Aquatic communities are the world's major water habitats. Like land biomes, aquatic communities can also be subdivided based on common characteristics. Two common designations are: freshwater and marine communities.
Freshwater Communities
Rivers and Streams are bodies of water that continuously move in a single direction. Both are rapidly changing communities. The source of the river or stream usually differs significantly from the point at which the river or steam empties.
A variety of plants and animals can be found in these freshwater communities, including trout, algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, and of course, various species of fish.
Estuaries are the areas where freshwater streams or rivers meet the ocean. These highly productive regions contain widely diverse plant and animal life. The river or stream usually carries many nutrients from inland sources, making estuaries capable of supporting this rich diversity and high productivity. Estuaries are feeding and breeding grounds for a variety of animals, including: waterfowl, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians.
Lakes and Ponds are standing bodies of water. Many streams and rivers end in lakes and ponds. Phytoplankton are usually found in the upper layers. Because light is absorbed only to certain depths, photosynthesis is common only in the upper layers. Lakes and ponds also support a variety of plant and animal life, including: small fish, aquatic insects, and numerous plant species.
Marine Communities
Oceans cover approximately 70% of the earth's surface.
Marine communities are difficult to divide into distinct types, but can be classified based on the degree of light penetration. The simplest classification consists of two distinct zones: the photic and aphotic zones. As with the other communities, a variety of organisms live in the ocean: fungi, sponges, sea anemones, fish, crabs, etc.
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So there you have it -- the aquatic communities. What do you think? What is your favorite aquatic community? Come over to the Biology Forum and share your thoughts, opinions and feelings.
Freshwater Communities
Rivers and Streams are bodies of water that continuously move in a single direction. Both are rapidly changing communities. The source of the river or stream usually differs significantly from the point at which the river or steam empties.
A variety of plants and animals can be found in these freshwater communities, including trout, algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, and of course, various species of fish.
Estuaries are the areas where freshwater streams or rivers meet the ocean. These highly productive regions contain widely diverse plant and animal life. The river or stream usually carries many nutrients from inland sources, making estuaries capable of supporting this rich diversity and high productivity. Estuaries are feeding and breeding grounds for a variety of animals, including: waterfowl, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians.
Lakes and Ponds are standing bodies of water. Many streams and rivers end in lakes and ponds. Phytoplankton are usually found in the upper layers. Because light is absorbed only to certain depths, photosynthesis is common only in the upper layers. Lakes and ponds also support a variety of plant and animal life, including: small fish, aquatic insects, and numerous plant species.
Marine Communities
Oceans cover approximately 70% of the earth's surface.
Marine communities are difficult to divide into distinct types, but can be classified based on the degree of light penetration. The simplest classification consists of two distinct zones: the photic and aphotic zones. As with the other communities, a variety of organisms live in the ocean: fungi, sponges, sea anemones, fish, crabs, etc.
Share Your Opinions
So there you have it -- the aquatic communities. What do you think? What is your favorite aquatic community? Come over to the Biology Forum and share your thoughts, opinions and feelings.