SALT WATER!! !

Marine Ecosystems

Life in the Oceans

Plankton are the base of the food chain and the most abundant

producers.

Shaped by Abiotic Factors

TEMPERATURE: The temperature of the water goes down as

the water gets deeper. Temperature affects the animals that live in

the marine ecosystems.

If the temperature changes too much it can cause some animals to die.

Other Important Abiotic Factors

SunlightDepth of the waterAmount of salt

Ocean Zones

HOW: Zones are created by differences in light, temperature and depth.

IntertidalNeritic OceanicBenthic

Intertidal Zone

Where the ocean meets the land. Because of the tides, sometimes this area is

exposed to the air.

The Intertidal zone organisms have adaptations to survive exposure to the air and from

being washed away by the waves.

Neritic Zone Plants and Animals

As you move away from the shore, the water becomes deeper and the ocean floor starts to slope downward.

The water is warm & receives a lot of sunlight

Coral Reefs are located here

In this zone the sea floor drops sharply.

Contains the “deep water”

Adaptations: colorful to blend into surroundings, small in size, fast

Neritic Zone

Plants and Animals

In this zone the sea floor drops sharply.

Contains the “deep water”

Oceanic Zone

Seaweed, algae, plankton

Krill, fish, sharks, whales, jellyfish

Adaptations: fish are reflective and swim in schools

The Benthic Zone

The ocean floor. The deepest parts do not get any sunlight and are very cold.

Animals that live in the benthic zone are adapted to living in the deep, dark water.

Many animals feed on parts that sink from above.

Some organisms, get energy form chemicals released from thermal vents in the ocean floor.

Coral ReefsFound in warm, shallow areas of the neritic zone.

Coral reefs are home to thousands of species animals and plants and are the most biologically diverse of the water ecosystems

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIul2ObvKV8

• POLYPS SECRETE CALCIUM TO BUILD THESE “SKELETONS” .• CONTROL HOW MUCH CARBON DIOXIDE IS IN THE

OCEANS! WITHOUT THEM DOING THIS THE AMOUNT OF CO2 WOULD BE OUT OF CONTROL

• COLOR COMES FROM THE ALGAE THAT L I VES IN THEM- SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP!

Coral Reefs are built up on the “skeletons: of

previous coral.

Polyps

Sargasso SeaIn the middle of the Atlantic Ocean sits

floating “rafts” of algae called sargassum, thus called the Sargasso Sea.

Organisms live here to find shelter and food as well as mates.

Estuaries

An estuary is where fresh water from rivers and streams spill into the ocean. It is so rich in nutrients since salt water and fresh water are mixing, that large amounts of plankton live here.

Since water is constantly flowing the amount of salt is never steady. Plants and animals that call estuaries home must be adapted to this!

Animals: crabs, small fish, freshwater dolphins, birds Plants: grasses, plankton, algae

Polar Ice

The icy water of the polar ice are rich in nutrients- which support large numbers of plankton. Many fishes- and krill- rely on the plankton as a source of food.

NO PLANTSAnimal adaptations: blubber to stay warm in freezing

waters, good eye site, spread weight over ice to avoid falling in

Food Chain: plankton- krill-Hering and other fish. The fish are eaten by penguins and seals (seals will also eat penjuins) which are eaten by polar bears.

Fresh water Ecosystems

Streams and Rivers

The water may flow from melting ice or snow or even come from a spring

Each stream that joins a larger stream is called a tributary. As tributaries are added in the stream grows bigger and bigger until it becomes a wide strong steam called a river.

Streams and Rivers

Just like all other ecosystems, streams and rivers are characterized by their abiotic factors.

Animals have adaptations to live in open water as well as adaptations to live in fast moving streams and rivers.

Plants also must be adapted to anchor themselves toavoid being washed away

An important abiotic factor in freshwater ecosystems is how quickly the water moves.

Pond and Lake EcosystemsThere are 3 zones in a pond or lake.

Littoral Zone

Open-water Zone

Deep-water Zone

Littoral Zone

The area of water closest to the edge of the lake or pond where the water is shallow

Since sunlight reaches the bottom of the littoral zone, algae and plants can grow here. Floating leaf plants also grow here.

Animals: small fish, tadpoles turtles, zooplankton

Open Water Zone

The zone that extends from the littoral zone across the top of the water. It is only as deep as sunlight can reach.

Animals like bass, lake trout and other fishes as well as plankton live here.

Deep-Water Zone

Beneath the open water zone where no light reaches.

Catfish, carp, worms, crustaceans, fungi and bacterial live here. These organisms often feed on dead organisms that sink from above.

WETLANDS

A wetland is an area of land that is periodically underwater or whose soil contains a great deal of moisture.

Wet lands are important because they help in flood control! During heavy rains or

when the spring snow melts, wetlands soak up large amounts of water. The water in

wetlands also soak up more water and

replenish underground water

supplies.

Wetland EcosystemsA treeless wetland ecosystem where plants, like

grasses grow is a MARSH.

Often found in shallow areas along the shores of lakes, ponds and rivers. The plants in a marsh depend on the depth of the water.

Animals:Birds, small fish, snakes, turtlesPlants:Grasses, fungi, mosses

Wetland EcosystemsA wetland ecosystem where trees and vines grow is

called a SWAMP.

Swamps are found in low-lying areas near slow moving rivers. Most swamps are flooded part of the year, depending on the year.

Animals:Birds, fish, snakes, turtles, alligators, raccoons, Plants:Grasses, fungi, mosses, trees, vines, duck weed