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Explore how salinity, light, currents, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature influence the structure of aquatic ecosystems. Learn about different categories of organisms and phenomena like thermal stratification and lake turnover. Discover the importance of coral reefs, Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and the Florida Everglades in aquatic life.
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What environmental factors are responsible for the structure of aquatic ecosystems? • Salinity – concentration of dissolved salt • Light - penetrates to depth of 30m (100ft) below water surface • Currents/waves – present or absence • Levels of essential nutrients –Upwelling • brings nitrates and phosphates from ocean • bottom.
What environmental factors are responsible for the structure of aquatic ecosystems? • Dissolved oxygen (D0) - dissolved oxygen varies according to temperature and number of consumers and decomposers. Organisms die when dissolved oxygen is less than 3-5 ppm. • pH • Temperature - decreases with water depth
Three main ecological categories of organisms: Plankton - free floating Nekton – strong swimmers Benthos – bottom dwelling