Aquatic Ecology Oceans, Estuaries and Wetlands, and Freshwater.
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Transcript of Aquatic Ecology Oceans, Estuaries and Wetlands, and Freshwater.
Aquatic EcologyAquatic Ecology
Oceans, Estuaries and Oceans, Estuaries and Wetlands, and Freshwater Wetlands, and Freshwater
Oceans make up 71% of Oceans make up 71% of Earth’s SurfaceEarth’s Surface
Seventy-one percent of the Earth's surface is ocean.
The area of the earth The area of the earth the ocean covers the ocean covers (with the continents (with the continents out of the way)out of the way)
AtlanticAtlantic
PacificPacific
IndianIndian
ArcticArctic
Make-up of the oceanMake-up of the ocean
Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents
Gulf StreamGulf Stream
WavesWaves
TidesTides
Coral ReefsCoral Reefs
An inch of coral reef takes 100 years An inch of coral reef takes 100 years to grow!to grow!
Types of ReefsTypes of Reefs
Fringing ReefFringing Reef
Fringe reefs extend from the island Fringe reefs extend from the island with no water separating reef from with no water separating reef from landland
Polynesian Island of Moorea
Barrier ReefBarrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
AtollAtoll
Impacts on ReefsImpacts on Reefs Threats to Coral ReefsThreats to Coral Reefs
Human ContactTouching Reefs, even slightly, can harm them. Human ContactTouching Reefs, even slightly, can harm them. Boats and dropped anchors can cause severe damage to these Boats and dropped anchors can cause severe damage to these fragile ecosystems. Frequent human contact kills the reefs over fragile ecosystems. Frequent human contact kills the reefs over time. Runoff WaterSilt from eroded soil in runoff water can time. Runoff WaterSilt from eroded soil in runoff water can block sunlight. Without sunlight, photosynthesis does not occur block sunlight. Without sunlight, photosynthesis does not occur and reefs gradually die. SewageUntreated or improperly treated and reefs gradually die. SewageUntreated or improperly treated sewage promotes the growth of algae, which harms coral sewage promotes the growth of algae, which harms coral reefs. Cyanide FishingSome fishermen stun fish by squirting reefs. Cyanide FishingSome fishermen stun fish by squirting cyanide, a very toxic poison, into reef areas where fish seek cyanide, a very toxic poison, into reef areas where fish seek refuge. The poison does not kill, but disorients the fish in the refuge. The poison does not kill, but disorients the fish in the coral where they hide. coral where they hide. The fisherman then rip apart the reefs The fisherman then rip apart the reefs with crowbars to capture the fish. In addition, cyanide kills coral with crowbars to capture the fish. In addition, cyanide kills coral polyps and the symbiotic algae and other small organisms polyps and the symbiotic algae and other small organisms necessary for healthy reefs. Cyanide fishing is common in the necessary for healthy reefs. Cyanide fishing is common in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.South Pacific and Southeast Asia.
Fertilizers & PollutionFertilizer runoff, pesticides and other Fertilizers & PollutionFertilizer runoff, pesticides and other chemicals can poison reefs. Blast FishingShock waves from blast chemicals can poison reefs. Blast FishingShock waves from blast fishing can destroy coral reefs.fishing can destroy coral reefs.
Barrier IslandsBarrier Islands Found in the southern coastal areas Found in the southern coastal areas
from the carolinas, florida, to texasfrom the carolinas, florida, to texas
Dunes
ShorelineShoreline
Rocky shoresRocky shores
Found in pacific northwest and Found in pacific northwest and MaineMaine
Tidal pool
Estuaries and Estuaries and WetlandsWetlands
http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/gcnep.html
http://www.epa.gov
EstuariesEstuaries Where salt water meets freshWhere salt water meets fresh Many, like Galveston, protected by the Many, like Galveston, protected by the
EPAEPA Filters waterFilters water NutrientsNutrients 22 of 32 largest22 of 32 largest
cities nearbycities nearby Vital for fishVital for fish Trap sedimentTrap sediment
Coastal WetlandsCoastal Wetlands
Land covered by standing water most of Land covered by standing water most of the yearthe year
Vegetated (marshes, swamps) or not Vegetated (marshes, swamps) or not (mud flats)(mud flats)
BiodiversityBiodiversity Buffer betweenBuffer between
land and sealand and sea >50% destroyed>50% destroyed
since 1800since 1800
Salt MarshSalt Marsh Salt tolerant plantsSalt tolerant plants Mostly grassesMostly grasses Protected Protected
Mud flatMud flat
Aka Tidal flatsAka Tidal flats Mud/clay/siltMud/clay/silt Exposed 2x/dayExposed 2x/day InhabitantsInhabitants
burrowburrow Migratory birdsMigratory birds
Mangrove SwampsMangrove Swamps
Salt tolerant trees and shrubsSalt tolerant trees and shrubs Traps silt and sedimentTraps silt and sediment Protects inlandProtects inland Unique habitatUnique habitat
FreshwaterFreshwater
LakesLakes
Salt examples - Salt Lake, Aral Sea, Dead Salt examples - Salt Lake, Aral Sea, Dead SeaSea
Most are fresh waterMost are fresh water Most are in the Northern HemisphereMost are in the Northern Hemisphere Most have water in and outMost have water in and out Natural or Natural or
man-mademan-made Some under-Some under-
ground or iceground or ice
GlaciationGlaciation
Grind out softer landGrind out softer land Often in a rowOften in a row Higher latitudesHigher latitudes Great LakesGreat Lakes
Volcano LakesVolcano LakesLake Tahoe
Crater Lake, Oregon
Heaven Lake, North Korea
Mount Katmai, Alaska
Man-made lakesMan-made lakes
Water storageWater storage Energy productionEnergy production Flood controlFlood control RecreationRecreation Flooding of upstream Flooding of upstream
habitathabitat Loss of downstream habitatLoss of downstream habitat Colorado riverColorado river Three GorgesThree Gorges
Hoover dam
Lake Houston
Freshwater WetlandsFreshwater Wetlands
Land covered with Land covered with
water most/all yearwater most/all year Often connected to Often connected to
other water systemsother water systems Purify and filter water Purify and filter water
MarshMarsh
Mostly covered with grasses, Mostly covered with grasses, cattails, reedscattails, reeds
LankfordLankford Little open waterLittle open water Will o’ the WispsWill o’ the Wisps Aka MorassAka Morass
BogBog
Brackish, standing waterBrackish, standing water Source of peat mossSource of peat moss AcidicAcidic Aka quagmireAka quagmire Tanned mummiesTanned mummies No/little inflowing waterNo/little inflowing water
Bog in Alaskan Tundra
RiversRivers
RiversRivers
Move slow or fastMove slow or fast WatershedWatershed Deliver Deliver
waterwater Remove Remove
wastewaste