Introduction
An aquatic ecosystem is an ecosystem takes place in a body of water, which has a community of organisms that depend upon each other to live and function. Three major ecosystem functions are energy flow, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity. Energy flows through an ecosystem and trophic levels from primary producers, which use solar energy in photosynthesis to synthesize complex organic substances (Reece & Campbell 2011, Lindeman 1942, & Gaston 2000). Solar energy is the basis from which all life in an ecosystem depend upon (Lindeman 1942). Nutrient cycling is passed from trophic level to trophic level and from ecosystem to ecosystem via consumption, translocation, fecal matter, and decomposition (Reece & Campbell 2011, Vanni 2002, & Hammer & Holmlund 1999). The nutrients often undergo many transformations from one chemical form to another (Vanni 2002). Ecologist Camille Parmesan explains the importance of biodiversity in an ecosystem and its benefits, such as breathable air being the result of plants and microorganisms (Reece & Campbell 2011). How efficient an ecosystem processes depends on the species present (Giller et al 2004). Energy flow, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity each a play a critical role in the regulation of ecosystems. In the sections to follow I will discuss each of these in depth.
Energy Flow
Energy flows through an ecosystem and trophic levels from primary producers, which use solar energy in photosynthesis to synthesize complex organic substances (Reece & Campbell 2011, Lindeman 1942, & Gaston 2000). As energy flows through an ecosystem it goes in the form of primary productivity (a bottom up approach): nutrients are taken up by plants (primary producers); the plants are then eaten by primary con...
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Several parameters were sampled at each sample site. The sampled parameters at each creek and pond site were temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, discharge, bank stability, and vegetation plots. Tests for the presence of nitrates and phosphates were also conducted. In addition to these tests, samples of benthic macroinvertebrates were collected.
The current level of conceptual understanding of the effects of biodiversity on ecosystem processes is so primitive that at this stage it is possible to recognize the linkages at the level of functional groups only. In any ecosystem there are diverse types of functions performed by different species or species groups. However, no two species or individuals are identical. It may be noted that some species diversity within the functional groups or genetic diversity within the species has important ecosystem
Fish habitat is the underwater world which many people do not see. It is just like the world that people live. Fish and plants reproduce, eat, and live in this environment, and even face challenges such as invasive species. It is said that “Invasive species are non-native species that threaten the diversity or abundance of native species due to their uncontrollable population growth, causing ecological or economic impacts” (“Invasive” par. 1). Vegetation plays a big role for fish habitat and for a lake itself. Aquatic habitat provides living space for not only fish but also for many aquatic insects. These insects then in turn provide fish and other species of animals with food (“Native” par. 4).
Purpose: The purpose of this lab is to investigate the various components of different ecosystems in a smaller representation and study the conditions required for the ecosystem’s sustainability as well as the connections between
The process of eutrophication happens when natural as well as artificial nutrients, mostly nitrates and phosphates, find their way into an aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem. When these nutrients are added to a water body or soil the consequences can show up in numerous forms. One that flourishes when there is extra nutrients is the growth of the microscopic organisms known as phytoplankton (blue-green algae) in freshwater rivers and lakes. When there is an overabundance of them in a lake or river they show up as a green color on top of the water. Excessive algae bloom and weeds are two other results that can also appear when too many nutrients enter a water body. There are two types of eutrophication, natural and cultural, that occur in water bodies. Natural eutrophication occurs at a much slower rate and can take up to a century for results to be seen. Whereas, cultural eutrophication is the more damaging of the two and usually transpires within a few decades. This is due to the excessive accumulation of nutrients at a much faster speed caused by human error. Cultural eutrophication happens when surface run-off, that contains nitrates and phosphates, moves from one place to another, ending up in a river or lake. Unfortunately, there are times when these nutrients end up being leached into the groundwater. At times eutrophication may be severe enough that it causes the oxygen in these water bodies to become quite low. The results of this is seen in the harmful effect it has on aquatic wildlife, creating what is referred to as dead zones. Cultural eutrophication is a problem that is seen universally. Things are being done to fight the spread of eutrophication, along with trying to reverse the damage it has caused to the aquatic e...
This study aims to explore how terrestrial ecosystems are linked to aquatic ecosystems, particularly through resources. This is examined by observing how MDN affects riparian growth.
...ultiple Diversity--Stability Mechanisms Enhance Population And Community Stability In Aquatic Food Webs." Ecology 95.1 (2014): 173-184. General Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
Pond ecology is the study of the interactions amongst the organisms in a particular body of water along with its surrounding environment. The study of ecology in ponds is critical in understanding the necessities required to produce a healthy body of water for recreational use. Inadequate ecology results in a toxic environment that is not suitable for any aquatic organisms to inhabit.(McCarty, Thomas)
Smith, T. M., & Smith, R. L. (2012). Elements of ecology (8th ed.). San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
The degradation of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity is increasing at an alarming rate every year. Humans are certainly not the only reason for this, but they are the main contributors. The well-being of ecosystems affects our everyday lives - consumption and consumerism depend on natural resources. Everything humans use is derived from them, in seemingly indirect and direct ways. Yet despite the fact that humans are destroying the environment, many continue to and neglect to take important measures to protect it.
I am particularly surprised how the agricultural industry inflicts these problems on themselves, by excessive use of sewage systems and pollutants which find their way to local rivers [Fig 1.]. The trophic state (i.e. the natural nutrition factors) and biodiversity of lakes and rivers are greatly effected by the main nutrients involved, nitrates and phosphates. The transition occurs mainly between a mesotropic state, with an average biological productivity to a eutrophic state where there is a larger production of organisms due to high nutrient concentrations. Tropical reservoirs in particular often become eutrophic.
Scientists have begun to say that we have to do more to protect our ecosystem, because our very existence is depending upon it. When the ecosystem is not functioning properly the continuation of plant, animal and human life ecosystems would be impossible. Life cycles can not function without ecosystems. The ecosystem provides us with clean air, water, habitats for fish and other services. They also aid in the mod...
For a typical wetland ecosystem, its values can be accounted in terms of the populations of its species, fish harvested per day, the amount of carbon stored per year, or the annual number of recreational visits. These are generally categorised as values from wetland production, regulating or cultural services (MA, 2005). Proper and accurate estimation of these values enables comparative analysis of intervention practices and therefore contributes to the improvement of the design of policies (Barbier, 1993; Barbier et al., 1997; Turner et al, 2000). Quality is a critical factor in determining the values of wetlands. A healthy and functioning wetland may provide rich ecosystem services (Zedler and Kercher, 2005; Maltby, 2009).
Biodiversity is so important that if any chain or link is disturbed then the whole system will come to a halt. Biodiversity also boosts ecosystem productivity and if it declines automatically our ecosystem also declines as both are interdependent upon each other, where all the species play an essential role in the way ecosystem functions, so local and global species loss could threaten the stability of the ecosystem services on which humans depend. This is an interesting topic as well as a global issue concerning the whole human civilization and their existence. . The said issue as well as many other issues regarding our natural processes cannot be neglected as our present and future depends entirely on the sustainability and growth of this ecosystem and biodiversity. Our ecosystem completely depends on the way biodiversity functions. This is the reason I have chosen this topic and gathered information about how it e...