Aquatic Ecosystems

Aquatic Ecosystems are ecosystems that exist or present in bodies of water.
It is a
community of plants and animals interacting with one another and water as their physical
environment. The organisms in this ecosystem depend on one another and their water
environment for nutrients and shelter.
Functions of Aquatic Ecosystems:

1. They provide habitats for many species which are the bodies of water.
2. They regulate Earth's climate. Because the ocean regulates the concentration of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere by absorbing, storing, and releasing the greenhouse gases in
different ways and places.
3. They also serve as one of the food sources for many people.
Aquatic ecosystems are divided into two types:

1. Freshwater Ecosystem
2. Marine/Saltwater Ecosystem
Freshwater Ecosystems
It involves rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. Rivers and streams are freshwater
ecosystems that have flowing water, while lakes and ponds are freshwater ecosystems that
have still water or water that stays.
It contains drinkable water and only about 2-3 percent can be used as drinking water.
Compared to the Saltwater Ecosystem that has salty water, the Freshwater Ecosystem has
a low salt content with only less than 0.1 percent. Plants and animals here are already
adjusted to the low salt content, therefore, they will not be able to survive in the areas that
have a large salt content.
Freshwater has an important role in freshwater ecosystems as well as in people. It is a
source of water we need to continue living. But when these freshwater are degraded, their
ability to provide a supply of clean water and to support the species is threatened.
Major Threats of Freshwater Ecosystems:

Water Pollution
Pollution will put the entire aquatic ecosystem, including the freshwater ecosystem, at risk of
being destroyed. Water pollution can be defined as the contamination of water bodies. It
results when contaminants mix with bodies of water which make the water unusable for
drinking, cooking, cleaning, swimming, and other activities.
Examples of contaminants are nitrogen and phosphorus. These two elements exist naturally
in aquatic ecosystems, but the thing that makes it worse is the excessive use of fertilizers
that we use in our plants. Because most fertilizers have those chemical elements, the
nitrogen and phosphorus. So when it rains, those nutrients from fertilizers will be carried
away to freshwater ecosystems, causing rapid growth of algae. This is when harmful algal
bloom happens.
Nitrogen and phosphorus support the growth of algae and aquatic plants. Harmful algal
blooms are algae that grow out of control. Harmful algal bloom became a threat in
freshwater ecosystems when they became thick. They can block plants and animals from
getting the sunlight that is a need to survive. When these plants die off, the decay process
may use up all the oxygen in the water, causing other organisms to suffocate and also die.
Harmful algal blooms also produce toxins that can kill many species.
There is also water pollution that is obtained from a resident. Soaps and detergents people
use everyday are actually pollutants that are harmful for the freshwater ecosystem. They are
capable of destroying the external mucus layers that protect the fish from bacteria and
parasites, causing severe damage to the gills.
Climate Change
Human activity is the cause of rapidly increasing greenhouse gas concentrations that also
cause climate change. Climate change is expected to harm water quality. Water temperature
is one of the most important habitat factors in freshwater ecosystems, because it influences
their biological activity and growth. Climate change is likely to increase the average
temperature of water bodies, where the average temperature of the water can become
warmer. It can cause polar ice to melt and sea levels to rise. Freshwater species will look for
another area where they are more comfortable with the water temperature, so as a result,
these species may end up reducing or losing their habitat, because they could be replaced
by other species that are better adapted to warmer temperature.
Water Overuse
Supply of water for people is also supplied by the same waterways that are habitat to
animals and plants. Therefore, the freshwater ecosystem will be harmed when people
consume too much. Lakes are going to contain a lesser amount of water as a result.
Freshwater ecosystems are experiencing stress due to water reduction. The species will
also have less access to habitats because the habitat capacity is getting smaller, causing
them to move deeper off the water than normal.
Invasive Species
Invasive species can be any kind of living organism that is not native to an ecosystem, and
causes damage when introduced to a new area. They often lack predators in their new
environment, so their population can grow rapidly without natural enemies getting in the way.
Making them right away take over the area. Invasive species can cause native species
extinction and loss of diversity in freshwater habitats. They can reduce native species by
competing in using resources such as sunlight, food, and water, which will result in
decreasing food available for native species.
References:
Aquatic Ecosystems. (2021, May 3). Environment.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/aquatic-ecosystems
Freshwater ecosystems. (n.d.). https://www.conservation.org/priorities/fresh-water
National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Freshwater. (C) National Geographic Society.
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/freshwater/
Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know. (2023, January 11).
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/water-pollution-everything-you-need-know#whatis
What are Harmful Algal Blooms? - Environmental Epidemiology. (2021, September 10).
Environmental Epidemiology.
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-epidemiology/what-are-harmful-algal-blooms/
What is an invasive species? (n.d.). https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/invasive.html
What Is the Human Impact on the Freshwater Biome? (2019, November 22). Sciencing.
https://sciencing.com/human-impact-freshwater-biome-5977987.html

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Aquatic Ecosystems are ecosystems that exist or present in bodies of water.

Functions of Aquatic Ecosystems:

Aquatic ecosystems are divided into two types:

Major Threats of Freshwater Ecosystems:

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