Week 1: What is Aquatic ecology?

Question 1

Define aquatic ecology

Answer 1

Study of the interactions of living and non living things (ecology) in Freshwater ecosystems

Question 2

What is the distribution of Freshwater?

Answer 2

97% (most) is ocean saline water

• > 2.5% fresh water
• —> most inaccessible vis glaciers
• —-> rest pretty much gw
• -. little (0.4%) surface water (river and lakes)

Question 3

Define a lake

Answer 3

Large open, still body of water formed via a depression

Question 4

River/stream defnition

Answer 4

body of flowing water in a defined channel

-? rivers often flow down hill

Question 5

Wetlands

Answer 5

water covers soil/ present near surface

-.YES streams and lakes wetlands, though welands are also usually covered with plants

Question 6

Why are aquatic ecosystems important???

Answer 6

High diversity per unit area

• > essentail for land animal life
• > Most threatened ecosystem due to urbanization

Question 7

consumptive vs non-consumptive

Answer 7

A) water ise used up, stops future use (irrigation)

b) Water available in future (damns, though still changed water properties and ecosystem)

Question 8

Main uses of Fw?

Answer 8

• > Domestic (washing, watering, drinking) 8%, high per/capita consumption
• > Industrial (manufacturing, n resources) Large in industrial countries, 23%
• > Agriculture, largest global usase esp in arid areas
  • —> irrigation consumptive
• —– often used GW

Question 9

Is there enough water for all?

Answer 9

Yes but distribution issues
YES} Lots of water (locked away), water cycle does generate enough (9x what we would use)
Distribution} varying degrees of water stress (availability vs demand)
AND what about quality? esp high pops have a lower quality water