Major Ecosystems of the World Part 2 Chapter 6 Major Ecosystems of the World Part 2

Aquatic Ecosystems Freshwater Ecosystems Rivers and Streams Tend to be narrow, swift, clear, cold, nutrient poor, and highly oxygenated Tend to be wide, slow, cloudy, warm, nutrient rich, and less oxygenated

Aquatic Ecosystems Freshwater Ecosystems Lakes and Ponds Photosynthetically productive; large fish Highly productive, high species richness

Aquatic Ecosystems Freshwater Ecosystems Lakes and Ponds Not always present; anaerobic, dominated by decomposers

Aquatic Ecosystems Freshwater Ecosystems Thermal stratification in temperate lakes

Aquatic Ecosystems Freshwater Ecosystems Turnover in temperate lakes

Aquatic Ecosystems Freshwater Ecosystems Marshes and Swamps Highly productive Nutrient rich due to slow decomposition Remove many pollutants

Aquatic Ecosystems Estuaries: Where freshwater and saltwater meet. Highly variable environment (salinity, temperature, light penetration rapidly changes). Many fishes and shellfish spend larval stages here.

Aquatic Ecosystems Estuaries Two general types: 1) Salt marshes 2) Mangrove forests

Aquatic Ecosystems Case-in-Point: The Chesapeake Bay

Aquatic Ecosystems Marine Ecosystems

Aquatic Ecosystems Marine Ecosystems Intertidal Zone

Aquatic Ecosystems Marine Ecosystems Benthic Environment Photic benthic environments include: 1) Sea grasses

Aquatic Ecosystems Marine Ecosystems Benthic Environment Photic benthic environments include: 1) Sea grasses 2) Kelp forests

Aquatic Ecosystems Marine Ecosystems Benthic Environment Photic benthic environments include: 1) Sea grasses 2) Kelp forests 3) Coral reefs

Aquatic Ecosystems Types of Coral Reefs (a) Fringing reef

Aquatic Ecosystems Types of Coral Reefs (b) Atoll

Aquatic Ecosystems Types of Coral Reefs (c) Barrier reef

Aquatic Ecosystems Human Impacts on Coral Reefs Sedimentation / siltation Pollution Overfishing Direct disturbance (anchor dragging, divers damaging / collecting specimens)

Aquatic Ecosystems Marine Ecosystems The Neritic Province Dominated by floating and swimming organisms. Such as many large fishes, sea jellies, various plankton.

Aquatic Ecosystems Marine Ecosystems The Oceanic Province Largest area of ocean Least explored area

Aquatic Ecosystems Human Impacts on the Ocean

Aquatic Ecosystems Human Impacts on the Ocean

Interaction of Life Zones Case-in-Point: The Everglades