Aquatic EcosystemsAquatic Ecosystems

FreshwaterFreshwaterPonds & LakesPonds & Lakes

Streams & Streams & RiversRivers

WetlandsWetlands

MarineMarineOceansOceans

Coral ReefsCoral Reefs

EstuariesEstuaries

FreshwaterFreshwater

Ponds & LakesPonds & Lakes

Streams & RiversStreams & Rivers

WetlandsWetlands

FreshwaterFreshwaterFreshwater is defined as having a Freshwater is defined as having a low salt concentration—usually low salt concentration—usually less than 1%less than 1%Plants and animals in freshwater Plants and animals in freshwater regions are adjusted to the low regions are adjusted to the low salt content and would not be salt content and would not be able to survive in areas of high able to survive in areas of high salt concentration (i.e, ocean)salt concentration (i.e, ocean)

Ponds and LakesPonds and Lakesrange in size from just a few square meters to range in size from just a few square meters to thousands of square kilometersthousands of square kilometersponds may be seasonal, lasting just a couple ponds may be seasonal, lasting just a couple of months (such as sessile pools)of months (such as sessile pools)lakes may exist for hundreds of years or morelakes may exist for hundreds of years or more may have limited species diversity since they may have limited species diversity since they are often isolated from one another and from are often isolated from one another and from other water sources like rivers and oceansother water sources like rivers and oceans

Ponds and LakesPonds and Lakesdivided into three different “zones” divided into three different “zones” determined by depth and distance determined by depth and distance from the shorelinefrom the shoreline

littoral zonelittoral zone

limnetic zonelimnetic zone

profundal zoneprofundal zone

Littoral ZoneLittoral Zonewarmest since it is shallow and can absorb more of warmest since it is shallow and can absorb more of the Sun’s heatthe Sun’s heat sustains a fairly diverse community, which can sustains a fairly diverse community, which can include several species of algae (like diatoms), include several species of algae (like diatoms), rooted and floating aquatic plants, grazing snails, rooted and floating aquatic plants, grazing snails, clams, insects, crustaceans, fishes, and amphibiansclams, insects, crustaceans, fishes, and amphibiansthe egg and larvae stages of some insects are found the egg and larvae stages of some insects are found in this zonein this zonevegetation and animals living in the littoral zone are vegetation and animals living in the littoral zone are food for other creatures such as turtles, snakes, and food for other creatures such as turtles, snakes, and ducksducks

Limnetic ZoneLimnetic Zonenear-surface open water surrounded by the near-surface open water surrounded by the littoral zone littoral zone well-lighted (like the littoral zone) and is well-lighted (like the littoral zone) and is dominated by plankton, both phytoplankton dominated by plankton, both phytoplankton and zooplanktonand zooplanktonplankton are small organisms that play a plankton are small organisms that play a crucial role in the food chain – most life would crucial role in the food chain – most life would not be possible without themnot be possible without them variety of freshwater fish also occupy this variety of freshwater fish also occupy this zonezone

Profundal ZoneProfundal ZonePlankton have short life spans—when Plankton have short life spans—when they die, they fall into the deep-water they die, they fall into the deep-water part of the lake/pondpart of the lake/pondmuch colder and denser than the other much colder and denser than the other twotwolittle light penetrates all the way through little light penetrates all the way through the limnetic zone into the profundal zonethe limnetic zone into the profundal zoneanimals are decomposersanimals are decomposers

Ponds and LakesPonds and LakesTemperatureTemperature

varies seasonally. varies seasonally. Summer Summer

from 4° C near the bottom to 22° C at the topfrom 4° C near the bottom to 22° C at the top

WinterWinterfrom 4° C while the top is 0° C (ice)from 4° C while the top is 0° C (ice)

between the two layers is a narrow zone between the two layers is a narrow zone called the thermocline where the temperature called the thermocline where the temperature of the water changes rapidly with depthof the water changes rapidly with depth

