AP Enviro: Aquatic Biomes

Aquatic Biomes

Ecosystems characterized by water, categorized into freshwater and marine.

Freshwater Biomes

Biomes with low salinity, including streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands.

Marine Biomes

Biomes characterized by saltwater, including estuaries, coral reefs, and the open ocean.

Freshwater Wetlands

Land saturated by water for part of the year, supporting vegetation and wildlife.

Salinity

The concentration of salt in water, distinguishing freshwater from marine biomes.

Water Flow

The movement of water in rivers and streams, which are characterized by flowing freshwater.

Littoral Zone

The shallow area near the shore of lakes and ponds where sunlight supports vegetation.

Limnetic Zone

The open water area of a lake where sunlight penetrates, allowing phytoplankton to thrive.

Profundal Zone

The deep, dark area of a lake where sunlight cannot reach.

Benthic Zone

The bottom layer of a lake, pond, or ocean, where sediments accumulate.

Oligotrophic Lakes

Lakes with low nutrient levels, often clear and deep.

Mesotrophic Lakes

Lakes with moderate nutrient levels, supporting a balanced ecosystem.

Eutrophic Lakes

Lakes with high nutrient levels, often leading to algal blooms and high turbidity.

Estuaries

Coastal areas where freshwater from rivers meets saltwater from the ocean, rich in nutrients.

Salt Marshes

Coastal wetlands with nonwoody emergent vegetation, providing habitat for wildlife.

Mangrove Swamps

Coastal ecosystems characterized by mangrove trees with roots above water, adapted to high salinity.

Intertidal Zones

Coastal areas between high and low tide, where organisms must adapt to changing conditions.

Coral Reefs

Diverse marine ecosystems found in warm, shallow waters, vulnerable to coral bleaching.

Open Ocean

The deep ocean area far from shore, where sunlight does not reach the ocean floor.

rivers and streams

low salinity, are specifically characterized by flowing freshwater

fast moving streams

tend to combine, forming rivers, then slow down

streams

few plants and algae, and when combined into a river, more sediments and organic material settle so plant growth can occur