Download Aquatic Ecosystesm

Aquatic Ecosystems
Aquatic Life Zones
*Plankton, nekton and
benthos life in BOTH
freshwater and
saltwater
ecosystems!!!
Wetlands
(Freshwater and Marine)
-Filters water
-Absorbs excess water to prevent flooding
-Buffers shorelines from erosion
-Provides habitats
-Also recreation, agriculture (rice & cranberries)
-Threats: Development!!
Lakes and Ponds
In the nutrient rich Littoral Zone there is
abundant and diverse aquatic life.
In the Dark cooler waters of the Benthic Zone,
there is decaying matter, insect larva and
decomposers.
Rivers and Streams
*As rivers move away
from the source, they
warm up and
become wider and
slow-moving.
Swamps
-Flat poorly drained
-Found near streams
-Dominated by trees
Coral Reefs
-Coral polyps secrete calcium
carbonate to make up their
exoskeleton.
-These polyps contain nematocysts or
stinging cells.
-Coral requires clear clean water to
survive.
Most reef-building corals contain photosynthetic algae, called zooxanthellae, that live in their
tissues. The corals and algae have a mutualistic relationship. The coral provides the algae with a
protected environment and compounds they need for photosynthesis. In return, the algae
produce oxygen and help the coral to remove wastes. Most importantly, zooxanthellae supply the
coral with glucose, glycerol, and amino acids, which are the products of photosynthesis. The coral
uses these products to make proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and produce calcium carbonate
Estuaries
-An area in which fresh water from a river mixes with salt water
from the ocean.
-As two bodies of water meet, mineral rich sediment falls to the
bottom.
-Estuaries have rich sediment and are very productive ecosystems
Mangroves
-Swamps located in the tropical and
subtropical areas.
-Roots of trees protect the coastline from
erosion.
-Much has been lost to pollution and
development.
Rocky and Sandy Shores
-The shore is home to many very hardy creatures and has the ability to protect inland areas from
the violence of the ocean.
Open Ocean
In the open ocean
most life occurs near
the surface where
phytoplankton grows.
THREATS:
Over fishing
Pollution
Run off
Ocean Depths
-In the depths of the ocean, animals feed on
what falls down from the surface.
*Sulfur feeding bacteria: make up the base of the
food chain near hydrothermal vents.
Arctic and Antarctic
-Because of the cold, the only significant
source of food for any organisms in the area is
from the sea.
-Any damage to the area is slow to recover due
to the harsh environment.