Higher Plants within Aquatic Ecosystems ENV 311/EEB 320 Winter 2006 Bryophyta (mosses & liverworts) • Sphagnum sp. (sphagnum mosses) – – – feathery foliage, often growing in dense mats that readily absorb water acid.
Download ReportTranscript Higher Plants within Aquatic Ecosystems ENV 311/EEB 320 Winter 2006 Bryophyta (mosses & liverworts) • Sphagnum sp. (sphagnum mosses) – – – feathery foliage, often growing in dense mats that readily absorb water acid.
Higher Plants within Aquatic Ecosystems ENV 311/EEB 320 Winter 2006 Bryophyta (mosses & liverworts) • Sphagnum sp. (sphagnum mosses) – – – feathery foliage, often growing in dense mats that readily absorb water acid indicator: bogs, acid wetlands responsible for bog formation, foliage grows on itself forming bog mats Phylum Bryophyta Family Sphagnaceae • Sphagnum spp. Bog formation Bog mats Tracheophyta (vascular plants) • General information on aquatic vascular plants – – – – – food and habitat for aquatic animals reduced support structure as adaptation to battering potential of water movement (i.e. dissected leaves, ribbon form, thin) rigid stem structure not necessary in water tendency to reduce roots or lack roots and have leaves that anchor plants and serve as roots indicators of environmental quality and of ecosystem Thin, ribbon-form Submergent, Floating, & Emergent • Submergent – – – – spend entire life cycle (expect flowering) beneath surface of water anchored to substrate vegetative part of plant does not reach surface or terminal end lies horizontally just beneath surface many species have flowers borne above water • • • watercress [Rorippa] milfoil [Myriophyllum] pondweed [Potamogeton] Watercress Milfoil Pond weed Submergent, Floating & Emergent • Floating – Attached: leaves float on water’s surface but roots anchored in substrate • – water lilies [Nymphaceae] Unattached: float with most of plant body above surface; roots, if present hang free; move with winds and currents; can be problem weeds • duckweed [Lemna] Water lilies Duckweed Submergent, Floating, & Emergent • Emergent – – roots and basal portion grow beneath surface of shallow water leaves and stems borne primarily in the air • • • cattail [Typha] leatherleaf [Chamaedaphne] arum [Araceae] Cattail Leatherleaf Arum Terrestrial • Woody plants – Heavily fortified stems and branches – Leaves with a lot of structure • Broadleaf • Needle • Scales – Various methods of reproduction • Spores • Cones • Flowers Birds and Mammals in Aquatic Ecosystems ENV 311/ EEB 320 Winter 2006 Why Birds? • • • • Important predators of invertebrates, fish, mammals, reptiles and amphibians in aquatic ecosystems Major vectors for transport of plants and wingless invertebrates Interesting and ubiquitous members of aquatic communities Along with fish, enjoy fairly broad support from the public – Good way to generate interest in habitat preservation/restoration Family Gaviidae Gavia • Loons • Habitat: mainly northern lakes • Notes: – Divers: feed mainly on fish – Very distinctive vocalizations • Alarm call • Short hoot – 1 breeding sp. in MI: common loon (Gavia immer) University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web Family Ardeidae • Bitterns, Herons, and Egrets • Habitat: Open wetlands, lakeshores, rivers • Notes: University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web – Often seen stalking prey: feed mainly on fish, also amphibians and invertebrates – Egrets/herons often build nests in shrubs/trees and may be colonial breeders – Bitterns prefer dense emergent vegetation and tend to be solitary Family Ardeidae Bitterns • 2 spp. in Michigan • American bittern: – Call distinctive—like a piledriver in a puddle? – Secretive, often strikes vertical pose to blend in with vegetation Family Ardeidae Herons and Egrets • 6 spp regularly found in MI • Less secretive and more easily spotted than bitterns • Egrets are white, herons may be various colors University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web Family Accipitridae • Hawks and eagles • 2 spp. that are most often found in MI aquatic ecosystems are: – Bald eagle (above) – Northern harrier (below) • Bald eagle found along rivers/wetlands, often preys on fish – Making strong recovery from very low numbers for last half of 20th century • Northern harrier often hovers over open wetlands, preys on small mammals, amphibians and other birds