Ponds and LakesPonds and Lakesduring the spring and fall seasons is a during the spring and fall seasons is a mixing of the top and bottom layers mixing of the top and bottom layers resulting in a uniform water temperature resulting in a uniform water temperature of around 4° Cof around 4° Cmixing also circulates oxygen mixing also circulates oxygen throughout the lakethroughout the lakemany lakes and ponds do not freeze many lakes and ponds do not freeze during the winter resulting in the top during the winter resulting in the top layer being a little warmerlayer being a little warmer

Ponds and LakesPonds and Lakesice can develop on the top of lakes ice can develop on the top of lakes during winterduring winter

blocks out sunlight and can prevent blocks out sunlight and can prevent photosynthesisphotosynthesis

oxygen levels drop and some plants oxygen levels drop and some plants and animals may dieand animals may die

called "winterkill." called "winterkill."

Ponds and Ponds and LakesLakes

Streams & RiversStreams & Riversbodies of flowing water moving in one bodies of flowing water moving in one directiondirection found everywhere—they get their start found everywhere—they get their start at headwaters, which may be springs, at headwaters, which may be springs, snowmelt or even lakessnowmelt or even lakestravel all the way to their mouths, travel all the way to their mouths, usually another water channel or the usually another water channel or the oceanocean

WatershedWatersheddescribes an area describes an area of land that of land that contains a common contains a common set of streams and set of streams and rivers rivers drains into a single drains into a single larger body of larger body of water, such as a water, such as a larger river, a lake larger river, a lake or an oceanor an ocean

Streams & RiversStreams & Riverscharacteristics change during the characteristics change during the journey from the source to the mouthjourney from the source to the mouthtemperature is cooler at the source temperature is cooler at the source than it is at the mouththan it is at the mouth water is also clearer, has higher water is also clearer, has higher oxygen levels, and freshwater fish such oxygen levels, and freshwater fish such as trout and heterotrophs can be found as trout and heterotrophs can be found therethere

Streams & RiversStreams & RiversTowards the middle part of the Towards the middle part of the stream/river, the width increases, as stream/river, the width increases, as does species diversity—numerous does species diversity—numerous aquatic green plants and algae can be aquatic green plants and algae can be foundfound

Streams & RiversStreams & Riverstoward the mouth the water becomes murky toward the mouth the water becomes murky from all the sediments that it has picked up from all the sediments that it has picked up upstreamupstreamdecreasing the amount of light that can decreasing the amount of light that can penetrate through the waterpenetrate through the waterless lightless light

less diversity of floraless diversity of flora lower oxygen levelslower oxygen levelsfish that require less oxygen, such as catfish fish that require less oxygen, such as catfish and carp, can be foundand carp, can be found

Streams &Streams & Rivers Rivers

WetlandsWetlandsWetlands are areas of standing Wetlands are areas of standing water that support aquatic plantswater that support aquatic plants

Marshes, swamps, and bogs are Marshes, swamps, and bogs are all considered wetlandsall considered wetlands

WetlandsWetlandsPlantsPlants

adapted to the very moist and humid adapted to the very moist and humid conditions are called hydrophytesconditions are called hydrophytes

Pond lilies Cattails SedgesPond lilies Cattails Sedges

Tamarack Black SpruceTamarack Black Spruce

Gum Cypress Gum Cypress

WetlandsWetlandshighest species diversity of all ecosystemshighest species diversity of all ecosystemsmany species of amphibians, reptiles, birds many species of amphibians, reptiles, birds (such as ducks and waders), and furbearers (such as ducks and waders), and furbearers can be found in the wetlandscan be found in the wetlandsnot considered freshwater ecosystems as not considered freshwater ecosystems as there are some, such as salt marshes, that there are some, such as salt marshes, that have high salt concentrations—these have high salt concentrations—these support different species of animals, such support different species of animals, such as shrimp, shellfish, and various grassesas shrimp, shellfish, and various grasses

