Aquatic Biodiversity

Aquatic Biodiversity

Chapters 8 and 11Chapters 8 and 11

WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT CORAL REEFS?

WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT CORAL REEFS?

Great biodiversityGreat biodiversity

Formation- massive colonies of polyps that secrete Formation- massive colonies of polyps that secrete

limestone (CaCO3) around their soft bodies. Color from limestone (CaCO3) around their soft bodies. Color from

zooxanthellae algae that live in polyp tissue (mutualistic)zooxanthellae algae that live in polyp tissue (mutualistic)

Important ecological and economic servicesImportant ecological and economic servicesModerate atmospheric temperatures by removing CO2Moderate atmospheric temperatures by removing CO2Act as natural barriers protecting coasts from erosionAct as natural barriers protecting coasts from erosionProvide habitatsProvide habitatsSupport fishing and tourism businessesSupport fishing and tourism businessesProvide jobs and building materialsProvide jobs and building materials

Great biodiversityGreat biodiversity

Formation- massive colonies of polyps that secrete Formation- massive colonies of polyps that secrete

limestone (CaCO3) around their soft bodies. Color from limestone (CaCO3) around their soft bodies. Color from

zooxanthellae algae that live in polyp tissue (mutualistic)zooxanthellae algae that live in polyp tissue (mutualistic)

Important ecological and economic servicesImportant ecological and economic servicesModerate atmospheric temperatures by removing CO2Moderate atmospheric temperatures by removing CO2Act as natural barriers protecting coasts from erosionAct as natural barriers protecting coasts from erosionProvide habitatsProvide habitatsSupport fishing and tourism businessesSupport fishing and tourism businessesProvide jobs and building materialsProvide jobs and building materials

Degradation and decline of coral reefs

Coastal developmentPollutionOverfishingWarmer ocean temperatures

leading to coral bleachingIncreasing ocean

acidity as CO2 is dissolved

Degradation and decline of coral reefs

Coastal developmentPollutionOverfishingWarmer ocean temperatures

leading to coral bleachingIncreasing ocean

acidity as CO2 is dissolved

Clip on coral reef growingClip on fish blasting

Clip on coral reef growingClip on fish blasting

Most of the Earth Is Covered with Water

Most of the Earth Is Covered with Water

Saltwater: global ocean divided into 4 areas (covers 71% of surface)

AtlanticPacific- largestArcticIndian

Freshwater : covers 2.2% of surface

Saltwater: global ocean divided into 4 areas (covers 71% of surface)

AtlanticPacific- largestArcticIndian

Freshwater : covers 2.2% of surface

Aquatic life zonesAquatic life zonesSaltwater: marine

Oceans and estuariesCoastlands and shorelinesCoral reefsMangrove forests

FreshwaterRivers and streamsInland wetlandsLakes

Saltwater: marine Oceans and estuariesCoastlands and shorelinesCoral reefsMangrove forests

FreshwaterRivers and streamsInland wetlandsLakes

Where do Aquatic Species live?(life zones)

Where do Aquatic Species live?(life zones)

Plankton (free floating)Phytoplankton (drifting plants like algae)Zooplankton (drifting animals that are

primary consumers like protozoa and jellyfish)Ultraplankton (tiniest and most common-

70% of primary productivity near ocean surface)

Nekton-strong swimmers- turtlesBenthos- bottom dwellers, oystersDecomposers- mostly bacteria

Plankton (free floating)Phytoplankton (drifting plants like algae)Zooplankton (drifting animals that are

primary consumers like protozoa and jellyfish)Ultraplankton (tiniest and most common-

70% of primary productivity near ocean surface)

Nekton-strong swimmers- turtlesBenthos- bottom dwellers, oystersDecomposers- mostly bacteria

Key factors in the distribution of organisms

Key factors in the distribution of organismsTemperatureDissolved oxygen contentAvailability of foodAvailability of light and

nutrients needed for photosynthesis in the euphotic, or photic, zone

TemperatureDissolved oxygen contentAvailability of foodAvailability of light and

nutrients needed for photosynthesis in the euphotic, or photic, zone

PHOTOSYNTHESISPHOTOSYNTHESIS

Occurs only where light penetrates

Depth can be reduced by excess algal growth from nutrient overload which causes cloudiness (turbidity) which can happen naturally or be man made (coral reefs affected by silt runoff)

Occurs only where light penetrates

Depth can be reduced by excess algal growth from nutrient overload which causes cloudiness (turbidity) which can happen naturally or be man made (coral reefs affected by silt runoff)

