pond/pool/bogs/lakes/swamps as an ecosystem

there are 3 broad categories on aquatic ecosystem:-

a)Fresh water;

b)Marine;and

c)Estuarine.

Together these 3 components compose 70% of Earth's surface 7 are diverse in their physical,chemical and biological components.Fresh water ecosystems cover 2% of earth;s surface.Eg.:-Lake supirior.

Fresh water ecosystems are characterized by :-

a)Havimg a running water(Lotic Ecosystem);and

b)Stagnant water(Lentic Eosystem)

Lentic ecosystems includes ponds/lakes/pools/bogs etc. and varies considerably in physical,chemical and biological characteristics.they can be considered to have 3 zones:-

a)Littoral;

b)Limnetic; and

c)profoundal.

Littoral zone extends from the shoreline to the innermost rooted plants successively passing from rooted emergent forms ,such as reeds and cattail,rooted species and is populated ,like water lilies and in deeper waters to various submerged but rooted species and is populated by snakes,frogs.A considerable variety of adult and larvael insects etc.The depth 7 extent of this zone is determined by factors controlling underwater light penetration and light absorption.along with these factors is the efect of mixing caused by waves carrying varying amounts of sediments.

Limnetic zone is the open water down to the depth of light penetration & in shallow lentic environment they may reach the bottom .this contains phyto planktons that consists of diatoms,green & blue-green algae & a variety of zooplanktons from protozoas to microarthopods.It is also a variety of layer,swimming organisms,the nekton includes- fish,amphibians & insects.

Profoundal zone occurs below limnetic zone & in deep lakes such as superior this zone may constitute 

The largest water volume of a lake.the major food source in the profoundal zone comes from the detrius rain from limnetic zone.The bottom consists mostly of decomposers. Nekton vary with temperature & nutrient condition.Lake troutare found in the profoundal zone of cold,nutrient poor lakes whereas bass,pike,pickerel & perch are found in the zone in warmer & nutrient rich lakes.

Apart from fresh water lakes saline lakes also fall in this category & are found in arid climates.In saline lakes sodium mineral is the dominant cation & is distributed in gradient fashion determining the distribution of plant & animal species.

 

As sunlight penetrates water it's intensity is reduced bu absorption & scattering.Since,natural waters have suspended materials ,the spectral composition is modified,the blue component being absorbed or scattered & the green portion remaining as the most penetrating imparting greenish tinge to the water.Most photosynthesis & most organisms are found in the littoral zone where the less penetrating red-green spectrum is found.Microbial decomposition is a dominant process in litter decomposition in aquatic situations & is influenced by environmental factors such as oxygen,temperature etc. & detrius energy flow is important in aquatic ecosystem.

The study of physical,chemical & biological features of fresh water is called Limnology.