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5) Aquatic Biomes
Most of the biosphere is made up of aquatic biomes These biomes are set apart by such physical factors as light, temperature, & salt content of water Two types: a) Marine or saltwater b) Freshwater
a) Marine
Saltwater environments including oceans & their shorelines More than 70% of the Earths surface is covered by this biome Physical conditions vary: Salinity (salt content) varies from place to place Water pressure, temperature, & light change with depth
Marine Zones
Photic Zone
Aphotic Zone
Algae
Photic Zone
Aphotic Zone
Neritic Zone
A relatively shallow region of water lying above the continental shelf This area and the intertidal zone are both in the photic zone
Oceanic Zone
Area beyond the continental shelf This zone is divided into several levels, according to depth Pelagic zone open ocean, away from shoreline & ocean floor Bathyal zone - ocean between depths of 200 m, the edge of the continental shelf, & 2000 m Benthic (abyssal) zone - environment at the bottom of the ocean floor
Pelagic Organisms
Abyssal Zone
Benthic Organisms
More . .
Estuary
Shallow areas where fresh water & salt water mix This mixture of salt & fresh water is called brackish water Although estuaries only make up 10% of the marine biome, they contain almost 90% of the marine life Estuaries are sometimes referred to as the oceans nurseries
Estuary
Sapelo Island
b) Freshwater Biomes
Water which is has very little salt, if any Two types: Moving-water biomes streams & rivers Standing-water biomes ponds & lakes A third type of biome is a wetland Where fresh or salt water & land meet
Moving-water Biomes
Rivers & streams Organisms have adaptions that prevent them from being washed away by the current
Standing-water Biomes
Lakes are typically larger than ponds, with ponds being shallow enough for light to penetrate the entire bottom
Pond Community
Wetlands
Wetlands
Swamps contain larger plants, such as cypress trees, Spanish moss, & water lilies
Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Swamp