Foothill High School Science Department The Biosphere Aquatic Ecosystems

Foothill High School Science DepartmentFoothill High School Science DepartmentFoothill High School Science DepartmentFoothill High School Science Department

The BiosphereThe Biosphere

Aquatic EcosystemsAquatic EcosystemsAquatic EcosystemsAquatic Ecosystems


Aquatic EcosystemsAquatic Ecosystems

Key Concept:Key Concept:

Aquatic ecosystems are determined Aquatic ecosystems are determined primarily by the:primarily by the:

• DepthDepth• FlowFlow• temperaturetemperature• ChemistryChemistry

of the overlying water.of the overlying water.


Marine EcosystemsMarine Ecosystems

• NOTNOT Geographical like land biomes Geographical like land biomes

• Grouped by Abiotic Factors e.g.Grouped by Abiotic Factors e.g.

– DepthDepth

– Distance from shoreDistance from shore

– LightLight

– Water ChemistryWater Chemistry

– Latitude (Temperature)Latitude (Temperature)


Freshwater EcosystemsFreshwater Ecosystems

• ONLY 3%ONLY 3% of the Biospheres Water of the Biospheres Water

Key ConceptKey Concept::

–Freshwater ecosystems can be Freshwater ecosystems can be divided into two main types:divided into two main types:

• Flowing Water EcosystemsFlowing Water Ecosystems

• Standing Water EcosystemsStanding Water Ecosystems


Freshwater EcosystemsFreshwater Ecosystems

Flowing Water EcosystemsFlowing Water Ecosystems

–Rivers, streams, creeksRivers, streams, creeks

–Organisms adapted to flow rateOrganisms adapted to flow rate


Usually Turbulent Near SourceUsually Turbulent Near SourceUsually Turbulent at the Source


Meanders At Lower ElevationsMeanders At Lower ElevationsBecomes Meandering at Lower Elevations


Standing Water EcosystemsStanding Water Ecosystems

Lakes & Ponds•Water flows in and out

•Water also circulates within



PlanktonGeneral term for weakly swimming organisms that

live in aquatic environments

ZooplanktonAnimal Plankton

PhytoplanktonAlgae, Producers, Food Web Base,

Photoautotrophs





LAKE TURNOVERLAKE TURNOVERCourtesy of www.epa.govCourtesy of www.epa.gov


Freshwater WetlandsFreshwater Wetlands

• Water is on or very near the surfaceWater is on or very near the surface• BogsBogs

– Acid, thick sphagnum mossAcid, thick sphagnum moss• MarshesMarshes

– Shallow wetlands along rivers, flows Shallow wetlands along rivers, flows slowlyslowly

• SwampsSwamps– Marsh with trees & shrubsMarsh with trees & shrubs


Peat BogPeat Bog


Peat BogPeat BogTollund Man

Denmark

ROPE Throat Cut

400 B.C. – 400 A.D.


MarshMarsh


SwampSwamp


EstuariesEstuariesEstuariesEstuaries

• Wetlands formed where rivers meet the Wetlands formed where rivers meet the seasea

• Both Salt & Fresh WaterBoth Salt & Fresh Water

– Mixed by tidesMixed by tides

• Few Herbivores, energy enters food Few Herbivores, energy enters food web as web as detritusdetritus..

– Tiny pieces of organic materialTiny pieces of organic material


EstuariesEstuaries• Vast amounts of biomassVast amounts of biomass

• Spawning & nursery groundsSpawning & nursery grounds– Fish, crabs, shellfish & shrimpFish, crabs, shellfish & shrimp

• Salt MarshesSalt Marshes– Temperate zone estuariesTemperate zone estuaries

– Salt tolerant grass above low tideSalt tolerant grass above low tide

– Sea grass belowSea grass below


SALT MARSH


EstuariesEstuaries• Mangrove SwampsMangrove Swamps

–TropicalTropical coastal wetland coastal wetland

–Salt tolerant treesSalt tolerant trees

–Nurseries for fish, shellfish & Nurseries for fish, shellfish & shrimpshrimp


Mangrove Swamp


Marine EcosystemsMarine Ecosystems• Immense & DeepImmense & Deep• Photic ZonePhotic Zone

– Photosynthesis possible, Light Photosynthesis possible, Light PenetrationPenetration

– 0-200 meters Deep0-200 meters Deep

• Aphotic ZoneAphotic Zone– Permanently darkPermanently dark– Contains Chemosynthetic Contains Chemosynthetic

AutotrophsAutotrophs


Key concept:Key concept:Marine ecosystems are divided byMarine ecosystems are divided by

Distance from shore & depthDistance from shore & depth

Intertidal ZoneIntertidal Zone

Coastal Ocean/Neritic Zone Coastal Ocean/Neritic Zone

Bathyal ZoneBathyal Zone

Abyssal ZoneAbyssal Zone





IntertidalIntertidal• Organisms exposed to regular Organisms exposed to regular

and extreme changes. (tides)and extreme changes. (tides)

• ZonationZonation–Permanent Horizontal Banding of Permanent Horizontal Banding of

lifeforms In The Intertidal Zonelifeforms In The Intertidal Zone


Intertidal ZonationIntertidal Zonation


Coastal Ocean = Neritic ZoneCoastal Ocean = Neritic Zone

• From Low Tide Mark to edge of From Low Tide Mark to edge of Continental Shelf.Continental Shelf.

• Usually In Usually In Photic ZonePhotic Zone

• Contains Kelp forestsContains Kelp forests– Most Productive Coastal Ocean Most Productive Coastal Ocean

CommunitiesCommunities

– Giant Brown AlgaeGiant Brown Algae• Grow 50 cm per DayGrow 50 cm per Day


Kelp ForestKelp Forest


Kelp ForestKelp Forest


Coral ReefsCoral Reefs• Warm shallow water of tropical, Warm shallow water of tropical,

coastal oceans support coral reefs.coastal oceans support coral reefs.

• Calcium Carbonate ShellsCalcium Carbonate Shells

• Related to jellyfishRelated to jellyfish

• Symbiotic relationship with algaeSymbiotic relationship with algae


Coral ReefsCoral Reefs


Bathyal ZoneBathyal ZoneBathyal ZoneBathyal Zone

Extends From:Extends From:– Edge of the Neritic ZoneEdge of the Neritic Zone– Base of the Continental ShelfBase of the Continental Shelf

• 200 – 2,000 meters deep200 – 2,000 meters deep

• Turbid & MurkyTurbid & Murky

• High PressureHigh Pressure

• Numerous burrowing animalsNumerous burrowing animals


Abyssal ZoneAbyssal Zone• Ocean floor below 2,000 metersOcean floor below 2,000 meters

• Complete DarknessComplete Darkness

• Organisms are called benthosOrganisms are called benthos

• Organic RainOrganic Rain

• Thermal VentsThermal Vents


Abyssal ZoneAbyssal Zone



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Foothill High School Science Department The Biosphere Aquatic Ecosystems