Aquatic Ecosystems

There are 2 types:Freshwater – Life in lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and

wetlandsMarine – Life in the ocean

What makes up an ecosystem?Ecosystem – all the living and nonliving parts of an

environment

What determines the health of an ecosystem?Biotic factors – the living parts of an ecosystemAbiotic – the nonliving parts of an ecosystem

NOTES:Aquatic Ecosystems:

Freshwater ecosystems are dependent on:Running water, temperature, light availability and

vegetation

Importance of “Running” water:Better able to dissolve oxygen and nutrients than standing

water

NOTES:

Watch video:http://www.neok12.com/php/watch.php?v=zX466d047304046105745367&t=Ecosystems

Freshwater Ecosystems:

Primary producers:Algae and plants, such as the cattails

Primary consumers:Zooplankton and macroinvertebrates

Secondary consumers:Fish (such as, trout), insects (such as,

dragonflies), and frogs or lizards

NOTES:Freshwater Food Chain:

Wetlands:Watch video:

http://www.neok12.com/php/watch.php?v=zX03547a4151505c53040173&t=Ecosystems

WETLANDSWetlands – an area that is saturated with water or covered

by water for at least one season of the year.

Wetlands are extremely important for several reasons:Store excess water from floodsSlow down runoff and help prevent erosionRemove excess nutrients from runoff Provide a unique habitat for water plants Provide a safe, lush habitat for animals

NOTES:

Marine ecosystems:Largest aquatic ecosystemsInclude oceans, lagoons, coral reefs…Support a large amount of biodiversity

Marine ecosystems are dependent on:Light, temperature, salinity, density,landscape, availability of food, and water movement

NOTES:Marine Ecosystems:

Primary producers:Phytonplanton, seaweed/seagrass

Primary consumers:Zooplankton, jelly fish …

Secondary + consumers:Larger fish, octopus, squid Sharks, dolphins Albatross (bird)

NOTES:Freshwater Food Chain:

Abiotic vs. Biotic FactorsAn ECOSYSTEM is an interacting system of plants, animals,

humans and the surrounding environment. An ecosystem contains living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things that

contribute to the functioning of other organisms. An ecosystem is NOT just a collection of organisms. It is a system of

interactions and interrelationships.

Both Abiotic and Biotic factors affect Ecosystems

Differences in abiotic factors in ecosystems lead to differences in the living things there. Factors such as sunlight and precipitation

affect how organisms adapt to these ecosystems.

NOTES:

Create a Venn Diagram ----- Create a List

1. Use the following list to create a Venn diagram that compares abiotic vs biotic factors.

2. Come up with a list of types of abiotic influences could harm Utah’s waters.

3. Come up with a list of types of biotic influences could harm Utah’s waters.