River EcologyRiver Ecology

AS GeographyAS Geography

What is an Ecosystem?What is an Ecosystem?

A community of organisms and its A community of organisms and its environment functioning as an ecological environment functioning as an ecological unit. unit.

River EcologyRiver Ecology

The plants and animals that live along the The plants and animals that live along the riverbank are all considered part of the river riverbank are all considered part of the river environmentenvironment

Major Types of HabitatMajor Types of Habitat

LakesLakes Rivers Rivers WetlandsWetlands

Energy and Food ChainEnergy and Food Chain

All living organisms need All living organisms need energyenergy . . Animals obtain energy by eating other plants or animals. Animals obtain energy by eating other plants or animals.

They are called They are called consumersconsumers . . Green plants obtain light energy from the Sun to make their Green plants obtain light energy from the Sun to make their

own food by own food by photosynthesisphotosynthesis . . They store the energy in chemicals inside the plant cells.They store the energy in chemicals inside the plant cells. Green plants are called Green plants are called producersproducers because they produce because they produce

energy in a usable form for all other organisms.energy in a usable form for all other organisms. The ultimate source of energy for all organisms is therefore The ultimate source of energy for all organisms is therefore

the Sun.the Sun.  

Simple Food ChainSimple Food Chain

Food ChainsFood Chains

Wetlands in DangerWetlands in Danger

Wetlands and their ecosystems cover a Wetlands and their ecosystems cover a global area one third larger than the USA global area one third larger than the USA and one half larger than Brazil. Half of the and one half larger than Brazil. Half of the world’s wetlands have already been lost world’s wetlands have already been lost over the last century and this is increasing. over the last century and this is increasing. 

The UK Government has designated around The UK Government has designated around 100 wetlands (a total of 344,023 square km 100 wetlands (a total of 344,023 square km 215,014 square miles) of international 215,014 square miles) of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, a importance under the Ramsar Convention, a greater number than any other country.greater number than any other country.

Governments and RAMSARGovernments and RAMSAR

The RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of The RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat, is an intergovernmental treaty providing Habitat, is an intergovernmental treaty providing the framework for countries to adopt national the framework for countries to adopt national action and international cooperation for the action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The Convention was largely drafted by resources. The Convention was largely drafted by WWT staff and championed by Sir Peter Scott at WWT staff and championed by Sir Peter Scott at its launch at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. Today, 116 its launch at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. Today, 116 countries have joined RAMSAR with over 1000 countries have joined RAMSAR with over 1000 wetland sites worldwide.wetland sites worldwide.

Reasons for threatsReasons for threats

drained drained dredging and channelling streams for navigation; dredging and channelling streams for navigation;

flood control; coastal development, and reservoir flood control; coastal development, and reservoir maintenance.maintenance.

LandfillLandfill DamsDams PollutionPollution exploitation of resources – e.g.. Peatexploitation of resources – e.g.. Peat Too many touristsToo many tourists Natural disastersNatural disasters

Norfolk BroadsNorfolk Broads

The region known as the Norfolk Broads is The region known as the Norfolk Broads is Britain's most varied and important wetland Britain's most varied and important wetland habitat.habitat.

It contains many sites of scientific and natural It contains many sites of scientific and natural interest of not only national, but also international interest of not only national, but also international importance, including its enormous bird importance, including its enormous bird populations, both native and migratory. populations, both native and migratory.

