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Aquatic Ecosystems CONT…

Aquatic Ecosystems CONT…. Wetlands. Wetlands contain fresh water for part of the year -trap and filter sediments and pollutants -protect shorelines from erosion -spawning grounds for many commercially important species

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Aquatic Ecosystems CONT…

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  1. Aquatic EcosystemsCONT…

  2. Wetlands • Wetlands contain fresh water for part of the year -trap and filter sediments and pollutants -protect shorelines from erosion -spawning grounds for many commercially important species -habitat for rare and endangered animals and plants • Includes marshes and swamps • Act as transitional areas between freshwater and saltwater

  3. Marine Ecosystems • Estuary (FW and SW) • Salt marsh • Mangrove swamps • Barrier Islands • Coral reef • Open ocean

  4. Estuary • area where freshwater from a river meets salt water from the ocean -very productive ecosystems -rich in nutrients and minerals -plenty of sunlight (shallow water)

  5. Freshwater meets the ocean

  6. Salt marsh • Develop in areas where estuaries deposit nutrient rich mud • Characterized by marsh grass • Provide support for clams, fish, crabs, shrimp, and aquatic birds • Absorb pollutants and protect • inland areas

  7. Mangrove Swamp • tree vegetation that grows in the muddy coastal areas between high and low water • mangrove forests protect the coastline from erosion; provide nursery grounds for fish, shrimp, clams, crabs and snails • provide food via • nutrient-rich mud • and leaf litter.

  8. Approximately one-third of all marine biological productivity occurs along coastal areas. These areas include mangroves, salt marshes, tidal zones and sea grass beds.

  9. Barrier Island • These geographic features serve as protection for mainland and coastal wetlands

  10. Coral Reef One of the worlds most biologically diverse ecosystems 42% at low risk 31% at medium risk 27% at high risk

  11. Open Ocean • Represents 65% of the Earth oceans. • Some areas of open ocean contain little or no life at all, while other areas support large numbers of species • Approximately 10% of all • marine life is found in the • open ocean. Marlins, Tuna, Dolphins, Swordfish, and Sharks.

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