6 TH. Most of the Earth Is Covered with Water (2) Most Aquatic Species Live in Top, Middle, or Bottom Layers of Water (1)

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1 A Healthy Coral Reef in the Red Sea MILLER/SPOOLMAN ESSENTIALS OF ECOLOGY 6 TH Chapter 8 Aquatic Biodiversity Fig. 8 1, p. 168 Most of the Earth Is Covered with Water (2) Aquatic life zones Saltwater life zones (marine life zones) Oceans and estuaries Coastlands and shorelines Coral reefs Mangrove forests The Ocean Planet Freshwater life zones Lakes Rivers and streams Inland wetlands Fig. 8 2, p. 169 Aquatic Systems Most Aquatic Species Live in Top, Middle, or Bottom Layers of Water (1) Plankton: free floating Phytoplankton Primary producers for most aquatic food webs Zooplankton Primary and secondary consumers Single celled to large invertebrates like jellyfish Ultraplankton Tiny photosynthetic bacteria Fig. 8 3, p

2 Most Aquatic Species Live in Top, Middle, or Bottom Layers of Water (2) Nekton Strong swimmers: fish, turtles, whales Four Types of Aquatic Life Forms Benthos Bottom dwellers: oysters, sea stars, clams, lobsters, crabs Decomposers Mostly bacteria Fig. 8 4, p Why Are Marine Aquatic Systems Important? Concept 8 2 Saltwater ecosystems are irreplaceable reservoirs of biodiversity and provide major ecological and economic services. Major Ecological and Economic Services Provided by Marine Systems Fig. 8 5, p. 172 Natural Capital Marine Ecosystems Major Life Zones and Vertical Zones in an Ocean Ecological Services Economic Services Climate moderation Food CO 2 absorption Animal and pet feed Nutrient cycling Pharmaceuticals Waste treatment Reduced storm impact (mangroves, barrier islands, coastal wetlands) Harbors and transportation routes Coastal habitats for humans Recreation Habitats and nursery areas Genetic resources and biodiversity Scientific information Employment Oil and natural gas Minerals Building materials Fig. 8 5, p. 172 Fig. 8 6, p

3 View of an Estuary from Space Coastal Marsh Ecosystem Fig. 8 7, p. 173 Fig. 8 8, p. 174 See Grass Bed Organisms Mangrove Forest in Australia Fig. 8 9, p. 174 Fig. 8 10, p. 175 Rocky and Sandy Shores Host Different Types of Organisms Intertidal zone Rocky shores Sandy shores: barrier beaches Living between the Tides Organism adaptations necessary to deal with daily salinity and moisture changes Importance of sand dunes Fig. 8 11, p

4 Coral Reefs Are Amazing Centers of Biodiversity Marine equivalent of tropical rain forests Natural Capital: Some Components and Interactions in a Coral Reef Ecosystem Habitats for one fourth of all marine species Fig. 8 12, p. 177 Natural Capital Degradation Major Human Impacts on Marine Ecosystems and Coral Reefs Marine Ecosystems Coral Reefs Chesapeake Bay Half of coastal wetlands lost to Ocean warming agriculture and urban development Rising ocean acidity Over one fifth of mangrove forests lost to Soil erosion agriculture, development, and shrimp farms since 1980 Algae growth from fertilizer runoff Bleaching Beaches eroding because of coastal development and rising sea levels Rising sea levels Ocean bottom habitats degraded by Increased UV exposure dredging and trawler fishing Damage from anchors At least 20% of coral reefs severely damaged and Damage from fishing and diving 25 33% more threatened Fig. 8 13, p. 179 Fig. 8 14, p. 180 Natural Capital Freshwater Systems Distinct Zones of Life in a Fairly Deep Temperate Zone Lake Ecological Services Economic Services Climate moderation Nutrient cycling Waste treatment Flood control Groundwater recharge Habitats for many species Genetic resources and biodiversity Scientific information Food Drinking water Irrigation water Hydroelectricity Transportation corridors Recreation Employment Fig. 8 15, p. 181 Fig. 8 16, p

5 The Effect of Nutrient Enrichment on a Lake Three Zones in the Downhill Flow of Water eutrophication Fig. 8 17, p. 182 Fig. 8 18, p. 183 New Orleans, Louisiana Flooded by Hurricane Katrina Projection of New Orleans if the Sea Level Rises 0.9 Meter Fig. 8 19, p. 185 Fig. 8 20, p