APES - Aquatic Biomes

Freshwater Lakes and Ponds - Climate & Flow

Standing or still water (lentic); temperature varies by season and depth; thermocline forms in summer.

Freshwater Lakes and Ponds - Nutrients & Productivity

Oligotrophic lakes are clear and nutrient-poor; eutrophic lakes are nutrient-rich and more productive.

Freshwater Lakes and Ponds - Adaptations

Plants rooted in shallows; fish and plankton adapted to oxygen and light zones.

Freshwater Lakes and Ponds - Decomposition & Human Impact

Moderate decomposition; human impacts include eutrophication, runoff pollution, and invasive species.

Rivers and Streams - Climate & Flow

Constantly flowing water (lotic); temperature and speed vary with elevation and location.

Rivers and Streams - Nutrients & Productivity

Low nutrients at source, increasing downstream; oxygen-rich in headwaters.

Rivers and Streams - Adaptations

Organisms cling to rocks or are streamlined; fish swim efficiently in current.

Rivers and Streams - Decomposition & Human Impact

Rapid decomposition due to oxygen; dams and pollution alter flow and ecosystems.

Wetlands - Climate & Flow

Shallow, standing or slow-moving water; can be seasonal or permanent.

Wetlands - Nutrients & Productivity

Extremely nutrient-rich and productive; support dense plant and animal life.

Wetlands - Adaptations

Plants tolerate saturated soils and low oxygen; animals adapted for both land and water.

Wetlands - Decomposition & Human Impact

Slow decomposition in low-oxygen soil; humans drain wetlands for agriculture and development.

Estuaries - Climate & Flow

Where rivers meet the ocean; tidal mixing of fresh and saltwater (brackish).

Estuaries - Nutrients & Productivity

Among the most productive ecosystems; nutrient input from land and sea.

Estuaries - Adaptations

Organisms tolerate large salinity changes; serve as nurseries for many marine species.

Estuaries - Decomposition & Human Impact

Decomposition is high; pollution, dredging, and development harm estuaries.

Coral Reefs - Climate & Flow

Found in warm, shallow tropical oceans (23-29°C) with moderate wave action.

Coral Reefs - Nutrients & Productivity

Nutrient-poor water but extremely productive due to coral-algae symbiosis.

Coral Reefs - Adaptations

Corals house zooxanthellae; fish display bright colors, camouflage, and symbiosis.

Coral Reefs - Decomposition & Human Impact

Rapid nutrient recycling; human impacts include bleaching, acidification, and overfishing.

Open Ocean (Pelagic Zone) - Climate & Flow

Covers most of Earth's surface; constant waves and currents; temperature varies with depth.

Open Ocean - Nutrients & Productivity

Generally low productivity except in nutrient upwelling zones.

Open Ocean - Adaptations

Organisms have buoyancy adaptations, migration patterns, and bioluminescence.

Open Ocean - Decomposition & Human Impact

Slow decomposition in deep water; human impacts include overfishing, plastic pollution, and oil spills.