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AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS. Determined by the salinity of water 2 types: Freshwater : lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, wetlands Marine: coastal marshes & swamps, coral reefs, oceans. CHARACTERISTICS. TEMPERATURE SUNLIGHT* OXYGEN NUTRIENTS. Determines which organisms live where.

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AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

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  1. AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS • Determined by the salinity of water • 2 types: • Freshwater : lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, wetlands • Marine: coastal marshes & swamps, coral reefs, oceans

  2. CHARACTERISTICS • TEMPERATURE • SUNLIGHT* • OXYGEN • NUTRIENTS Determines which organisms live where *Photosynthetic organisms live near the surface

  3. Three types of organisms:based on location & adaptations • Plankton • Phytonplankton • zooplankton • Nekton • Benthos

  4. Plankton – microscopic drifters Phytoplankton: photosynthethic Algae (base of food chain) Zooplankton: heterotrophic microscopic organisms – jellyfish

  5. Nekton – free-swimming

  6. Benthos – bottom dwelling

  7. Decomposers

  8. 7-1 Freshwater Ecosystems

  9. These include rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. • Rivers and streams have moving water. The water may be moving fast or slow. • Lake are usually larger and deeper than ponds. • Just like in the oceans, plants and animals live in the shallow (less deep) parts. The sun shines more in the shallow parts.

  10. Lakes & Ponds • Littoral zone: near shore • Nutrient rich • Diverse life • Plants rooted in mud, stems above water

  11. Littoral zone

  12. Lakes & Ponds • Open water: • Further from shore • No rooted plants • Phytoplankton starts food chain

  13. Lakes & Ponds • Deep Water: • No light • Bacteria & decomposers live on dead things that drift down • Fish adapted to cool water

  14. Lakes & Ponds • Benthic Zone: • Bottom • Decomposers, insect larva, clams

  15. How nutrients affect lakes • Eutrophication= an increase in the amount of nutrients in an aquatic ecosystem. • Plants & algae grow • Bacteria feeding on decaying plants grow • Bacteria use oxygen in water • Reduced oxygen levels kills fish • Run-off increase nutrients

  16. Freshwater Wetlands Swamps – woody plants Poorly drained land, Marshes – non-woody plants (cattails, grasses)

  17. Function of Wetlands • Trap & filter sediments, nutrients, pollutants • Reduce flooding • Buffer shoreline against erosion • Spawning grounds & habitat for fish & shellfish • Provide habitat for rare, threatened, endangered species • Recreation

  18. Human Impact • Considered wasteland & breeders of disease carrying insects. Drained, cleared & developed. • Now we recognize importance as water purifiers & flood prevention.

  19. % of Wetlands lost . 22 states have lost 50% of wetlands7 have lost 80% (Indiana, Ill, Miss, Ky, Iowa, Calif, Ohio

  20. Rivers • Headwaters – origin may be snowmelt or rain • Full of oxygen, runs swiftly through shallow riverbed • Becomes wider, warmer, slower, contains more vegetation & less oxygen • Communities & industries affect health of rivers.

  21. Flint River

  22. Lake Lanier

  23. Atlanta’s drinking water

  24. Characteristics of Aquatic Ecosystems

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