15.5 Estuaries and Freshwater Ecosystems

Review

• Ch. 13 Sec. 5– 1. Why is it so important that elements cycle through

ecosystems?• Ch. 14 Sec. 5

– 2. Explain the difference between primary and secondary succession

• Ch. 15 Sec. 4– 3. List the four major ocean zones in order from most

shallow to most deep– 4. Describe the 2 unique habitats of coastal waters

15.5 Estuaries and Freshwater Ecosystems

Targets

• 1. Summarize the characteristics of estuaries and the organisms that inhabit

• 2. Describe moving and standing freshwater ecosystems and the adaptations of the organisms that live there

• 3. Identify common features of ponds and lakes

15.5 Estuaries and Freshwater Ecosystems

KEY CONCEPT Freshwater ecosystems include estuaries as well as flowing and standing water.

15.5 Estuaries and Freshwater Ecosystems

Estuaries are dynamic environments where rivers flow into the ocean.

• An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water.– mixture of fresh water with salt water– Chesapeake Bay– Louisiana bayous

15.5 Estuaries and Freshwater Ecosystems

• Estuaries are highly productive ecosystems.

• Estuaries provide a protected refuge for many species.– birds migration– spawning grounds

• Estuaries are primarily threatened by land development.

15.5 Estuaries and Freshwater Ecosystems

Freshwater ecosystems include moving and standing water.

• A watershed is a region of land that drains into a body of water.

• Ecosystems may be different along a river’s course

15.5 Estuaries and Freshwater Ecosystems

• Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems.– provide a home for many species– filter dirty water– renew underground water supply

• Some animals have adaptations suited to the freshwater they inhabit.

15.5 Estuaries and Freshwater Ecosystems

Ponds and lakes share common features.

• Freshwater bodies are divided into three zones.– littoral zone– limnetic zone– benthic zone

15.5 Estuaries and Freshwater Ecosystems

15.5 Estuaries and Freshwater Ecosystems

• All lakes “turn over” periodically.– Turn over happens due to changes in density.– In both autumn and spring, surface water flows

downward and bottom water flows upward.– The upwelling brings up nutrients.

15.5 Estuaries and Freshwater Ecosystems

Assignment

• Review Questions AND Multiple Choice– Ch. 13 Sec. 5

1. Why is it so important that elements cycle through ecosystems?

– Ch. 14 Sec. 52. Explain the difference between primary and

secondary succession

– Ch. 15 Sec. 43. List the four major ocean zones in order from most

shallow to most deep

4. Describe the 2 unique habitats of coastal waters

15.5 Estuaries and Freshwater Ecosystems

•Freshwater Biomes- have photic, aphotic, and benthic zones; greater seasonal & temp changes than marine biomes, organisms must adapt. Three main types:

1. Moving water- a river or stream with vegetation that is frequently washed away consequently contain few algae or plants. Animals feed on insects and things washed in from the land, animals also have adaptations to keep from getting swept away in the current.

2. Standing water- a pond or lake depending upon the size. Ponds are smaller and shallower so light usually reaches to the entire bottom. Light can only reach part of a lakes bottom. Lakes and ponds near human populations can also contain large amounts of phosphorous and nitrogen compounds

3. Wetland- develops where fresh or salt water meets land; includes marshes, bogs, and swamps