Aquatic Biomes Chapter 7

Aquatic Biomes While climate determines the type of biome on land, in the water there are other factors to worry about Climate (temperature, sunlight) Oxygen Nutrients Salinity (amount of salt) Based on the amount of salt, Aquatic Biomes are divided into Freshwater and Marine. end

Aquatic Biomes- Lakes and Ponds 2 layers: Littoral Zone Nutrient-rich, near the shore, diverse life This is where the sunlight can reach Benthic Zone Bottom of the pond, decomposers, dead organisms, clams Very little sunlight end

Aquatic Biomes- Lakes and Ponds If a lake has an increase in nutrients (eutrophication) Then more plants, algae, and bacteria start to grow This uses up the oxygen dissolved in the water No oxygen = No life end

Aquatic Biomes- Freshwater Wetlands Areas of land covered with fresh water for part of the year 2 types: Marshes Contains Non-woody plants Swamps Contains woody plants (trees and shrubs) Originally thought to be “wastelands” We are now trying to fix the damage we have caused end

Aquatic Biomes- Freshwater Wetlands Controls flooding Nature’s water filter- no more pollution! :-) Mating grounds for many animals end

Aquatic Biomes- Rivers and Streams Begin with melting snow from the mountains Cold water with lots of oxygen As you go down hill the water gets warmer with less oxygen Different plants and animals are found along the river based on the temp and amount of oxygen The biggest threat is runoff from industries end

Aquatic Biomes- Coastal Wetlands Areas covered by salt water for part of the year Estuary Area where fresh water from a river mixes with salt water from the ocean Constantly is replenished with nutrients Making it a very productive biome (lots of organisms) Organisms have to be able to survive in a wide range of salt content (Very Little Salt to Lots of Salt) Have been used in the past as a waste dump Killing off lots of organisms end

Coral Reefs Limestone ridges built by tiny coral animals Live in clear, warm salt water Extremely diverse organisms Many are in danger of destruction from humans Climate Change, Pollution, Over-Fishing end

Oceans Most life concentrated in the shallow waters Sunlight only penetrates about 100 m (330 ft) Different organisms are found at certain depths depending on the amount of sunlight One of the least productive biomes Pollution and Over-Fishing are the biggest threats end