1. Aquatic Biomes
Chapter 7

2. Aquatic Biomes
While climate determines the type of biome on land, in the water there are other factors to worry about
Climate (temperature, sunlight)
Oxygen
Nutrients
Salinity (amount of salt)
Based on the amount of salt, Aquatic Biomes are divided into Freshwater and Marine.
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3. Aquatic Biomes- Lakes and Ponds
2 layers:
Littoral Zone
Nutrient-rich, near the shore, diverse life
This is where the sunlight can reach
Benthic Zone
Bottom of the pond, decomposers, dead organisms, clams
Very little sunlight
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4. Aquatic Biomes- Lakes and Ponds
If a lake has an increase in nutrients (eutrophication)
Then more plants, algae, and bacteria start to grow
This uses up the oxygen dissolved in the water
No oxygen = No life
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5. Aquatic Biomes- Freshwater Wetlands
Areas of land covered with fresh water for part of the year
2 types:
Marshes
Contains Non-woody plants
Swamps
Contains woody plants
(trees and shrubs)
Originally thought to be “wastelands”
We are now trying to fix the damage we have caused
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6. Aquatic Biomes- Freshwater Wetlands
Controls flooding
Nature’s water filter- no more pollution! :-)
Mating grounds for many animals
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7. Aquatic Biomes- Rivers and Streams
Begin with melting snow from the mountains
Cold water with lots of oxygen
As you go down hill the water gets warmer with less oxygen
Different plants and animals are found along the river based on the temp and amount of oxygen
The biggest threat is runoff from industries
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8. Aquatic Biomes- Coastal Wetlands
Areas covered by salt water for part of the year
Estuary
Area where fresh water from a river mixes with salt water from the ocean
Constantly is replenished with nutrients
Making it a very productive biome (lots of organisms)
Organisms have to be able to survive in a wide range of salt content (Very Little Salt to Lots of Salt)
Have been used in the past as a waste dump
Killing off lots of organisms
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9. Coral Reefs Limestone ridges built by tiny coral animals
Live in clear, warm salt water
Extremely diverse organisms
Many are in danger of destruction from humans
Climate Change, Pollution, Over-Fishing
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10. Oceans Most life concentrated in the shallow waters
Sunlight only penetrates about 100 m (330 ft)
Different organisms are found at certain depths depending on the amount of sunlight
One of the least productive biomes
Pollution and Over-Fishing are the biggest threats
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