WetlandsWetlands River OtterRiver Otter

Damselfly Dragonfly MayflyDamselfly Dragonfly Mayfly

Crayfish Snails Leech Bluegill BassCrayfish Snails Leech Bluegill Bass

Catfish Sculpin Minnow SnakesCatfish Sculpin Minnow Snakes

Frog TurtleFrog Turtle

Great Blue Heron Canadian GooseGreat Blue Heron Canadian Goose

Aquatic EcosystemsAquatic Ecosystems

MarineMarineOceansOceans

Coral ReefsCoral Reefs

EstuariesEstuaries

MarineMarinecover about three-fourths of the Earth’s cover about three-fourths of the Earth’s surface and include oceans, coral reefs, surface and include oceans, coral reefs, and estuariesand estuariesalgae supply much of the world’s algae supply much of the world’s oxygen supply and take in a huge oxygen supply and take in a huge amount of atmospheric carbon dioxideamount of atmospheric carbon dioxideevaporation of the seawater provides evaporation of the seawater provides rainwater for the land rainwater for the land

OceansOceanslargest of all the ecosystemslargest of all the ecosystemsdominate the Earth’s surfacedominate the Earth’s surfaceseparate zonesseparate zones

IntertidalIntertidalPelagicPelagicAbyssalAbyssalBenthicBenthic

great diversity of speciesgreat diversity of species richest diversity of species even though it richest diversity of species even though it contains fewer species than there are on landcontains fewer species than there are on land

OceansOceans

Intertidal ZoneIntertidal Zonewhere the ocean meets the landwhere the ocean meets the land

sometimes submerged and at other sometimes submerged and at other times exposedtimes exposed

waves and tides come in and outwaves and tides come in and out

communities are constantly communities are constantly changingchanging

Intertidal ZoneIntertidal Zonerocky coastsrocky coasts

stratified verticallystratified verticallyWhere only highest tides reachWhere only highest tides reacha few species of algae and mollusksa few species of algae and mollusks

submerged during high tidesubmerged during high tidemore diverse array of algae and small animals, more diverse array of algae and small animals,

such as herbivorous snails, crabs, sea stars, and such as herbivorous snails, crabs, sea stars, and small fishessmall fishes

bottom of the intertidal zonebottom of the intertidal zoneonly exposed during the lowest tides, many only exposed during the lowest tides, many

invertebrates, fishes, and seaweed can be foundinvertebrates, fishes, and seaweed can be found

Intertidal ZoneIntertidal Zonesandier shoressandier shores

not as stratified not as stratified

waves keep mud and sand constantly waves keep mud and sand constantly movingmoving very few algae and plants can establish very few algae and plants can establish

themselves—the fauna include worms, themselves—the fauna include worms, clams, predatory crustaceans, crabs, and clams, predatory crustaceans, crabs, and shorebirds. shorebirds.

Wave RegionsWave Regionsmuch stronger than windmuch stronger than wind

decide what grows wheredecide what grows where

shores classified by amount of wave action shores classified by amount of wave action Exposed shoresExposed shores – receive full brunt of the ocean for most or at – receive full brunt of the ocean for most or at least some of the timeleast some of the time

Semi-exposed shoresSemi-exposed shores – sheltered by barrier islands but still – sheltered by barrier islands but still have to cope with waveshave to cope with waves

Sheltered shoresSheltered shores – shelter of peninsulas and inshore islands – shelter of peninsulas and inshore islands

Enclosed shoresEnclosed shores river mouths and estuariesriver mouths and estuaries completely sheltered by either a protective rocks or a sand barcompletely sheltered by either a protective rocks or a sand bar

PelagicPelagic – Open Ocean – Open Oceanwaters further from the land, basically waters further from the land, basically the open oceanthe open ocean

generally cold though it is hard to give a generally cold though it is hard to give a general temperature range since, just general temperature range since, just like ponds and lakes, there is thermal like ponds and lakes, there is thermal stratification with a constant mixing of stratification with a constant mixing of warm and cold ocean currentswarm and cold ocean currents

Epipelagic – Open OceanEpipelagic – Open Oceanextends down to around 200m extends down to around 200m

lowest depth that light can penetrate lowest depth that light can penetrate

flora in the epipelagic zone include flora in the epipelagic zone include surface seaweedssurface seaweedsfauna include many species of fish and fauna include many species of fish and some mammals, such as whales and some mammals, such as whales and dolphinsdolphinsmany feed on the abundant planktonmany feed on the abundant plankton