In 1989 it was at last given the status of a National In 1989 it was at last given the status of a National Park – and placed under the control of the new Park – and placed under the control of the new Broads Authority Broads Authority

the Broads themselves are not natural they the Broads themselves are not natural they are entirely man-madeare entirely man-made

The rivers began to be embanked from The rivers began to be embanked from about 1300 in order to protect the about 1300 in order to protect the surrounding marshes from flooding surrounding marshes from flooding

The reed beds which fringe many riverbanks The reed beds which fringe many riverbanks and broads are not natural either and broads are not natural either

The river courses have also been alteredThe river courses have also been altered

From inland trade routes by river to inland From inland trade routes by river to inland pleasure boating the transition began as pleasure boating the transition began as early as the early 20early as the early 20thth century. With rapid century. With rapid take off after WWIItake off after WWII

This brought about its own problems being a This brought about its own problems being a serious threat to the Broadland environment serious threat to the Broadland environment

http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/h2o/bowen/images/wetlands_e.jpg

Poisoned wetlandsPoisoned wetlands

many human activities produce poisonous or harmful by-many human activities produce poisonous or harmful by-products that end up in wetlands or in the water supply.products that end up in wetlands or in the water supply.

All water whether polluted or not returns to the All water whether polluted or not returns to the environment.environment.

Certain types include:Certain types include:1.1. SewageSewage2.2. IndustrialIndustrial3.3. Farm- relatedFarm- related4.4. Air pollutionAir pollution5.5. Landfill sitesLandfill sites

Directives Directives

Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EU) - for river basin Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EU) - for river basin management.management.

Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC)Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) Discharges of Dangerous Substances Directive Discharges of Dangerous Substances Directive

(76/464/EEC) and the Priority Substances under the Water (76/464/EEC) and the Priority Substances under the Water Framework DirectiveFramework Directive

Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC).Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC). Bathing Water Quality Directive (Council Directive Bathing Water Quality Directive (Council Directive

76/160/EEC) concerning the quality of bathing water (and 76/160/EEC) concerning the quality of bathing water (and its proposed revision).its proposed revision).

Drinking Water Directive (98/83/ EC).Drinking Water Directive (98/83/ EC).

Drying OutDrying Out 97% of all water is contained within the seas and oceans and is 97% of all water is contained within the seas and oceans and is

therefore ‘Salty’therefore ‘Salty’ Only 3% of the remaining water is drinkableOnly 3% of the remaining water is drinkable The world is not short of water only its distribution is poor.The world is not short of water only its distribution is poor. The United Nations has estimated that one in five countries will The United Nations has estimated that one in five countries will

experience water shortages within the next 25 years.experience water shortages within the next 25 years. 22 African countries and 14 Asian ones have safe water access for 22 African countries and 14 Asian ones have safe water access for

less than 50% of their populations.less than 50% of their populations. Deforestation, irrigation and over extraction ofDeforestation, irrigation and over extraction of water in Australia has increased desertificationwater in Australia has increased desertification and lowered soil water retention.and lowered soil water retention. Desertification is a problem in parts of SpainDesertification is a problem in parts of Spain Many European wetlands are heavily polluted.Many European wetlands are heavily polluted. Water is the new oil.Water is the new oil.

Wetlands under threat.Wetlands under threat.

Wetlands are among the world's most threatened habitats - Wetlands are among the world's most threatened habitats - largely because of the effects and impact of people.largely because of the effects and impact of people.

Major cities like London, Paris and New York were built on Major cities like London, Paris and New York were built on WetlandsWetlands

Three quarters of the world's population still lives in or near Three quarters of the world's population still lives in or near wetlands and former wetlandswetlands and former wetlands

Wetlands are considered wastelandsWetlands are considered wastelands It has been estimated that a healthyIt has been estimated that a healthy marsh is 50 times as productive as grassland, and eight marsh is 50 times as productive as grassland, and eight

times as productive as nearby cultivated land.times as productive as nearby cultivated land.

The five secrets of wetlandsThe five secrets of wetlands

Wetlands store waterWetlands store water Wetlands are cleanersWetlands are cleaners Wetlands are calmersWetlands are calmers Wetlands are producersWetlands are producers Wetlands are homesWetlands are homes

Why do we not like Wetlands?Why do we not like Wetlands?

Discuss in small groups and list as many Discuss in small groups and list as many reasons as you can think of on a piece of reasons as you can think of on a piece of paper.paper.