Fresh & Saltwater Systems 3-4 Flashcards
(17 cards)
what is diversity?
The variety of different species living
in an area.
High diversity means lots of different
types of species
lake zones
Upper zone: shore to where aquatic
plants stop growing
Plants, small fish, clams, insects, worms
Middle Zone: Open water with light
penetration
Phytoplankton are the food for fish living
here
Lower Zone: Deepest water, no light
penetration
Food is waste that drifts from the
organisms living at the surface
ocean zones
Intertidal Zone: shoreline
Organisms must withstand pounding waves as well
as drying out during low tide
Estuary: Where fresh water of rivers and
streams mixes with ocean
Very diverse due to food and shelter
Continental shelf: Land that extends out from
the edge of the continent below the water
Warm water, light and nutrients = diversity
Oceanic Zone: Deepest parts, far away from
nutrients, open water
Many different orgaisms live here
what are adaptations?
A physical characteristic or behaviour
of a species
Increase a species chance of survival
Living things have adaptations
specific to the environment they live
in
what’s special about salmon as a species?
they can live in saltwater and freshwater
what is a population?
A group of organisms that live in a
particular area
Example: The wolves of Banff
National Park
how do seasons impact populations?
Extreme temperature changes
between summer and winter
Big swell in population during summer
Also breeding seasons contribute to
population changes
what are short term changes?
Don’t last very long, don’t happen
every year
Could be a natural event, or human
activity
Example: a population of salamanders
disappears due to drought. A few
months later there is rain and a new
population forms
what are long term changes?
Could also be natural or human
activity
Example: a landslide could change
the path of a stream forever
what is an example of change in water quality?
Algal Bloom
Result of fertilizer entering a lake
Algae grows rapidly, covers surface
Blocks out light to plants below
Plants die, don’t produce oxygen
No oxygen = dead organisms
how do we use water in agriculture?
73% of the water used by humans is
for irrigation of crops
Important for economy
Provides food for people
Overwatering can cause problems
with fertility of soil
how do we use water in industries?
Used as coolant, solvent, for
washing, for diluting pollutants
Can greatly affect environment if
polluted water is not properly
treated before being put back into
the environment
how do we use water domestically?
Use at home
Developed nations have water
cleaned and piped into their homes
Developing nations often times do
not readily have access to clean
water
what is monitoring?
Monitor: to observe, check or keep
track of something for a specific
purpose.
Example: Filling a bathtub you
monitor the water level so it doesn’t
overflow
how do we monitor to protect water quality and why?
Town and city water supplies are
monitored regularly
Can identify problems and correct it
Example: If there is additional micro
organisms additional procedures
may be introduced
why do we do ongoing monitoring?
Consistent monitoring allows
scientists to see changes
Change in the number of species in a
lake would indicate a change
Can use the info to develop
regulations and technology to
protect the environment
why do we need more than science and tech?
Big changes can only be made when
people as a collective decide so
May involve political involvement
and regulations
