10.2 Standing-Water Ecosystems

2 Types of Freshwater Biomes Standing-water ecosystems lakes and ponds are most common Flowing-water ecosystems rivers and streams are most common

Standing-Water Ecosystems Lakes, ponds, wetlands, bogs, prairie potholes, swamps (dominated by trees and shrubs), freshwater marshes (mostly grasses and cattails).

Standing-Water Ecosystems Little net flow of water in or out. However, water does circulate through system. This helps distribute warmth, oxygen, and nutrition throughout system. Most have levels: top level is warmer and has more sunlight, middle level is cooler and less sunlight, lowest level is coldest and has least sunlight.

Standing-Water Ecosystems Papyrus is grown in wetlands of northern Africa and the Middle East. This is what ancient Egyptians used for paper.

Organisms 1. Phytoplankton (carries out photosynthesis). They are main producers in most aquatic biomes. 2. Zooplankton ( do not carry out photosynthesis). Contains microscopic animals and protists. They are consumers. They feed on phytoplankton. In turn, small fish feed on zooplankton and bigger fish feed on these fish and so on. Top level supports plankton (organisms that drift in the water, about size of dust particle). *Two types of plankton

Phytoplankton

Zooplankton

Wetlands Ecosystems in which the roots of plants are submerged under water at least part of the year. Usually found where water and land come together. Examples are marshes, bogs and swamps. Water is usually low in oxygen because it is standing water. Water is fresh or brackish (salt).

Importance of Wetlands They act as filters, they detoxify chemicals as the water flows through them. Important for breeding, feeding and resting grounds for migratory waterfowl (ducks and geese). They act as flood protection regions. They help to fill the aquifers.

Destruction by Humans People do not find them attractive. They are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and humans do not like this. They may give off an unpleasant odor given off by the decaying bacteria.

Florida Everglades Largest freshwater marsh wetland area in the U.S. Everglades was trying to be saved, so a canal was dug to bring in water, but the water came in too fast and too often. This flooded the gator holes and other animal habitats. In 1983, “Save our Everglades” campaign started and the Everglades were saved. Home to huge number of organisms. Alligators are very common. *They scoop out large depressions in the ground with their tails. These pools are called “gator holes”. They are important during the dry season. These holes still have water in them during the dry season and other aquatic life can live here at this time. Without gator holes, aquatic life would die during the dry season.

Florida Everglades