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Freshwater & Freshwater & Marine Marine

EcosystemsEcosystems

Keep in mind that factors such as Keep in mind that factors such as temperature, sunlight, oxygen, and temperature, sunlight, oxygen, and nutrients determine which nutrients determine which organisms live in which areas of the organisms live in which areas of the water. water.

An example: sunlight reaches only a An example: sunlight reaches only a certain distance below the surface certain distance below the surface of the water, so most photosynthetic of the water, so most photosynthetic organisms live on or near the organisms live on or near the surface. surface.

Characteristics of Characteristics of Aquatic EcosystemsAquatic Ecosystems

Organisms that live in aquatic Organisms that live in aquatic ecosystems are grouped by ecosystems are grouped by their locations and their their locations and their adaptations.adaptations.

There are three groups of There are three groups of aquatic organisms: plankton, aquatic organisms: plankton, nekton, and benthos.nekton, and benthos.

Characteristics of Characteristics of Aquatic EcosystemsAquatic Ecosystems

Plankton are organisms that Plankton are organisms that cannot swim against currents, so cannot swim against currents, so they are drifters. they are drifters.

Drifting plants are called Drifting plants are called phytoplankton and are the food-phytoplankton and are the food-base for most aquatic base for most aquatic ecosystems. ecosystems.

Drifting animals, which may be Drifting animals, which may be microscopic, or as large as microscopic, or as large as jellyfish, are called zooplankton. jellyfish, are called zooplankton.

Characteristics of Characteristics of Aquatic EcosystemsAquatic Ecosystems

Nekton are free-swimming organisms Nekton are free-swimming organisms such as fish, turtles, and whales. such as fish, turtles, and whales.

Benthos are bottom-dwelling organisms, Benthos are bottom-dwelling organisms, such as mussels, worms, and barnacles. such as mussels, worms, and barnacles.

Many benthic organisms live attached to Many benthic organisms live attached to hard surfaces. hard surfaces.

Decomposers, which break down dead Decomposers, which break down dead organisms, are also present in aquatic organisms, are also present in aquatic ecosystems. ecosystems.

Characteristics of Characteristics of Aquatic EcosystemsAquatic Ecosystems

Lakes & ponds can be structured into Lakes & ponds can be structured into horizontal and vertical zones.horizontal and vertical zones.

Two main zones of standing water:Two main zones of standing water: Littoral zone—near shoreline, Littoral zone—near shoreline,

shallow, light, nutrient rich, diverse shallow, light, nutrient rich, diverse life—plankton and necktonlife—plankton and neckton

Benthic zone—bottom, dark, murkyBenthic zone—bottom, dark, murky—bottom dwellers and —bottom dwellers and decomposersdecomposers

Lakes & PondsLakes & Ponds

Build up of nutrients from decaying Build up of nutrients from decaying organisms which tends to deplete organisms which tends to deplete the oxygen supply to the free the oxygen supply to the free swimming organisms. swimming organisms.

Artificial Eutrophication occurs Artificial Eutrophication occurs when humans add fertilizers from when humans add fertilizers from runoff and cause rapid algae blooms runoff and cause rapid algae blooms and then they die, depleting the and then they die, depleting the oxygen as they decompose.oxygen as they decompose.

EutrophicationEutrophication

Have standing water part of the Have standing water part of the year.year.

2 types:2 types: Marshes—non-woody plants—Marshes—non-woody plants—

cattails, water lilies, grass, etc. cattails, water lilies, grass, etc. Florida Everglades is largest Florida Everglades is largest marsh in USmarsh in US

Swamp—woody plants—trees Swamp—woody plants—trees and bushes; Okeefenokee Swampand bushes; Okeefenokee Swamp

WetlandsWetlands

Wetlands are a natural wonder:Wetlands are a natural wonder: Wetlands act as sponges, because Wetlands act as sponges, because

they absorb and remove pollutants they absorb and remove pollutants from water; therefore, wetlands from water; therefore, wetlands improve the water qualities of lakes, improve the water qualities of lakes, rivers, and reservoirs rivers, and reservoirs

controlling water to reduce flooding; controlling water to reduce flooding; provide spawning and nursery areas provide spawning and nursery areas

for many fish for many fish providing a nesting site and resting providing a nesting site and resting

site for migratory birds; site for migratory birds; the vegetation traps carbon, which the vegetation traps carbon, which

can form coal after millions of years.can form coal after millions of years.

