AQUATIC
ECOSYSTEMS
Submitted by :
24UCO046 - Saroumathy Ramya S
24UCO034 - Nagalakshmi
24UCO012 - Dheshika K
24UCO024 - Kavipriya M
24UCO017 - Harini D
24UCO022 - Kanika V
24UCO035 - Nandhini S
What is an Aquatic Ecosystem
??
● Aquatic ecosystems are complex network of
interactions between living organisms and their
physical environment.
● Aquatic Ecology is the study of water based
ecosystems.
● Aquatic ecosystems can involve flowing or still
water, and these ecosystems can be freshwater or
marine and support a wide range of plant and anima
life.
What are the types of Aquatic
Ecosystem ?
1. Freshwater ecosystems: Rivers, lakes,
wetlands, and groundwater ecosystems.
2. Marine ecosystems: Coral reefs, estuaries,
mangroves, and open ocean ecosystems.
3. Brackish ecosystems: Ecosystems with a
mixture of freshwater and saltwater, such as
estuaries and mangroves.
4. Artificial ecosystems: Man-made ecosystems
such as aquariums, fish ponds, and artificial
What is it's importance ?
1. Supports biodiversity: support a wide range of plant and
animal life.
2. Provides food: provide food for humans and other
animals.
3. Regulates climate: regulates the climate by absorbing
and storing carbon dioxide.
4. Supports human well-being: recreational opportunities,
support tourism, and contribute to human well-being.
5. Maintains water quality: maintains water quality by
filtering out pollutants and sediments.
What are the characteristics ?
1. Water: freshwater or saltwater.
2. Temperature:unique temperature regimes
depending on factors such as depth, location,
and time of year.
3. Light: it plays a critical role in
photosynthesis and the growth of aquatic
plants.
4. Nutrient cycling: have complex nutrient
cycles involving the movement of nutrients
5. Diversity: support a wide range of plant and
animal life, from tiny microorganisms to
massive blue whales.
6. Interconnectedness: interconnected, with
water flowing between different ecosystems
and species interacting with each other.
7. Dynamic nature: Aquatic ecosystems are
dynamic, with changes occurring over time due
to factors such as climate change, human
activities, and natural disturbances.
8. Importance of habitat: provides shelter, food,
Structure of an Aquatic Ecosystem
FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
What are Freshwater Ecosystems ?.
● Freshwater ecosystems are aquatic
ecosystems that are characterized by a much
lower concentration of salts compared to
seawater.
● They include rivers, streams, lakes, ponds,
wetlands, and groundwater ecosystems.
RIVER
What is a River ?
● Rivers are natural flowing bodies of water that
originate from springs, mountains, or lakes and
flow towards oceans, seas, or other water bodies.
● They play a crucial role in shaping the landscape,
supporting biodiversity, and providing water
resources for human consumption, agriculture, and
industry.
What are the types of River ?
1. Perennial rivers: Rivers that flow year-round.
2. Seasonal rivers: Rivers that flow only during
certain times of the year.
3. Ephemeral rivers: Rivers that flow only in
response to rainfall or other temporary events.
4. Tidal rivers: Rivers that are influenced by
ocean tides.
5. Glacial rivers: Rivers that originate from
glaciers.
What is it's importance ?
1. Water supply: Rivers provide water for
human consumption, agriculture, and industry.
2. Transportation: Rivers have been used for
transportation and trade throughout history.
3. Hydroelectric power: Rivers can be used to
generate hydroelectric power.
4. Recreation: Rivers offer opportunities for
recreation, such as fishing, boating, and
swimming.
5. Biodiversity: Rivers support a wide range of
What are the threats to a
River ?
1. Pollution: agricultural runoff, industrial
waste, and other human activities.
2. Damming: dams alter the natural flow of the
river and disrupt ecosystems.
3. Over-extraction:over-extraction of water
leads to reduced water levels and altered
ecosystem processes.
