The Aquatic Ecosystem

The primary purpose of any ecosystem is to create a balance in the environment. Its function is to produce, decompose, and regulate the energy flow and nutrient cycle.

There are two major ecosystems, the terrestrial/land ecosystem and the aquatic ecosystem. An aquatic ecosystem is a system of water-based habitats where the living and non-living communities live. The living organisms in the aquatic ecosystem depend on the water to feed, grow, and survive. 

Features of the aquatic ecosystem

The aquatic habitat is a survival hub for thousands of living species, many of which are still a mystery. The features of the aquatic community are vital for the survival of living organisms. A few features of the aquatic ecosystem are listed below:

• Water dominant habitat

All living organisms rely on water medium for survival in the aquatic ecosystem. Almost the entire ecosystem is made of water. There might be a very small percentage of air in this ecosystem at the point where the water surface meets the atmosphere.

• Constrained sunlight penetration

Light intensity varies inside the water body, and the deep levels at the seafloor don’t receive any sunlight. The depth of the bottom of the water body varies at different locations. This depth variation constrains the sunlight from reaching deeper regions of the sea.

• No extreme temperature

There is no extreme temperature difference in the aquatic ecosystem. The temperature remains constant as there are no external sun rays or winds inside the water.

Types of aquatic ecosystems

The water resources on the earth are of two types depending on the salt concentration of the water. The two types of aquatic ecosystems include:

• Freshwater ecosystem: This ecosystem has low or no salt content in water.

• Marine/Ocean ecosystem: This ecosystem has high salt content in water.

Types of freshwater ecosystems

The freshwater ecosystem has a very negligible level of salt content. This type of aquatic ecosystem depends on deposits from the land ecosystem. Aquatic ecosystem examples for freshwaters are lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, and pools. There are three types of freshwater ecosystems as follows:

• Lentic ecosystem, the standing water ecosystem
• Lotic ecosystem, the moving water ecosystem
• Swamps and wetlands

Lentic ecosystem

The land depressions filled with standing water constitute a lentic ecosystem. The depth and nature of the lentic ecosystem can vary according to its location. The freshwater conditions enable the growth of plants like lotus and water lilies.

The functions of the aquatic ecosystem are to create a balanced environment. The living organisms and nonliving things stay interlinked and mutually dependent. These ecosystems have rich flora and fauna. Some examples of living organisms that occupy this habitat include crabs, frogs, snakes, reptiles, and insects. They create the basic food chain for the food cycle.

Lotic ecosystem

These water bodies have a water flow in one direction, which creates an ecosystem in a constant motion state. The ecosystem’s nature and nutrient value keep altering as the water changes. The depth and water velocity changes affect the life cycle of living organisms.

The primary function of the river is to transport excess water from land to the ocean. In this process, the plants and microorganisms create an ecosystem in the running water. The rapid/fast water consists of plants and tiny organisms in it. The slow-speed rivers can have more plants and larger living organisms in them. Insects like beetles, stoneflies, and mayflies can be found in these ecosystems.

Wetlands/marshlands

Wetlands and swamps are water-saturated land areas with stagnant water, for example, the mangroves. The wetland can contain fresh or coastal water, depending on its water source.

Types of a marine ecosystem

The salt level of the water is high, and flora and fauna of this ecosystem depend on the living community’s ability to survive in this saline environment. Freshwater fish do not survive here. Algae and coral reefs are the wide range of plant communities present here. Aquatic ecosystem examples are oceans and estuaries.

In marine life, the function of the aquatic ecosystem is to provide an ideal salinity in the water to ensure that it fits the survival of its living community and maintains the nutrient value. There are three types of aquatic ecosystems found in the marine ecosystem:

• Ocean ecosystem
• Estuaries ecosystem
• Coastal ecosystem

Ocean ecosystem

The ocean, with its huge variety of living organisms, forms the Ocean ecosystem. The ocean ecosystem is the biggest among all the other aquatic ecosystem types. The Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Southern Ocean are oceans on the earth’s surface. The Pacific Ocean is the largest globally and has a large ecosystem. Sharks, turtles, dolphins, whales, etc., belong to this ecosystem.

Estuaries ecosystem

The zone where the sea meets the river is an estuary. The ecosystem in this region will have high mineral deposits. It should withstand the water velocity. The high nutrient sedimentation supports the growth of plants and microorganisms.

Coastal ecosystem

The region where the sea meets the land is the coast. It is a common zone shared by the land and the sea life. Algae and insects are prominent here. Crabs, snails, lobsters, turtles, and small fish also belong to this habitat.

Functions of the aquatic ecosystems

The aquatic ecosystem’s contribution to environmental wellbeing is boundless. Here are some functions of aquatic ecosystems:

• Provide ideal water conditions for aquatic animals
• Recycle the nutrient quotient of the water and the soil
• Regulate the flow of pure water
• Control floods
• Recharge the groundwater basin level

With these functions of the aquatic ecosystem, the survival of living organisms is effortless.

Conclusion

There is an extraordinary collection of living communities in aquatic ecosystems. Depending on the environment and limitations, flora and fauna survive. The survival of the biotic community is dependent on the abiotic community of the system. The function of the aquatic ecosystem is to regulate this harmony.

The ecosystem is a fragile entity. Right now, it is constantly polluted by terrestrial deposits. If not treated properly, the chemical and toxic contents reach the water bodies. Water pollution can cause irreversible changes in the ecosystem. Understanding the importance of aquatic life in our food chain will help us be more mindful.