Aquatic Habitats: Marine, Estuarine, and Freshwater

What Are Aquatic Habitats?

Aquatic habitats are environments where water is the primary medium. They can be broadly categorized into three types: marine, estuarine, and freshwater. Each type of habitat has unique characteristics and supports diverse forms of life.

Marine Habitats

• Location: Oceans and seas.
• Salinity: High salinity levels, typically around 35 parts per thousand (ppt).
• Organisms: Include fish, whales, corals, and seaweeds.
• Zones: Divided into intertidal, pelagic, abyssal, and benthic zones.

Estuarine Habitats

• Location: Areas where freshwater from rivers meets the ocean.
• Salinity: Varies from 0.5 to 35 ppt, depending on the tide and river flow.
• Organisms: Include crabs, oysters, and migratory birds.
• Importance: Serve as nurseries for many marine species.

Freshwater Habitats

• Location: Rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams.
• Salinity: Low salinity, usually less than 0.5 ppt.
• Organisms: Include fish like trout, amphibians, and aquatic plants.
• Types: Lentic (still water) and lotic (flowing water) systems.

Ecological Factors in Aquatic Habitats

Several factors affect life in aquatic habitats:

• Light: Penetration decreases with depth, affecting photosynthesis.
• Temperature: Influences metabolic rates of aquatic organisms.
• pH: Affects the health and distribution of aquatic life.
• Current: Impacts nutrient distribution and organism movement.