Chapter 8: Aquatic Biodiversity

Euphotic zone

________: Phytoplankton, nutrient level low, dissolved oxygen levels high.

Formation

Tiny animals (polyps) and algae have mutualistic relationships

Warmer ocean temperatures leading to coral bleaching

Kill algae and thus the polyps

Saltwater

The global ocean is divided into 4 areas

Freshwater

Any naturally occurring liquid or frozen water containing low concentrations of dissolved salts and other total dissolved solids

Saltwater life zones (marine life zones)

Oceans, estuaries, coastlands, shorelines, coral reefs, and mangrove forests

Freshwater life zones

Lakes, rivers, streams, and inland wetlands

Plankton

Free floating

Phytoplankton

Primary producers for most aquatic food webs

Zooplankton

Primary and secondary consumers

Ultraplankton

Tiny photosynthetic bacteria

Nekton

Strong swimmers

Examples

Fish, turtles, whales, etc

Benthos

Bottom dwellers

Examples

Oysters, sea stars, clams, lobsters, crabs, etc

Decomposers

Mostly bacteria

Turbidity

Degree of cloudiness in the water, inhibits photosynthesis

Coastal zone

Warm, nutrient-rich, shallow

Estuaries/Coastal Wetlands

Where rivers meet the sea and seawater mixes with freshwater (ex

Seagrass Beds

Grow underwater in shallow areas, support a variety of marine species, stabilize shorelines, and reduce wave impact

Mangrove forests

Along tropical and subtropical coastlines, 69 different tree species grow in saltwater

Intertidal zone

Rocky shores or sandy shores which have barrier beaches

Euphotic zone

Phytoplankton, nutrient level low, dissolved oxygen levels high

Bathyal zone

Dimly lit, zooplankton and smaller fishes

Abyssal zone

Dark and cold, high levels of nutrients, little dissolved oxygen, deposit feeders, filter feeders

Point source pollution

Discharge pollutants at specific locations

Standing (lentic) bodies of freshwater

Lakes, ponds, inland wetlant=ds

Flowing (lotic) systems of freshwater

Streams and rivers

Littoral zone

Near shore where rooted plants grow, high biodiversity,

Examples

Turtles, frogs, crayfish, and some fish

Limnetic zone

Sunlight area away from shore, main photosynthetic zone, some larger fish

Profundal zone

Deepwater too dark for photosynthesis, low oxygen levels, with some fish

Benthic zone

Decomposers, detritus feeders, and some fish, nourished primarily by dead matter

Oligotrophic Lakes

Low levels of nutrients and low NPP with very clear water

Eutrophic Lakes

High levels of nutrients and high NPP and murky water with high turbidity

Mesotrophic Lakes

Commonly clear water lakes and ponds with beds of submerged aquatic plants and medium levels of nutrients

Cultural Eutrophication

This occurs when sewage, detergents, fertilizers, and other nutrient sources are introduced into the ecosystem as a result of human water pollution, accelerating the aging process

Freshwater

Any naturally occurring liquid or frozen water containing low concentrations of dissolved salts and other total dissolved solids.

Saltwater life zones (marine life zones)

Oceans, estuaries, coastlands, shorelines, coral reefs, and mangrove forests.

Freshwater life zones

Lakes, rivers, streams, and inland wetlands

Phytoplankton

Primary producers for most aquatic food webs

Zooplankton

Primary and secondary consumers. Single-celled to large invertebrates like jellyfish

Ultraplankton

Tiny photosynthetic bacteria

Benthos

Bottom dwellers

Turbidity

Degree of cloudiness in the water, inhibits photosynthesis

Coastal zone

Warm, nutrient-rich, shallow. Shore to the edge of a continent shelf.

Estuaries/Coastal Wetlands

Where rivers meet the sea and seawater mixes with freshwater (ex. river mouths, inlets, bays, sounds, salt marshes, and mangrove forests.)

Seagrass Beds

Grow underwater in shallow areas, support a variety of marine species, stabilize shorelines, and reduce wave impact.

Mangrove forests

Along tropical and subtropical coastlines, 69 different tree species grow in saltwater

Intertidal zone

Rocky shores or sandy shores which have barrier beaches

Euphotic zone

Phytoplankton, nutrient level low, dissolved oxygen levels high.

Bathyal zone

Dimly lit, zooplankton and smaller fishes

Abyssal zone

Dark and cold, high levels of nutrients, little dissolved oxygen, deposit feeders, filter feeders

Point source pollution

Discharge pollutants at specific locations

Standing (lentic) bodies of freshwater

Lakes, ponds, inland wetlands

Flowing (lotic) systems of freshwater

Streams and rivers

Littoral zone

Near shore where rooted plants grow, high biodiversity,

Limnetic zone

Sunlight area away from shore, main photosynthetic zone, some larger fish

Profundal zone

Deepwater too dark for photosynthesis, low oxygen levels, with some fish

Benthic zone

Decomposers, detritus feeders, and some fish, nourished primarily by dead matter

Oligotrophic Lakes

Low levels of nutrients and low NPP with very clear water

Eutrophic Lakes

High levels of nutrients and high NPP and murky water with high turbidity

Mesotrophic Lakes

Commonly clear water lakes and ponds with beds of submerged aquatic plants and medium levels of nutrients

Cultural Eutrophication

This occurs when sewage, detergents, fertilizers, and other nutrient sources are introduced into the ecosystem as a result of human water pollution, accelerating the aging process.