Freshwater ecosystems : are one of the types of aquatic ecosystems that exist on planet Earth. They are known as "fresh water“ because they are formed water with low salt concentration. In general, they have less than 1% sodium chloride. There are different types of ecosystems composed of fresh water, including lakes, lagoons, rivers and flooded plains. In general, these can be divided into two groups: lentic ecosystems and lotic ecosystems. KKR1116 5
The lentic ecosystems are those formed by still or slow moving water, as happens with lakes, lagoons, ponds, natural pools, swamps, and other flooded plains. On the other hand, the lotic ecosystems are those that have fast-moving waters, such as rivers, streams, streams and other water currents. The fauna and flora in these ecosystems is very rich and varies from one area to another. Includes crustaceans, aquatic plants such as algae, different species of fish, insects such as dragonflies and mosquitoes, waterfowl, among others. KKR1116 6
Lagoons and lakes: Characteristics - They are static or semi-static bodies of water. -Can measure a few square meters or thousands of square kilometers. . Many are seasonal, which means that they appear and disappear depending on the seasons. Others are permanent and have existed for thousands of years. . Three zones are distinguished: the littoral zone, the limnetic zone and the deep zone. -In the littoral zone, the water is warmer. This is because this is the shallowest part of the lake or the lagoon and, therefore, can absorb more solar radiation. -The limnetic area is under the literal zone. Due to its proximity to the surface, it receives enough sunlight but not so much heat. -The deep zone is the coldest and darkest of the lake or the lagoon. Also, in this area, the water is denser. KKR1116 7
Flora and fauna The fauna and flora vary depending on the layer of the lake. In the littoral zone, there is a great diversity of animal and plant species, including floating and rooted aquatic plants such as some green algae. Also, you can find aquatic snails, clams, crustaceans, fish, snakes, turtles and birds like ducks. It is also common the presence of insects, such as flies and dragonflies. In the limnetic area, there is plankton, both the plant (phytoplankton) and the animal ( zooplancton ). These are small organisms of vital importance to the food chain in lentic aquatic ecosystems. The presence of these beings allows the survival of different species of fish that inhabit the limnetic area. These fish feed on plankton, invertebrate organisms and sediments found in lakes. KKR1116 8
Ponds characteristics -The ponds are bodies of lentic water. -They are shallow water. There are four zones: vegetation zone, open water, surface and swampy bottom. -The dimensions of the pond depend on the time of year. Many ponds are produced by the flooding of the rivers during the spring and disappear with the droughts during the summer. Fauna and Flora The fauna includes snails, fish, aquatic insects (such as mosquitoes and some species of beetles), frogs, turtles, otters and some species of rats that live near the area. Also, you can find large fish and alligators. Waterfowl are common, highlighting ducks and herons. As for the flora, green and brown algae are typical. KKR1116 9
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Flooded plains: Characteristics -The flooded plains are territories covered by shallow waters, which allow the development of aquatic silvers. -The marshes, swamps and floods are part of this group. Fauna and Flora The flooded plains are rich in hydrophytic plant species, which are those capable of living in areas where the humidity concentration is high. Among these species are lilies, bulrushes and sedges. Of all the aquatic ecosystems, the flooded plains are those that have the greatest diversity of animal species. The fauna includes amphibians such as frogs and toads, reptiles, birds such as ducks and wading birds, insects among which are the dragonflies, mosquitoes, mosquitoes and fireflies. KKR1116 11
Rivers and other water currents: Characteristics -The water currents originate in high areas, such as mountains. -They can arise by the action of groundwater that rise to the surface as springs, by the melting of perpetual snow or glaciers, among others. - They follow a course that ends in another bigger river, in a lake, in the sea or in the ocean. -The temperature is lower at the origin of the river than at its mouth. Similarly, it has higher oxygen levels at the source point. -Water is usually clearer at the source than at the mouth. This is because the river collects sediment in its course, so the water tends to get swampy. KKR1116 12
Flora and fauna The flora and fauna of the water courses varies depending on the river area. At the origin, fish such as trout are found, which withstand very low temperatures and require large amounts of oxygen to live. In the middle part of the course, there are several plant species, among which green plants and algae stand out. The water turns dark because of the sediments at the mouth of the river. For this reason, less light can cross the aquatic surface, which causes a decrease in the diversity of flora. In this area, fish that do not require high concentrations of oxygen live, such as catfish and carp. KKR1116 13
