1. Chapter 7
Aquatic Ecosystems

2. Aquatic Ecosystem Characteristics
Major Factors Affecting ALL Aquatic Biomes
Temperature
Sunlight
Oxygen Content of Water
Salinity (amount of salt in the water)
Major Groups of Organisms in ALL Aquatic Biomes
Plankton – floats near surface ; most are microscopic
Zooplankton are animal like
Phytoplankton are plantlike (do photysynthesis and are major producers of aquatic biomes

3. Aquatic Ecosystem Characteristics
Major Groups of Organisms in ALL Aquatic Biomes
2. Nekton – any free swimming organism
Turtles
Fish
Mammals

4. Aquatic Ecosystem Characteristics
Major Groups of Organisms in ALL Aquatic Biomes
3. Benthos – bottom-dwelling organisms (many attached)
Mussels
Oysters
Sponges
There are existing decomposers in all groups

5. Freshwater Lakes Types of Lakes
Barrier lakes – form when landslides or glacial till block streams or rivers

6. Freshwater Lakes Types of Lakes
2. Glacier Lakes – form when glaciers gouge depressions in the land that fill with water

7. Freshwater Lakes Types of Lakes
3. Tectonic Lakes - form in rift valleys formed from separating tectonic plates

8. Freshwater Lakes Types of Lakes
4. Crater Lakes - form in the craters of volcanoes (can be very dangerous due to gas buildup at bottom of lake)
Lake Nyos in Cameroon, Africa (1986) let out a “belch” of CO2 that killed 2,000 people in villages around the lake

9. Freshwater Lakes Types of Lakes
5. Artificial Lakes - lakes created by the activities of man
Lake Meade behind the Hoover Dam

10. Freshwater Lakes/Ponds – Major Still Water Zones
Littoral Zone – Nutrient rich/sunlight penetrates so photosynthesis occurs/has plant life/close to shore

11. Freshwater Lakes/Ponds – Major Still Water Zones
2. Benthic Zone - area where sunlight does not reach/ decomposers live here/ scavenger organisms/fish adapted to cold and pressure

12. Freshwater Lakes/Ponds – Major Still Water Zones
3. Limnetic Zone – open water

13. Freshwater Lakes/Ponds – Major Still Water Zones
4. Euphotic Zone - regions from surface to 1% light (area where photosynthesis can occur)

14. Threats to Still Water Lakes/Ponds
Eutrophication causing oxygen depletion in water

15. Threats to Still Water Lakes/Ponds
Eutrophication causing oxygen depletion in water
Overuse by cities as water resource
Lake Lanier is the main source of water for the city of Atlanta, GA

16. Freshwater Wetlands
Areas covered by water for at least part of the year
Two Major Freshwater Wetlands
Marshes - occur on low, flat land with very little movement of water
Dominated by reed-like plants
Have varying levels of salinity
Brackish Marshes have less salinity than a salt marsh.

17. Freshwater Wetlands
Areas covered by water for at least part of the year
Two Major Freshwater Wetlands
Marshes - occur on low, flat land with very little movement of water
Dominated by reed-like plants
Have varying levels of salinity
Salt Marshes are salt water dominated and therefore part of marine ecosystems

18. Freshwater Wetlands
Areas covered by water for at least part of the year
Two Major Freshwater Wetlands
Marshes - occur on low, flat land with very little movement of water
Dominated by reed-like plants
Have varying levels of salinity
Home for many migratory birds
Salt Marshes are salt water dominated and therefore part of marine ecosystems
Brackish Marshes have less salinity than a salt marsh.

