Aquatic Biomes Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the two categories of aquatic biomes?

Lentic and Lotic

Eutrophic and Oligotrophic

Wetland and Ocean

Freshwater and Marine (correct)

How are aquatic biomes characterized?

By salinity, depth, and water flow.

What are streams and rivers characterized by?

Flowing fresh water that may originate from underground springs or as runoff from rain or melting snow.

What are streams also known as?

Creeks. Signup and view all the answers

How do rivers differ from streams?

Rivers are typically wider and carry large amounts of water. Signup and view all the answers

What are rapids?

Turbulent water in fast-moving streams and rivers where water and air mix together. Signup and view all the answers

What are the major threats to streams and rivers?

Excess nutrients and pollutants. Signup and view all the answers

What are the different zones a lake can be divided into?

Littoral, limnetic, profundal, and benthic. Signup and view all the answers

What is the littoral zone?

The shallow area of soil and water near the shore where algae and emergent plants such as cattails grow. Signup and view all the answers

What is the limnetic zone?

A zone of open water in lakes and ponds. Signup and view all the answers

What are phytoplankton?

Microscopic, free-floating, autotrophic organisms that function as producers in aquatic ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

What is the profundal zone?

A region of water where sunlight does not reach, below the limnetic zone in very deep lakes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the benthic zone?

The muddy bottom of a lake, pond, or ocean beneath the limnetic and profundal zones. Signup and view all the answers

How are lakes classified?

By their level of productivity: oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic. Signup and view all the answers

What is an oligotrophic lake?

Lakes that have low productivity due to low amounts of nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes mesotrophic lakes?

Lakes with a moderate level of productivity. Signup and view all the answers

What are eutrophic lakes?

Lakes with a high level of productivity. Signup and view all the answers

What is a current concern for many oligotrophic lakes?

Human activities are causing increased nutrient inputs, leading to less clear water due to increased growth of phytoplankton. Signup and view all the answers

What are freshwater wetlands?

An aquatic biome that is submerged or saturated by water for at least part of each year, supporting emergent vegetation. Signup and view all the answers

What are swamps?

Wetlands that contain emergent trees. Signup and view all the answers

What are marshes?

Wetlands that contain primarily non-woody vegetation, including cattails and sedges. Signup and view all the answers

What are bogs?

Very acidic wetlands that typically contain sphagnum moss and spruce trees. Signup and view all the answers

What ecosystem services do wetlands provide?

Slowing runoff, reducing flooding, recharging aquifers, breeding habitat for birds, and filtering pollutants. Signup and view all the answers

What can marine biomes be categorized as?

Salt marshes, mangrove swamps, intertidal zones, coral reefs, and the open ocean. Signup and view all the answers

What is a salt marsh?

A marsh containing non-woody emergent vegetation, found along the coast in temperate climates. Signup and view all the answers

What is an estuary?

An area along the coast where the fresh water of rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean. Signup and view all the answers

How have humans negatively impacted wetlands?

More than half have been drained for agriculture or development. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Aquatic Biomes Overview

Aquatic biomes are categorized into freshwater (streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands) and marine (estuaries, coral reefs, open ocean).

Characteristics of Aquatic Biomes

Key defining factors include salinity, depth, and water flow.

Streams and Rivers

Comprised of flowing fresh water, originating from underground springs or runoff.
Streams (creeks) are narrow and carry small water volumes; rivers are wider and transport larger volumes of water.
Rapids exist in fast-moving water, mixing air and water, enhancing oxygen levels for fish.

Threats to Aquatic Systems

Major threats to streams and rivers include excess nutrients and pollutants.

Lake Zones

Lakes are divided into four zones: littoral, limnetic, profundal, and benthic.

Littoral Zone

The shallow area near the shore is rich in soil and water, supports algae and emergent plants, and is a primary site for photosynthesis.

Limnetic Zone

A zone of open water where rooted plants can't survive; composed mainly of phytoplankton, extending to the limit of sunlight penetration.

Profundal Zone

Dark, deep water region where sunlight doesn't reach; no photosynthetic producers exist, nutrients aren't recycled efficiently, and decomposing bacteria consume oxygen.

Benthic Zone

The lake's muddy bottom, located beneath the limnetic and profundal zones.

Lake Classifications

Lakes are classified by productivity: oligotrophic (low productivity), mesotrophic (moderate productivity), and eutrophic (high productivity).
Oligotrophic lakes are clear with low nutrient levels; increasing nutrients from human activities threaten their clarity.

Freshwater Wetlands

Aquatic biomes that are submerged or saturated with water for part of the year, supporting emergent vegetation. Includes swamps, marshes, and bogs.

Swamps

Wetlands with emergent trees, such as the Great Dismal Swamp.

Marshes

Wetlands dominated by non-woody vegetation like cattails and sedges.

Bogs

Acidic wetlands characterized by sphagnum moss and spruce trees.

Ecosystem Services of Wetlands

Wetlands contribute to environmental health by slowing runoff, reducing floods, recharging aquifers, providing bird breeding habitats, and filtering pollutants.

Marine Biomes

Categorized into salt marshes, mangrove swamps, intertidal zones, coral reefs, and the open ocean.

Salt Marshes

Coastal marshes with non-woody emergent vegetation, highly productive ecosystems that serve as habitats for spawning fish and shellfish.

Estuaries

Coastal areas where freshwater from rivers meets ocean saltwater, productive zones for plants and algae, filtering contaminants effectively.

Human Impact on Wetlands

Over half of wetlands have been drained for agriculture or development, significantly disrupting ecosystems and eliminating breeding grounds for various species.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of aquatic biomes, including the characteristics and classifications of freshwater and marine environments. Each flashcard presents key terms and definitions to enhance your understanding of ecosystems like rivers, lakes, and oceans.