Freshwater biomes include ponds and lakes which can be divided into littoral, limnetic, and profundal zones based on depth, streams and rivers which flow in one direction and change characteristics from source to mouth, and wetlands which support aquatic life and have high diversity but may dry out seasonally. Marine biomes contain oceans which are the largest ecosystem with many depth zones, coral reefs which are found in warm shallow water and are made of coral, and estuaries where ocean and fresh water mix creating a unique brackish environment.

1. Freshwater Biomes-Salt concentration < 1% -Ponds and Lakes -Streams and Rivers -Wetlands

2. Ponds and Lakes-Lentic Systems= non-flowing water-Range in size-Limited species diversity-”Zones” determined by depth

3. Ponds and LakesLittoral ZoneLimnetic ZoneProfundal Zone

4. Streams and Rivers-Lotic Systems = flowing water-Moves in one direction-Characteristics change from source to mouth-High species diversity

5. Wetlands-Areas of standing water that support aquatic life-Highest species diversity-May be dry part of year

6. Marine Biomes-Saltwater ecosystems-Oceans-Coral Reefs-Estuaries

7. Oceans-Largest Ecosystem-Great species diversity-”Zones” determined by depth

8. OceansIntertidal ZonePelagic ZoneAbyssal ZoneBenthic Zone

9. Coral Reefs-Found in warm, shallow water-Barriers along continents-Dominant organism is coral

10. Estuaries-Where ocean water meets fresh water-Brackish water-Unique ecosystem