River Ecology

AS Geography look at river ecosystems.

1. River EcologyRiver Ecology
AS GeographyAS Geography

3. What is an Ecosystem?What is an Ecosystem?

4. A community of organisms and its A community of organisms and its
environment functioning as an ecological environment functioning as an ecological
unit. unit.

5. River EcologyRiver Ecology
The plants and animals that live along the The plants and animals that live along the
riverbank are all considered part of the river riverbank are all considered part of the river
environmentenvironment

6. Major Types of HabitatMajor Types of Habitat
LakesLakes
Rivers Rivers
WetlandsWetlands

7. Energy and Food ChainEnergy and Food Chain
All living organisms need All living organisms need energyenergy . .
Animals obtain energy by eating other plants or animals. Animals obtain energy by eating other plants or animals.
They are called They are called consumersconsumers . .
Green plants obtain light energy from the Sun to make their Green plants obtain light energy from the Sun to make their
own food by own food by photosynthesisphotosynthesis . .
They store the energy in chemicals inside the plant cells.They store the energy in chemicals inside the plant cells.
Green plants are called Green plants are called producersproducers because they produce because they produce
energy in a usable form for all other organisms.energy in a usable form for all other organisms.
The ultimate source of energy for all organisms is therefore The ultimate source of energy for all organisms is therefore
the Sun.the Sun.

8. Simple Food ChainSimple Food Chain

9. Food ChainsFood Chains

10. Wetlands in DangerWetlands in Danger
Wetlands and their ecosystems cover a Wetlands and their ecosystems cover a
global area one third larger than the USA global area one third larger than the USA
and one half larger than Brazil. Half of the and one half larger than Brazil. Half of the
world’s wetlands have already been lost world’s wetlands have already been lost
over the last century and this is increasing. over the last century and this is increasing.

11. The UK Government has designated around The UK Government has designated around
100 wetlands (a total of 344,023 square km 100 wetlands (a total of 344,023 square km
215,014 square miles) of international 215,014 square miles) of international
importance under the Ramsar Convention, importance under the Ramsar Convention,
a greater number than any other country.a greater number than any other country.

12. Governments and RAMSARGovernments and RAMSAR
The RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of The RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of
International Importance, especially as Waterfowl International Importance, especially as Waterfowl
Habitat, is an intergovernmental treaty providing Habitat, is an intergovernmental treaty providing
the framework for countries to adopt national the framework for countries to adopt national
action and international cooperation for the action and international cooperation for the
conservation and wise use of wetlands and their conservation and wise use of wetlands and their
resources. The Convention was largely drafted by resources. The Convention was largely drafted by
WWT staff and championed by Sir Peter Scott at WWT staff and championed by Sir Peter Scott at
its launch at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. Today, 116 its launch at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. Today, 116
countries have joined RAMSAR with over 1000 countries have joined RAMSAR with over 1000
wetland sites worldwide.wetland sites worldwide.

13. Reasons for threatsReasons for threats
drained drained
dredging and channelling streams for navigation; dredging and channelling streams for navigation;
flood control; coastal development, and reservoir flood control; coastal development, and reservoir
maintenance.maintenance.
LandfillLandfill
DamsDams
PollutionPollution
exploitation of resources – e.g.. Peatexploitation of resources – e.g.. Peat
Too many touristsToo many tourists
Natural disastersNatural disasters

14. Norfolk BroadsNorfolk Broads
The region known as the Norfolk Broads is The region known as the Norfolk Broads is
Britain's most varied and important wetland Britain's most varied and important wetland
habitat.habitat.
 It contains many sites of scientific and natural It contains many sites of scientific and natural
interest of not only national, but also international interest of not only national, but also international
importance, including its enormous bird importance, including its enormous bird
populations, both native and migratory. populations, both native and migratory.
In 1989 it was at last given the status of a National In 1989 it was at last given the status of a National
Park – and placed under the control of the new Park – and placed under the control of the new
Broads Authority Broads Authority

