1. Objective: Students will explore characteristics of aquatic ecosystems in order to explain the importance of coral reefs and wetlands.
Drill: 11/09/16
How are the world’s aquatic ecosystems characterized? What are some of the different aquatic ecosystems looked at last class?
HAVE OUT GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS FOR ME TO CHECK!

2. Agenda HW: Finish Coral Reef Ecology Activity if not done so in class
Biome FRQ
Aquatic Ecosystem notes
Coral Reef/Wetland Ecosystem Activity
HW: Finish Coral Reef Ecology Activity if not done so in class
Quiz on Chapter 6 and 7 on 11/15/16
TEST ON CHAPTERS 5-8: November 29th

3. Aquatic Ecosystems
Hydrosphere – Water covers 75 percent of the planet.
Most of the earths surface water is salty with a salinity of 3.5%

4. World’s Oceans Euphotic zone – The photic, upper layers of water.
Warmest layer
Highest levels of dissolved oxygen
Bathyal zone –
Middle region
Insufficient light for photosynthesis
Colder than the euphotic zone
Abyssal zone –
Deepest part of the ocean
Extremely cold temperatures
Low dissolved oxygen
High levels of nutrients
Higher salinities

5. Estuaries
A bay or river system open to the ocean at one end and receiving fresh water at the other.
Brackish water forms.
High concentrations of nutrients and sediments.
Waters are usually shallow and warm.
Highly productive environments can develop
salt water marshes
mangrove forests
inlet bays
river mouths

6. Coral Reefs
Can form in shallow tropical seas by the slow accumulation of the skeletons of cnidarians.
Skeletons are made of calcium carbonate.
These shells/skeletons provide structure for a great diversity of organisms.
Low nutrient conditions – most nutrients are tied up in living organisms.
Very vulnerable to physical stresses – temperature, salinity, nutrient changes, and light intensity

7. Freshwater Ecosystems
All freshwater ultimately comes from the atmosphere.
It includes lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, swamps, freshwater marshes, bogs and groundwater.
Wetlands occur along the shorelines of freshwaters.
Considered to be some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems.

8. Lake Zones Littoral zone Limnetic zone Profundal zone Benthic zone.
Shallow water at the shoreline where rooted plants grow.
Receives abundant light.
Often serves as the nursery grounds and refuge of the young.
Limnetic zone
Surface of open water.
Extends to a depth were sunlight can penetrate.
Phytoplankton can be abundant
Profundal zone
Water too deep for sunlight to reach (aphotic)
Benthic zone.
Deepest layer.  
Coldest water
Low dissolved oxygen
Bottom sediments normally rich in bacteria and invertebrates.

9. Coral Reef Ecology Activity
Use laptops and go to weebly
Open Coral Reef Ecology Activity
Read directions and begin
Must be completed and turned in as a turn-in through BCPS One or a hard copy