Estuary
The first thing that makes an Estuary different from other ecosystems is that the water found here is a mixture of salt and fresh water creating brackish water. A hydro-period is the temporal pattern of water presence, water table height, and flow. The hydro-period affects what type of animals and soils that you will find in a given area. The estuary that we observed in Lovers key was a combination of Mangroves and brackish water. The soil that is found in an estuary that includes Mangroves is Hydric soil and that means that it is permanently or seasonally saturated by water. This results in areas that are in anaerobic conditions, that means areas that don't have oxygen, as found in these wetlands.
The Primary producers found in Lovers Key Estuary are such:
The Primary Producers in the estuary are the plant-like organisms which photosynthesize and generate energy in the estuary ecosystem.
The Primary producers found in Lovers Key Estuary are such:
The Primary Producers in the estuary are the plant-like organisms which photosynthesize and generate energy in the estuary ecosystem.
Mangroves
These are Red Mangroves, the way you tell that is the hanging roots called aerial roots. These tress also use prop roots to anchor themselves into the soil. The most important thing to know about this tree is that they are viviparous meaning that the seeds germinate while still attached to the parent. The seedlings then fall off the tree and are named propagules.
These are Red Mangroves, the way you tell that is the hanging roots called aerial roots. These tress also use prop roots to anchor themselves into the soil. The most important thing to know about this tree is that they are viviparous meaning that the seeds germinate while still attached to the parent. The seedlings then fall off the tree and are named propagules.
Sea Grass
There are five types of sea grass:
Turtle Grass, Manatee Grass, Shoal Grass, Star Grass, and Widgeon Grass.
Despite their names, sea grasses are not actually 'grasses' at all. Like land plants, they produce oxygen. The depth at which they are found is limited by the waters clarity, which is determined by the amount of sunlight the plant is receiving.
There are five types of sea grass:
Turtle Grass, Manatee Grass, Shoal Grass, Star Grass, and Widgeon Grass.
Despite their names, sea grasses are not actually 'grasses' at all. Like land plants, they produce oxygen. The depth at which they are found is limited by the waters clarity, which is determined by the amount of sunlight the plant is receiving.
Sea Grape Plant
Regular pruning keeps the canopy neat and free of dead branches. This plant can be used as a dune stabilizer and coastal windbreak. Tall sea grape plants are used to make a light barrier between coastlines to protect shore animals and even sea turtles.
Regular pruning keeps the canopy neat and free of dead branches. This plant can be used as a dune stabilizer and coastal windbreak. Tall sea grape plants are used to make a light barrier between coastlines to protect shore animals and even sea turtles.
Macrophytes
Are large, multicellular algae also known as seaweed. This is an aquatic plant that grows in or near water and is either emergent, submergent, or floating. In lakes macrophytes provide cover for Fish and substrate for aquatic invertebrates, produce oxygen, and act as food for some fish and wildlife.
Are large, multicellular algae also known as seaweed. This is an aquatic plant that grows in or near water and is either emergent, submergent, or floating. In lakes macrophytes provide cover for Fish and substrate for aquatic invertebrates, produce oxygen, and act as food for some fish and wildlife.
Plankton
Phytoplankton photosynthesis drives many biogeochemical and ecological processes in lakes, estuaries, and the ocean. Phytoplankton have a critical role in primary production, nutrient cycling, and food webs and make up a significant proportion of the primary production in aquatic systems. In many coastal systems, primary production is almost entirely a function of the phytoplankton. Even in salt marsh estuaries, where vascular plant biomass can greatly exceed that of algae, phytoplankton can contribute substantially to overall primary production.
Phytoplankton photosynthesis drives many biogeochemical and ecological processes in lakes, estuaries, and the ocean. Phytoplankton have a critical role in primary production, nutrient cycling, and food webs and make up a significant proportion of the primary production in aquatic systems. In many coastal systems, primary production is almost entirely a function of the phytoplankton. Even in salt marsh estuaries, where vascular plant biomass can greatly exceed that of algae, phytoplankton can contribute substantially to overall primary production.
Some of the Animals found in the Lovers Key Estuary were such:
Oysters
Oysters form reefs providing valuable shelter and habitat for many other estuarine organisms, improving water quality, and reducing bank erosion. Oysters are tolerant organisms that are able to withstand various temperatures, salinity, and concentrations of suspended sediments and even dissolved oxygen.
Oysters form reefs providing valuable shelter and habitat for many other estuarine organisms, improving water quality, and reducing bank erosion. Oysters are tolerant organisms that are able to withstand various temperatures, salinity, and concentrations of suspended sediments and even dissolved oxygen.
Brackish Water Fiddler Crabs
Fiddler crabs are found along sea beaches and brackish inter-tidal mud flats, lagoons and swamps.
Fiddler crabs are found along sea beaches and brackish inter-tidal mud flats, lagoons and swamps.
Florida Brown Pelican
Pelicans search for estuaries near the coast because it is easy for them to find fish that have been trapped in shallower areas than a bay or ocean.
Pelicans search for estuaries near the coast because it is easy for them to find fish that have been trapped in shallower areas than a bay or ocean.
Mullet
Also known as the "flying fish" is a fish that can live in fresh and salt water. They feed primarily on algae, detritus and other tiny marine invertebrates that's why these fish like these areas because of easier chances of food.
Also known as the "flying fish" is a fish that can live in fresh and salt water. They feed primarily on algae, detritus and other tiny marine invertebrates that's why these fish like these areas because of easier chances of food.
Brackish Water Snails
Snails go to an area where algae is present because they feed and control algae levels. snails do an excellent job of keeping the sediment clean, consuming organic material and preventing excessive anaerobic decay.
Snails go to an area where algae is present because they feed and control algae levels. snails do an excellent job of keeping the sediment clean, consuming organic material and preventing excessive anaerobic decay.
Food web on an Estuary
Estuary food webs begin with the conversion of the sun’s energy to food energy by plants and plankton. There are two main feeding pathways branching off from there. The first pathway begins with large plants such as mangroves, seagrass and rushes. When they die their leaves and roots are broken down by bacteria and fungi to become detritus. Detritus is eaten by small animals such as snails, worms and shellfish and they, and in turn, are eaten by larger creatures such as fish and birds. The second pathway begins with microscopic phytoplankton. They are eaten by tiny zooplankton which then become food for snails and shellfish.
Estuary food webs begin with the conversion of the sun’s energy to food energy by plants and plankton. There are two main feeding pathways branching off from there. The first pathway begins with large plants such as mangroves, seagrass and rushes. When they die their leaves and roots are broken down by bacteria and fungi to become detritus. Detritus is eaten by small animals such as snails, worms and shellfish and they, and in turn, are eaten by larger creatures such as fish and birds. The second pathway begins with microscopic phytoplankton. They are eaten by tiny zooplankton which then become food for snails and shellfish.
Fun Fact: National Estuaries Day is September 24 !