A Healthy Coral Reef in the Red Sea
MILLER/SPOOLMAN
ESSENTIALS OF ECOLOGY
6TH
Chapter 8
Aquatic Biodiversity
Fig. 8‐1, p. 168
The Ocean Planet
Most of the Earth Is Covered with Water (2)
• Aquatic life zones
• Saltwater life zones (marine life zones)
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•
•
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Oceans and estuaries
Coastlands and shorelines
Coral reefs
Coral reefs
Mangrove forests
• Freshwater life zones
• Lakes
• Rivers and streams
• Inland wetlands
Fig. 8‐2, p. 169
Aquatic Systems
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
Fig. 8‐3, p. 170
1
Most Aquatic Species Live in Top, Middle, or Bottom Layers of Water (2)
Four Types of Aquatic Life Forms
• Nekton • Strong swimmers: fish, turtles, whales
• Benthos
• Bottom dwellers: oysters, sea stars, clams, lobsters, crabs
• Decomposers
• Mostly bacteria
Fig. 8‐4, p. 171
Major Ecological and Economic Services Provided by Marine Systems
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. Fig. 8‐5, p. 172
Natural Capital
Major Life Zones and Vertical Zones in an Ocean
Marine Ecosystems
Ecological Services
Economic Services
Climate moderation
Food
CO2 absorption
Animal and pet feed
Nutrient cycling
Pharmaceuticals
Waste treatment
Harbors and transportation routes
Reduced storm impact (mangroves, barrier islands, coastal wetlands)
Coastal habitats for humans
Habitats and nursery areas
Recreation
Employment
Oil and natural gas
Genetic resources and biodiversity
Minerals
Scientific information
Building materials
Fig. 8‐5, p. 172
Fig. 8‐6, p. 173
2
View of an Estuary from Space
Coastal Marsh Ecosystem
Fig. 8‐7, p. 173
See Grass Bed Organisms
Fig. 8‐8, p. 174
Mangrove Forest in Australia
Fig. 8‐10, p. 175
Fig. 8‐9, p. 174
Rocky and Sandy Shores Host Different Types of Organisms
Living between the Tides
• Intertidal zone
• Rocky shores
• Sandy shores: barrier beaches
• Organism adaptations necessary to deal with daily salinity and moisture changes
• Importance of sand dunes
Fig. 8‐11, p. 176
3
Natural Capital: Some Components and Interactions in a Coral Reef Ecosystem
Coral Reefs Are Amazing Centers of Biodiversity
• Marine equivalent of tropical rain forests
• Habitats for one‐fourth of all marine species
Fig. 8‐12, p. 177
Natural Capital Degradation
Major Human Impacts on Marine Ecosystems and Coral Reefs
Marine Ecosystems
Chesapeake Bay
Coral Reefs
Ocean warming
Rising ocean acidity
Soil erosion
Algae growth from fertilizer runoff
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 25–33% more threatened
Fig. 8‐13, p. 179
Half of coastal wetlands lost to agriculture and urban development
Over one‐fifth of mangrove forests lost to agriculture, development, and shrimp farms since 1980
Distinct Zones of Life in a Fairly Deep Temperate Zone Lake
Natural Capital
Freshwater Systems
Ecological Services
Economic Services
Climate moderation
Food
Nutrient cycling
Fig. 8‐14, p. 180
Drinking water
Waste treatment
Flood control
Irrigation water
Groundwater recharge
Hydroelectricity
Habitats for many species
Transportation corridors
Genetic resources and biodiversity
Recreation
Scientific information
Employment
Fig. 8‐15, p. 181
Fig. 8‐16, p. 182
4
The Effect of Nutrient Enrichment on a Lake
Three Zones in the Downhill Flow of Water
eutrophication
Fig. 8‐17, p. 182
New Orleans, Louisiana Flooded by Hurricane Katrina
Fig. 8‐19, p. 185
Fig. 8‐18, p. 183
Projection of New Orleans if the Sea Level Rises 0.9 Meter
Fig. 8‐20, p. 185
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