Mesopelagic ZoneMesopelagic Zone "twilight zone" of the ocean"twilight zone" of the ocean

photic zone abovephotic zone abovedarkness belowdarkness below

food becomes scarce – some animals food becomes scarce – some animals migrate up to the surface at night to migrate up to the surface at night to feedfeedrely on food that falls down from aboverely on food that falls down from aboveeat each othereat each other

sometimes the only things to eat may be sometimes the only things to eat may be bigger than the hunterbigger than the hunter

• developed long sharp teeth,developed long sharp teeth,• expandable jaws and stomachsexpandable jaws and stomachs

http://oceanlink.island.net/oinfo/deepsea/meso.html

http://oceanlink.island.net/oinfo/deepsea/meso.html

ctenophore – related to jellyfish Big Scale - ambush predator cilia can be illuminated

Firefly squid three kinds of photophores

Hatchet Fishonly a few inches long Viperfish specially adapted hinged skull

Dragonfish - stomachs hold big meals

Snipeelup to 1.2m Siphonophores are colonies of animals related to jellyfish best known is Portugese Man of War

Bathypelagic Zone Bathypelagic Zone extends down from 1000 to 4000m extends down from 1000 to 4000m only light is from bioluminescent organismsonly light is from bioluminescent organisms only food is what trickles down from above, or only food is what trickles down from above, or from eating other animalsfrom eating other animals water pressure at this depth is considerable water pressure at this depth is considerable (~100 – 400 atmospheres)(~100 – 400 atmospheres)most animals are either black or red in colormost animals are either black or red in colorvery little very little blueblue//greengreen light penetrates this deep – light penetrates this deep – redred is not reflected and looks black is not reflected and looks black

Narcomedusa

Vampire Squid

Snake Dragon

Angler Fish

Amphi - crustacean

Ctenophore – voracious predator

Deepstaria very slow swimmers, no tentacles, close flexible bells (up to a meter across) around their prey

Big Red grows to over a meter across

Abyssopelagic Zone - the AbyssAbyssopelagic Zone - the Abyss4000m to the sea floor4000m to the sea flooronly zone deeper than this is the hadal only zone deeper than this is the hadal zonezone

areas found in deep sea trenches and areas found in deep sea trenches and canyonscanyons

home to pretty inhospitable living home to pretty inhospitable living conditionsconditions

near- freezing temperatures near- freezing temperatures crushing pressures crushing pressures

Deep Water SquidDeep Water Squid

BasketstarBasketstar

Sea Pig Sea Spider Sea Pig Sea Spider

ShrimpShrimp

Winged Sea CucumberWinged Sea Cucumber

MedussaMedussa

Deep Sea Smoker - Deep Sea Smoker - 648°F648°F

Deep-sea AnemoneDeep-sea Anemone Hydrothermal Vent Hydrothermal Vent

1. Ballina Angelfish 2. Beaked Salmon 3. A deepsea anglerfish (no common name) 4. Duckbilled Eel 5. A fanfin anglerfish 6. Fangtooth 7. Gilbert's Halosaur 8. Gulper Eel 9. Hammerjaw 10. Largescale New Laternfish 11. Longray Spiderfish 12. Portuguese Dogfish 13. Sharpnose Sevengill Shark 14. Short-tail Torpedo Ray 15. Silver Lighthouse Fish 16. A snaggletooth (no common name) 17. Snubnosed Eel 18. Southern Spineback 19. Sparkling Slickhead 20. Spiky Oreo 21. Stoplight Loosejaw 22. Triplewart Seadevil 23. Viperfish

http://www.amonline.net.au/fishes/about/fieldwork/norfanz/

A Look at a A Look at a Marine BiomeMarine Biome

Created byCreated by

Terri Terri StreetStreet

The Coral Reef BiomeThe Coral Reef Biome

What Is a Coral Reef?What Is a Coral Reef?

A structure formed by coral polyps, A structure formed by coral polyps, tiny animals that live in colonies.tiny animals that live in colonies.

