Download Aquatic Succession - Baker High School

Aquatic Succession
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The class has covered
Terrestrial
Succession-the
natural changes
occurring in
ecosystems on land.
There are ecosystems
in water, also-coral
reefs, ponds, and salt
marshes are
examples. These are
aquatic.
Succession occurs

In aquatic
ecosystems, also.
Bodies of water will
undergo a series of
changes until they
reach the climax
community, the same
stable stage reached
after terrestrial
succession.
Aquatic Succession
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Begins along the
shorelines
Leaves and sediments
accumulate along the
edges and on the
bottom, making the
body of water smaller
and more shallow
Along the shore,
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Cattails and other
aquatic plants grow in
the sediment.
These plants trap
more sediment.
Bushes can grow in
this area now.
As more soil is produced,
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The area can now
support trees.
These are trees that
can tolerate wet soils
and bright sunlight. In
our area, these would
be red maple trees.
As more shade is made,
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Other trees move in,
as in terrestrial
succession.
Remember, the trees
of the climax
community produce
saplings that can
grow in the shade of
other trees.
The climax community after
aquatic succession
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-Will depend upon
the surrounding
ecosystem.
In this area, ponds
and lakes will
eventually become a
temperate deciduous
forest.
The speed at which succession
occurs
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-Depends upon the
size of the body of
water:
For example, the
Great Lakes are
undergoing
succession, but will
not be forests in our
lifetimes.
Other examples are
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-fast running rivers
that don’t allow
sediment to
accumulate,
-deep lakes in area
where there is little
sediment
accumulating
Smaller bodies of water

And bodies of water
near extensive
erosion will undergo
succession more
rapidly than those
examples.
The rate of aquatic succession
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Is sped up by humans
(who else?).
Some organic pollution
from sewage treatment
plants enters streams and
lakes
Fertilizers can run off
into water and add
organic material.
Animal waste products
(poopies) also may add
organic nutrients to
water.
What can be bad about fertilizer
and other organic nutrients?
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These nutrients cause
algae to grow unchecked.
These are called algae
blooms.
Algae blooms block
sunlight from reaching
the rooted plants
underneath.
Eventually, algae die and
the decomposition uses
up oxygen, killing some
species.
Algae blooms
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Cause rapid aging of
lakes
Sooooooo, smaller
lakes and lakes near
human settlements
undergo aquatic
succession more
rapidly.
Aging of lakes
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is called
eutrophication
It will happen
naturally, but it will
happen slowly.
Aquatic succession
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Can also be
interrupted by natural
or human
interference.
What are some things
that might interrupt
aquatic succession?