19. Freshwater Wetlands
2. Swamps - occur on flat, poorly drained areas near streams
dominated by woody shrubs and water-loving trees
Freshwater(Brackish) swamps – contains brackish water that is ideal for amphibians and reptiles

20. Marine Wetlands
2. Swamps - occur on flat, poorly drained areas near streams
Mangrove Swamps – salty water/found near ocean and are actually part of coastal wetlands
Dominated by mangrove trees, these swamps help to reduce coastal erosion, absorb pollutants, and are breeding grounds for many species

21. Burmese Python in Everglades
Threats to Wetlands
Wetlands are important because they remove pollutants (purifying wastewater), flood control, and are the breeding grounds for many species
Development/Drainage by Humans
Invasive species
The draining of a swamp
Water Hyacinth in Louisiana Swamps
Burmese Python in Everglades
Melaleuca tree in Everglades

22. The Lynn River Headwater
Rivers
Many originate from melt water in mountains
Adaptations depend upon which part of the river
Headwaters - beginnings of rivers- cold, oxygen rich, fast flowing
Animals and plants need to be able to anchor themselves
The Lynn River Headwater

23. The Lynn River Down River
Rivers
Many originate from melt water in mountains
Adaptations depend upon which part of the river
Down River – broader, slower moving (so plankton can float here), more nutrient rich
The Lynn River Down River

24. Threat to Rivers The biggest threat to rivers is Pollution Solid Waste
Industrial Waste

25. Threat to Rivers The biggest threat to rivers is Pollution
In 1969, the Cuyahoga River near Cleveland, Ohio was so heavily polluted with chemical waste from industry that it actually caught fire.

26. Marine Ecosystem Coastal Wetlands
important because they filter pollution, provide flood control, and provide breeding grounds for organisms
Salt Marshes
Mangrove Swamps
Estuaries - areas where a river meets the ocean so fresh and salt water mix creating a nutrient trap
Nutrient trap

27. Marine Ecosystem 3. Estuaries (cont.)
Major breeding area for many commercial fish
Provide protected harbors
Nutrient rich area supports many types of organisms

28. Marine Ecosystem Shorelines Rocky Shorelines
provide anchorage for plants and animals
creates tide pools where many organisms are found

29. Marine Ecosystems Shorelines (cont) Sandy Shorelines
Dry out when the tide goes out
Has fewer organisms than rocky shorelines, but have many birds adapted to this area

30. Marine Ecosystems Shorelines (cont) Sandy Shorelines
Dry out when the tide goes out
Has fewer organisms than rocky shorelines, but have many birds adapted to this area
Includes barrier islands that help protect the mainland

31. Marine Ecosystems 5. Coral Reefs
limestone (calcium carbonate) reef is created by secreted skeletons of coral polyps
grow in warm waters that sunlight can penetrate

33. Threats to Coral Reefs
Pollution
Bleaching
Human Disrespect

34. Marine Ecosystems 6. Oceans
Photosynthesis occurs in the first 330ft only C
(Surface Zone)
(Thermocline)
Scavengers, filter feeders, and decomposers are found here C
(Deep Zone)

35. Marine Ecosystems Threats to Oceans
Most ocean pollution comes from activities on land.
Industrial waste and sewage are the main sources of coastal/ocean pollution
Phosphorus and nitrogen from industrial waste is put into the Mississippi River. As the river dumps the pollution into the Gulf of Mexico causing a build up of nutrients that depletes the area of oxygen.
Dead Zone

36. Marine Ecosystems Threats to Oceans
Most ocean pollution comes from activities on land.
Overfishing /Fishing Waste
Phosphorus and nitrogen from industrial waste is put into the Mississippi River. As the river dumps the pollution into the Gulf of Mexico causing a build up of nutrients that depletes the area of oxygen.

37. Marine Ecosystems Oil Spills Threats to Oceans
Most ocean pollution comes from activities on land.
Phosphorus and nitrogen from industrial waste is put into the Mississippi River. As the river dumps the pollution into the Gulf of Mexico causing a build up of nutrients that depletes the area of oxygen.
Oil Spills

38. Some organisms eat plankton in large quantities
Marine Ecosystems
7. Arctic/Antarctic Ecosystems
Considered marine ecosystem because almost all food comes from the ocean.
Some organisms eat plankton in large quantities

39. Marine Ecosystems 7. Arctic/Antarctic Ecosystems
Considered marine ecosystem because almost all food comes from the ocean.
Some organisms eat fish

40. Marine Ecosystems 7. Arctic/Antarctic Ecosystems
Considered marine ecosystem because almost all food comes from the ocean.
Top predators eat large mammals

41. THE END