Geography 2010A/B Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Eutrophication, Chlorophyta, Wader

• School: Western University
• Department: Geography
• Course: Geography 2010A/B
• Professor: Mark Moscicki

Document Summary

Water supply is a fundamental need for aquatic systems. In many arctic aquatic settings, liquid water is available for a short period of the year (weeks to months) Limitations to the availability of water are reflected in the structure of aquatic systems. Hence, while some systems may have limited water all year, this limits production to microbial populations. Larger water masses like deep lakes may support aquatic webs throughout the year. Ephemeral systems like small ponds and wetlands may only host microbial and primary producers for the brief period of water availability. Solar irradiance is another key control over aquatic productivity: arctic regions receive less solar irradiance than lower latitude locations. In general, lakes and ponds may gradually become eutrophic through accumulation of organic material in the sediment the cycles n and p in the food web. However, this concept develops over the long term (millennia) in temperate systems.