1. Aquatic Habitats Approx. 75% of Earth’s surface is water
Aquatic Habitats Approx. 75% of Earth’s surface is water! This is the aquatic biome.
Marine Habitats
Saline (salt water)
Freshwater Habitats
Oceans and Seas (35ppt.)
Estuaries (brackish 0-34ppt)
Coral Reefs (35ppt)
Lakes
Rivers
Ponds
Streams
Swamps
Marshes

2. Oceans & Seas
What’s the difference? Well…it’s in the geographic details rather than the science. Seas often areas within oceans (Sargasso Sea). Sometimes they’re surrounded by land (Caspian Sea).
Salinity is the measure of how much salt is dissolved in the water average is 35ppt or 3.5%).
Divided into zones (zonation) in several way including temperature, distance from shore, and depth.

3. Here is a Super-Basic Diagram of Marine Zonation You Gotta Know This
A-Intertidal Zone
B-Neritic/Littoral Zone
C-Oceanic/Pelagic Zone
D-Benthic Zone

4. Here is a Super-Basic Diagram of LAKE Zonation You Gotta Know This Too Lakes are NOT MARINE ECOSYSTEMS…they are fresh water.

5. Estuaries Brackish water…a mix of fresh and salt
Estuaries Brackish water…a mix of fresh and salt. Organisms that live here have to have adaptations to deal with that.

6. Here’s another version of an Estuarine Ecosystem.

7. Ocean Zonation…I know…that’s a lot of zones!

8. Here’s Another View

9. And…one more

10. Lakes…they have zones too!

11. And another…

12. More Later… but this oughta get you started 