MILLER/SPOOLMAN

LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT

17TH

Chapter 8 Aquatic Biodiversity

Core Case Study: Why Should We Care about Coral Reefs? (1)
Biodiversity

Formation
Tiny animals (polyps) and algae have mutualistic relationship Polyps secret calcium carbonate shells, which become coral reefs

Core Case Study: Why Should We Care about Coral Reefs? (2)
Important ecological and economic services
Moderate atmospheric temperatures Act as natural barriers protecting coasts from erosion Provide habitats Support fishing and tourism businesses Provide jobs and building materials Studied and enjoyed

Core Case Study: Why Should We Care about Coral Reefs? (3)
Degradation and decline
Coastal development Pollution Overfishing Warmer ocean temperatures leading to coral bleaching: kill algae and thus the polyps Increasing ocean acidity

A Healthy Coral Reef in the Red Sea

Fig. 8-1, p. 168

8-1 What Is the General Nature of Aquatic Systems?

Concept 8-1A Saltwater and freshwater aquatic life zones cover almost three-fourths of the earths surface, with oceans dominating the planet.
Concept 8-1B The key factors determining biodiversity in aquatic systems are temperature, dissolved oxygen content, availability of food and availability of light, and nutrients necessary for photosynthesis.

Most of the Earth Is Covered with Water (1)

Saltwater: global ocean divided into 4 areas
Atlantic Pacific Arctic Indian

Freshwater

Most of the Earth Is Covered with Water (2)

Aquatic life zones
Saltwater life zones (marine life zones)
Oceans and estuaries Coastlands and shorelines Coral reefs Mangrove forests

Freshwater life zones

Lakes Rivers and streams Inland wetlands

The Ocean Planet

Fig. 8-2, p. 169

Ocean hemisphere

Landocean hemisphere

Fig. 8-2, p. 169

Aquatic Systems

Fig. 8-3, p. 170

Most Aquatic Species Live in Top, Middle, or Bottom Layers of Water (1)
Plankton: free floating
Phytoplankton
Primary producers for most aquatic food webs

Zooplankton
Primary and secondary consumers Single-celled to large invertebrates like jellyfish

Ultraplankton
Tiny photosynthetic bacteria

Most Aquatic Species Live in Top, Middle, or Bottom Layers of Water (2)
Nekton
Strong swimmers: fish, turtles, whales

Benthos
Bottom dwellers: oysters, sea stars, clams, lobsters, crabs

Decomposers
Mostly bacteria

Most Aquatic Species Live in Top, Middle, or Bottom Layers of Water (3)
Key factors in the distribution of organisms
Temperature Dissolved oxygen content Availability of food Availability of light and nutrients needed for photosynthesis in the euphotic (photic) zone

Turbidity: degree of cloudiness in water

Inhibits photosynthesis

Four Types of Aquatic Life Forms

Fig. 8-4, p. 171

8-2 Why Are Marine Aquatic Systems Important?

Concept 8-2 Saltwater ecosystems are irreplaceable reservoirs of biodiversity and provide major ecological and economic services.

Oceans Provide Vital Ecological and Economic Resources

Estimated $12 trillion per year in goods and services Reservoirs of diversity in three major life zones
1. Coastal zone
Warm, nutrient rich, shallow Shore to edge of continental shelf Usually high NPP from ample sunlight and nutrients

2. Open sea 3. Ocean bottom

Major Ecological and Economic Services Provided by Marine Systems

Fig. 8-5, p. 172

Natural Capital

Marine Ecosystems
Ecological Services
Climate moderation CO 2 absorption Nutrient cycling

Economic Services
Food Animal and pet feed Pharmaceuticals Harbors and transportation routes Coastal habitats for humans Recreation Employment Oil and natural gas

Waste treatment
Reduced storm impact (mangroves, barrier islands, coastal wetlands)

Habitats and nursery areas

Genetic resources and biodiversity

Minerals Building materials

Fig. 8-5, p. 172

Scientific information

Major Life Zones and Vertical Zones in an Ocean

Fig. 8-6, p. 173

High tide Low tide

Coastal Zone Open Sea

Sea level

Depth in meters 0 Euphotic Zone 50 100 200 Bathyal Zone 500 1,000 1,500 Twilight Darkness Photosynthesis
Fig. 8-6, p. 173

Estuarine Zone
Continental shelf

Water temperature drops rapidly between the euphotic zone and the abyssal zone in an area called the thermocline .

