Ecosystem Interactions

Esturay Ecosystem Photo by CBF Member Steve Aprile,

Estuary – Where land and fresh water meet the sea Estuary Ocean Nutrients wash into the streams when it rains Then flow into the estuary Ocean water mixes in with the freshwater

What is needed for a healthy ecosystem? Producers need – Consumers need – Energy (sun), water, gasses (O 2 and CO 2 ), space, minerals Energy (food), water, gasses (O 2 ), space, shelter

Why do animals need O 2 ? Cellular Respiration How do underwater animals (like fish) get O 2 ? Wave action, photosynthetic plankton, underwater plants

Now begins the Notes at the bottom of page 10

Fertilizers – nitrates and phosphates

Rain washes fertilizers to the bay

Lots of fertilizer (nitrates) causes Algal blooms

(another Algal bloom)

Algal blooms block the sun – Plants die. Algae also dies once the nutrients are used up. Then, decomposers use up the O 2 dissolved in the water

After all this algae dies, the decomposers will have lots and lots of food! The increase in decomposers will use up all the oxygen, causing fish, crabs, oysters, and other animals to die off.

Lack of Oxygen DEAD ZONE & Eventually, ecosystem collapse!

CAUSEEFFECT Moderate amount of nitratesHelp the plants and algae grow Too much nitrates Algae grows and reproduces out of control (Algal Bloom) Too much algae in the waterBlock the sunlight – plants die Too much dead plants and algaeDecomposers (bacteria) grow out of control Too many decomposers (bacteria)Use up all of the Oxygen Not enough Oxygen in the waterAnimals can’t survive Too many dead plants and animals Dead Zone – ECOSYSTEM COLLAPSE!

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