Aquatic Biomes Lecture with Mr. Smedes

Objective

• Describe the global distribution and environmental aspects of aquatic biomes.
• Examine freshwater and marine biomes, their importance to the ecosystem, and their distinct characteristics.
• Practice explaining an environmental concept and process.

Characteristics of Aquatic Biomes

1. Salinity
   • Determines species survival and water suitability for drinking.
2. Depth
   • Influences sunlight penetration, affecting photosynthesis.
3. Flow
   • Affects plant survival, dissolved oxygen levels.
   • Rapidly moving water mixes air and water, increasing oxygen.
4. Temperature
   • Warmer water holds less dissolved oxygen, affecting aquatic life support.

Freshwater Biomes

• Rivers:
  • High dissolved oxygen due to water movement.
  • Nutrient-rich sediments.
• Lakes:
  • Standing freshwater bodies, key sources for drinking water.

Zones in Aquatic Bodies

• Littoral Zone: Shallow, emergent plants (reeds, cattails).
• Limnetic Zone: Light reaches, photosynthesis occurs.
• Profundal Zone: Too deep for light, no photosynthesis.
• Benthic Zone: Murky bottom, rich in nutrients, invertebrates present.

Freshwater Wetlands

• Submerged or saturated soil, emergent vegetation.
• Plants adapted to submerged conditions (cattails, lily pads).
• Benefits:
  • Store excess water, reduce flooding.
  • Recharge groundwater, filter pollutants.
  • Diverse habitats for plants.
• Types:
  • Swamps: Cypress trees.
  • Marshes: Reeds, cattails.
  • Bogs: Acidic soil, spruce trees, sphagnum moss.

Marine Biomes

• Estuaries:
  • Mix of fresh and saltwater, productive due to nutrient-rich sediments.
  • Example: Salt Marshes - Important breeding for fish/shellfish.
  • Mangroves: Found in tropical climates, stabilize shorelines, habitat for fish.

Coral Reefs

• Found in warm, shallow waters.
• Most biodiverse marine ecosystem.
• Mutualistic relationship between coral (animal) and algae (plant).
  • Coral provides habitat; algae supports photosynthesis, fueling coral.

Intertidal Zones

• Between low and high tide, exposed to sunlight.
• Adaptations:
  • Species attach to rocks, resist wave force.
  • Tough outer shells prevent desiccation.
  • Example: Spiral wrack (seaweed) adapts to high tide zone.

Open Ocean

• Low productivity per unit area but important due to scale.
• Algae and phytoplankton produce oxygen, absorb CO2.
• Zones:
  • Photic Zone: Sunlight reaches, photosynthesis occurs.
  • Aphotic/Abyssal Zone: No sunlight, bioluminescence in organisms.
  • Adaptations for high pressure and darkness.

Practice FRQ

• Identify an organism in an aquatic biome and explain its unique adaptations.

Conclusion

• Importance of unique adaptations in aquatic biomes.
• Encouragement to think critically and subscribe for more content.