1. (that means in the water)
Aquatic Ecosystems
(that means in the water)

2. Types of aquatic ecosystems
Determined by salinity
Freshwater
Low salt concentration
Marine
Higher salt concentration

3. Freshwater Ecosystems
Includes moving and standing waters as well as wetlands
Plankton—organisms that float at the surface
Phytoplankton: photosynthetic (algae)
Zooplankton: microscopic “animals”
Nekton—free-swimming organisms
Fish, turtles, dolphins
Benthos—bottom dwelling organisms
Clams, barnacles, etc.

4. Life in a lake or pond Water is still Horizontal and vertical zones
Littoral zone: near the shore; rich in nutrients and diverse in life
Benthic zone: the bottom; rich in decomposers and adapted to darker areas
Eutrophication is an increase in the amount of nutrients in an aquatic ecosystem

5. Wetlands Water covers or is near the surface most of the time
Marshes—mostly grasses and no trees
Swamps—contain trees and woody plants
Wetlands are VERY important ecosystems

6. Functions of wetlands
Filter materials to keep them from entering larger bodies of water
Protect against flood
Protect against erosion
Provide important habitat
Breeding ground
For rare & threatened or endangered species
Recreational area