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An ecosystem is a dynamic community of living organisms that interact with each other and their non-living environment. Ecosystems are the building blocks of life on Earth. These dynamic systems, found on land, in water, and even in the air, are characterized by a complex web of interactions that sustains all members within them. While every system has a unique structure, they together contribute to maintaining the balance of nature. There are many different types of ecosystems, each with its own unique set of organisms and interactions. Some of the most common types of ecosystems are:
- Water/Aquatic Ecosystem
- Land/Terrestrial Ecosystem
This article will discuss aquatic ecology, which supports life below the surface. Aquatic organisms are dependent on water for a variety of needs, including food, shelter, and reproduction. The article takes you through the importance of aquatic ecosystems and their various types.
What is an Aquatic Ecosystem
An aquatic ecosystem refers to the life-sustaining in and around various water bodies. It includes every water-based environment on earth where life thrives and living aquatic organisms constantly interact with both the physical and chemical features of nature.
The aquatic ecosystem is a self-sufficient system to sustain life-producing oxygen, has a water purification system, and other means for life to thrive in it. In addition to this, the main function of the aquatic ecosystem is also to support human well-being. This is because it supports fisheries and fulfills water needs for human life.
Features of an Aquatic Ecosystem
The aquatic ecosystem is directly or indirectly involved in maintaining the natural flow of the environment. Here are some salient features of the aquatic ecosystem.
- Wide Range of Habitats: The aquatic ecosystem offers a wide range of natural water-based habitats. These habitats can be found in various types of water bodies all around the globe.
- Rich Biodiversity: Aquatic ecosystems are known to have a very rich yet unexplored biodiversity. Among the parts of the aquatic ecosystem that humans have been able to explore, the water bodies offer varying aquatic life at every location.
- Essential Resources: From digging up salt in the oceans to extracting various types of sand from rivers, the aquatic ecosystem offers resources essential for human use.
- Rare Food Webs: The aquatic ecosystem extends some of the rarest food webs, which are rich in protein and nutrients and beneficial for the consumption of mankind.
Types of Aquatic Ecosystems
The underwater world consists of different types of aquatic ecosystems. Let us know about some common types of aquatic ecosystems in detail.
- Marine Ecosystem: Covering a major portion of the globe, the marine ecosystem refers to the saltwater aquatic environments, including the oceans and seas. This ecosystem occupies nearly 71% of the earth’s surface with highly alkaline water and diverse marine life, including fish, coral reefs, and sharks.
- Freshwater Ecosystems: Unlike the marine ecosystem, the freshwater ecosystem is not alkaline. It contains water bodies whose water can be consumed directly by human beings. However, the freshwater ecosystem also contains a diverse range of extended aquatic life. It includes various types of fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and aquatic plants.
- Estuarine Ecosystems: These types of ecosystems are created where freshwater and marine habitats converge, and their salinity level is continuously changing. This is the meeting point of rivers and seas. It has the same ecosystem as the marine ecosystem.
- Wetland Ecosystems: These types of aquatic ecosystems are formed where water remains just above the soil. Such ecosystems can either be purposefully formed by human beings or can also be created naturally. Such ecosystems contain plants and herbs that can survive in highly saturated areas.
- Coral Reef Ecosystem: The coral reef ecosystem is formed by the accumulation of coral skeletons and associated aquatic organisms below the oceans and seas. This ecosystem also has a very high biodiversity, with vibrant coral formations, and provides marine life habitat.
- Lentic and Lotic Ecosystems: A lentic ecosystem refers to water bodies containing freshwater that are not flowing. This can include lakes, ponds, seeps, etc. Such water bodies also have a diversity of aquatic plants and aquatic life. On the other hand, lotic ecosystems are also water bodies containing freshwater, but they are in a constant state of flow. A prime example of such types of ecosystems can be rivers, channels, or streams.
The Functions of Aquatic Ecosystem
Aquatic ecosystems play a very important role in balancing out the natural flow of the environment to keep its cycle going. Here are some major functions of the aquatic ecosystem:
- Enhanced Nutrient Cycling: Aquatic ecosystems facilitate rapid and efficient nutrient recycling, supporting a diverse range of life forms.
- Flood Mitigation: These ecosystems act as natural buffers, mitigating floods and protecting human settlements from inundation.
- Groundwater Recharge: Aquatic ecosystems play a crucial role in replenishing groundwater reserves sustainably, ensuring consistent water availability.
- Water Purification: By filtering pollutants and contaminants, aquatic ecosystems naturally purify water, making it suitable for drinking and other human uses.
Threats to the Aquatic Ecosystem
Here are some major activities that act as a threat to the aquatic ecosystem in particular:
- Unchecked anthropogenic activities like careless dumping of waste like plastics near water bodies contaminate the water and threaten aquatic life.
- The constant flow of sewage in rivers, streams, and oceans decreases the quality of water.
- The construction of dams, bridges, and other industrial activities disturbs the natural flow of water and creates an imbalance in the environment.
- Careless spills during processes such as oil extraction greatly affect aquatic life and often kill them.
Conservation of the Aquatic Ecosystem
As we are dependent on the aquatic ecosystem, it becomes our duty to preserve it in every possible way. Here are some solutions to adopt that can help the aquatic ecosystem flourish once again.
- Reducing the use of plastics will do a great favor in preventing damage to our aquatic ecosystem. These plastics do not decompose properly and remain in the environment for thousands of years.
- Sewage and gutter waters should be treated well before releasing them into water bodies.
- Industries should not be allowed to release chemically contaminated water directly into bodies of water, such as rivers or oceans.
- Consumption of seafood should be done proportionately so as not to exterminate aquatic life.
In a Nutshell
The aquatic ecosystem is a vast, unexplored, yet crucial part of the environment. Here are some key takeaways:
- Integral Component of Natural Balance: The aquatic ecosystem forms an essential part of the Earth’s environmental cycle, playing a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of nature.
- Diverse Array of Aquatic Systems: This multifaceted ecosystem encompasses a wide range of aquatic environments, each with its own unique characteristics and significant contributions to the overall health of the planet.
- Salinity, Biodiversity, and Nutrients as Markers: Distinct levels of salinity, biodiversity, and nutrient availability serve as key identifiers for differentiating between various aquatic ecosystems.
Replenishing Resources and Sustaining Life: Aquatic ecosystems act as natural reservoirs, replenishing vital resources crucial for sustaining human life on Earth, both directly and indirectly.
FAQs on Aquatic Ecosystem
What are 4 major types of aquatic ecosystems?
Wetlands, rivers, lakes, and coastal estuaries are types of water environments. They play a vital role in Earth's natural systems and are important for human economies and well-being.
What are the Characteristics of Aquatic Ecosystems?
Aquatic ecosystems have two main parts: non-living stuff and living stuff. The non-living stuff includes things like how deep the water is, how much food there is, how hot or cold it is, how salty it is, and how fast the water moves. The living stuff includes all the plants and animals that call the ecosystem home.
What is the Definition of an Aquatic Ecosystem?
An aquatic ecosystem is a watery place where different creatures live together and rely on their environment to stay alive. In aquatic ecosystems, there are three main groups of living things: plankton, nekton, and benthos.
State two Functions of the Aquatic Ecosystem?
Two important roles of the aquatic ecosystem and its various forms are: Assisting in the recycling of nutrients and cleansing water. Contributing to the replenishment of underground water reserves.
