Aquatic EcologyAquatic Ecology

Oceans, Estuaries and Oceans, Estuaries and Wetlands, and Freshwater Wetlands, and Freshwater

Oceans make up 71% of Oceans make up 71% of Earth’s SurfaceEarth’s Surface

                                                                                      

                                Seventy-one percent of the Earth's surface is ocean.

The area of the earth The area of the earth the ocean covers the ocean covers (with the continents (with the continents out of the way)out of the way)

AtlanticAtlantic

PacificPacific

IndianIndian

ArcticArctic

Make-up of the oceanMake-up of the ocean

Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents

Gulf StreamGulf Stream

WavesWaves

TidesTides

Coral ReefsCoral Reefs

An inch of coral reef takes 100 years An inch of coral reef takes 100 years to grow!to grow!

Types of ReefsTypes of Reefs

Fringing ReefFringing Reef

Fringe reefs extend from the island Fringe reefs extend from the island with no water separating reef from with no water separating reef from landland

Polynesian Island of Moorea

Barrier ReefBarrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

AtollAtoll

Impacts on ReefsImpacts on Reefs Threats to Coral ReefsThreats to Coral Reefs

Human ContactTouching Reefs, even slightly, can harm them. Human ContactTouching Reefs, even slightly, can harm them. Boats and dropped anchors can cause severe damage to these Boats and dropped anchors can cause severe damage to these fragile ecosystems. Frequent human contact kills the reefs over fragile ecosystems. Frequent human contact kills the reefs over time. Runoff WaterSilt from eroded soil in runoff water can time. Runoff WaterSilt from eroded soil in runoff water can block sunlight. Without sunlight, photosynthesis does not occur block sunlight. Without sunlight, photosynthesis does not occur and reefs gradually die. SewageUntreated or improperly treated and reefs gradually die. SewageUntreated or improperly treated sewage promotes the growth of algae, which harms coral sewage promotes the growth of algae, which harms coral reefs. Cyanide FishingSome fishermen stun fish by squirting reefs. Cyanide FishingSome fishermen stun fish by squirting cyanide, a very toxic poison, into reef areas where fish seek cyanide, a very toxic poison, into reef areas where fish seek refuge. The poison does not kill, but disorients the fish in the refuge. The poison does not kill, but disorients the fish in the coral where they hide. coral where they hide.  The fisherman then rip apart the reefs The fisherman then rip apart the reefs with crowbars to capture the fish. In addition, cyanide kills coral with crowbars to capture the fish. In addition, cyanide kills coral polyps and the symbiotic algae and other small organisms polyps and the symbiotic algae and other small organisms necessary for healthy reefs. Cyanide fishing is common in the necessary for healthy reefs. Cyanide fishing is common in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.South Pacific and Southeast Asia.  

Fertilizers & PollutionFertilizer runoff, pesticides and other Fertilizers & PollutionFertilizer runoff, pesticides and other chemicals can poison reefs. Blast FishingShock waves from blast chemicals can poison reefs. Blast FishingShock waves from blast fishing can destroy coral reefs.fishing can destroy coral reefs.

Barrier IslandsBarrier Islands Found in the southern coastal areas Found in the southern coastal areas

from the carolinas, florida, to texasfrom the carolinas, florida, to texas

Dunes

ShorelineShoreline

Rocky shoresRocky shores

Found in pacific northwest and Found in pacific northwest and MaineMaine

Tidal pool

Estuaries and Estuaries and WetlandsWetlands

http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/gcnep.html

http://www.epa.gov

EstuariesEstuaries Where salt water meets freshWhere salt water meets fresh Many, like Galveston, protected by the Many, like Galveston, protected by the

EPAEPA Filters waterFilters water NutrientsNutrients 22 of 32 largest22 of 32 largest

cities nearbycities nearby Vital for fishVital for fish Trap sedimentTrap sediment

Coastal WetlandsCoastal Wetlands

Land covered by standing water most of Land covered by standing water most of the yearthe year

Vegetated (marshes, swamps) or not Vegetated (marshes, swamps) or not (mud flats)(mud flats)

BiodiversityBiodiversity Buffer betweenBuffer between

land and sealand and sea >50% destroyed>50% destroyed

since 1800since 1800

Salt MarshSalt Marsh Salt tolerant plantsSalt tolerant plants Mostly grassesMostly grasses Protected Protected

Mud flatMud flat

Aka Tidal flatsAka Tidal flats Mud/clay/siltMud/clay/silt Exposed 2x/dayExposed 2x/day InhabitantsInhabitants

burrowburrow Migratory birdsMigratory birds

Mangrove SwampsMangrove Swamps

Salt tolerant trees and shrubsSalt tolerant trees and shrubs Traps silt and sedimentTraps silt and sediment Protects inlandProtects inland Unique habitatUnique habitat

FreshwaterFreshwater

LakesLakes

Salt examples - Salt Lake, Aral Sea, Dead Salt examples - Salt Lake, Aral Sea, Dead SeaSea

Most are fresh waterMost are fresh water Most are in the Northern HemisphereMost are in the Northern Hemisphere Most have water in and outMost have water in and out Natural or Natural or

man-mademan-made Some under-Some under-

ground or iceground or ice

GlaciationGlaciation

Grind out softer landGrind out softer land Often in a rowOften in a row Higher latitudesHigher latitudes Great LakesGreat Lakes

Volcano LakesVolcano LakesLake Tahoe

Crater Lake, Oregon

Heaven Lake, North Korea

Mount Katmai, Alaska

Man-made lakesMan-made lakes

Water storageWater storage Energy productionEnergy production Flood controlFlood control RecreationRecreation Flooding of upstream Flooding of upstream

habitathabitat Loss of downstream habitatLoss of downstream habitat Colorado riverColorado river Three GorgesThree Gorges

Hoover dam

Lake Houston

Freshwater WetlandsFreshwater Wetlands

Land covered with Land covered with

water most/all yearwater most/all year Often connected to Often connected to

other water systemsother water systems Purify and filter water Purify and filter water

MarshMarsh

Mostly covered with grasses, Mostly covered with grasses, cattails, reedscattails, reeds

LankfordLankford Little open waterLittle open water Will o’ the WispsWill o’ the Wisps Aka MorassAka Morass

BogBog

Brackish, standing waterBrackish, standing water Source of peat mossSource of peat moss AcidicAcidic Aka quagmireAka quagmire Tanned mummiesTanned mummies No/little inflowing waterNo/little inflowing water

Bog in Alaskan Tundra

RiversRivers

RiversRivers

Move slow or fastMove slow or fast WatershedWatershed Deliver Deliver

waterwater Remove Remove

wastewaste