Abyssal Zone

2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 10,000

10

15 Water temperature (C)

20

25

30

Estuaries and Coastal Wetlands Are Highly Productive (1)

Estuaries and coastal wetlands
Where rivers meet the sea Seawater mixes with freshwater Very productive ecosystems: high nutrient levels River mouths Inlets Bays Sounds Salt marshes Mangrove forests

View of an Estuary from Space

Fig. 8-7, p. 173

Coastal Marsh Ecosystem

Fig. 8-8, p. 174

Herring gulls

Peregrine falcon

Cordgrass
Snowy egret Short-billed dowitcher

Phytoplankton

Marsh periwinkle

Smelt
Zooplankton and small crustaceans

Soft-shelled clam

Bacteria
Primary to Secondary to secondary consumerhigher-level consumer

Clamworm

Producer to primary consumer

All consumers and producers to decomposers

Fig. 8-8a, p. 174

Estuaries and Coastal Wetlands Are Highly Productive (2)

Seagrass Beds
Grow underwater in shallow areas Support a variety of marine species Stabilize shorelines Reduce wave impact

Mangrove forests
Along tropical and subtropical coastlines 69 different tree species that grow in saltwater

See Grass Bed Organisms

Fig. 8-9, p. 174

Mangrove Forest in Australia

Fig. 8-10, p. 175

Estuaries and Coastal Wetlands Are Highly Productive (3)

Important ecological and economic services
Coastal aquatic systems maintain water quality by filtering
Toxic pollutants Excess plant nutrients Sediments

Absorb other pollutants Provide food, timber, fuelwood, and habitats Reduce storm damage and coast erosion

Rocky and Sandy Shores Host Different Types of Organisms

Intertidal zone
Rocky shores Sandy shores: barrier beaches

Organism adaptations necessary to deal with daily salinity and moisture changes Importance of sand dunes

Living between the Tides

Fig. 8-11, p. 176

Rocky Shore Beach Sea star

Hermit crab

Shore crab High tide Periwinkle

Sea urchin

Anemone Low tide Sculpin

Mussel

Kelp Monterey flatworm Nudibranch

Barnacles Sea lettuce

Fig. 8-11a, p. 176

Barrier Beach Peanut worm Blue crab Clam

Beach ea

Tiger beetle High tide

Dwarf olive

Sandpiper
Silversides

Low tide

Ghost shrimp

Mole shrimp

White sand macoma

Sand dollar

Moon snail

Fig. 8-11b, p. 176

Rocky Shore Beach

Sea star

Hermit crab

Shore crab

High tide
Periwinkle Sea urchin

Anemone Low tide Sculpin

Mussel

Barnacles Kelp Monterey flatworm Nudibranch

Sea lettuce
Beach flea

Peanut worm
Blue crab Dwarf olive Clam High tide

Tiger beetle

Barrier Beach

Silversides

Low tide

Sandpiper Mole shrimp

Ghost shrimp

White sand macoma

Sand dollar

Moon snail

Stepped Art

Fig. 8-11, p. 176

Coral Reefs Are Amazing Centers of Biodiversity

Marine equivalent of tropical rain forests Habitats for one-fourth of all marine species

Natural Capital: Some Components and Interactions in a Coral Reef Ecosystem

Fig. 8-12, p. 177

Gray reef shark

Sea nettle
Green sea turtle Blue tang basslet Fairy Parrot fish Brittle star Hard corals Algae Sergeant major Banded coral shrimp Coney

Phytoplankton Symbiotic algae Zooplankton

Blackcap basslet

Sponges Moray eel Bacteria Producer to primary consumer Primary to secondary Secondary to consumer higher-level consumer All producers and consumers to decomposers

Fig. 8-12, p. 177

The Open Sea and Ocean Floor Host a Variety of Species (1)
Three vertical zones of the open sea
1. Euphotic zone
Phytoplankton Nutrient levels low Dissolved oxygen levels high Dimly lit Zooplankton and smaller fishes

2. Bathyal zone

The Open Sea and Ocean Floor Host a Variety of Species (2)
3. Abyssal zone
Dark and cold High levels of nutrients Little dissolved oxygen Deposit feeders Filter feeders

Upwelling brings nutrients to euphotic zone

Primary productivity and NPP

8-3 How Have Human Activities Affected Marine Ecosystems?

Concept 8-3 Human activities threaten aquatic biodiversity and disrupt ecological and economic services provided by saltwater systems.

Human Activities Are Disrupting and Degrading Marine Systems

Major threats to marine systems
Coastal development Overfishing Use of fishing trawlers Runoff of nonpoint source pollution Point source pollution Habitat destruction Introduction of invasive species Climate change from human activities Pollution of coastal wetlands and estuaries

Major Human Impacts on Marine Ecosystems and Coral Reefs

Fig. 8-13, p. 179

Natural Capital Degradation Major Human Impacts on Marine Ecosystems and Coral Reefs Marine Ecosystems Coral Reefs

Ocean warming Rising ocean acidity Over one-fifth of mangrove forests lost to Soil erosion agriculture, development, and shrimp Algae growth from fertilizer runoff farms since 1980 Bleaching Beaches eroding because of coastal Rising sea levels development and rising sea levels Increased UV exposure Ocean bottom habitats degraded by dredging and trawler fishing Damage from anchors Damage from fishing and diving At least 20% of coral reefs severely damaged and 2533% more threatened Fig. 8-13, p. 179

Half of coastal wetlands lost to agriculture and urban development

Case Study: The Chesapeake Bayan Estuary in Trouble (1)

Largest estuary in the US; polluted since 1960 Human population increased

Point and nonpoint sources raised pollution

Phosphate and nitrate levels too high Excess sediments from runoff and decreased vegetation

Case Study: The Chesapeake Bayan Estuary in Trouble (2)

Oysters, a keystone species, greatly reduced 1983: Chesapeake Bay Program
Integrated coastal management with local, state, federal governments and citizens groups

2008 update:
25 years and $6 billion Program met only 21% of goals Water quality very poor

Chesapeake Bay

Fig. 8-14, p. 180

Drainage basin

No oxygen Low concentrations of oxygen

Fig. 8-14, p. 180

8-4 Why Are Freshwater Ecosystems Important?

