AQUATIC BIOMES

Major requirements for aquatic life

Energy
Nutrients
Life zones of freshwater
environment

Littoral zone
Limnetic
zone
Profundal
zone

Littoral zone
In this zone water is
shallow
Plants find
abundant light
Adequate nutrients
(nearby shore)

Open water area

Divided into to two regions

1.
2.

Upper (limnetic zone)

Lower (Profundal zone)

Limnetic zone
-enough light penetration to support
photosynthesis.

Profundal zone
-insufficient light to support photosynthesis.
Nourishment in this area is dependent
upon the amount of sediments released
from the littoral and limnetic zone.

MARINE BIOME

Principal layers of marine

environment
a. Photic zone
b. Aphotic zone
Photic zone light is strong enough to support
photosynthesis.
Aphotic zone only energy comes from excrement
and bodies of organisms that sink or swim down.

Coastal water support the most abundant marine life

Coastal water consist of
1. Intertidal zone the area that is alternately covered and
2.

uncovered by water with the rise and fall of tide.

Near shore zone relatively shallow but constantly
submerged areas.

Layers present:
Photic, neritic, pelagic, aphotic, abyssal zone