APES Aquatic Biomes Review

Littoral Zone

The shallow area of soil and water near the shore where algae and emergent plants such as cattails grow in a lake or pond biome

Limnetic Zone

A zone of open water in lakes in ponds

Phytoplankton

Floating algae (Photosynthetic)

Profundal Zone

Region of water where sunlight does not reach, below the limnetic zone in very deep lakes

Benthic Zone

The muddy bottom of a lake, pond, or ocean

Oligotrophic

Describes a lake with a low level of productivity due to low amounts of nutrients such as phophorous and nitrogen in the water.

Mesotrophic

Describes a lake with a moderate level of productivity

Eutrophic

Describes a lake with a high level of productivity due to too much phosphorous and nitrogen running off into the water from fertilizer and animal and human waste.

Freshwater Wetland

A biome; aquatic biomes that are submerged or saturated by water for at least part of each year, but shallow enough to support emergent vegetation

Salt Marsh

A biome; a marsh containing nonwoody emergent vegetation, found along the coast in temperate climates

Mangrove Swamps

A biome; occur along tropical and subtropical coasts and contains salt-tolerant trees with roots submerged in water

Intertidal Zone

The narrow band of coastline between the levels of high tide and low tide

Coral Reefs

A biome; are found in warm, shallow waters beyond the shoreline, represent Earth's most diverse marine biome

Coral Bleaching

A phenomenon in which the algae inside the corals die which soon causes the corals to turn white

Open ocean

A biome; Deep ocean water, located away from the shoreline where sunlight can no longer reach the ocean bottom

Photic Zone

The upper layer of water that receives enough sunlight to allow photosynthesis

Aphotic Zone

The deeper layer of water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis

Chemosynthesis

Process in which bacteria deep in the ocean use the bonds of methane and hydrogen sulfide to generate energy

Freshwater Wetlands

this aquatic biome provides several critical ecosystem services such as slowing the flow of water from land to groundwater and nearby streams which decreases flooding and droughts.

Freshwater Wetlands

this aquatic biome naturally filters pollutants from water, recharging the groundwater with clean water.

Freshwater Wetlands

Many bird species depend on this biome during migration or breeding.

Estuary

A habitat in which the fresh water of a river meets the salt water of the ocean. Many salt marshes are found here.

Salt Marshes

This biome provides important habitat for spawning fish and shellfish; 2/3rds of marine fish and shellfish species spend their larval stages here.

Mangrove Swamps

This biome contain trees that help protect the coastline from erosion and storm damage. It also provides sheltered habitat for fish and shellfish.

Intertidal Zone

Environmental conditions in this biome can become quite harsh during low tide when organisms are exposed to direct sunlight and desication (driying out). Waves crasing onto shore can also make it challenging for organisms to hold on and not get washed away.