ICHTHYOLOGY (FISHE 101_a) INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I
Introduction to
Aquatic Ecology

INTRODUCTION

Aquatic ecology includes the study of

these relationships in all aquatic
environments, including oceans,
estuaries, lakes, ponds, wetlands, rivers,
and streams.

Water supports many lives. Organisms

which survive in water are called
aquatic organisms. They depend on
water for their food, shelter,
reproduction and all other life activities.
An aquatic ecosystem includes a group
of interacting organisms which are
dependent on one another and their
water environment for nutrients and
shelter. This include includes freshwater
habitats like lakes, ponds, rivers, oceans
and streams, wetlands, swamp, etc. and
marine habitats include oceans, intertidal zone, reefs, seabed and so on. The aquatic
ecosystem is the habitat for water-dependent living species including animals, plants,
and microbes. Like the terrestrial ecosystem, the aquatic environment is the host to
a rich biodiversity of living organisms.
According to scientific postulates, life began in ocean. Therefore, it would be logical
to start the ecosystem study with marine habitat. However, in actual practice, it is
best to start the study with the fresh water ecosystems for several reasons. Primarily,
examples for fresh water ecosystems are in close vicinity of man and therefore, it
can be easily studied and identified with. Secondly, these are relatively small
ecosystems, and hence easily accessible with the use of relatively simple instruments.
Finally, the comparatively small biodiversity of the fresh water ecosystem makes it
easier for the beginner to understand the dynamics of the natural system.

Mariano Marcos State University-College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Techology

Janne Angelique D. Ravelas
Instrructor I
 ICHTHYOLOGY (FISHE 101_a) INTRODUCTION

There are two components of the ecosystem, the abiotic and biotic. This module will
be focused only on the biotic components.

Biotic Components of Ecosystem

The living components of an ecosystem are called the biotic components. Some of
these factors include plants, animals, as well as fungi and bacteria. These biotic
components can be further classified, based on the energy requirement source.
Producers, consumers, and decomposers are the three broad categories of biotic
components.

 Producers/Autotrophs are the plants in the ecosystem, which can generate their
own energy requirement through photosynthesis, in the presence of sunlight and
chlorophyll. All other living beings are dependent on plants for their energy
requirement of food as well as oxygen.

 Consumers include herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. The herbivores are

the living organisms that feed on plants. Carnivores eat other living organisms.
Omnivores are animals that can eat both plant and animal tissue.

 Decomposers/Saprophage are the fungi and bacteria, which are the saprophytes.
They feed on the decaying organic matter and convert this matter
into nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The saprophytes play a vital role in recycling
the nutrients so that the producers i.e. plants can use them once again.

OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson, the students should have:

1. Practical Knowledge on identifying the Biotic components of the aquatic

ecosystem.
2. Classified the organisms present in the aquatic ecosystem (taxonomical
classification & feeding strategies).

ACTIVITIES

Instructions: You are task to go to the nearest aquatic body in your area. Observe
and identify the biotic components present in that aquatic body. You have to take a
photo or video of the organisms you encounter from the aquatic body as proof that
you truly see that particular organism. The aquatic body could be a river, lake, sea
(e.g. coral reefs, seagrass beds), mangrove areas, or wetland. After which, you are

Mariano Marcos State University-College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Techology

Janne Angelique D. Ravelas
Instrructor I
 ICHTHYOLOGY (FISHE 101_a) INTRODUCTION

going to classify each organism (from Kingdom to species) and identify also their
feeding strategy. Noted that you can only list five organisms in this laboratory
activity. Submit until October 8, 2021.
Example

PICTURE (1 pt)

Organism: Bangus
(1 pt)
Kingdom: Animalia
(1 pt)
Phylum: Chordata
(1 pt)
Class: Osteichthyes
(1 pt)
Order: Gonoryn Chiformes
(1 pt)
Family: Chanidae
(1 pt)
Genus: Chanos
(1 pt)
Species: chanos
(1 pt)
Feeding Strategy: Omnivore

ASSESSMENT

Answer the Assessment, Wrap-up amd reflection in the mVLE.

Upload your output in mVLE (PDF or Word format). The deadline for
submission is on October 8, 2021.

Mariano Marcos State University-College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Techology

Janne Angelique D. Ravelas
Instrructor I