University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web Family Pandionidae Pandion haliaetus University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web • • • Osprey (1 sp.) Habitat: Mainly rivers and wooded edges of lakes Notes: – Build enormous nests of sticks high off the ground, 3-5 ft in diameter – Feed mainly on fish but cannot swim—have been known to drown if they hook into too large a fish – As with many raptors, numbers have risen since elimination of DDT from the food web Family Laridae • Gulls and terns • Ring-billed gull Common tern • Gulls tend to be thicker-billed and stouter; frequently walk – Facultative predator/scavenger • Terns are sleeker, designed for capturing fast prey – More predatory on small fish and invertebrates • May build nests on rocky shores, islands or floating mats of vegetation University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web Family Anatidae • Ducks, geese and swans • Very diverse aquatic family • Habitats vary, from wooded wetlands and rivers (wood duck) to open water (greater scaup) • Notes: University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web – Many feed by dabbling, i.e., sifting through mud for nutritious invertebrates, seeds, shoots, etc. – Others are active predators of fish (e.g. mergansers) – Many valued by hunters— benefit (?) from conservation efforts – Webbed feet for swimming Family Anatidae Ducks • Short-necked, often with colored primary feathers – Most species migratory – Most have sexually dimorphic coloration • Mallard (Anas platyrhyncos) very common and spreading in NA • Am. black duck (Anas rubipres) very closely related to mallard and disappearing due to interbreeding Family Anatidae Geese and Swans • Longer-necked and usually larger than ducks • Mainly migratory--most prefer more northerly breeding ranges than ducks • Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is very common near water/grass in MI Family Gruidae Grus canadensis • Sandhill crane • Habitat: migratory; wetlands critical for breeding success; past population declines mirrored wetland loss • Notes: – Omnivorous, but notorious for eating waterfowl eggs during breeding season – Elaborate mating dance – Social, gregarious bird Family Alcedinidae Ceryle alcyon • Belted kingfisher • Habitat: waterways and lakes with available perches and abundant food • Notes: – Nest in 1-2 meter long tunnels, often in riverbanks – Voracious predator of small fish – Call is rattling Family Charadriidae • Sandpipers and phalaropes • Habitat: shores of lakes, wetlands, large rivers • Notes: – Speciose group (18 spp. commonly migrate through or reside in MI) – Size ranges from sparrowsized to length of a small hawk – Many have very long legs/bills for wading and deep probing of the substrate for invertebrates Mammals • Although most mammals will periodically visit aquatic ecosystems, only a few species are strongly associated with water in MI – Some are voracious predators of fish and mollusks – Others may construct large structures and significantly alter hydraulics of flowing waters – All have physiological adaptations, such as webbed feet and waterproof fur that allow them to thrive in aquatic ecosystems Castor canadensis • American beaver • Notes: – Noted for its ability to construct wood/earth dams, altering flow to suit its needs – Uses large, gnawing teeth to fell trees • Consumes nutritious bark/buds • Uses wood for dambuilding – Characterized by large size (may reach 35 kg) waterproof coat and large, paddle-like tail – Trapped to near dangerous levels in 19th century; now common in most of NA Lutra canadensis • River otter • Notes: – Intelligent and very adaptable predator—one of the few natural predators of snapping turtles – Prefers deep, relatively isolated rivers with healthy fish populations – Highly adapted for speed in water: sleek, with fully webbed feet Mustela vison • Mink • Notes: – Well-adapted for hunting on land and in water— can swim well and run fast – Feeds on small mammals, fish, amphibians, birds – As with other aquatic animals, may take up residence in old muskrat or beaver lodges Ondatra zibethicus • Muskrat • Notes: – Looks most like a small beaver, but can be distinguished by its thick rat-like tail – Builds easily recognizable lodges in shallow wetlands – Mainly herbivorous but will take crustaceans and mollusks as well The End