Coral polyps form a hard, stony, Coral polyps form a hard, stony, branching structure made of branching structure made of limestone.limestone.

New polyps attach to old coral and New polyps attach to old coral and gradually build the reef.gradually build the reef.

Types of Coral ReefsTypes of Coral Reefs

Fringing reefsFringing reefsSubmerged platforms of living coral Submerged platforms of living coral extending from the shore into the seaextending from the shore into the sea

Barrier reefsBarrier reefsFollow the shore but are separated from Follow the shore but are separated from it by waterit by waterGreat Barrier Reef is world’s largestGreat Barrier Reef is world’s largest

Types of Coral ReefsTypes of Coral Reefs

AtollsAtollsRing-shaped islands of coral in open seaRing-shaped islands of coral in open seaForm on submerged mud banks or Form on submerged mud banks or volcano cratersvolcano cratersSurround a seawater lagoonSurround a seawater lagoonChannels connect lagoon to the seaChannels connect lagoon to the sea

A World of Coral ReefsA World of Coral Reefs

= Coral Reef

Coral Reef ClimateCoral Reef Climate

Usually found Usually found near land near land in shallow, in shallow, warm salt waterwarm salt water

Lots of lightLots of light

Tropical temperatures, averaging Tropical temperatures, averaging 7070°-°-85° F85° F

Most coral cannot survive below 65° FMost coral cannot survive below 65° F

Coral Reef PlantsCoral Reef Plants

PhytoplanktonPhytoplanktonMicroscopic Microscopic

Basis for all ocean Basis for all ocean food chainsfood chains

Coral Reef PlantsCoral Reef Plants

AlgaeAlgae

GreenGreen

Red Red

Brown algaeBrown algaetakes many formstakes many forms

Coral Reef PlantsCoral Reef Plants

Seaweed and Sea grassesSeaweed and Sea grassesBrown seaweedBrown seaweed

Sea grassSea grass

Shoal grassShoal grass

Turtle grassTurtle grass

                          

World’s largest coral reefWorld’s largest coral reefOver 1257 milesOver 1257 mileslonglongOff the northeast Off the northeast coast of Australiacoast of AustraliaOnly grows about Only grows about one inch per yearone inch per year

Fascinating Fact: The Great Fascinating Fact: The Great Barrier ReefBarrier Reef

1500 1500 speciesspecies of fish of fish 400 different types of coral 400 different types of coral 4,000 mollusks4,000 mollusks500 species of seaweed 500 species of seaweed 215 species of birds 215 species of birds 16 species of sea snake 16 species of sea snake 6 species of sea turtle 6 species of sea turtle Whales visit during winterWhales visit during winter

The Great Barrier Reef: Home The Great Barrier Reef: Home to…to…

Coral Reef CreaturesCoral Reef CreaturesCoral polypsCoral polyps

TentaclesTentaclesDigestiveDigestivesacsacConnectingConnectingfilamentsfilamentsSkeletal bodySkeletal body

Coral polypsCoral polypsTentaclesTentaclesDigestiveDigestivesacsacConnectingConnectingfilamentsfilamentsSkeletal bodySkeletal body

Coral Reef CreaturesCoral Reef Creatures

SymbioticSymbiotic relationshipsrelationshipsCoral with Coral with algaealgae

Clown fish Clown fish with sea with sea anemonesanemones

Coral Reef CreaturesCoral Reef CreaturesTropical fishTropical fish

Angel fishAngel fishJohn Dory John Dory Butterfly fishButterfly fish

Sea horseOctopusReef shark

Sea horseOctopusReef shark

Very weak swimmersVery weak swimmersFemale lays eggs, male carries them Female lays eggs, male carries them in pouch till birthin pouch till birthOnly animal in which the father gives Only animal in which the father gives birthbirthBody covered with armored platesBody covered with armored plates

Fascinating Fact:Fascinating Fact:The Sea HorseThe Sea Horse

Sample Food ChainSample Food Chain

Moray Eel

Octopus

Coral

Zooplankton

Phytoplankton

Starfish

Endangered Coral ReefsEndangered Coral Reefs

Major threats to coral reefs Major threats to coral reefs include:include:

