Fresh and Salt Water Biomes

Fresh Water Ecosystems:

Rivers & Streams

• Strong currents
• Adaptations: rooting under rocks, suckers, hooks
• Animals:
• Plants: algae-few plants
• Animals: trout,Echeneidae family,insects floating/skiming the water

Ponds & Lakes

• Comonly still, calm waters
• At Bottom: plants grow with enough sunlight, scavengers
• At top: insects float/skim water-fish eat insects, other plants
• Shore: land and water organisms live

Marine Ecosystems:

Estuary

• Fresh water meets salt water
• Good for breeding grounds/ laying eggs
• Algae & grasses: provide habitats for many organisms

Intertidal Zone

•  Zone between highest and lowest tides
• Not as many organisms
• Pounding waves, changing temperatures
• Most animals burrow or cling to rocks

Netric Zone

• Shallow, below low tide, extends to continental shelf
• Much photosynthesis, much sunlight available
• Wide variety of organisms: many schools and algae
• Coral reefs may form: provides many habitats

Open Ocean:

Surface Zone

• Algae are one of very few producers
• Only few organisms:
• Whale, swordfish, & other relay on algae

Deep Sea Zone

• Very Dark
• Most relie on remains falling from surface
• Organisms have glowing body parts