Aquatic Ecosystems

Ecosystems1. Freshwater

1. Flowing water2. Standing water3. Freshwater Wetlands

2. Marine 1. Intertidal zone2. Coastal Ocean (Neritic Zone)3. Coral Reefs4. Open Ocean Zone5. Benthic Zone

3. Wetlands1. Salt marshes2. Mangrove swamps3. Estuaries

Freshwater: Flowing Water• Examples: Rivers, streams, brooks, creeks• Basic Biology: Aquatic Green Plants, fishes, turtles,

beaver, otters

Freshwater: Standing Water

• Examples: Lakes, ponds• Basic Biology: Plankton, algae, fishes, frogs,

turtles, birds

Freshwater Wetlands

Examples: aquatic habitats including swamps, marshes, bogs, prairie potholesBasic Biology: pond lilies, tamarack, and black spruce, amphibians, reptiles, birds (such as ducks and waders)

Wetlands: Estuaries• Description: freshwater source meets ocean• Basic Biology: algae, bacteria, oysters,

shrimp, crabs, spawning ground for fish

Wetlands: Salt Marshes

• Description: Flat, muddy or grassy areas along coasts

• Basic Biology: salt-tolerant grasses, sea grasses, birds

Wetlands: Mangrove Swamps

• Description: wetland occurring only in warm climates

• Basic Biology: salt-tolerant woody plants, shellfish, birds, fish, reptiles

Marine Zones

Intertidal

Neritic

Open ocean zone

Benthic

Marine: Intertidal• Description: Coast, area between high tide and

low tide marks• Basic Biology: Barnacles, seaweed, snails,

urchins, sea stars

Marine: Costal Ocean (Neretic)

• Description: low tide mark to edge of continental shelf

• Basic Biology: Rich in plankton, coral, kelp, sea otters, seals

Marine: Coral Reef

Description: found around the globe in warm waters

Basic Biology: Fish, coral, algae, jellyfish, shark, turtles

Marine: Open Ocean• Description: edge of continental shelf outwards• Basic Biology: Fishes, Dolphins, Whales

Marine: Benthic• Description: ocean floor• Basic Biology: clams, sea cucumbers,

chemosynthetic producers