Ocean pollutionOcean pollution

Dredging off the Dredging off the coastcoast

Endangered Coral ReefsEndangered Coral Reefs

Other dangers:Other dangers:Careless collection of coral specimensCareless collection of coral specimens

Sedimentation Sedimentation Inhibits growth of coral polypsInhibits growth of coral polypsInhibits algae growthInhibits algae growthUpsets balance of the biomeUpsets balance of the biome

EstuariesEstuariesenclosed body of water formed where enclosed body of water formed where freshwater from rivers and streams flows into freshwater from rivers and streams flows into the ocean, mixing with the salty sea waterthe ocean, mixing with the salty sea water

estuaries and the lands surrounding them are estuaries and the lands surrounding them are places of transition from land to sea, and from places of transition from land to sea, and from fresh to salt waterfresh to salt water

although influenced by the tides, estuaries are although influenced by the tides, estuaries are protected from the full force of ocean waves, protected from the full force of ocean waves, winds, and storms by the reefs, barrier islands, winds, and storms by the reefs, barrier islands, or fingers of land, mud, or sand that define an or fingers of land, mud, or sand that define an estuary's seaward boundaryestuary's seaward boundary

http://www.epa.gov/owow/estuaries/about1.htm

Estuaries are semi-enclosed bodies of water where Estuaries are semi-enclosed bodies of water where fresh water from the land mixes with sea water.fresh water from the land mixes with sea water.

Estuaries originate as: drowned Estuaries originate as: drowned river valleys, fjords, bar-built river valleys, fjords, bar-built estuaries, and tectonic estuaries.estuaries, and tectonic estuaries.Salinity typically grades from Salinity typically grades from normal marine salinity at the tidal normal marine salinity at the tidal inlet to fresh water at the mouth of inlet to fresh water at the mouth of the river.the river.

Estuaries can be subdivided into three types based Estuaries can be subdivided into three types based upon the relative importance of river inflow and upon the relative importance of river inflow and tidal mixing.tidal mixing.

Salt-wedge estuaries are dominated by the outflow from Salt-wedge estuaries are dominated by the outflow from rivers.rivers.Partially-mixed estuaries are dominated by neither river Partially-mixed estuaries are dominated by neither river inflow nor tidal mixing.inflow nor tidal mixing.In well-mixed estuaries tidal turbulence destroys the In well-mixed estuaries tidal turbulence destroys the halocline and water stratification.halocline and water stratification.Because river discharge and tidal flow vary, conditions Because river discharge and tidal flow vary, conditions within an estuary can also change, being well-mixed when within an estuary can also change, being well-mixed when river flow decreases relative to tidal mixing, to becoming a river flow decreases relative to tidal mixing, to becoming a salt-wedge estuary at times of maximum river discharge.salt-wedge estuary at times of maximum river discharge.

The widely fluctuating environmental conditions in The widely fluctuating environmental conditions in estuaries make life stressful for organisms.estuaries make life stressful for organisms.

Estuaries are extremely fertile because nutrients are Estuaries are extremely fertile because nutrients are brought in by rivers and recycled from the bottom because brought in by rivers and recycled from the bottom because of the turbulence.of the turbulence.Stressful conditions and abundant nutrients result in low Stressful conditions and abundant nutrients result in low species diversity, but great abundance of the species species diversity, but great abundance of the species present.present.Despite abundance of nutrients, phytoplankton blooms are Despite abundance of nutrients, phytoplankton blooms are irregular and the base of the food chain is detritus washed irregular and the base of the food chain is detritus washed in from adjacent salt marshes.in from adjacent salt marshes.The benthonic fauna strongly reflects the nature of the The benthonic fauna strongly reflects the nature of the substrate and most fishes are juvenile forms living within substrate and most fishes are juvenile forms living within the estuary until they mature and migrate to the ocean.the estuary until they mature and migrate to the ocean.

