Aquatic ecosystem

Zebra mussels threaten aquatic ecosystems because of their ability to filter about a quart of water per day. While water clarity is improved during this process, the zebra mussels disrupt the food chain by removing plankton, which supports the existence of native mussels and fish. Zebra mussels disrupt the food chain by removing plankton, which supports the existence of native mussels and fish. Zebra mussels pose serious threats because of their potential to foul industrial facilities and plug public

in some places. Boat docks are spread throughout the five hundred miles of shoreline and are home to some of the lake’s most expensive boats. Along the hillsides there are million dollar estates on every embankment. I am accompanied by my fellow aquatic life: Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Catfish, and Striped Bass. I am a part of of the Spotted Bass community. I am much like a

Dissolved Oxygen is highly essential for a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Aquatic organisms need oxygen dissolved in water to stay alive. The need for Oxygen is dependent on species and life stage. While some organisms adapt to low oxygen level, others do not. Amount of dissolved Oxygen in a system can affect the solubility and availability of nutrients (Fondriest Environmental, 2014). The Oxygen content of water bodies varies with temperature, turbulence, salinity, photosynthetic ability of algae and

than the occasional meteor that brings with it new matter. It is therefore important that the recycling of these chemical elements is efficient. Autotrophs are the basis of almost all ecosystems. The rate that autotrophs produce and transfer energy is vital to the capacity of organisms that can inhabit these ecosystems. To understand the rates in which certain species’ leaves decay and release the energy stored within them can demonstrate how quickly the energy becomes available to organisms in higher

Network was created to assess the quality of aquatic environments and ecosystems using benthos organisms as biomarkers (Ontario Ministry of the Environment, 2007). Exclusively used in Ontario, this biomonitoring program assesses ecological function and condition of streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands across the province (The Dorset Environmental Science Centre, 2017). The OBBN protocol is ideal for assessing water quality because of the use of aquatic macroinvertebrates (Borisko, et al. 2007). Since

Abstract Pollutants are impacting aquatic organisms disposed by daily human activities and natural occurrences. An extensive amount of pollutants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons can result in direct significant damage, e.g. death. However lower levels of these harmful substances can be stored in an organism and increase as it continues and follows up the food chain, a process called biomagnification or bioaccumulation, having the greatest effect on the top predator of that food

New York Times published a front-page article titled, “Study Sees 'Global Collapse ' of Fish Species.” Within the article, experts cited that if “fishing around the world continues at its present pace, more and more species will vanish, marine ecosystems will unravel and there will be 'global collapse ' of all species currently fished, possibly as soon as midcentury.” (Dean, 2006). The issue of overfishing, which is defined as “continuously taking more fish than can be replaced by reproduction

technology allows us to see that our pollution is causing a great deal of damage, especially in aquatic ecosystems. Freshwater ecosystems are often the receiving end of our pollution because they are abundant and water will quickly wash our byproducts away. However, to say these byproducts do not affect other locations is false. Often times, runoff of human sewage and waste will find its way to freshwater ecosystems and harm the wildlife that resides there. Even humans can feel the affects of our own

riparian vegetation typically find their way into the river system, whether it be by wind, direct fall, or strong rains. This annual event also serves as an important annual influx of energy for the river ecosystem. In Bear Brook, New Hampshire, 99% of the annual input energy into the freshwater aquatic system is allochthonous from the forested watershed or upstream areas (Fisher and Likens, 1973). Of this 99%, 44% is provided by leaf and

Aquatic ecology is the science of ecology which concentrates on the study of aquatic ecosystems. This field can be broken out into two divisions: freshwater and marine ecology. Understanding aquatic ecosystems is critical since water is the building block to the survival of all life on earth. Aquatic ecology includes the study of aquatic environments including oceans, lakes, ponds, wetlands, rivers, and streams. Every organism needs energy to live, grow and reproduce. In aquatic ecology, biologists