AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

Freshwater Freshwater –Characterized by abiotic factors how quickly water moves how quickly water moves amount of sunlight amount of sunlight

Freshwater Biomes

Ponds and Lakes standing or still water –L–L–L–Littoral Zone (area closet to the edge) A Algae are your major producers –O–O–O–Open Water Zone (as far as sun can reach) Plankton, insects, snails, amphibians, fish, are some of your animals. –D–D–D–Deep Water Zone (no sunlight) Catfish are scavengers and bacteria are decomposers

Deep Zone

Slow Moving Water Marsh: Freshwater found in shallow areas along lakes, ponds and rivers and streams (treeless) Marsh: Freshwater found in shallow areas along lakes, ponds and rivers and streams (treeless) Swamp: Freshwater found in low-lying areas and beside slow-moving rivers Swamp: Freshwater found in low-lying areas and beside slow-moving rivers Estuary: Salt and freshwater mixed found where a river meets the ocean. Estuary: Salt and freshwater mixed found where a river meets the ocean. Wetlands

Wetland Animals

River Ocean Estuary

Rivers and Streams Moderate to Fast Moving water

Tributary Stream River

Marine Marine Characterized by abiotic Factors: -amount of sunlight -temperature -temperature -depth of water -depth of water

The Zones The Zones

Intertidal - where ocean meets land - exposed to air part of the day -crashing waves -Examples: mud flats, sandy beaches, and rocky shorelines

Neritic Zone: The part of the ocean that extends over the continental shelf. Water temperature is warm Lots of sunlight Contains many schools of fish, coral reefs, and algae

Oceanic Zone: The area of the ocean in which light penetrates (from surface to ~4000m deep) The area of the ocean in which light penetrates (from surface to ~4000m deep) This zone contains the oceans producers This zone contains the oceans producers

Benthic Zone: Deepest part of the ocean Water temperature is cold Lacks sunlight Most animals feed on animals that sink down from the surface Some organisms get energy from chemicals released from thermal vents

The Deep/Benthic Zone Link to the Deep Link to the Deep Link to the Deep Link to the Deep earths-major-life-zones-marine- biomes-video.htm earths-major-life-zones-marine- biomes-video.htm earths-major-life-zones-marine- biomes-video.htm earths-major-life-zones-marine- biomes-video.htm

Questions 1. Water temperature… a.has no affect on marine organisms. b.affects the type of organism that can live in a marine ecosystem. c.increases as water gets deeper. d. is warm in the benthic zone.

2. A major abiotic factor in freshwater ecosystems is a.the source of the water. b.the width of the stream or river. c.the speed of the water. d.the salinity of the water.

3. In what major ocean zone are plants and animals exposed to air for part of the day? a. intertidal zone b. neritic zone c. oceanic zone d. benthic zone

4. Which area would you find plants that can tolerate water that has constantly changing salt content? a. a stream b. a pond c. a coral reef d. an estuary

5. Why are phytoplankton (a tiny organism that uses the sun to make food) found only near the surface of the oceanic zone? a. They are to light to sink deeper. b. This region of the ocean is very shallow. c. Large organisms along the ocean floor will eat them. d. Sunlight penetrates only for a few hundred meters.