Freshwater Ecosystems: NOTES: Freshwater Ecosystems: Watch video: http://www.neok12.com/php/watch.php?v=zX466d047304046105745367&t=Ecosystems Freshwater ecosystems are dependent on: Running water, temperature, light availability and vegetation Importance of “Running” water: Better able to dissolve oxygen and nutrients than standing water

Freshwater Food Chain: NOTES: Freshwater Food Chain: Primary producers: Algae and plants, such as the cattails Primary consumers: Zooplankton and macroinvertebrates Secondary consumers: Fish (such as, trout), insects (such as, dragonflies), and frogs or lizards

Wetlands: NOTES: Watch video: WETLANDS http://www.neok12.com/php/watch.php?v=zX03547a4151505c53040173&t=Ecosystems WETLANDS Wetlands – an area that is saturated with water or covered by water for at least one season of the year. Wetlands are extremely important for several reasons: Store excess water from floods Slow down runoff and help prevent erosion Remove excess nutrients from runoff Provide a unique habitat for water plants Provide a safe, lush habitat for animals

NOTES: Marine Ecosystems: Marine ecosystems: Largest aquatic ecosystems Include oceans, lagoons, coral reefs… Support a large amount of biodiversity Marine ecosystems are dependent on: Light, temperature, salinity, density, landscape, availability of food, and water movement

Freshwater Food Chain: NOTES: Freshwater Food Chain: Primary producers: Phytonplanton, seaweed/seagrass Primary consumers: Zooplankton, jelly fish … Secondary + consumers: Larger fish, octopus, squid  Sharks, dolphins  Albatross (bird)

Abiotic vs. Biotic Factors NOTES: Abiotic vs. Biotic Factors An ECOSYSTEM is an interacting system of plants, animals, humans and the surrounding environment. An ecosystem contains living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things that contribute to the functioning of other organisms. An ecosystem is NOT just a collection of organisms. It is a system of interactions and interrelationships. Both Abiotic and Biotic factors affect Ecosystems Differences in abiotic factors in ecosystems lead to differences in the living things there. Factors such as sunlight and precipitation affect how organisms adapt to these ecosystems.

Create a Venn Diagram ----- Create a List Use the following list to create a Venn diagram that compares abiotic vs biotic factors. Come up with a list of types of abiotic influences could harm Utah’s waters. Come up with a list of types of biotic influences could harm Utah’s waters.