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AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
CONT…
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Wetlands
Wetlands contain fresh water for part of the year
-trap and filter sediments and pollutants
-protect shorelines from erosion
-spawning grounds for many commercially important species
-habitat for rare and endangered animals and plants
Includes marshes and swamps Act as transitional areas between freshwater and
saltwater
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Marine Ecosystems
Estuary (FW and SW) Salt marsh Mangrove swamps Barrier Islands Coral reef Open ocean
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Estuary area where freshwater from a river
meets salt water from the ocean
-very productive ecosystems
-rich in nutrients and minerals
-plenty of sunlight (shallow water)
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Freshwater meets the ocean
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Salt marsh• Develop in areas where estuaries deposit nutrient rich mud• Characterized by marsh grass• Provide support for clams, fish, crabs, shrimp, and aquatic birds• Absorb pollutants and protect inland areas
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Mangrove Swamp• tree vegetation that grows in the muddy coastal areas between high and low water•mangrove forests protect the coastline from erosion; provide nursery grounds for fish, shrimp, clams, crabs and snails
• provide food via nutrient-rich mud and leaf litter.
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Approximately one-third of all marine biological productivity occurs along coastal areas. These areas include mangroves, salt marshes, tidal zones and sea grass beds.
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Barrier Island•These geographic features serve as protection for mainland and coastal wetlands
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Coral ReefOne of the worlds most biologically diverse ecosystems
42% at low risk
31% at medium risk
27% at high risk
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Open Ocean
Marlins, Tuna, Dolphins, Swordfish, and Sharks.
• Represents 65% of the Earth oceans.
• Some areas of open ocean contain little or no life at all, while other areas support large numbers of species
• Approximately 10% of all marine life is found in the open ocean.