Oceans Provide Important Ecological and Economic Resources

Oceans Provide Important Ecological and Economic Resources

Reservoirs of diversity in three major life zones

Coastal zoneUsually high NPP

Open seaOcean bottom

Reservoirs of diversity in three major life zones

Coastal zoneUsually high NPP

Open seaOcean bottom

Natural Capital: Major Life Zones and Vertical Zones in an Ocean

Natural Capital: Major Life Zones and Vertical Zones in an Ocean

Continental shelf- 10% of ocean area, but 90% of all marine species. Sunlight and available nutrients give this ecosystem a high NPP

Euphotic zone- open ocean that receives sunlight

Continental shelf- 10% of ocean area, but 90% of all marine species. Sunlight and available nutrients give this ecosystem a high NPP

Euphotic zone- open ocean that receives sunlight

Estuaries and Coastal Wetlands Are Highly Productive

Estuaries and Coastal Wetlands Are Highly Productive

Estuaries and coastal wetlands (coastal land areas covered with water all or part of the year)

River mouthsInletsBaysSoundsSalt marshes - temperate zonesMangrove forests- tropical zones

Estuaries and coastal wetlands (coastal land areas covered with water all or part of the year)

River mouthsInletsBaysSoundsSalt marshes - temperate zonesMangrove forests- tropical zones

Another component of coastal marine

biodiversity

Another component of coastal marine

biodiversitySeagrass Beds

Support a variety of marine species

Stabilize shorelinesReduce wave impact

Seagrass BedsSupport a variety of marine

speciesStabilize shorelinesReduce wave impact

MANGROVESMANGROVES

These areas are tough places for plants to grow. During low tides intertidal zones are exposed to air and during high tides they’re covered by salt water. They flood frequently and have poor soil. But mangrove trees survive and even thrive in these harsh conditionsThe roots “breathe” through knobby holes called lenticels. They take in CO2 directly from the air, instead of from the soil like other plants.

Rocky and Sandy Shores Host Different Types of OrganismsRocky and Sandy Shores Host Different Types of Organisms

Intertidal zone- area between low and high tide

Rocky shoresSandy shores: barrier beaches

Organism adaptations necessary to deal with daily salinity and moisture changes

Importance of sand dunes first line of defense against storms

Intertidal zone- area between low and high tide

Rocky shoresSandy shores: barrier beaches

Organism adaptations necessary to deal with daily salinity and moisture changes

Importance of sand dunes first line of defense against storms

Primary and Secondary DunesPrimary and Secondary Dunes

Coral Reefs Are Amazing Centers of Biodiversity

Coral Reefs Are Amazing Centers of Biodiversity

Marine equivalent of tropical rain forests

Habitats for one-fourth of all marine species

Marine equivalent of tropical rain forests

Habitats for one-fourth of all marine species

The Open Sea and Ocean Floor Host a Variety of Species

The Open Sea and Ocean Floor Host a Variety of Species

Vertical zones of the open seaEuphotic zone- nutrient levels low,

dissolved oxygen high. Lots of drifting phytoplankton that carry out 40% of world’s photosynthetic activity

Bathyal zone- middle zone, little sunlight, no photosynthesizers. Contains zooplankton and small fish

Vertical zones of the open seaEuphotic zone- nutrient levels low,

dissolved oxygen high. Lots of drifting phytoplankton that carry out 40% of world’s photosynthetic activity

Bathyal zone- middle zone, little sunlight, no photosynthesizers. Contains zooplankton and small fish

Abyssal zone- dark, cold, little dissolved oxygen Contains lots of nutrients to support a large number of species marine snow – organisms get food from dead and decaying organisms floating down from above

Deposit feeders – worms, take in mud to extract nutrientsFilter feeders - pass water over or thru their bodies to get nutrients

Upwellings – areas where nutrients from the bottom move to the surface

Primary productivity and NPP – very little NPP in the open sea, but because the ocean is so big, the NPP is the largest of the earth’s.

PhytoplanktonThis large grouping is

composed mostly of single-celled algae and bacteria. (Diatoms)

PhytoplanktonThis large grouping is

composed mostly of single-celled algae and bacteria. (Diatoms)

ZooplanktonZooplankton

protozoa, small crustaceans, jellyfish and worms

Human Activities Are Disrupting and Degrading Marine Systems

Human Activities Are Disrupting and Degrading Marine Systems

Major threats to marine systems Coastal developmentOverfishingRunoff of nonpoint source pollutionPoint source pollution- sewage from

passenger ships and oil spillsHabitat destructionIntroduction of invasive speciesClimate change from human activitiesPollution of coastal wetlands and

estuaries

Major threats to marine systems Coastal developmentOverfishingRunoff of nonpoint source pollutionPoint source pollution- sewage from

passenger ships and oil spillsHabitat destructionIntroduction of invasive speciesClimate change from human activitiesPollution of coastal wetlands and

estuaries

Coastal DevelopmentCoastal Development

45% of the world’s population lives along or near coasts and

Over 50% of the US population lives along or near coasts

45% of the world’s population lives along or near coasts and

Over 50% of the US population lives along or near coasts

Over ½ the US population and 45% of the world’s population lives near the coast

By 2040, it is projected that up to 80% will live near coasts!

