Aquatic ecosystem

In contrast to terrestrial ecosystems, which are found on land, aquatic ecosystems are found in and around bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers. Aquatic ecosystems are made up of groups of creatures that are interdependent with one another as well as with their surroundings. 

Lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, springs, bogs, and wetlands are examples of water bodies. These environments can be contrasted with marine ecosystems, which contain a higher concentration of salt. A variety of characteristics, such as temperature, light penetration, nutrients, and vegetation, can distinguish freshwater environments from other types of ecosystems.

Types of Aquatic ecosystem

Water ecosystems are classified into two types: marine ecosystems, which are found in the ocean, and freshwater ecosystems, which are found in freshwater bodies of water. Various aquatic ecosystems are distinguished from one another in both the marine and freshwater environments. 

Marine ecosystems

This particular environment is the world’s largest aquatic ecosystem, and it encompasses more than 70% of the planet’s entire land surface area. When it comes to salt, this environment has a higher concentration than most others. Despite this, aquatic species’ bodies are well-adapted to saline water, and they may find it difficult to survive in freshwater environments. Marine ecology can be divided into the following categories.

Freshwater ecosystem

This aquatic habitat, which occupies less than 1% of the earth’s surface, can be split into three types: wetlands, lentic, and lotic ecosystems. Wetlands are the most common type of aquatic ecosystem.

Wetland

Essentially, they are marshy places that are frequently submerged in water and are home to a diverse range of plant and fauna. It is well-known that wetlands are a haven for aquatic plants such as water lilies, marshes, and swamps, as well as Northern Pikes, dragonflies, and Green Heron, among other things. 

Lentic ecosystem

It comprises bodies of water such as ponds and lakes, and it serves as a habitat for a variety of plants, algae, and animals, both floating and rooted. Lakes and ponds, among other types of standing water habitats, are considered to be lentic ecosystems. Algae, rooted and floating-leaved plants, as well as crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, can all be found in these environments. In this area, you’ll find frogs and salamanders, along with reptiles like alligators and water snakes, among other things! Typical lentic ecosystems include salamanders, frogs, water snakes, and alligators, among other animals.

Lotic ecosystem

This type of aquatic habitat is characterised by fast-moving water that travels in just one direction. They provide a breeding ground for a diverse range of insects, including beetles, mayflies, and stoneflies, among others. In addition, it is home to a variety of animals including river dolphins, beavers, otters, eels, minnows, and trout.

Functions

Environmental tasks carried out by aquatic ecosystems are numerous and vital. For example, they recycle nutrients, filter water, attenuate floods, recharge ground water, and serve as wildlife habitats, among other functions,  Water-based ecosystems are also used by humans for recreation, and they are extremely significant to the tourism industry, particularly in coastal areas.

Aquatic zones

Littoral zone

Lake or pond shorelines are referred to as “littoral zones.” In the littoral zone, which can be very narrow or very wide, there is a transition from dry land to open water that is sloping. Littoral zones are often narrow in oligotrophic or young ponds because of their steep sides, whereas littoral zones in eutrophic or old ponds are large in oligotrophic or old ponds because of their gently sloping shoreline and sides. 

Although shallow, the littoral zone is a major source of nutrients, thanks to runoff and other sources of nonpoint pollution. A large amount of aquatic plant and algae development can be seen there as a result. Cattails, reeds, crawfish, snails, insects, zooplankton, and small fish are among the other common residents of the littoral zone.

Limnetic zone

The open water portion of a lake or pond is commonly referred to as the Limnetic Zone in most cases. If the water is oligotrophic or younger, this area of water is significantly greater than it is in eutrophic or older bodies of water, and it is also much more diverse in composition. There are two distinct portions inside the limnetic zone. Epilimnion is the term used to describe the area of the limnetic zone that is closest to the water’s surface (warm water region). 

Sunlight reaches the portion of the body of water that is exposed to it. Water does not allow sunlight to pass into the zone, and so it is called an end zone. Aerial alga and other water plants are found in abundance in the euphotic zone (along with the littoral zone). In addition, because of the interaction with the air, this is a typical place with dense fish populations because oxygen levels are often greater.

Euphotic zone

The Euphotic Zone refers to the layer of the earth’s crust that is closest to the surface of the planet. This zone receives a lot of light, which is necessary for the photosynthetic process to take place. This zone is surrounded by the disphotic zone, which is poorly lit and so has a rate of respiration that surpasses the pace at which the photosynthetic process takes place. The euphotic zone, which extends 200 metres (656 feet) above the ocean’s surface and is sometimes known as the “sunlight” zone, is the uppermost layer of the ocean’s surface. The vast bulk of fishery activities take place in this zone, which is also home to a large number of marine mammals that are protected by law.

Profundal zone

It is known as the Hypolimnion or Profundal Zone because it is located below the euphotic zone and is surrounded by water (cold water region). Deep below the thermocline, below the thermocline, is the profundal zone, into which no sunlight may pass. The extent of this zone is determined by the age and quality of the pond or lake’s water. A shortage of oxygen in the profundal zone during several seasons of the year causes fish populations in the profundal zone to decline.

Benthic zone 

The Benthic Zone is the final zone to be explored in this section. The organic sediments and soil that make up the bottom of a pond or lake are called the substratum (basin). Water Bodies’ digestive systems are located in the benthic zone. Bacterial decomposition of organic matter from dead algae, aquatic plants, and fish and animal excrement takes place in the peritrophic zone. 

There is more decomposition taking place when there is a lot of organic debris in the pond! Depending on the environment, decomposition can occur either aerobically (with the presence of oxygen) or anaerobically (without the presence of oxygen) (without oxygen). Aerobic decomposition is preferable because it is a speedier process and the byproducts are less difficult to deal with in the long run. As a pond or lake gets older, the benthic zone expands.

Conclusion

This particular environment is the world’s largest aquatic ecosystem, and it encompasses more than 70% of the planet’s entire land surface area. When it comes to salt, this environment has a higher concentration than most others. Environmental tasks carried out by aquatic ecosystems are numerous and vital. For example, they recycle nutrients, filter water, attenuate floods, recharge ground water, and serve as wildlife habitats, among other functions,  Water-based ecosystems are also used by humans for recreation, and they are extremely significant to the tourism industry, particularly in coastal areas.