1. Aquatic Ecosystems & Biomes (3.3)
State Standard
SB4A. Investigate the relationships among organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes.

2. Include ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, & wetlands.
Chapter 3
Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 1
Include ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, & wetlands.
Only about 2.5 percent of the water on Earth is freshwater.

3. Glaciers

4. Icebergs

5. These are flowing water ecosystems.
Chapter 3
Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 2
- Rivers & Streams A
These are flowing water ecosystems.
The characteristics of rivers and streams change during the journey from the source to the mouth.

6. Usually, there are fewer species living in the rapid waters.
Chapter 3
Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 3
-Rivers & Streams B
Fast-moving rivers and streams prevent much accumulation of organic materials and sediment.
Usually, there are fewer species living in the rapid waters.
In slow-moving water, insect larvae are the primary food source for many fish, including American eel, brown bullhead catfish, and trout.

7. Inland bodies of standing water.
Chapter 3
Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 4
-Lakes & Ponds A
Inland bodies of standing water.
The temperature of lakes and ponds varies depending on the season.

8. FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 5 -Lakes & Ponds B
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 5 -Lakes & Ponds B
2 Types of Lakes:
Oligotrophic (nutrient-poor)
-found in high altitudes, few plant/animal species due to little organic matter & nutrients.
Eutrophic (nutrient-rich)
-found at lower altitudes, many plant/animal species due to much organic matter & nutrients.

9. FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 6 -Lakes & Ponds C
Chapter 3
Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 6
-Lakes & Ponds C
Lakes and ponds are divided into three zones based on the amount of sunlight that penetrates the water.
The area closest to the shore is the littoral zone.

10. Chapter 3
Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 7
-Lakes & Ponds D
The limnetic zone is the open water area that is well lit and is dominated by plankton.

11. FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 8 -Lakes & Ponds E
Chapter 3
Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 8
-Lakes & Ponds E
The profundal zone is the deepest areas of a large lake.
It is much colder and lower in oxygen than the other two zones.

12. FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 9 -Transitional Aquatic Ecosystems
Chapter 3
Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 9
-Transitional Aquatic Ecosystems
Areas of land such as marshes, swamps, and bogs that are saturated with water and that support
aquatic plants are called wetlands.
Estuary – where freshwater meets saltwater;
mouth of a river; high biodiversity.
Bog

13. Marsh – Wetland dominated by grasses (non-woody plants)

14. Swamp – Wetland dominated by trees (woody plants)

15. Bog – Wetland dominated by bog mosses

16. The intertidal zone is a narrow band where the ocean meets land.
Chapter 3
Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS 1
The intertidal zone is a narrow band where the ocean meets land.
Communities are constantly changing in this environment as a result of disturbance.

17. The photic zone is shallow enough that sunlight is able to penetrate.
Chapter 3
Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS 2
-Open Ocean A
The photic zone is shallow enough that sunlight is able to penetrate.

18. Chapter 3
Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS 3
- Open Ocean B
Below the photic zone lies the aphotic zone—an area where sunlight is unable to penetrate.

19. Chapter 3
Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS 4
-Open Ocean C
The benthic zone is an area along the ocean floor that consists of sand, silt, and dead organisms.

20. The deepest region of the ocean is called the abyssal zone.
Chapter 3
Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS 5
-Open Ocean D
The deepest region of the ocean is called the abyssal zone.
Communities and Biomes