CH.4 ECOSYSTEMS AND BIOMES

LS4 Water EcosystemsCamille, Michael, Max, Kayla

Vocab Plankton-organisms that drift freely in the

water Ex: diatoms or producers Nekton-second group includes the larger active

swimmers in a body of water Ex: turtle Benthos-third group of organisms that live on

the bottom of a body of water Ex: oysters Internal zone-shallowest part of ocean Estuary-where freshwater feeds into salt water

What are Water Ecoystems?

The organisms of water ecosystems are divided into three groups: plankton, nekton, benthos.

Like land ecosystems, biotic and abiotic factors determine the types of organisms that can survive in the water environment.

Fun Facts!

About 97% of the Earth’s water is salt water. 3% of the Earth’s water is freshwater.

What are Freshwater Ecosystems?

Moving bodies of water are small, but fast. Faster bodies of water tend to have more oxygen. Top predators such as herons, bass, and turtles, eat

frogs, birds and sunfish. Grass-like plants, moss, and some shrubs, are found in

wetlands. Fun Facts The zones of freshwater ecosystems are, shore, shallow

water, open water, and the floor, which is the bottom.

What are ocean ecosystems?

Neritic zone is shallowest part of ocean, where kelp and seaweed forests grow.

Oceanic zone is divided into bathyal zone and abyssal zone.

Bathyal zone is home to many consumers Abyssal zone is further down, darker and colder

because the sunlight is completely blocked.

Where do saltwater and freshwater meet?

The estuary's change with the tides. They contain salt marshes Ocean fish come here to lay eggs.

Fun FactsBobcats are at the top of estuary food chainSalt marshes act as sponges for the estuary

Pop Quiz!

1. Vocab: What is the shallowest part of the ocean ecosystem?

Intertidal zone!

2. What is the third group of organisms that live on the bottom of a body of water?

Benthos!

Name the 3 main parts of the standing fresh water.