Aquatic ecosystems

environmental

Estuaries

Transition zones between rivers and oceans characterized by brackish waters and sheltered habitats.

Florida Everglades

The largest mangrove habitat in the world.

Watersheds

Land areas that channel all snowmelt and rainfall to a singular point.

Groundwater

Connects marine and freshwater systems.

Photoautotrophs

Organisms that require light for photosynthesis, primarily found in aquatic ecosystems.

Phytoplankton

Primary producers in the pelagic zone, starting most oceanic food webs.

Salinity

Measure of all salts dissolved in water, increasing with depth.

pH

Measure of acidity, with rainwater being slightly acidic and seawater slightly basic.

Seasonal turnover

Process where warm surface water cools, becomes denser, and sinks, recycling nutrients in lakes.

Nutrients

Essential for productivity in aquatic ecosystems, supplied by sediments or upwellings of deep sea ocean currents.

Turbidity

Measure of dissolved/suspended solutes in water, affected by sediment run-off.

Saltwater Intrusion

Movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers, often due to irrigation.

Ocean Acidification

Process where CO₂ diffuses into the ocean, forming carbonic acid and affecting marine life.

Climate Change

Warming of the ocean primarily due to greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.

Eutrophication

Overgrowth of algae due to fertilizer run-off, leading to oxygen depletion in water.

Dams

Structures that trap sediment, decreasing nutrient supply downstream and impacting fish migration.

Mangroves

Biodiverse ecosystems that prevent coastal erosion and provide nurseries for marine life.

Overfishing

Decline of fish stocks due to unregulated fishing technologies and the tragedy of the commons.

Keystone Species

Species with a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem; their loss leads to biodiversity decline.

Invasive Species

Non-native species introduced by humans that disrupt food webs and decrease biodiversity.