Estuaries

Mangroves are unique coastal trees and shrubs found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. They have specialized adaptations that allow them to survive in saline environments between land and sea. Mangroves play an important ecological role by protecting coastlines from erosion, providing habitat for marine life, and improving water quality. However, mangrove forests are disappearing rapidly due to human activities like coastal development. Conservation efforts are needed to protect these vital ecosystems.

The main divisions of the marine environment. The two primary divisions of the sea are the benthic and the pelagic. The former includes all of the ocean floor, while the latter includes the whole mass of water. ... The deep-sea system is divided into an upper (archibenthic) and a lower (abyssal-benthic) zone.

This document defines and describes lotic systems. Lotic systems include streams and rivers, which are flowing bodies of water. Key characteristics of lotic systems are that the water flows in one direction, from upstream to downstream; the channels are narrower and longer than lakes; and the flowing water continually deepens and widens the channel over time. Lotic systems have shorter water retention times than lentic systems like lakes, due to the constant movement of water.

This document provides information on brackishwater aquaculture and the cultivation of specific fish species within brackishwater environments. It defines brackish water and describes traditional and present-day brackishwater aquaculture systems in India. It then focuses on three common brackishwater fish species cultured in India - grey mullet, milkfish, and pearl spot - detailing their life cycles, seed collection and production methods, nursery and grow-out practices, and harvesting.

Estuaries are bodies of water where freshwater rivers meet saltwater oceans, forming brackish water. They support rich ecosystems but are threatened by pollution and climate change. The Chesapeake Bay estuary is suffering from agricultural and industrial runoff, which is lowering oxygen levels and harming fish and crab populations. Rising sea levels and warmer water temperatures due to global warming are eroding wetlands and stressing native species in estuaries like Delaware Bay. Protecting these vital ecosystems is important for wildlife and coastal communities.

Freshwater ecosystems include lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, springs, and wetlands. There are two main types - lentic ecosystems, which are standing bodies of water, and lotic ecosystems, which are running water. Lentic ecosystems can be further divided into zones based on depth and vegetation. Lotic ecosystems have rapid zones with strong currents and pool zones with slower currents. Wetlands are areas that are periodically saturated or flooded with shallow water and support unique plant and animal communities. Forested wetlands include swamps and floodplain forests while tidal freshwater marshes occur along estuaries. Freshwater ecosystems provide important resources but occupy a small area globally.

Freshwater Ecosystems include standing water or lentic such as lakes, ponds, marshes and wet lands, and the flowing water or lotic such as spring, streams and rivers. This ecosystem is normally of very low salinity usually between 15 to 30 ppt. They are highly variable and their characteristics depend upon the surrounding geology, land use and pollution levels.

This document provides an overview of marine ecosystems. It discusses the key characteristics of marine ecosystems, including the abiotic (temperature, nutrients, salinity) and biotic (organisms, predators) components. It also describes several important marine habitats like oceans, estuaries, and on-shore ecosystems. Estuaries are productive areas where freshwater and saltwater mix that provide nurseries for many species. On-shore ecosystems like beaches, lagoons, and salt marshes experience tidal influences and land-sea interactions.

The seasonal distribution of the major components of the zooplankton community, protozooplankton, copepods and cladocerans, along a eutrophication gradient were examined in order to establish if eutrophication through increases in phytoplankton biomass and productivity has an impact on biomass and composition of the zooplankton community

1. The document discusses various types of aquatic ecosystems including estuaries, mangrove swamps, coral reefs, rocky shores, sandy beaches, and barrier islands. It describes the key features and organisms found in each. 2. Coastal ecosystems like estuaries and mangrove swamps provide many important ecological services including habitat, nurseries for marine life, and protection from storms. They also have economic value through fisheries, recreation, and tourism. 3. Coral reefs have exceptionally high biodiversity but are very vulnerable to threats like bleaching from rising water temperatures, ocean acidification, pollution, and destructive fishing practices. Widespread damage to coral reefs could have serious ecological and economic

The document discusses various aquatic ecosystems including lakes, rivers, estuaries, and oceans. It describes the key physical characteristics and biological adaptations that allow organisms to thrive in different aquatic environments. Lakes can be formed through geological or non-geological processes. Aquatic life is richest in shallow waters near shorelines. Rivers flow into seas forming estuaries with mixing of freshwater and saltwater. Oceans have vast benthic communities on the seafloor and unique hydrothermal vent and coral reef ecosystems. Primary productivity in aquatic environments is governed by light and nutrient availability.

Freshwater ecosystems are a subset of Earth's aquatic ecosystems. They include lakes and ponds, rivers, streams and springs, and wetlands. They can be contrasted with marine ecosystems, which have a larger salt content. This module explains the characteristics of aquatic ecosystems-freshwater ones.