1. Aquatic Ecosystems Marine Ecosystems

2. Objectives Be able to explain why an estuary is a very productive ecosystem Be able to explain why an estuary is a very productive ecosystem Be able to describe the differences and similarities between salt marshes and mangrove swamps Be able to describe the differences and similarities between salt marshes and mangrove swamps Be able to describe two threats to coral reefs Be able to describe two threats to coral reefs Be able to describe two threats to ocean organisms Be able to describe two threats to ocean organisms

3. Marine Ecosystems Located mainly in coastal areas and in the open ocean Located mainly in coastal areas and in the open ocean Animals that live in coastal areas have to adapt to changes in water level and salinity Animals that live in coastal areas have to adapt to changes in water level and salinity Organisms that live in the open ocean have to adapt to changes in temperature amount of sunlight and available nutrients Organisms that live in the open ocean have to adapt to changes in temperature amount of sunlight and available nutrients

4. Coastal Wetlands-Saltwater Covered by salt water for all or part of the time Covered by salt water for all or part of the time Provide habitat and nesting area for fish and wildlife Provide habitat and nesting area for fish and wildlife Filter pollutants, provide recreational areas for boating, fishing and hunting Filter pollutants, provide recreational areas for boating, fishing and hunting

5. Coastal Wetlands-Estuaries An Estuary is an area where fresh water mixes with salt water An Estuary is an area where fresh water mixes with salt water When the waters mix, currents cause mineral rich mud and other nutrients to fall to the bottom. When the waters mix, currents cause mineral rich mud and other nutrients to fall to the bottom. Receive fresh nutrients from rivers and oceans Receive fresh nutrients from rivers and oceans The surrounding land is called a peninsula ex: Peninsula of Florida The surrounding land is called a peninsula ex: Peninsula of Florida

6. Plants and Animals of Estuaries Rivers supply abundant nutrients to Estuaries Rivers supply abundant nutrients to Estuaries Shallow water allows sunlight to reach the bottom supporting rooted plants, which in turn support many marine organisms Shallow water allows sunlight to reach the bottom supporting rooted plants, which in turn support many marine organisms Organisms that live in estuaries are able to tolerate changes in salinity as the tides go in and out Organisms that live in estuaries are able to tolerate changes in salinity as the tides go in and out

7. Threats to Estuaries Estuaries provide access to the ocean and connections to the rivers Estuaries provide access to the ocean and connections to the rivers 6 cities are built on estuaries-New York, Tokyo, Mumbai and Rio de Janeiro 6 cities are built on estuaries-New York, Tokyo, Mumbai and Rio de Janeiro Estuaries have been filled with waste and pollution from neighboring cities, damaging wildlife habitat and drinking water resources Estuaries have been filled with waste and pollution from neighboring cities, damaging wildlife habitat and drinking water resources

8. Marine Ecosystems-Salt Marshes Salt marshes dominate the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Salt marshes dominate the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Salt marshes develop in estuaries deposit their mineral rich mud. Salt marshes develop in estuaries deposit their mineral rich mud. Habitat serves as nurseries for shrimp, crabs, and fish. Habitat serves as nurseries for shrimp, crabs, and fish.

9. Marine Ecosystems-Mangrove Swamps Mangrove Swamps are located along coastal areas of tropical and subtropical zones Mangrove Swamps are located along coastal areas of tropical and subtropical zones Largest Mangrove swamp located in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh, home of the Bengal tiger. Largest Mangrove swamp located in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh, home of the Bengal tiger. Plants called Mangrove trees dominate mangrove swamps Plants called Mangrove trees dominate mangrove swamps Swamps help protect the coastline from erosion and reduce damage from storms Swamps help protect the coastline from erosion and reduce damage from storms Breeding and feeding grounds for animals and fish Breeding and feeding grounds for animals and fish

10. Marine Ecosystems-Coral Reefs Coral Reefs are limestone ridges built by tiny coral animals call coral polyps. Their limestone skeletons made of calcium carbonate provide habitat for thousands of species of plants and animals. Coral Reefs are limestone ridges built by tiny coral animals call coral polyps. Their limestone skeletons made of calcium carbonate provide habitat for thousands of species of plants and animals. Only the outer layer of the reef contains living coral Only the outer layer of the reef contains living coral Corals use stinging tentacles to capture zooplankton, upon which they feed Corals use stinging tentacles to capture zooplankton, upon which they feed

11. Threats to Coral Reefs Coral Reefs are threatened by Coral Reefs are threatened by Waters that are too cold or too warm Waters that are too cold or too warm Fresh water draining into the water surrounding the reef Fresh water draining into the water surrounding the reef Pollution Pollution Oil Spills, Sewage, Pesticides Oil Spills, Sewage, Pesticides People breaking off pieces in a variety of ways People breaking off pieces in a variety of ways

12. Oceans The Ocean is a major part of the hydrosphere and covers approx. 71 % of the Earth’s surface The Ocean is a major part of the hydrosphere and covers approx. 71 % of the Earth’s surface These waters comprise one global, interconnected body of salt water often referred to as the World Ocean or global ocean. These waters comprise one global, interconnected body of salt water often referred to as the World Ocean or global ocean.World OceanWorld Ocean There are 6 major oceans: Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Southern, Indian, Arctic, There are 6 major oceans: Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Southern, Indian, Arctic, Geologically the ocean is solidified volcanic rock overlaying Earth’s mantle covered by water. Geologically the ocean is solidified volcanic rock overlaying Earth’s mantle covered by water.

13. Marine Ecosystems-Ocean The Ocean is divided into 3 Zones The Ocean is divided into 3 Zones Pelagic or Open Water Zone Pelagic or Open Water Zone Photic Zone or Light Zone-region where photosynthesis occurs and is where most of ocean life exists approx. 200 meters below the surface Photic Zone or Light Zone-region where photosynthesis occurs and is where most of ocean life exists approx. 200 meters below the surface Aphotic Zone-region greater than 200 meters below the surface, dark, cold, nutrient poor Aphotic Zone-region greater than 200 meters below the surface, dark, cold, nutrient poor Ocean currents effect global climates by transferring heat and moisture over the tropics to cold polar regions Ocean currents effect global climates by transferring heat and moisture over the tropics to cold polar regions Some Chicago Public Schools offer a class in Marine Biology Some Chicago Public Schools offer a class in Marine Biology

14. Group Project Each group will prepare a colorful informative travel poster of their Marine Ecosystem Group 1-Estuaries Group 1-Estuaries Group 2-Salt Marsh Group 2-Salt Marsh Group 3-Mangrove Swamp Group 3-Mangrove Swamp Group 4-Coral Reefs Group 4-Coral Reefs Group 5-Pacific Ocean Group 5-Pacific Ocean Group 6-Atlantic Ocean Group 6-Atlantic Ocean Group 7-Arctic Ocean Group 7-Arctic Ocean Group 8-Antarctic Group 8-Antarctic Your poster should include any characterizing abiotic factors, water depth, temperature, geographic range, plants and animals found in the aquatic ecosystem, economic importance and any threats by man Your poster should include any characterizing abiotic factors, water depth, temperature, geographic range, plants and animals found in the aquatic ecosystem, economic importance and any threats by man