Aquatic Ecosystems and Their Characteristics

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of the abyssal zone?

Very low nutrients (correct)

Warm temperatures

High light availability

Low salinity

Why is light availability important in aquatic ecosystems?

It is necessary for photosynthesis (correct)

It contributes to lower temperatures

It increases salinity levels

It decreases dissolved oxygen concentration

Which of the following organisms is primarily responsible for starting most oceanic food webs?

Coral

Phytoplankton (correct)

Zooplankton

Kelp

What aspect of the aquatic environment is directly correlated with the productivity of producers?

Dissolved oxygen concentration Signup and view all the answers

What does salinity measure in aquatic environments?

The total salts dissolved in water Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the salinity of bodies of water as they move from freshwater to ocean water?

Salinity increases as water becomes more saline. Signup and view all the answers

How does pH relate to the concentration of H+ ions in a solution?

Lower pH correlates with a higher concentration of H+ ions. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes temperature in aquatic ecosystems?

Temperature decreases as you move away from the equator. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two key factors that contribute to the productivity of aquatic ecosystems?

Exposure to light and supply of nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

What process occurs during seasonal turnover in a lake?

Cooler water from the surface sinks, redistributing nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

What effect do extra-strong tropical trade winds have on fishing revenue?

They create favorable conditions for increased upwelling. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of wetland is characterized by being submerged in water for part or all of the year while supporting emergent vegetation?

Marsh Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of estuaries?

They are the transition zone between rivers and the ocean. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily happens during upwelling along the coasts of some continents?

Deep ocean water is brought to the surface, rich in nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

During El Nino, how is upwelling affected?

Upwelling is diminished, preventing nutrient-rich water from rising. Signup and view all the answers

Which zone of a lake is known as the photic zone where light penetrates?

Limnetic Zone Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT true about the relationship between marine and freshwater systems?

They are completely independent. Signup and view all the answers

What climatic conditions are typically associated with El Nino in South America?

Very rainy weather, often causing flooding. Signup and view all the answers

What type of wetland is typically found in brackish water areas and has both saltwater and freshwater influences?

Estuaries Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the primary consequence of El Nino on marine life?

A collapse of food webs due to lack of upwelling. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the Profundal Zone is correct?

It is characterized by cold, sediment-rich conditions. Signup and view all the answers

How does La Nina affect tropical trade winds?

It enhances them, increasing their strength. Signup and view all the answers

What climate condition is typically associated with South America during extra-strong tropical trade winds?

Cold and dry Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential climate consequence of La Nina in Australia?

Higher average temperatures leading to wildfires. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about El Nino and La Nina is false?

La Nina has no influence on trade winds. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the displacement of warm water toward the coast during El Nino have?

It leads to the decline of nutrient availability in surface waters. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main consequence of sediment run-off for aquatic ecosystems?

Reduced photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

How does saltwater intrusion primarily occur?

Excessive irrigation depleting aquifers Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increased CO2 levels in the ocean?

Formation of carbonic acid Signup and view all the answers

What primary human activity is contributing to climate change?

Combustion of fossil fuels Signup and view all the answers

What occurs as a result of warmer ocean temperatures on coral reefs?

Coral bleaching Signup and view all the answers

What happens to plants irrigated with saltwater due to salt accumulation?

They die due to dehydration from salt Signup and view all the answers

What harmful effect does sediment entering fish gills cause?

Suffocation and death Signup and view all the answers

What role do roots from vegetation play in soil stability?

They stabilize soil and reduce erosion Signup and view all the answers

What function do mangroves serve to prevent coastal issues?

Their enormous root systems prevent coastal erosion Signup and view all the answers

What has contributed to the decrease of wetland acreage in Florida over the last 150 years?

Urbanization and agriculture Signup and view all the answers

What happens to fish populations when mangrove ecosystems are destroyed?

The ocean food web collapses Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of overfishing as described?

Decrease in fish population by 90% or more since 1950 Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'Tragedy of the Commons' in the context of fishing?

No single nation has the incentive to protect fish stocks Signup and view all the answers

What impact does the loss of a keystone species typically have on an ecosystem?

A trophic cascade of biodiversity loss Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes an invasive species?

They are introduced by humans and tend to outcompete native species Signup and view all the answers

Which is a consequence of bycatch in fishing practices?

Unwanted species, like turtles and dolphins, often get killed Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview

The presentation covers ocean, climate, and human impact on it, including a lab component
Six factors contributing to climate and weather are highlighted
Earth's tilt and orbit around the sun are important factors impacting climate and weather

Ocean Influences on Climate

Winds near bodies of water are influenced by temperature differences between land and water
Sea breezes form when land heats faster than water, creating a pressure difference
Land breezes occur during cooler parts of the day, as the land cools more quickly
Ocean currents distribute temperature, salinity, and nutrients globally
These massive circular currents are influenced by Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect)
Upwelling is an upward movement of cold, nutrient-rich water, driven by winds that displace surface water
Upwelling is critical for marine food webs
Changes in coastal upwelling greatly affect local climates and weather patterns.

El Niño and La Niña

These are climate patterns that occur in the Pacific Ocean
El Niño involves a slowing or reversal of tropical trade winds, causing a build-up of warm water in the western Pacific and impacting weather worldwide
La Niña is the opposite of El Niño, characterized by strengthening of trade winds, cooler waters, and different weather patterns globally
Both have consequences for fisheries, weather patterns, and other ecological systems

Freshwater Ecosystems

Includes streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, wetlands (marshes, swamps, bogs), and estuaries
Estuaries are transition zones between rivers and oceans, characterized by brackish water and unique habitats
Other aquatic ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, are also part of marine environments

Marine Ecosystems

Marine ecosystems include intertidal zones, coral reefs, and open oceans, as well as wetlands
The hydrosphere encompasses all aquatic environments and their interconnections

Layers of Aquatic Ecosystems

Lakes and oceans have distinct zones with varying light penetration, temperature, oxygen levels, and nutrient content
The littoral zone is the shallow, light-penetrated area near the shore with high biodiversity
The limnetic zone is the open water zone where light penetrates for photosynthesis
Pelagic zone is open ocean; benthic zones are the bottoms of water bodies, which are nutrient rich
Dissolved oxygen, salinity, and temperature dictate the life forms present per zone

Aquatic Abiotic Factors

Light availability—important for photosynthesis by phytoplankton (critical primary producers)
Salinity – freshwater, saltwater and brackish water
pH – acidity levels of water bodies
Temperature- cold or hot water
Nutrients/gases – essential for organisms

Human Impacts

Sediment pollution from land erosion
Saltwater intrusion into aquifers
Ocean acidification from increased CO2 levels
Climate change leading to ocean warming
Overfishing of fish populations
Loss of keystone species
Invasive species introductions
Deforestation and sediment runoff
Dams and their impact on sediment and water flow
Eutrophication caused by excess nutrient runoff

Additional Topics

Other human-caused impacts include the creation of dams and irrigation practices which have drastic impacts on water ecosystems.
Presentation includes examples such as the Florida Everglades and the disruption of keystone species like otters in kelp forests.

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Description

Explore the fascinating elements of aquatic ecosystems with this quiz covering the abyssal zone, light availability, salinity, and more. Test your knowledge on key factors influencing productivity and the dynamics of aquatic environments. Perfect for biology students and enthusiasts alike!