WetlandsWetlands

Marshes tend to occur on low Marshes tend to occur on low flatlands that have little water flatlands that have little water movementmovement

The salinity of marshes varies; The salinity of marshes varies; some marshes have slightly some marshes have slightly salty (bracksih) water, while salty (bracksih) water, while other marshes have water that other marshes have water that is as salty as the oceanis as salty as the ocean

Wetlands: MarshesWetlands: Marshes

Swamps occur on flat, poorly drained land, Swamps occur on flat, poorly drained land, often near streams.often near streams.

The species of trees and shrubs in a swamp The species of trees and shrubs in a swamp depend on the salinity of water and the depend on the salinity of water and the climate of the area. climate of the area.

For example: mangroves are trees that grow For example: mangroves are trees that grow in saltwater swamps in tropical climates.in saltwater swamps in tropical climates.

Freshwater swamps are the ideal habitat for Freshwater swamps are the ideal habitat for amphibians because of the continuously moist amphibians because of the continuously moist environments. Reptiles are found here as well. environments. Reptiles are found here as well.

Wetlands: SwampsWetlands: Swamps

The wetlands have been drained: The wetlands have been drained: to prevent the increase of mosquitoes to prevent the increase of mosquitoes

and their diseasesand their diseases to provide additional farmland for to provide additional farmland for

cropscrops to build roads, homes and businessesto build roads, homes and businesses

Federal laws now prohibit the draining Federal laws now prohibit the draining of wetlands.of wetlands.

Human Impacts on Human Impacts on WetlandsWetlands

Many rivers originate from snowmelt in Many rivers originate from snowmelt in mountains. mountains.

At its headwaters, a river is usually cold and At its headwaters, a river is usually cold and full of oxygen, and runs swiftly through a full of oxygen, and runs swiftly through a shallow riverbed. shallow riverbed.

As a river flows down a mountain, it becomes As a river flows down a mountain, it becomes warmer, wider, and slower-containing more warmer, wider, and slower-containing more vegetation and less oxygen. vegetation and less oxygen.

RiversRivers

Near the churning headwaters, mosses anchor Near the churning headwaters, mosses anchor themselves to rocks by using root-like themselves to rocks by using root-like structures called rhizoids.structures called rhizoids.

Trout and minnows are adapted to the cold, Trout and minnows are adapted to the cold, oxygen-rich headwaters. oxygen-rich headwaters.

Trout are powerful swimmers and have Trout are powerful swimmers and have streamline bodies that present little resistance streamline bodies that present little resistance to the strong current. to the strong current.

Downstream, plants set roots in the rivers rich Downstream, plants set roots in the rivers rich sediment; fish, such as catfish, also live in the sediment; fish, such as catfish, also live in the calmer waters. calmer waters.

Life in a RiverLife in a River

Communities & industries affect the health Communities & industries affect the health of rivers by drawing water to use in homes, of rivers by drawing water to use in homes, manufacturing and to dispose of their manufacturing and to dispose of their sewage and garbage. sewage and garbage.

These practices have polluted the rivers These practices have polluted the rivers with toxins that have killed river organisms with toxins that have killed river organisms and made river fish unsuitable for eating. and made river fish unsuitable for eating.

Today, runoff from the land puts pesticide Today, runoff from the land puts pesticide and other poisons into rivers and coats and other poisons into rivers and coats river beds with toxic sediments. river beds with toxic sediments.

Rivers in Danger!!!Rivers in Danger!!!

Marine ecosystems are ecosystems that Marine ecosystems are ecosystems that contain saltwater. contain saltwater.

Such ecosystems are found in & around Such ecosystems are found in & around the world’s oceans.the world’s oceans.

In the open water, the amount of In the open water, the amount of sunlight and available nutrients varies sunlight and available nutrients varies from one part of the ocean to another.from one part of the ocean to another.

In coastal areas, the water level and In coastal areas, the water level and salinity usually change during the day. salinity usually change during the day.

Marine EcosystemsMarine Ecosystems

Coastal wetlands are areas that are Coastal wetlands are areas that are covered by saltwater for all or part of a covered by saltwater for all or part of a time. time.

They provide habitat and nesting areas They provide habitat and nesting areas for many fish & wildlife. for many fish & wildlife.

