AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

CONT…

Wetlands

Wetlands contain fresh water for part of the year

-trap and filter sediments and pollutants

-protect shorelines from erosion

-spawning grounds for many commercially important species

-habitat for rare and endangered animals and plants

Includes marshes and swamps Act as transitional areas between freshwater and

saltwater

Marine Ecosystems

Estuary (FW and SW) Salt marsh Mangrove swamps Barrier Islands Coral reef Open ocean

Estuary area where freshwater from a river

meets salt water from the ocean

-very productive ecosystems

-rich in nutrients and minerals

-plenty of sunlight (shallow water)

Freshwater meets the ocean

Salt marsh• Develop in areas where estuaries deposit nutrient rich mud• Characterized by marsh grass• Provide support for clams, fish, crabs, shrimp, and aquatic birds• Absorb pollutants and protect inland areas

Mangrove Swamp• tree vegetation that grows in the muddy coastal areas between high and low water•mangrove forests protect the coastline from erosion; provide nursery grounds for fish, shrimp, clams, crabs and snails

• provide food via nutrient-rich mud and leaf litter.

Approximately one-third of all marine biological productivity occurs along coastal areas. These areas include mangroves, salt marshes, tidal zones and sea grass beds.

Barrier Island•These geographic features serve as protection for mainland and coastal wetlands

Coral ReefOne of the worlds most biologically diverse ecosystems

42% at low risk

31% at medium risk

27% at high risk

Open Ocean

Marlins, Tuna, Dolphins, Swordfish, and Sharks.

• Represents 65% of the Earth oceans.

• Some areas of open ocean contain little or no life at all, while other areas support large numbers of species

• Approximately 10% of all marine life is found in the open ocean.