Aquatic Ecosystems

Flashcards about aquatic ecosystems including definition of zones, nutrient levels, and stream characteristics

Aquatic Ecosystems

Ecosystems classified according to saltwater (marine) or freshwater (lotic or lentic).

Lotic

Flowing water ecosystem.

Lentic

Nonflowing water ecosystem.

Littoral Zone

Shallow-water zone in which light reaches the bottom of a lake.

Limnetic Zone

Open water zone that extends to the depth of light penetration in a lake.

Euphotic Zone

From the surface to the depth of the light compensation point in a lake.

Profundal Zone

Beyond the depth of effective light penetration in a lake; compensation depth for producers.

Benthic Zone

Bottom region of a lake that is the primary place of decomposition.

Eutrophic

A lake rich in nutrients.

Oligotrophic

A lake poor in nutrients.

Dystrophic

Lakes with brown, acidic waters, such as bogs or peat lands.

Stream Order

Classification of flowing-water ecosystems, where headwater streams are 1st order and order increases when two streams of the same order meet.

Riffle

Turbulent section of a flowing-water ecosystem with high primary production.

Pool

Quiet section of a flowing-water ecosystem where organic matter settles and decomposition is high.

Shredders

Aquatic invertebrates that feed on CPOM (> 1 mm in diameter).

Collectors

Aquatic invertebrates that feed on FPOM (1mm - 0.45 mm).

Grazers

Aquatic invertebrates feed on the algae coating substrate.