Ch. 6 Aquatic Biodiversity

Where does the color of the coral come from?

What are benefits of coral reefs?

75% of Earth is covered with waterSalinity of the water determines the type of life that can

survive

Benefits of a marine ecosystem.

Levels of ocean feeders:Plankton

PhytoplanktonZooplanktonUltraplankton

NektonTurtlesfish

Benthos- bottom dwellersOysters, lobsters, crabs, worms

DecomposersSpecialized bacteria

Ocean LayersEuphotic zone: brightly lit surface layer.

Nutrient levels low, dissolved O2 high, photosynthetic activity.

Bathyal zone: dimly lit middle layer.No photosynthetic activity, zooplankton and

fish live there and migrate to euphotic zone to feed at night.

Abyssal zone: dark bottom layer. Very cold, little dissolved O2.

Estuary and Coastal WetlandsEstuaries are rivers that meet the sea where

seawater mixes with freshwater.

Coastal wetlands are land areas covered with water some or all of the year.river mouths, inlets, bays, sounds, salt

marshes=temperate zonesMangrove forests=tropical zones

Mangrove Forests

The coastal zone

Types of LakesOligotrophic- lacking nutrients, cold, clear,

low NPPtrout

Eutropic- well nourished, shallow, murky, high NPP

Mesotrophic- between two extremesCultural eutrophication- when runoff from

farmland and building sites increases nutrients in lakes quickly

Benefits of Inland wetlandsReplenish streams during droughtReplenish aquifersMaintain biodiversitySupply products like fish, timber