Transcript Day 34_ Aquatic_Ecosystemsx

Aquatic Ecosystems
Aquatic Ecosystems
• Freshwater
–Ponds & Lakes
–Streams &
Rivers
–Wetlands
• Marine
– Mangroves
*Sargasso Sea
– Open Oceans
– Coral Reefs
– Estuaries
– Hydrothermal vents
– Kelp Forest
Freshwater
•Ponds & Lakes
•Streams & Rivers
•Wetlands
Freshwater Ponds
• Freshwater=low salt (<1%)
• Ponds – seasonal or 100+ years,
limited species
• Ponds -3 Zones based
on sunlight
• Photosynthesis impacts species
Parts of a lake – How would each layer
be affected by light and oxygen?
A Lake Ecosystem
Ponds and
Lakes
Streams & Rivers
• Water moving in one direction
• Headwaters  Mouth
• Water is cleaner until the end
www.noaa.gov/str-plan/images/river.gif
Stream vs. River
•
Trout stream, NW NJ
Mississippi R. Greenville, MS
Mouth
• Mississippi River
delta
Review question: What
Is the difference
Between a delta and an
Alluvial fan?
Life in a River
• Mosses anchor themselves to rocks.
• Trout and minnows are adapted to the cold, oxygen
rich water.
• Plankton can float in the warmer, calmer waters.
• Plants here can set roots in the river’s rich sediment.
• Fish such as catfish and carp also live in these calmer
waters.
Streams &
Rivers
Rivers in Danger
• Trash
• Pollution
• Run-off from Agriculture
Wetlands
• Standing water that support
aquatic plants
Examples: Marshes, swamps, and
bogs
– Lots of diversity
–Fresh or Brackish
–Help to reduce flooding
–Filter pollution
Freshwater Wetlands
Environmental Functions of Wetlands
Wetlands
Plants
• Moist and humid conditions
Pond lilies
Cattails
Tamarack
Gum
Sedges
Black Spruce
Cypress
Wetlands
•
CA
OR
AK
River Otter
Wetlands
Damselfly
Crayfish
Catfish
Snails
Leech
Sculpin
Minnow
Dragonfly
Bluegill
Canadian Goose
Bass
Snakes
Frog
Great Blue Heron
Mayfly
Turtle
Eutrophication
• Too many nutrients
• Phosphorus
(Detergent)
• Nitrogen (Fertilizer,
Animal Waste)
• NOT GOOD- Plants
overgrow
• Cuts off light and
oxygen levels
Marsh
• Lots in U.S.
• Occur along
streams
• Wet soil and
no trees
Swamp
• Wood vegetation
• Common in
Southeast U.S.
Human Impact on Wetlands
• Used to think they were breeding ground for insects
• Most have been cleared for development
• Laws protect wetlands now
Mangroves – trees grow in salty water
Plants and Animals of Estuaries
• Rooted plants and plankton.
• Provide food for plants.
• Oysters and Clams on rocks
• Can tolerate variations in salinity
Threats to Estuaries
• Trash
• Pollutants- sewage, pesticides, fertilizers, and toxic
chemicals.
Estuaries
• Estuary is an area where fresh and salt water
mix
– Very productive- nutrients from river and not in
ocean so they are protected from waves
Sargasso Sea- affected by currents
Kelp Forest-protection/food
Hydrothermal Vents- deep ocean,
chemosynthesis
Review Questions
• Name one example of a freshwater vs. marine
ecosystem
• Describe 1 characteristic of a… freshwater pond,
stream/river, wetland, marsh, swamp, estuary,
mangrove, Sargasso Sea, Kelp Forest,
Hydrothermal Vent.
• What are the benefits of wetlands and why are
they being destroyed?
• What is Eutrophication?
• Which ecosystems are in North Carolina?