Aquatic Ecosystem

Freshwater Ecosystem

• Streams/Rivers
• Ponds/Lakes

Streams/Rivers

• Plants: take root among the pebbles at the bottom of the river
• Animals: Insects/small animals have hooks/suckers that help them
• Animals (continued): cling on to things such as rocks. Trout have
• Animals (continued): streamlined bodies that help them swim
• Animals (continued): through rushing water.

Ponds/Lakes

• Plants: lakes are shallow enough for sunlight to reach the
• Plants (continued): bottom, allowing photosynthesis to occur
• Animals: Depend on floating organisms for food

Marine Ecosystem

• Estuary
• Intertidal Zone
• Neritic Zone
• Surface Zone
• Deep Ocean Zone

Estuary

• Plants: Provide food and shelter for animals
• Animals: Rely on algae and plants such as marsh grasses for food
• Animals (continued): and shelter

Intertidal Zone

• Plants: Have to adapt to pounding waves and sudden 
• Plants (continued): changes in water level and temperature
• Animals: Cling to rocks or burrow in the sand

Neritic Zone

• Plants: Sunlight passes through the neritic zone, allowing
• Plants (continued): photosynthesis to occur
• Animals: Rely on plants for food

Surface Zone

• Plants: Algae carry out photosynthesis
• Animals: Depend on algae for food

Deep Ocean Zone

• Plants: There is no light, so plants can't grow
• Animals: Feed on the remains of dead organisms
• Animals (continued): that sink to the bottom