🌊 APES Topic 1.3: Aquatic Biomes

What factors determine the appearance and productivity of aquatic biomes?

Abiotic (non-living) factors such as temperature, light, and salinity.

What is the littoral zone in lakes?

The shallow water near the shore that supports emergent plants.

What adaptations do plants like mangroves have in estuaries?

Special root systems such as stilt-roots to cope with salt and waterlogging.

Why are wetlands important ecosystems?

They provide flood buffering, water purification, and high productivity due to nutrient accumulation.

What is a key feature of coral reefs?

They have a mutualistic relationship between coral animals and photosynthetic algae (zooxanthellae).

What must organisms in intertidal zones tolerate?

Significant fluctuations in waves, exposure to air, and changing salinity.

What is the photic zone in the open ocean?

The area where sunlight penetrates, allowing for photosynthesis.

Why is the open ocean considered low in productivity per area?

Much of the ocean is low in nutrients, especially in deeper zones.

What ecosystem services do coral reefs provide?

They protect coastlines, support biodiversity, and contribute to tourism and fisheries.

What adaptations help organisms survive in varying salinity in estuaries?

Salinity tolerance adaptations.

What types of organisms can be found in the profundal zone of lakes?

Organisms that do not require sunlight, as it is too dark for photosynthesis.

How do rivers and streams contribute to ecosystems?

They carry sediments and nutrients downstream, contributing to fertile floodplains.

What is a primary function of wetlands in terms of ecosystem services?

They provide crucial flood control and nutrient cycling.

What types of plants are commonly found in wetlands?

Cattails, reeds, lily pads, and other emergent vegetation.

What is the significance of the aphotic zone in the ocean?

It is where organisms rely on detritus, chemosynthesis, or predation for energy.