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Marine Ecosystems. Salt water!!!. Life in the Oceans. EVERYTING is shaped by abiotic factors ALL shapes and sizes . They are the base of the food chain and the most abundant producers. . Temperature. The temperature of the water goes down as the water gets deeper .
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Marine Ecosystems Salt water!!!
Life in the Oceans EVERYTING is shaped by abioticfactors ALL shapes and sizes They are the base of the food chain and the most abundant producers.
Temperature The temperature of the water goes down as the water gets deeper. Temperature affects the animals that live in the marine ecosystems. Animals that live close to the poles have adaptations to survive in freezing water. Corals need warm water to live. If the temperature changes too much it can cause some animals to die.
Intertidal Zone Where the ocean meets the land. Because of the tides, sometimes this area is exposed to the air. The Intertidal zone organisms have adaptations to survive exposure to the air and from being washed away by the waves.
dddd Rocky Sandy Intertidal Animals
..more zones Neritic Zone Oceanic Zone As you move away from the shore, the water becomes deeper and the ocean floor starts to slope downward. The water is warm & receives a lot of sunlight In this zone the sea floor drops sharply. Contains the “deep water”
The Benthic Zone The ocean floor. The deepest parts do not get any sunlight and are very cold. Animals that live in the benhtic zone are adapted to living in the deep, dark water. Many animals feed on parts that sink from above. Some organisms, get energy form chemicals released from thermal vents in the ocean floor.
Coral Reefs Found in warm, shallow areas of the neritic zone. Coral reefs are made of coral skeletons that have built up over thousands of years. Coral reefs are home to thousands of species animals and plants.
Estuaries An estuary is where fresh water from rivers and streams spill into the ocean. It is so rich in nutrients since salt water and fresh water are mixing, that large amounts of plankton live here.
Sargasso Sea In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean sits floating “rafts” of algae called sargassum, thus called the Sargasso Sea. Organisms live here to find shelter and food as well as mates.
Streams and Rivers Each stream that joins a larger stream is called a tributary.As tributaries are added in the stream grows bigger and bigger until it becomes a wide strong steam called a river. The water may flow from melting ice or snow or even come from a spring
Streams and Rivers Just like all other ecosystems, streams and rivers are characterized by their abiotic factors. Animals have adaptations to live in open water as well as adaptations to live in fast moving streams and rivers. An important abiotic factor in freshwater ecosystems is how quickly the water moves.
There are 3 zones in a pond or lake. Littoral Zone Open-water Zone Deep-water Zone Pond and Lake Ecosystems
Life Near the Shore The area of water closest to the edge of the lake or pond where the water is shallow is the littoral zone. Since sunlight reaches the bottom of the littoral zone, algae and plants can grow here. Floating leaf plants also grow here.
Life Away from the Shore The open water zone is the zone that extends from the littoral zone across the top of the water. It is only as deep as sunlight can reach. Animals like bass, lake trout and other fishes as well as plankton live here.
..Life Away from the Shore Beneath the open water zone is the deep-water zone where no light reaches. Catfish, carp, worms, crustaceans, fungi and bacterial live here. These organisms often feed on dead organisms that sink from above.
WETLANDS A wetland is an area of land that is periodically underwater or whose soil contains a great deal of moisture. Wet lands are important because they help in flood control! During heavy rains or when the spring snow melts, wetlands soak up large amounts of water. The water in wetlands also soak up more water and replenish underground water supplies.
Wetland Ecosystems A treeless wetland ecosystem where plants, like grasses grow is a MARSH. Often found in shallow areas along the shores of lakes, ponds and rivers. The plants in a marsh depend on the depth of the water.
Wetland Ecosystems A wetland ecosystem where trees and vines grow is called a SWAMP. Swamps are found in low-lying areas near slow moving rivers. Most swamps are flooded part of the year, depending on the year.