Aquatic Biomes and Ecosystems

Flashcards covering aquatic organism classification, marine zones, freshwater lake and river systems, and coastal wetland terminology based on the lecture notes.

Plankton

Free floaters in the water including Plant-like (Phyto), animal-like (Zoo), and bacteria-like (Ultra) types.

Nekton

Organisms categorized as strong swimmers.

Benthos

Organisms that are bottom dwellers.

Decomposers

Organisms like Bacteria that break down organic matter.

Chemosynthesis

The process of using chemicals to create food, occurring at black smoker vents.

Euphotic Zone

The top layer of the ocean with true light, all planktons, high light for photosynthesis, high dissolved oxygen ($DO$), and low nutrients.

Bathyal Zone

The middle ocean zone characterized by twilight, low light, low photosynthesis, low $DO$, zooplankton, and nekton.

Abyssal Zone

The dark, cold deep-water zone with low $DO$, benthos organisms, and high nutrients.

Turbidity

The cloudiness of $H_2O$ caused by suspended particles like silt.

Coral Bleaching

A phenomenon where coral becomes too warm and the zooxanthellae leave the skeleton.

Estuaries

Temperate zones where river water meets the sea, characterized by brackish water.

Mangrove forests

Coastal wetlands found in tropical zones containing brackish water.

Brackish water

A mixture between fresh and salt water.

Littoral zone

The shallow nearshore area of a lake with high light, very high photosynthesis, and nutrients from surrounding land.

Limnetic zone

The shallow lake zone away from the shore that receives high sunlight for phytoplankton and photosynthesis.

Profundal zone

A lake zone where light and photosynthesis are low, and plants and animals adapt to dark, cooler $H_2O$.

Benthic zone

The dark, deep, cold bottom of a lake containing decomposers, debris feeders, and nutrients.

Oligotrophic Lake

A lake that is deep, clear, and cold with low nutrients.

Eutrophic Lake

A lake with too many nutrients, leading to algae blooms, decreased light for bottom plants, and low $DO$ that can kill fish.

Lake Overturn

A process occurring twice a year (Spring and Fall) when water layers become the same temperature and mix, bringing nutrients up from the bottom.

Source Zone

The headwater/mountain area of a lotic system with shallow, clear, cold, swift water, high $DO$, and low nutrients.

Transition Zone

A river zone where streams merge, becoming deeper, wider, warmer, and cloudier with lower $DO$.

Floodplain Zone

The widest and deepest river zone with flow across flat valleys, characterized by high sediment (muddy), low $DO$, and high nutrients.

Back Dune

The part of a barrier beach system most suitable for development.

Secondary Dune

A dune area intended for limited recreation and walkways, with no direct passage or building permitted.