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Marine Ecosystems KKR1116 37
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Estuaries KKR1116 58
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Mangroves KKR1116 73
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Coral Reefs KKR1116 87
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Salt Pans KKR1116 120
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Natural salt pans or salt flats are flat expanses of ground covered with salt and other minerals, usually shining white under the sun. They are found in deserts and are natural formations (unlike salt evaporation ponds, which are artificial). A salt pan forms by evaporation of a water pool such as a lake or pond. This happens in climates where the rate of water evaporation exceeds the rate of precipitation, that is, in a desert. If the water cannot drain into the ground, it remains on the surface until it evaporates, leaving behind minerals precipitated from the salt ions dissolved in the water. Over thousands of years, the minerals (usually salts) accumulate on the surface. These minerals reflect the sun's rays (through radiation) and often appear as white areas. KKR1116 125
What are Salt Pans? A shallow container or depression in the ground in which salt water evaporates to leave a deposit of salt. How are salt Pans formed? A salt plain (also known as a salt pan or salt flat) is a flat area of ground covered with salt and other minerals. They are usually purely white. ... When the water dries up, the minerals stay left behind on the surface of the ground. Over thousands of years, the minerals (usually salts) build up on the surface. KKR1116 126
Where are Salt Pans found in India? The majority of India's salt production can be traced to one region, the west central-state of Gujarat. With more than 50 percent of salt workers located in Gujarat, the state accounts for almost three-quarters of the country's annual salt production. KKR1116 127
Natural salt pans or salt flats are flat expanses of ground covered with salt and other minerals, usually shining white under the sun. They are found in deserts and are natural formations (unlike salt evaporation ponds, which are artificial). A salt pan forms by evaporation of a water pool such as a lake or pond. This happens in climates where the rate of water evaporation exceeds the rate of precipitation, that is, in a desert. If the water cannot drain into the ground, it remains on the surface until it evaporates, leaving behind minerals precipitated from the salt ions dissolved in the water. Over thousands of years, the minerals (usually salts) accumulate on the surface. These minerals reflect the sun's rays (through radiation) and often appear as white areas. KKR1116 128
Why are Salt Pans important The location of these salt pans is important because they act as natural barriers to prevent flooding in Mumbai. Along with mangroves, salt pans hold the seawater from entering the city and stop flooding. They are visited by several species of birds and different types of insects thrive on them as well. KKR1116 129
How do you make salt in a salt Pan? The process involved solar evaporation of seawater, followed by artificial evaporation of salt using the open-pan technique in structures known as 'salterns'. Inland salt production. KKR1116 130
Why is Salt Pans obtained from Salt Pans? Common salt is obtained in huge quantities through a process called evaporation. In this process, seawater is filled in large pans in left undisturbed for some time in open yards during which the water gets evaporated and salt remains in the pit. KKR1116 131
When Sea water is evaporated what is left behind? Water molecules that evaporate become a gas called water vapor. Only the water evaporates, leaving the sodium and chloride ions behind. The sodium and chloride ions attract each other and re- form salt crystals KKR1116 132
Examples: The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is the largest salt pan in the world. It contains 50% to 70% of the world's known lithium reserves. Etosha National Park in Namibia, is another prominent example of a salt pan. KKR1116 133
Hydrothermal Vents A hydrothermal vent is a fissure on the seafloor from which geothermally heated water discharges. Hydrothermal vents are commonly found near volcanically active places, areas where tectonic plates are moving apart at spreading centers, ocean basins, and hotspots. KKR1116 134
Scientists first discovered hydrothermal vents in 1977 while exploring an oceanic spreading ridge near the Galapagos Islands. To their amazement, the scientists also found that the hydrothermal vents were surrounded by large numbers of organisms that had never been seen before. These biological communities depend upon chemical processes that result from the interaction of seawater and hot magma associated with underwater volcanoes. KKR1116 135
Hydrothermal vents are the result of seawater percolating down through fissures in the ocean crust in the vicinity of spreading centers or subduction zones (places on Earth where two tectonic plates move away or towards one another). The cold seawater is heated by hot magma and reemerges to form the vents. Seawater in hydrothermal vents may reach temperatures of over 700° Fahrenheit. KKR1116 136