4. Climate change: leads to altered water
temperatures, changed precipitation patterns,
STREAMS
What is a Stream ?
● Streams are small, narrow rivers that flow
into larger rivers, lakes, or oceans.
● They are an essential part of the water cycle
and play a crucial role in shaping the
surrounding landscape.
What are the types of Stream ?
1. Perennial streams: Streams that flow year-
round.
2. Seasonal streams: Streams that flow only
during certain times of the year.
3. Ephemeral streams: Streams that flow only in
response to rainfall or other temporary events.
4. Intermittent streams: Streams that flow only
during periods of high rainfall or snowmelt
What is it's importance ?
1. Habitat for aquatic life: habitat for a wide
range of aquatic plants and animals.
2. Water supply: clean water for human
consumption, agriculture, and industry.
3. Recreation: offer opportunities for recreation,
such as fishing, swimming, and kayaking.
4. Erosion control: control erosion by carrying
away sediment and rocks.
5. Water quality: maintains water quality by
filtering out pollutants and sediments.
What are the threats to a Stream ?
1. Pollution: agricultural runoff, industrial
waste, and other human activities.
2. Habitat destruction: removal of vegetation
and alteration of the stream channel.
3. Climate change: altered flow patterns,
increased flooding, and changes in water
temperature.
4. Invasive species: invasive species
outcompete native species for resources and
habitat.
ESTUARIES
What is an Estuary ?
● Estuaries are coastal ecosystems where
freshwater rivers and streams meet the
ocean, creating a unique mixture of fresh
and saltwater.
● This blending of waters creates a diverse
and dynamic environment that supports a
wide range of plant and animal life.
What are the types of Estuaries ?
1. Drowned river valley estuaries: Estuaries
formed by the flooding of a river valley by the
sea.
2. Bar-built estuaries: Estuaries formed by the
accumulation of sediment at the mouth of a
river.
3. Fjord estuaries: Estuaries formed by the
flooding of a glacial valley by the sea.
4. Deltaic estuaries: Estuaries formed by the
What are the threats to
Estuaries
1. ?
Habitat destruction: destruction of
mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses.
2. Overfishing: overfishing can deplete fish
populations and disrupt the balance of the
ecosystem.
3. Climate change: leads to sea level rise,
changes in water temperature and chemistry,
and increased frequency of extreme events.
4. Invasive species: Estuaries are threatened by
invasive species, which can outcompete native
HOW AQUATIC
ECOSYSTEMS CAN
BE PROTECTED ?
CONSERVATIVE MEASURES:
1. Implement sustainable fishing practices:
Implementing catch limits and no-take zones,
can help maintain healthy fish populations.
2. Reduce pollution: Reducing pollution from
agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and other
human activities can help protect aquatic
ecosystems.
3. Restore habitats: Restoring habitats, such as
wetlands and mangroves, can help maintain
biodiversity and ecosystem function.
4. Monitor and assess ecosystems: help identify
areas that need protection and inform
conservation efforts.
5. Establish protected areas: Establishing
national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, marine
COMMUNITY BASED ACTIVITIES:
1. Educate and engage local communities:
Educating and engaging local communities in
aquatic ecosystem conservation can help build
support and promote sustainable practices.
2. Promote eco-tourism: Promoting eco-tourism
can help support local economies and promote
conservation of aquatic ecosystems.
POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE
FRAMEWORKS:
1. Develop and implement policies: Developing
and implementing policies, such as the Clean
Water Act
2. Enforce laws and regulations: Enforcing laws
and regulations related to fishing and pollution
3. Support international agreements:
Supporting international agreements, such as
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT:
1. Conduct research: Conducting research can
help improve our understanding of these
ecosystems
2. Develop new technologies: Developing new
technologies related to water treatment and
sustainable fishing, can help reduce human
impacts
3. Promote sustainable aquaculture: Promoting
THANK YOU !