They absorb excess rain, which provides They absorb excess rain, which provides areas from flooding. areas from flooding.

They filter out pollutants & sediments.They filter out pollutants & sediments. They provide recreational areas for They provide recreational areas for

boating, fishing & hunting. boating, fishing & hunting.

Coastal WetlandsCoastal Wetlands

An area in which freshwater from a river An area in which freshwater from a river mixes with saltwater from the ocean is mixes with saltwater from the ocean is known as an estuary. known as an estuary.

As the two bodies of water meet, currents As the two bodies of water meet, currents form and cause mineral rich mud and form and cause mineral rich mud and dissolve nutrients to fall to the bottom.dissolve nutrients to fall to the bottom.

In many ways, they are a nutrient trap that In many ways, they are a nutrient trap that provides available nutrients to producers.provides available nutrients to producers.

They are very productive ecosystem They are very productive ecosystem because they constantly receive fresh because they constantly receive fresh nutrients from the river. nutrients from the river.

EstuariesEstuaries

Estuaries support many marine Estuaries support many marine organisms because they receive plenty of organisms because they receive plenty of light for photosynthesis and plenty of light for photosynthesis and plenty of nutrients for plants and animals. (rooted nutrients for plants and animals. (rooted plants & plankton)plants & plankton)

Light & nutrients Light & nutrients plants & plankton plants & plankton fish fish dolphins, manatees, ottersdolphins, manatees, otters

Oysters, barnacles, and clams live Oysters, barnacles, and clams live anchored to marsh grass or rocks and anchored to marsh grass or rocks and feed by filtering plankton out of the feed by filtering plankton out of the water. (varying salinity)water. (varying salinity)

Plants & Animals of Plants & Animals of EstuariesEstuaries

LandfillLandfill Sewage, industrial waste, & agricultural Sewage, industrial waste, & agricultural

runoffrunoff Majority of the pollutants eventually Majority of the pollutants eventually

break down over time, but estuaries break down over time, but estuaries cannot cope with the excessive amounts cannot cope with the excessive amounts produced by dense human populationsproduced by dense human populations

Threats to EstuariesThreats to Estuaries

In estuaries where rivers deposit their In estuaries where rivers deposit their load of mineral-rich mud, salt marshes load of mineral-rich mud, salt marshes are formed.are formed.

Salt marshes support a community of Salt marshes support a community of clams, fish, and aquatic birds and also clams, fish, and aquatic birds and also act as a nursery for many species of act as a nursery for many species of shrimp, crabs, and fish. shrimp, crabs, and fish.

Salt marshes, like other wetlands, absorb Salt marshes, like other wetlands, absorb pollutants and protect inland areas.pollutants and protect inland areas.

Salt MarshesSalt Marshes

Mangroves are several species of small Mangroves are several species of small trees adapted for growing in shallow trees adapted for growing in shallow saltwater.saltwater.

Dense growths of mangrove trees in Dense growths of mangrove trees in swampy areas are called mangrove swampy areas are called mangrove swamps and are found in tropical and swamps and are found in tropical and subtropical zones. subtropical zones.

They help to protect the coastline from They help to protect the coastline from erosion and reduce the damage from erosion and reduce the damage from storms. storms.

Mangrove SwampsMangrove Swamps

Rocky shores have many more plant and Rocky shores have many more plant and animal species than sandy shores. animal species than sandy shores.

The rocks provide anchorage for seaweed The rocks provide anchorage for seaweed and the many animals that live on it, such and the many animals that live on it, such as sea anemones, mussels, and sponges.as sea anemones, mussels, and sponges.

Sandy shoresSandy shores less biodiversity but still less biodiversity but still abundant in lifeabundant in life

The animals here are adapted to the The animals here are adapted to the effects of drying and exposure to low tide effects of drying and exposure to low tide

Barrier islands often run parallel to sandy Barrier islands often run parallel to sandy shores and help to protect the mainland shores and help to protect the mainland and the coastal wetlands from storms and and the coastal wetlands from storms and ocean waves.ocean waves.

Rocky & Sandy ShoresRocky & Sandy Shores

Coral reefs are limestone ridges built by Coral reefs are limestone ridges built by tiny coral animals called coral polyps and tiny coral animals called coral polyps and the algae that live inside them. the algae that live inside them.

Coral polyps secrete skeletons of Coral polyps secrete skeletons of limestone (calcium carbonate) which limestone (calcium carbonate) which slowly accumulate and form coral reefs. slowly accumulate and form coral reefs.

