Aquatic Biomes Characterized by depth, temperature, and chemicals (salt and oxygen) dissolved in the water Two types: Freshwater and Marine

Freshwater Biome Very low salt concentration (less than 1%) Flowing Water Biomes Ex: Rivers and streams – Animals that live here have adaptations like hooks or suckers fish have streamlined bodies that allow them to move with or against the water currents – Where the water is fast moving there is little plant life if it moves slower there is some plant life supported

Standing Water Biomes Ex: Lakes and ponds – Water is relatively still It circulates to distribute heat, oxygen, and nutrients – Contain plankton: phytoplankton: algae that are usually the base for the food chains zooplankton: tiny animals that eat algae

Saltwater Biome Contains usually 3% salt or more Ex: Oceans, intertidal zone, coral reefs, and estuaries – Aphotic zone: (a=without, photic=light) without light, it is always dark. – It is so deep that sunlight never penetrates; chemosynthetic autotrophs provide food Coastal Ocean: – area from the outer continental shelf to the low-tide mark – sunlight penetrates so there are many producers (kelp, fish, snails, seals, sea urchins, whales)

Intertidal Zone Area between high and low tide Organisms have to adapt to the extreme changes because of the rising and falling tides (sunlight/no sunlight; temperature: hot/cold; under seawater/ above seawater; crashing waves; strong currents) Many organisms are permanently attached to rocks (sea stars and sea urchins) which cling to rocks with suckers or tube feet

Coral Reefs Like the rainforest very biodiverse Formed by tiny cnidarians (corals) that secrete calcium carbonate which builds up to form a reef that many organisms live in Animals: colorful fish, sea anemones, sea stars found in warm water no deeper than 40 meters

Estuaries Formed where fresh water streams and oceans meet salinity is between that of fresh and salt water Ex of organisms: algae, seaweed, marsh grass, oysters, shrimp, worms, crabs, birds Serves as a nursery because it is safe there (many fish saltwater fish lay their eggs there)

Ecological Succession Ecosystems are always changing. – These changes may result from natural causes like weather or volcanoes or from human actions like strip mining. Ecological Succession: A series of predictable changes in an ecosystem.

Primary Succession Primary means first. This succession starts where there is no soil. Occurs after disturbances such as volcano eruptions Pioneer species are the first things to grow in this area ex: lichens – Lichens can form on bare rock and over time turn the rock into soil. As soil accumulates smaller animals such as worms and grasses can be found here. – These small animals give way to shrubs and birds which give way to trees and larger mammals.

Secondary Succession Occurs when something has existed there before such as after a forest fire. – it is known as the second community The soil is not removed and usually seeds are present in the soil. – The community is not starting from scratch.

Climax Community The final community of organisms Hardwoods such as maples and oaks are found here Changes little but are still affected by non- native species Secondary succession takes less time to reach a climax community than primary succession.

Succession in a pond Never reach climax communities Water plants begin to grow sediment falls into the pond and the plant’s roots anchor the soil Sediment will continue to fall in until the pond if filled in with soil which will eventually lead to grasses and trees