Aquatic Ecology: Biodiversity in Aquatic Systems

Aquatic Ecology: Biodiversity in Aquatic Systems G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment 13th Edition Chapter 7 Dr. Richard Clements Chattanooga State Technical Community College

Key Concepts • Factors that influence aquatic systems • Saltwater life zones • Freshwater life zones • Human activities that affect aquatic systems

Aquatic Environments: Types, Components, and Limiting Factors • Marine systems • Freshwater systems • Plankton • Phyto-algae, zoo-protozoa • Or jellies, • Nekton-long • Distance swimmers (whale, turtle) • Benthos-bottom • Worm, lobster, barnacle • Complex food, boundaries • Dissolved oxygen Fig. 7-2 p. 145

Saltwater Life Zones • Coastal zone high tide to continental shelf (varies ex: CA & NC) Contains • 90% of ALL marine species (in 10% of worlds open ocean) • Estuariesecotone –mixture of saline and fw from rivers, mostly flooded, supports • Aquatic and terrestrial plants/animals • Coastal wetlands includes any area inundated with water (through • Surface/ground source) –marsh, mangrove, bay, inlet, estuary. MANY functions-filter, nursery, flood protection,Storm protection for coastal plain, Vary in temp/salinity/dissolved nutrients/pollutants. HIGHLY productive • Intertidal zones harsh, transitional species, variance every ~6hrs • Barrier islands absorb energy from storms, protect coastlines, constant • Erosion = constant change. Early successional plants necessary to maintain sand in dunes. (sea oats) ES!

Filter Feeders In Estuaries • Read Biofiltration Spotlight pg 149. • Answer CT. • Why do some health scientists warn us not to eat raw shellfish such as clams and oysters?

Ocean Zones Fig. 7-7 p. 148 Refer to Figs. 7-11 & 7-12 p. 151 & 152

Coral Reefs 0.1% of worlds ocean, most diverse/productivesupport 25% of ocean life. Narrow temp. threshold offset by 1°. • Hi salinity • Hi temp (65-85F) • Disturbed easily by: • runoff (nutrients and sediment) • Storms • Overfishing • Warming temps • Change in dissolved nutrients (incl. CO2 and O2) • UV • Loss of mangroves (increase sediment) • Coral removal • Physical damage Fig. 7-16 p. 154

Mangroves • Depositional saline sediment forest/swamp • Fine sediment collected/protected from high energy wave action • Tropical/subtropical zones • Prevent erosion along coastlines • Protect estuaries

Freshwater Life Zones • Standing water • Flowing water Fig. 7-20 p. 158

Types of Lakes: Oligotrophic Fig. 7-21 p. 158

Types of Lakes: Eutrophic Fig. 7-21 p. 158

Littoral shallow, sunny and Limnetic deep, open Profundal deep, open, too dark for photosynthesis Benthic the bottom, dark , low DO

Seasonal Changes in Lakes summer Fig. 7-22 p. 159 • Epilimnion spring • Temp/rain =warm, hi DO • Thermocline • Rapid temp/DO decline, prevents • Mixing b/n E &H • Hypolimnion • Cold, dense, low DO (no atmosphe • Exposure) • Fall overturn • Cools, dense, T disappear, mix DO • And nutrient. Fish survive at H • Spring • overturn winds mix DO and nutrients • Lake is similar at all depths (brief!)

River Systems Fig. 7-23 p. 160 • Runoff • Drainage basin • Watershed • Floodplain

Inland Wetlands • Functions? • 1. • 2. • 3.. Fig. 7-25 p. 162

Sustainability of Aquatic Life Zones • Coral reef destruction • Loss of biodiversity • Pollution/nutrients • Sedimentation • Renewability with time and opportunity due to influx of dissolved • nutrients • Natural purification

Aquatic Ecology: Biodiversity in Aquatic Systems