EstuariesEstuaries

Estuaries are sometimes called “marine Estuaries are sometimes called “marine nurseries” nurseries”

habitats for many juvenile organisms, especially habitats for many juvenile organisms, especially for fishesfor fishes

many fish are born and grow up in estuariesmany fish are born and grow up in estuaries

migrate to the open oceanmigrate to the open ocean

http://www.epa.gov/owow/estuaries/about1.htm

Lagoons are isolated to semi-enclosed, shallow, Lagoons are isolated to semi-enclosed, shallow, coastal bodies of water that receive little if any coastal bodies of water that receive little if any fresh water inflow.fresh water inflow.

Lagoons can occur at any latitude and their salinities Lagoons can occur at any latitude and their salinities vary from brackish to hypersaline depending upon vary from brackish to hypersaline depending upon climate and local hydrology.climate and local hydrology.

Bottom sediments are usually sand or mud eroded which Bottom sediments are usually sand or mud eroded which was from the shoreline or swept in through the tidal inlet.was from the shoreline or swept in through the tidal inlet.

In the tropics, the water column is typically isothermal.In the tropics, the water column is typically isothermal.

In the subtropics, salinity generally increases away from In the subtropics, salinity generally increases away from the inlet and the lagoon may display inverse flow.the inlet and the lagoon may display inverse flow.

Salt marshes are intertidal flats Salt marshes are intertidal flats covered by grassy vegetation.covered by grassy vegetation.Marshes are most commonly found in protected areas Marshes are most commonly found in protected areas with a moderate tidal range, such as the landward side with a moderate tidal range, such as the landward side of barrier islands.of barrier islands.Marshes flood daily at high tide and then drain through Marshes flood daily at high tide and then drain through a series of channels with the ebb tide.a series of channels with the ebb tide.They are one of the most productive environments.They are one of the most productive environments.Marshes can be divided into two parts: Low salt Marshes can be divided into two parts: Low salt marshes and High salt marshes.marshes and High salt marshes.Distribution and density of organisms in salt marshes Distribution and density of organisms in salt marshes strongly reflects availability of food, need for strongly reflects availability of food, need for protection, and frequency of flooding.protection, and frequency of flooding.

Mangroves are large woody trees with a Mangroves are large woody trees with a dense, complex root system that grows dense, complex root system that grows downward from the branchesdownward from the branches

Mangroves are the dominant plant of the Mangroves are the dominant plant of the tropical and subtropical intertidal areatropical and subtropical intertidal areaDistribution of the trees is largely Distribution of the trees is largely controlled by air temperature, exposure controlled by air temperature, exposure to wave and current attack, tidal range, to wave and current attack, tidal range, substrate and sea water chemistrysubstrate and sea water chemistryDetritus from the mangrove forms the Detritus from the mangrove forms the base of the food chainbase of the food chain

BibliographyBibliography1.1. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/index.htmlhttp://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/index.html

2.2. http://www.http://www.enchantedlearningenchantedlearning.com/biomes/marsh/freshwater..com/biomes/marsh/freshwater.shtmlshtml

3.3. http://http://mbgnetmbgnet..mobotmobot.org/.org/

4.4. http://www.http://www.runetrunet..eduedu/~/~swoodwarswoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/intro.html/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/intro.html

5.5. http://archive.globe.http://archive.globe.govgov//sdasda-bin/wt/-bin/wt/ghpghp//tgtg+L(en)+P(seasons/+L(en)+P(seasons/MiniinvestigationMiniinvestigation))

6.6. http://www.panda.org/about_http://www.panda.org/about_wwfwwf/where_we_work//where_we_work/ecoregionsecoregions/global200/pages/home./global200/pages/home.htmhtm

7.7. ““Coral Reefs.” World Book. Chicago: World Book, 1998. Vol. 4, p. 257. Coral Reefs.” World Book. Chicago: World Book, 1998. Vol. 4, p. 257.

8.8. ““Coral Reefs.” Coral Reefs.” http://kidscience.about.com/kids/kidscience/cs/coralreefs/http://kidscience.about.com/kids/kidscience/cs/coralreefs/