I CAN: DESCRIBE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TWO TYPES OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS: FRESHWATER & MARINE.

Freshwater Ecosystems

DECOMPOSE THE STANDARD: STANDARD: DESCRIBE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TWO TYPES OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS: FRESHWATER & MARINE I CAN: _________________ THE __________________ OF THE TWO TYPES OF _________________ ECOSYSTEMS: _________________ & _______________

A Lake Ecosystem

DEFINITION Freshwater is water that contains very little salt

Freshwater Ecosystems EXAMPLES Include: ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands NON-EXAMPLES: OCEAN ESTUARY

Characteristics of Aquatic Ecosystems Factors such as temperature, sunlight, oxygen, determine where organisms live Three groups of aquatic organisms include: Plankton - mostly SMALL organisms that float in water. Nekton - are all organisms that swim Benthos - are bottom-dwelling organisms.

Life in a Lake Littoral zone -shallow zone where light reaches the bottom most organisms live here. Benthic zone - region near the bottom where decomposers live.

Wetland Facts Areas of land that are covered with fresh water The two main types: 1. Marshes - contain non-woody plants 2. Swamps - contain woody plants.

WETLANDS and OUR ENVIRONMENT They act like filters that absorb and remove pollution They control flooding by absorbing extra water Habitat for many different organisms

Curriculum READING – CHAPTER 7 FINISH READING AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS… DUE BY END OF CLASS..

Marine Ecosystems

Estuaries Description/Location is an area where fresh water from rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean. Plants: plankton…weeds… Animals : fish, dolphins, oysters,clams, birds…etc. Services: Provides area for fishing Protection from hurricanes..large storms

Salt Marshes Description: a type of wetland that is continually flooded Location: found in both temperate and subartic regions Plants: grasses, sedges, and other plants that have adapted to continual, periodic flooding Animals: Supports a community of clams, fish, aquatic birds, crabs, and shrimp. Services: absorb pollutants to help protect inland areas.

Mangrove Swamps Description: are tropical or subtropical marine swamps that contain many mangrove trees. Location: Some are on the Southwest coast of Florida Plants: Salt loving Mangrove Trees and shrubs Animals: Worms, crocodiles, wading birds, pelicans, fish, shrimp, oysters…etc Services: Help protect the coastline from erosion and reduce the damage from storms. They also provide a home for about 2,000 animal species.

Coral Reefs Description: Limestone ridges with various plant and animal life Location: Found in shallow clear warm ocean water. Plants: Algae and sea grasses Animals: jellyfish, crustaceans, sea snakes, sea stars, sea turtles, various fish Services Most diverse ecosystems on Earth. Provide HABITATS for thousands of plants and animals

Oceans Description: The LARGEST biome of the world..Covers 70 % of our beautiful planet Location: Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Artic Plants: Several types of water plants like phytoplankton. Animals: Zooplankton (sea’s smallest herbivores), jellyfish, sharks, various fish…whales. Etc.. Services: Contains plants that produce more 50% of the OXYGEN we breathe! Fishing Beaches

Coastal Wetlands areas that are covered by salt water for all or part of the time. Provide habitat and nesting areas for many fish and wildlife.

BARRIER ISLANDS Often run parallel to shores of beaches Help protect the main lands from storms and ocean waves

Threats to Marine Ecosystems Runoff from fertilized fields and industrial waste and sewage being discharged into rivers are major sources of ocean pollution. Overfishing and certain fishing methods are also destroying some fish populations. Marine mammals can get caught and drown in the nets. Some ships dump fishing lines or nets into the ocean where they can strangle and kill fish and seals.

Summarize Label the Pictures…that shows the different Marine ecosystems A.. IS __________________________________ B… IS___________________________________ C… IS___________________________________ D… IS___________________________________ E… IS___________________________________ F… IS ___________________________________

MARINE ECOSYSTEM WEBQUEST USE THE LINKS ON THE TEACHER’S WEBSITE TO COMPLETE THIS WEBQUEST.