15. the Broads themselves are not natural they the Broads themselves are not natural they
are entirely man-madeare entirely man-made
The rivers began to be embanked from The rivers began to be embanked from
about 1300 in order to protect the about 1300 in order to protect the
surrounding marshes from flooding surrounding marshes from flooding
The reed beds which fringe many The reed beds which fringe many
riverbanks and broads are not natural either riverbanks and broads are not natural either
The river courses have also been alteredThe river courses have also been altered

16. From inland trade routes by river to inland From inland trade routes by river to inland
pleasure boating the transition began as pleasure boating the transition began as
early as the early 20early as the early 20
thth
century. With rapid century. With rapid
take off after WWIItake off after WWII
This brought about its own problems being This brought about its own problems being
a serious threat to the Broadland a serious threat to the Broadland
environment environment

18. Poisoned wetlandsPoisoned wetlands
many human activities produce poisonous or harmful by-many human activities produce poisonous or harmful by-
products that end up in wetlands or in the water supply.products that end up in wetlands or in the water supply.
All water whether polluted or not returns to the All water whether polluted or not returns to the
environment.environment.
Certain types include:Certain types include:
4.4.SewageSewage
5.5.IndustrialIndustrial
6.6.Farm- relatedFarm- related
7.7.Air pollutionAir pollution
8.8.Landfill sitesLandfill sites

20. Directives Directives
Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EU) - for river basin Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EU) - for river basin
management.management.
Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC)Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC)
Discharges of Dangerous Substances Directive Discharges of Dangerous Substances Directive
(76/464/EEC) and the Priority Substances under the Water (76/464/EEC) and the Priority Substances under the Water
Framework DirectiveFramework Directive
Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC).Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC).
Bathing Water Quality Directive (Council Directive Bathing Water Quality Directive (Council Directive
76/160/EEC) concerning the quality of bathing water (and its 76/160/EEC) concerning the quality of bathing water (and its
proposed revision).proposed revision).
Drinking Water Directive (98/83/ EC).Drinking Water Directive (98/83/ EC).

21. Drying OutDrying Out
97% of all water is contained within the seas and oceans and is 97% of all water is contained within the seas and oceans and is
therefore ‘Salty’therefore ‘Salty’
Only 3% of the remaining water is drinkableOnly 3% of the remaining water is drinkable
The world is not short of water only its distribution is poor.The world is not short of water only its distribution is poor.
The United Nations has estimated that one in five countries will The United Nations has estimated that one in five countries will
experience water shortages within the next 25 years.experience water shortages within the next 25 years.
22 African countries and 14 Asian ones have safe water access for 22 African countries and 14 Asian ones have safe water access for
less than 50% of their populations.less than 50% of their populations.
Deforestation, irrigation and over extraction ofDeforestation, irrigation and over extraction of
water in Australia has increased desertificationwater in Australia has increased desertification
and lowered soil water retention.and lowered soil water retention.
Desertification is a problem in parts of SpainDesertification is a problem in parts of Spain
Many European wetlands are heavily polluted.Many European wetlands are heavily polluted.
Water is the new oil.Water is the new oil.

22. Wetlands under threat.Wetlands under threat.
Wetlands are among the world's most threatened habitats - Wetlands are among the world's most threatened habitats -
largely because of the effects and impact of people.largely because of the effects and impact of people.
Major cities like London, Paris and New York were built on Major cities like London, Paris and New York were built on
WetlandsWetlands
Three quarters of the world's population still lives in or near Three quarters of the world's population still lives in or near
wetlands and former wetlandswetlands and former wetlands
Wetlands are considered wastelandsWetlands are considered wastelands
It has been estimated that a healthyIt has been estimated that a healthy
marsh is 50 times as productive as grassland, and eight marsh is 50 times as productive as grassland, and eight
times as productive as nearby cultivated land.times as productive as nearby cultivated land.

23. The five secrets of wetlandsThe five secrets of wetlands
Wetlands store waterWetlands store water
Wetlands are cleanersWetlands are cleaners
Wetlands are calmersWetlands are calmers
Wetlands are producersWetlands are producers
Wetlands are homesWetlands are homes

24. Why do we not like Wetlands?Why do we not like Wetlands?
Discuss in small groups and list as many Discuss in small groups and list as many
reasons as you can think of on a piece of reasons as you can think of on a piece of
paper.paper.