Aquatic Ecosytems

Freshwater ecosystems
Rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds

Streams/rivers

• Plants dig their roots all the way into the pebbles. 
• Only some algae lives here.
• Insects have hooks that attach themselves to rocks. 
• Trout have streamlined bodies.
• Animals are adapted to strong currents.

Ponds/lakes

• Lots of algae grow here
• animals are adapted to still water
• Sunfish live in open waters and feed on algae
• Animals are adapted here because animals can 
• be on the still water.

Marine Ecosystems
Estuary, intertidal zone, neretic zone,surface zone and deep ocean zone.

Intertidal zone

• Organisms must survive the pounding waves
• high and low tides
• sudden changes in water levels and temperature
• some animals clinge to rocks to survive.
• Some animals burrow in the sand for safety.

Neritic Zone

• Algae and coral reefs form here and provide energy.
• Coral reefs can provide homes to some fish.
• Sunlight passes through shallow water.
• Large schools of fish swim here often.
• Many other organisms live here to

Surface Zone

• Lots of algae lives here and provides energy.
• Sunlight passes to a depth only a few hundred meters. 
• Some animals come to the surface to eat algae.

Deep Zone

• No plants live here because there is no sunlight.
• Animals eat dead organisms that sink the the bottom.
• Bizarre animals live here. 

The End