1. Aquatic Ecosystems
3.3

2. Remember Ecosystems? Ecosystem Biosphere- most broad level Biome
Biological Community (Or just community)
Population
Organism –most basic level
Ecosystem: Includes all of the abiotic factors that affects the Biological community.
Ex: Our biological community is affected when there’s storms, snow, blackouts, floods, etc. (We get out of school.. Usually..)

3. Water is super important
Water covers 71% of the Earth’s surface.
Every living thing requires water.
When scientists explore other planets, they look for water because it is the most important thing for life.
There are three different kinds of aquatic (having to do with water) ecosystems: Freshwater, transitional, and marine.

4. Freshwater Ecosystems
Freshwater ecosystems are characterized by a low salt content.
Plants and animals that live in these ecosystems are adapted to low salt content, and cannot survive in an ecosystem with a higher salt content.
Examples of fresh bodies of water include; ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams/creeks.

5. Rivers and streams
In these bodies of water, water flows in one direction.
Water flows from the source (headwater) and travels to the mouth, which empties into a larger body of water.
Sediment- materials found in rivers/streams that are deposited by water, wind, or glaciers. This material is picked up and carried by the current.

6. Rivers and Streams
In turbulent currents, few organisms can survive. Organisms must have a tolerance for rough conditions to survive.
Most organisms that live in turbulent conditions will hide in plants that are deeply rooted in the river bed.
In gentle currents, you will find insect larvae which feed the larger animals such as catfish, eel, and trout.
Newts, tadpoles, and frogs are also found in slow moving currents.

7. In turbulent currents, few organisms can survive
In turbulent currents, few organisms can survive. Organisms must have a tolerance for rough conditions to survive.
Most organisms that live in turbulent conditions will hide in plants that are deeply rooted in the river bed.
In gentle currents, you will find insect larvae which feed the larger animals such as catfish, eel, and trout.
Newts, tadpoles, and frogs are also found in slow moving currents.

8. Lakes and ponds
Lakes and ponds also have different zones, which are characterized by how much light they receive.
Littoral zone- area of water closest to the shore, shallow, sunlight reaches all the way to the bottom. Lots of producers live here.
Limnetic zone- Open, deeper water with plenty of sunlight. This area is dominated by plankton.
-planton are free-floating autotrophs

9. Lakes and Ponds
Lakes and Ponds are characterized by having a low salt concentration AND being standing water.
Due to the lack of current, lakes/ponds must undergo a ‘turnover’ twice a year to keep nutrients evenly distributed throughout the water.

10. Lakes and Ponds
Profundal zone- deepest area of lake/pond. Little light can penetrate this far. Cold and dark, few species with the appropriate adaptations live here.

11. Transitional Aquatic Ecosystems
Areas where freshwater and saltwater mix are referred to as transitional aquatic ecosystems.
There are two common types of these ecosystems: wetlands and estuaries.

12. Transitional Aquatic Ecosystems
Wetlands
Estuaries
These areas are characterized as swampy, marsh areas with a lot of decomposing vegetation.
Often found in Louisianna and Central Florida.
These areas are humid and moist and have a lot of biodiversity.
These areas are characterized by the merging of freshwater and saltwater from the ocean.
These areas rival the rainforest for the most biodiverse ecosystem, as they have both saltwater and freshwater lifeforms.
These ecosystems are different from wetlands because they are more coastal and wetlands are found inland.

13. Which is which?

14. Marine Ecosystems
Marine ecosystems are characterized by their saltwater.
Like lakes and ponds, there are also different zones found in marine ecosystems.

15. Marine Ecosystems
Intertidal zone- narrow band where the ocean meets the land. Organisms found here must be adapted to long periods or water and air, due to the changing of tides in this zone.
Photic zone- This is the zone of open ocean where light can penetrate.
Aphotic zone- area of open ocean where light CANNOT penetrate. Organisms that depend on light for energy can’t live here.

16. Marine Ecosystems
Benthic zone- Area along the ocean floor that consists of sand, silt, and dead organisms. Octopi and squids will be found here. Light can sometimes penetrate here.
Abyssal zone- deepest region of the ocean. Light never penetrates here, and the most common way that organisms get food is by catching it as it drifts down from higher levels.

17. Marine Ecosystems
Coral reefs- this is one of the most diverse ecosystems.
They are widely distributed in warm shallow marine waters.
Due to interruptions in the CO2 cycle, coral reefs are being dissolved slowly.
Boats and other changes in this ecosystem can often be detrimental.

18. Key Points All water is not the same.
Different organisms live in different areas of water, which contributes to biodiversity.