Over ½ the US population and 45% of the world’s population lives near the coast

By 2040, it is projected that up to 80% will live near coasts!

Overfishing and fishing methods- bottom trawling, longlining and drift nets- dynamite and cyanide

fishing

Overfishing and fishing methods- bottom trawling, longlining and drift nets- dynamite and cyanide

fishing

Humphead wrasseHumphead wrasse

The largest estuary in the US is the Chesapeake Bay

The largest estuary in the US is the Chesapeake Bay

The Chesapeake Bay was formed at the end of the last ice age as melting glaciers filled the Susquehanna River Valley. It is the largest estuary in the United States and the third largest in the world. It is home to 3,600 different species of plants and animals, and nearly 17 million people. But the bay is suffering; and this has resulted in

a number of endangered species both in its waters and along the shores.

The population of the bay oysters and the blue crab are now threatened due to overharvesting and pollution.

The main pollutants are nitrates and phosphates released from agriculture.

The population of the bay oysters and the blue crab are now threatened due to overharvesting and pollution.

The main pollutants are nitrates and phosphates released from agriculture.

CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM

CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM

1983Integrated coastal management

which included citizen groups, communities and state and federal governments

Strategies included land-use regulations, banning phosphate detergents, upgrading sewage treatment plants and monitoring industrial discharges

Wetlands were restored and sea grasses planted

1983Integrated coastal management

which included citizen groups, communities and state and federal governments

Strategies included land-use regulations, banning phosphate detergents, upgrading sewage treatment plants and monitoring industrial discharges

Wetlands were restored and sea grasses planted

Oysters used to filter and clean the bay every 3 days- this removed excess nutrients and reduced algal blooms

Now the filtration process takes a year!Should the non-native Asian oyster be

introduced? (denied)Improvements have

been made and there is some significant improvement, but still a long way to go

Oysters used to filter and clean the bay every 3 days- this removed excess nutrients and reduced algal blooms

Now the filtration process takes a year!Should the non-native Asian oyster be

introduced? (denied)Improvements have

been made and there is some significant improvement, but still a long way to go

WHY ARE FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS IMPORTANT?

WHY ARE FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS IMPORTANT?Standing (lentic) bodies of freshwater

LakesPondsInland wetlands

Flowing (lotic) systems of freshwater

StreamsRivers

Standing (lentic) bodies of freshwater

LakesPondsInland wetlands

Flowing (lotic) systems of freshwater

StreamsRivers

Formation of lakesFormation of lakes

Formed when precipitation, runoff or groundwater seepage fills depressions in the earth’s surface.

Cause of depressions= glaciation (Lake Louise, crustal displacement and volcanic lake (Crater Lake in Oregon)

Formed when precipitation, runoff or groundwater seepage fills depressions in the earth’s surface.

Cause of depressions= glaciation (Lake Louise, crustal displacement and volcanic lake (Crater Lake in Oregon)

Crater LakeCrater LakeCrater Lake was formed when a

massive eruption of Mount Mazama 7700 years ago caused the mountain to collapse, leaving a steaming caldera.

Centuries of rain and snow filled the caldera creating Crater Lake.

There are 2 islands in the crater.

Crater Lake was formed when a massive eruption of Mount Mazama 7700 years ago caused the mountain to collapse, leaving a steaming caldera.

Centuries of rain and snow filled the caldera creating Crater Lake.

There are 2 islands in the crater.

Four zones based on depth and distance from shore

Littoral zonenear shore, shallow sunlit water with high biological diversity

Limnetic zoneopen, sunlit surface away from shore which produces food and oxygen that supports most of the consumers

Profundal zonedeep, dark, open water with low oxygen levels

Benthic zonebottom layer inhabited by decomposers,

detritus feeders and some fish that are nourished by dead matter that falls down

Some Lakes Have More Nutrients Than Others

Some Lakes Have More Nutrients Than Others

Oligotrophic lakesLow levels of nutrients and low NPPDeep with steep banksCrystal clear water with small populations

Eutrophic lakesHigh levels of nutrients and high NPPShallow, murky, high turbidity

Mesotrophic lakesLake with conditions between the two

Cultural eutrophication leads to hypereutrophic lakes which occurs due to human imputs

Oligotrophic lakesLow levels of nutrients and low NPPDeep with steep banksCrystal clear water with small populations

Eutrophic lakesHigh levels of nutrients and high NPPShallow, murky, high turbidity

Mesotrophic lakesLake with conditions between the two

Cultural eutrophication leads to hypereutrophic lakes which occurs due to human imputs

Adapted from Ms. J. Root’s power point

Adapted from Ms. J. Root’s power point