Special Factors Affecting Aquatic Environments Flashcards
List the five main special factors that affect aquatic environments.
Light
Currents
Wave action
Salt content
Oxygen concentration
Write a note on how light affects aquatic environments.
4
Water interferes with the penetration of light
This means plants are limited to the upper layers of water and those that attach to the bottom can only grow in shallow waters
Animals can be found at great depths
They feed off organisms that fall down from the upper layers
What affects with the penetration of light in aquatic environments?
Water
Water interferes with the penetration of light, what does this mean for plants in aquatic environments?
(2)
This means plants are limited to the upper layer of water
This means plants which attach to the bottom can only grow in shallow waters
Water interferes with the penetration of light, what does this mean for animals in aquatic environments?
Animals can be found at great depths i.e. they are not as affected by the low light levels as plants are
Why can animals be found at great depths but plants can only be found in the upper layers of aquatic environments?
They feed off organisms that fall down from the upper layers
Write a note on how currents affect aquatic environments.
2
Flowing water will cause plants to be carried away if they are not attached
Animals are better able to resist currents because they can move
How are plants affected by currents?
Flowing water will cause plants to be carried away if they are not attached
How are animals affected by currents?
Animals are better able to resist currents because they can move
Write a note on how wave action affects aquatic environments.
(4)
Waves create currents
They also cause physical damage to organisms
Seaweeds avoid this by being flexible
Animals are often protected by a shell e.g. barnacles
What creates currents?
Waves
What do waves do to organisms?
Waves cause physical damage to organisms
How are plants adapted to waves?
E.g. seaweeds are flexible
How are animals adapted to waves?
Animals are often protected by a shell e.g. barnacles
Write a note on how the salt content affects aquatic environments.
(3)
Most aquatic organisms are adapted to either freshwater or salt-water environments
If the external solution is unsuitable, they have problems with gaining or losing water (osmoregulation)
Some organisms (especially those in rock pools), can survive changes in salt content (salinity) due to rain or fresh water