Coral reefs are among the most diverse Coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems on earth. Because reef-ecosystems on earth. Because reef-building corals live only in warm building corals live only in warm saltwater where there is enough light for saltwater where there is enough light for photosynthesis, they are found in photosynthesis, they are found in shallow, clear, tropical seas.shallow, clear, tropical seas.

They are a habitat for a magnificent They are a habitat for a magnificent variety of fish, snails, clams, sponges, variety of fish, snails, clams, sponges, and many different other types of and many different other types of organisms.organisms.

Coral ReefsCoral Reefs

They are fragile ecosystems.They are fragile ecosystems. If the surrounding waters are too hot or If the surrounding waters are too hot or

cold for too long or if it is too muddy, cold for too long or if it is too muddy, polluted or high in nutrients, the algae polluted or high in nutrients, the algae that live in the coral will leave or die. As a that live in the coral will leave or die. As a result, the corals turn white-a condition result, the corals turn white-a condition called coral bleaching.called coral bleaching.

Since the 20Since the 20thth century, bleaching events century, bleaching events have been occurring more & more have been occurring more & more frequently, mainly due to human activities.frequently, mainly due to human activities.

In addition=global warming, oil spills, and In addition=global warming, oil spills, and polluting runoffpolluting runoff

Coral Reefs in Coral Reefs in Danger!!!Danger!!!

Much of the oceans life in concentrated Much of the oceans life in concentrated in the shallow, coastal waters. This in the shallow, coastal waters. This occurs because water absorbs light, occurs because water absorbs light, sunlight that plants can use for sunlight that plants can use for photosynthesis, penetrates only about photosynthesis, penetrates only about 330 feet into the ocean.330 feet into the ocean.

Seaweed, algae, phytoplankton Seaweed, algae, phytoplankton invertebrates & fish are also invertebrates & fish are also concentrated near the shoreconcentrated near the shore

OceansOceans

Phytoplankton grow only in areas where Phytoplankton grow only in areas where there’s enough light and nutrients. As a there’s enough light and nutrients. As a result, the open ocean is one of the least result, the open ocean is one of the least productive of all the ecosystems. productive of all the ecosystems.

The seas smallest herbivores are the The seas smallest herbivores are the zooplankton (jellyfish, tiny shrimp), zooplankton (jellyfish, tiny shrimp), which live near the surface with the which live near the surface with the phytoplankton they eat. phytoplankton they eat.

The depths of the ocean are perpetually The depths of the ocean are perpetually dark, so most food at the ocean floor dark, so most food at the ocean floor consists of dead organisms. consists of dead organisms. Decomposers & filter feeders and the Decomposers & filter feeders and the organisms that eat them live in deep organisms that eat them live in deep areas of the ocean. areas of the ocean.

Plants & Animals of Plants & Animals of OceansOceans

Oceans are steadily becoming more Oceans are steadily becoming more polluted, which arises from activities on polluted, which arises from activities on land. Example: runoff from fertilized land. Example: runoff from fertilized fields = algae blooms. Waste from cities fields = algae blooms. Waste from cities & industries, fertilizers, and sewage & industries, fertilizers, and sewage running off the land are the main sources running off the land are the main sources of coastal pollution in the US. of coastal pollution in the US.

Over fishing and certain fishing methods Over fishing and certain fishing methods are also destroying some fish are also destroying some fish populations. (trawl nets)populations. (trawl nets)

Threats to the Ocean Threats to the Ocean

The arctic ecosystems at the north and The arctic ecosystems at the north and south poles are marine ecosystems south poles are marine ecosystems because nearly all the food comes from because nearly all the food comes from the oceans and seas. the oceans and seas.

The arctic ocean is rich in nutrients from The arctic ocean is rich in nutrients from the surrounding land masses and the surrounding land masses and supports large populations of plankton supports large populations of plankton fish fish birds, whales and seals birds, whales and seals polar polar bears, peoplebears, people

The Antarctic is the only continent never The Antarctic is the only continent never colonized by humans. Plankton colonized by humans. Plankton fish fish whales, penguins which cannot fly whales, penguins which cannot fly because their wings have evolved for because their wings have evolved for swimmingswimming

Arctic & Antarctic Arctic & Antarctic EcosystemsEcosystems