Ecosystem
Interactions
Estuary Ecosystem
Photo by CBF Member Steve Aprile,
Estuary – Where land and fresh water
meet the sea
Estuary
Ocean
What is needed for a healthy
ecosystem?
• Producers need –
Energy (sun), water, gasses (O2 and CO2), space,
minerals
• Consumers need –
Energy (food), water, gasses (O2), space, shelter
Why do animals need O2?
Cellular Respiration
How do underwater animals (like fish)
get O2?
Wave action, photosynthetic plankton,
underwater plants
The notes begin on page 97
Fertilizers –
(nitrates and phosphates)
Storm water brings
NITROGEN to the bay.
Sudden increase of nutrients is
EUTROPHICATION.
This causes
Algal blooms.
(another Algal bloom)
Algal blooms block the sun –
Plants die. Algae also dies once the nutrients are
used up.
After all this algae dies, the decomposers
will have lots and lots of food!
The increase in decomposers will use up all
the oxygen, causing fish, crabs, oysters, and
other animals to die off.
Lack of Oxygen
DEAD ZONE
&
Eventually,
ecosystem collapse!
CAUSE
EFFECT
Farmers add fertilizers which
contains nitrogen to their crops.
Sudden increase of nitrogen in the
bay (EUTROPHICATION)
Too much nitrogen in the bay
Too much algae
Decomposers (bacteria) grow out
of control.
Too many decomposers in the bay
ecosystem
Too many dead plants and
animals
CAUSE
EFFECT
Farmers add fertilizers which
contains nitrogen to their crops.
Help the crops and grass grow
Storm water runoff
Sudden increase of nitrogen in the
bay (EUTROPHICATION)
Too much nitrogen in the bay
Algal Bloom
Too much algae
Blocks sunlight so plants can’t
grow
Plants and algae die
Decomposers (bacteria) grow out
of control.
Too many decomposers in the bay Oxygen levels go down
ecosystem
Too many dead plants and
animals
Dead Zone – ECOSYSTEM
COLLAPSE!
Video
http://cbf.org/page.aspx?pid=433