Ecology of the Bay
Chesapeake Bay
Ecology of the Bay
Fresh and Water Meet
Distinct biological zones
control distribution of life and number of species in Bay
define ecology:
150 headwater and 6 states
swamps , marshes, plant canopy, species, substrates
water chemistry, depths, soil types, variety of plants and animals
Critical salinity
Faunal break
Niche expansion
Limiting Factors
Water temperature
Dissolved oxygen
anoxic - devoid of oxygen
Nutrients
Turbidity
acidity/ alkalinity ( pH )
CO 2
levels
Trace elements
Species interaction
predation, parasitism, competition, disease
Bay Communities
Community types in the Bay
Wetlands
Submersed Grass Beds
SAV
Plankton
Nekton
Benthos
Energy Flow
Communities interwine - creates Bay ecosystem
Food web
Define energy flow:
Trophic levels
Basin nutrients
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