Concept 8-4 Freshwater ecosystems provide major ecological and economic services, and are irreplaceable reservoirs of biodiversity.

Water Stands in Some Freshwater Systems and Flows in Others (1)

Standing (lentic) bodies of freshwater
Lakes Ponds Inland wetlands

Flowing (lotic) systems of freshwater

Streams Rivers

Water Stands in Some Freshwater Systems and Flows in Others (2)

Four zones based on depth and distance from shore
1. Littoral zone
Near shore where rooted plants grow High biodiversity Turtles, frogs, crayfish, some fish

2. Limnetic zone
Open, sunlight area away from shore Main photosynthetic zone Some larger fish

Water Stands in Some Freshwater Systems and Flows in Others (3)

3. Profundal zone
Deep water too dark for photosynthesis Low oxygen levels Some fish

4. Benthic zone
Decomposers Detritus feeders Some fish Nourished primarily by dead matter

Major Ecological and Economic Services Provided by Freshwater Systems

Fig. 8-15, p. 181

Natural Capital

Freshwater Systems
Ecological Services Climate moderation Nutrient cycling Waste treatment Flood control Irrigation water Economic Services Food Drinking water

Groundwater recharge
Habitats for many species Genetic resources and biodiversity

Hydroelectricity
Transportation corridors Recreation

Scientific information

Employment
Fig. 8-15, p. 181

Distinct Zones of Life in a Fairly Deep Temperate Zone Lake

Fig. 8-16, p. 182

Painted turtle Green frog

Blue-winged teal

Muskrat

Pond snail

Littoral zone

Plankton

Diving beetle

Northern pike

Yellow perch Bloodworms

Fig. 8-16, p. 182

Some Lakes Have More Nutrients Than Others

Oligotrophic lakes
Low levels of nutrients and low NPP Very clear water

Eutrophic lakes
High levels of nutrients and high NPP Murky water with high turbidity

Mesotrophic lakes Cultural eutrophication of lakes from human input of nutrients

The Effect of Nutrient Enrichment on a Lake

Fig. 8-17, p. 182

Stepped Art

Fig. 8-17, p. 182

Freshwater Streams and Rivers Carry Water from the Mountains to the Oceans
Surface water Runoff

Watershed, drainage basin

Three aquatic life zones
Source zone Transition zone Floodplain zone

Three Zones in the Downhill Flow of Water

Fig. 8-18, p. 183

Lake Rain and snow

Glacier

Headwaters Rapids Waterfall Tributary

Flood plain

Oxbow lake Salt marsh Delta Deposited sediment Ocean

Source Zone Transition Zone

Water

Floodplain Zone

Sediment

Fig. 8-18, p. 183

Rain and snow

Lake
Glacier Rapids Waterfall Tributary Flood plain Oxbow lake Salt marsh Delta Deposited sediment

Ocean Source Zone

Transition Zone

Floodplain Zone

Water Sediment

Stepped Art

Fig. 8-18, p. 183

Case Study: Dams, Deltas, Wetlands, Hurricanes, and New Orleans

Coastal deltas, mangrove forests, and coastal wetlands: natural protection against storms Dams and levees reduce sediments in deltas: significance? New Orleans, Louisiana, and Hurricane Katrina: August 29, 2005 Global warming, sea rise, and New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana Flooded by Hurricane Katrina

Fig. 8-19, p. 185

Projection of New Orleans if the Sea Level Rises 0.9 Meter

Fig. 8-20, p. 185

Freshwater Inland Wetlands Are Vital Sponges (1)

Marshes Swamps

Prairie potholes
Floodplains Arctic tundra in summer

Freshwater Inland Wetlands Are Vital Sponges (2)

Provide free ecological and economic services
Filter and degrade toxic wastes Reduce flooding and erosion Help to replenish streams and recharge groundwater aquifers Biodiversity Food and timber Recreation areas

8-5 How Have Human Activities Affected Freshwater Ecosystems?

Concept 8-5 Human activities threaten biodiversity and disrupt ecological and economic services provided by freshwater lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

Human Activities Are Disrupting and Degrading Freshwater Systems

Impact of dams and canals on rivers Impact of flood control levees and dikes along rivers

Impact of pollutants from cities and farms on streams, rivers, and lakes
Impact of drained wetlands

Three Big Ideas

1. Saltwater and freshwater aquatic life zones cover almost three-fourths of the earths surface, and oceans dominate the planet.

2. The earths aquatic systems provide important ecological and economic services. 3. Human activities threaten biodiversity and disrupt ecological and economic services provided by aquatic systems.