Aquatic Ecology: Biodiversity in Aquatic Systems G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment 13 th Edition Chapter 7 G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment 13 th Edition Chapter 7 Dr. Richard Clements Chattanooga State Technical Community College Dr. Richard Clements Chattanooga State Technical Community College

Key Concepts  Factors that influence aquatic systems  Saltwater life zones  Freshwater life zones  Human activities that affect aquatic systems

Aquatic Environments: Types, Components, and Limiting Factors  Marine systems  Freshwater systems  Plankton Phyto-algae, zoo-protozoa Or jellies,  Plankton Phyto-algae, zoo-protozoa Or jellies,  Nekton -long Distance swimmers (whale, turtle)  Nekton -long Distance swimmers (whale, turtle)  Benthos -bottom Worm, lobster, barnacle  Benthos -bottom Worm, lobster, barnacle  Complex food, boundaries  Dissolved oxygen Fig. 7-2 p. 145

Saltwater Life Zones  Coastal zone high tide to continental shelf (varies ex: CA & NC) Contains 90% of ALL marine species (in 10% of worlds open ocean)  Coastal zone high tide to continental shelf (varies ex: CA & NC) Contains 90% of ALL marine species (in 10% of worlds open ocean)  Estuaries ecotone –mixture of saline and fw from rivers, mostly flooded, supports Aquatic and terrestrial plants/animals  Estuaries ecotone –mixture of saline and fw from rivers, mostly flooded, supports Aquatic and terrestrial plants/animals  Coastal wetlands includes any area inundated with water (through Surface/ground source) –marsh, mangrove, bay, inlet, estuary. MANY functions-filter, nursery, flood protection, Storm protection for coastal plain, Vary in temp/salinity/dissolved nutrients/pollutants. HIGHLY productive  Coastal wetlands includes any area inundated with water (through Surface/ground source) –marsh, mangrove, bay, inlet, estuary. MANY functions-filter, nursery, flood protection, Storm protection for coastal plain, Vary in temp/salinity/dissolved nutrients/pollutants. HIGHLY productive  Intertidal zones harsh, transitional species, variance every ~6hrs  Barrier islands absorb energy from storms, protect coastlines, constant Erosion = constant change. Early successional plants necessary to maintain sand in dunes. (sea oats) ES!  Barrier islands absorb energy from storms, protect coastlines, constant Erosion = constant change. Early successional plants necessary to maintain sand in dunes. (sea oats) ES!

Filter Feeders In Estuaries Read Biofiltration Spotlight pg 149. Answer CT. Why do some health scientists warn us not to eat raw shellfish such as clams and oysters?

Ocean Zones Fig. 7-7 p. 148 Refer to Figs & 7-12 p. 151 & 152

Coral Reefs 0.1% of worlds ocean, most diverse/productive support 25% of ocean life. Narrow temp. threshold offset by 1°. Fig p. 154 Hi salinity Hi temp (65-85F) Disturbed easily by: runoff (nutrients and sediment) Storms Overfishing Warming temps Change in dissolved nutrients (incl. CO2 and O2) UV Loss of mangroves (increase sediment) Coral removal Physical damage

Mangroves Depositional saline sediment forest/swamp Fine sediment collected/protected from high energy wave action Tropical/subtropi cal zones Prevent erosion along coastlines Protect estuaries

Freshwater Life Zones  Standing water  Flowing water Fig p. 158

Types of Lakes: Oligotrophic Fig p. 158

Types of Lakes: Eutrophic Fig p. 158

Littoral shallow, sunny and Limnetic deep, open Profundal deep, open, too dark for photosynthesis Benthic the bottom, dark, low DO

Seasonal Changes in Lakes summer  Epilimnion spring Temp/rain =warm, hi DO  Epilimnion spring Temp/rain =warm, hi DO  Thermocline Rapid temp/DO decline, prevents Mixing b/n E &H  Thermocline Rapid temp/DO decline, prevents Mixing b/n E &H  Hypolimnion Cold, dense, low DO (no atmosphe Exposure)  Hypolimnion Cold, dense, low DO (no atmosphe Exposure)  Fall overturn Cools, dense, T disappear, mix DO And nutrient. Fish survive at H  Fall overturn Cools, dense, T disappear, mix DO And nutrient. Fish survive at H  Spring  overturn winds mix DO and nutrients Lake is similar at all depths (brief!)  Spring  overturn winds mix DO and nutrients Lake is similar at all depths (brief!) Fig p. 159

River Systems  Runoff  Watershed  Drainage basin  Floodplain Fig p. 160

Inland Wetlands Fig p. 162 Functions?

Sustainability of Aquatic Life Zones  Coral reef destruction  Pollution/nutrients  Sedimentation  Renewability with time and opportunity due to influx of dissolved nutrients  Renewability with time and opportunity due to influx of dissolved nutrients  Natural purification  Loss of biodiversity