Aquatic Ecosystems

Salinity

An abiotic Factor that influences how organisms survive, it is the dissolved salt in the water.

Turbidity

An abiotic Factor that influences how organisms survive, the cloudiness of the water.

Plankton

free floating or weakly swimming

Phytoplankton (plant like- algae)

Zooplankton (animal like-protozoa or jellyfish)

Nekton

are strong swimmers and consumers. (fish, whales, sea turtles)

Benthos

are bottom-dwellers. (Sea stars, lobsters, mussels, etc.)

Decomposers

break down dead organisms and wastes into nutrients that can be re-used. (bacteria)

Lentic

A freshwater ecosystem containing standing water.

Lotic

A freshwater ecosystem where the water is constantly moving.

Oligotrophic

A lake classified as having very low nutrition. Populations of plankton and algae are very low.

Eutrophic

A lake classified as having much greater concentrations of nutrients. This removes a growth limiting factor for algae and plankton.

Brackish water

when freshwater mixes with saltwater.

Inland Wetland

are non-permanent bodies of fresh water Examples: Marshes and Bogs

Estuary

partially enclosed bodies of water where seawater mixes with freshwater.

Bioluminescence

Living things that can produce and emit their own light.

Identify each of the following:

Algae, Blue Whale, Sponge, Bacteria, and Krill

Organisms as phytoplankton, zooplankton, nekton, benthos, or decomposers

Algae - phytoplankton

Blue Whale - nekton

Sponge - benthos

Bacteria - decomposer

Krill - zooplankton

Plants occupy the bottom or producer level of a food chain in biomes.

Which organisms occupy this level in most open-water aquatic ecosystems?

Plankton- Both phytoplankton (Plant like) and zooplankton (animal like)

Which freshwater ecosystems have a very low salinity level?

lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, inland wetlands

List the 3 fresh water lake zones.

Littoral zone

Limnetic zone

Benthic zone

Describe the littoral zone.

near shore, shallow sunlit waters

Describe limnetic zone.

sunlit but farther from shore.

Most photosynthesis occurs here.

Describe the benthic zone.

Area near the bottom of the lake.

Inhabited mostly by decomposers

List the 3 fresh water river zones.

source zone

transition zone

flood plain zone

Describe the source zone

water generally cold, rich in oxygen and low in nutrients

Describe the transitional zone

streams begin to widen, become deeper, & warm by sun

Oxygen levels decrease, but nutrient levels rise

Benefits of wetlands

Trapping carbon that would otherwise be released into the air

Absorb and store excess water from storms.

Provide wildlife habitats. (Biodiversity)

Filter & degrade pollutants.

Reduce flooding and erosion.

Help replenish stream flows during dry periods.

Help recharge aquifers.

Provide economic resources and recreation.

The oceans and freshwater ecosystems are divided into different zones based on the availability of two biggest limiting factors:

Sunlight

Nutrients