Aquatic
Ecosystems
Freshwater Ecosystems
Lakes, Rivers and Streams
Objectives
Be able to describe the factors that
determine where an organism lives in an
aquatic ecosystem
Be able to describe the littoral zone and
benthic zone that make up a lake or pond
Be able to describe 2 environmental
functions of wetlands
Be able to describe one threat against
river ecosystems
Aquatic Ecosystems
The types of
organisms that live in
an aquatic ecosystem
is determined by the
waters salinity
Salinity is the amount
of dissolved salts the
water contains.
Freshwater= <0.5 ppt
Saltwater= 30-50 ppt
Aquatic Ecosystems
are divided into
Freshwater and
Saltwater or Marine
Freshwater vs Saltwater
Freshwater
Lakes and Ponds-Slow
Rivers and Streams-Fast
Wetlands-water logged
land
Marshes and Swamps
Saltwater or Marine
Marshes and SwampsCoastal
Coral Reefs
Deep Oceans
Characteristics of Aquatic Ecosystems
Aquatic Ecosystems are characterized by
Temperature
Sunlight Depth
Oxygen Concentration
Available Nutrients
Aquatic Organisms are grouped by their
location at water depths and adaptations
Plankton-Surface, provide most of food, producers
Nekton-Free swimming organisms
Zooplankton-microscopic animals
Phytoplankton-microscopic plants
Fish, Turtles, Whales
Benthos-Bottom dwelling organism, lived
attached to hard surfaces
Mussles, worms and Barnacles
Lakes and Ponds
Form naturally where ground
water reaches the Earths
surface
Humans and animals like
beavers create lakes and ponds
by interrupting water flow
Lake structure-2 zones
Littoral Zone-Surface, Sunlight
Benthic Zone-Bottom, Dark
Aquatic Plants and Animal
Bacteria, Decomposers, Bottom
Feeding Fish
Animal Adaptations-Whiskers on
Catfish to find food on the
bottom, Amphibians burrow into
the mud in winter to avoid
freezing
Nutrients in Lakes
Lakes with an abundant
amount of nutrients, causing
overgrowth of plants, algae
and bacteria are known as
Eutrophic Lakes
Depletion of oxygen in these
lakes called Eutrophicationkills off oxygen requiring
organisms
Rainwater runoff carrying
sewage, fertilizers and
animal wastes from land
into the water accelerates
Eutrophication
Wetlands
Areas of land covered by water
for part of the year
2 Types of Wetlands
Marshes-contain nonwoody plants
such as cattails, low, flat lands,
characterized by salinity-ex. Florida
Everglades
Swamps-dominated by woody plants
such as cypress trees, low, poorly
drained land, good habitat for
amphibians- ex. Louisiana bayou
2 Purposes of Wetlands
Filter and absorb water-prevents
pollutants from entering ground
water
Control Flooding-absorb river
overflow
Homes and nesting area for
migratory birds
Cranberry, crawfish production
Wetlands are protected in many
states
Rivers
Originate from snow melt in
the mountains of Minnesota
1475 ft above sea level
2320 miles long, flows
southward in meanders,
terminating 95 miles below
New Orleans at sea level or
O ft.
4th longest river in the world
Changes with the land and
climate through which it
travels
Higher altitudes-cold, narrow,
fast, oxygen rich-Head Waters
Trout, Minnows, Moss
Lower altitudes-warmer, wider,
slower and decreased
dissolved oxygen-Ends in a fan
shape called the Delta
Plankton, Carp, Catfish
Arrowhead, Crowfoot
Threats to River Systems
Industries use river water in manufacturing
processes and release waste into the waters.
People dispose of sewage and garbage in
rivers
Pollutants and toxins produced have killed
river organisms and made river fish inedible
Water runoff from land carries pesticides,
fertilizers and manufacturing chemicals into
the river coating sediment with toxic waste
Pollutants enter ground water and human
drinking water resources in rural areas.
What Do You Know?-60
points
1.Why are aquatic ecosystems divided into freshwater
and saltwater?
2. Freshwater ecosystems include what 7 bodies of
water?
3. Summarize the 4 factors that characterize where
organisms live in aquatic ecosystems?
4. Compare the littoral zone and benthic zone of lakes.
5. Describe 2 environmental functions of wetlands.
Trace the path of the Mississippi river, where does it
start and end?
6. Discuss the importance of one threat against river
ecosystems
Answer the questions and complete the tasks above.
All of the answers can be found in the PowerPoint
presentation
Write the questions.
Answer each question using complete sentences.
Black History Month Extra Credit
110 points
Who founded the first settlement of
Chicago?
When was this person born?
Where was he born?
Who were his parents?
Who did he marry?
What were the names of his children?
Name the river upon which the settlement
was founded.
What was his occupation?
When did he die?
Where is he buried?
What Chicago Public School and Museum is
named after this person?
