Ecosystem Service

Lake Ecology
Aiamanuelzon P. Yorong
MS Biology
Bio 244 Freshwater Ecology
Ecosystem Functions and Services

- Condition and processes through

which natural ecosystems and
species that make them up, sustain
and fulfil human life (Daily 1997).
Service Ecosystem service Functional Spatial Potential to apply
providers/tropic Units Scale this conceptual
level framework for
ecological study
Aesthetic, All biodiversity Population Local – Low
Cultural s, species global
communica
tion,
ecosystem
Ecosystem Diverse species Population Local – Medium
goods s, species global
communica
tion,
ecosystem

UV Biogeochemical Biogoeche- Global low

protection cycles, micro- -mical
organism, plants Cycles,
functional
groups
Service Ecosystem service Functional Spatial Potential to apply
providers/tropic Units Scale this conceptual
level framework for
ecological study
Flood Vegetation Communiti Local – Medium
Mitigation es, habitats Regional
Drought Vegetation Communiti Local – Medium
Mitigation es, habitats global

Pollination Insects, birds, Population Local High

mammals s,
species,
functional
groups
Purification Vegetation, soil Population Local‐regio Medium to high
of water micro‐organisms, s, nal
aquatic species,
micro‐organisms, functional
aquatic groups,
invertebrates communiti
es,
habitats
BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLE
 How Chemicals Cycle
•Biogeochemical Cycle
–The complete path a chemical takes through the four
major components –or reservoirs –of Earth’s systems

1.Atmosphere
2.Hydrosphere
3.Lithosphere
4.Biosphere
 Biogeochemical Cycles and Life
•Macronutrients
–Elements required in large amounts by all life
–Include the “big six” elements that form the fundamental building blocks of life:
Carbon
oxygen
hydrogen
phosphorus
nitrogen
sulfur
•Micronutrients
–Elements required either in
• small amounts by all life or
• moderate amounts by some forms of life and not all by others
 Limiting Factor
When chemical elements are not available
at the right times, in the right amounts, and
in the right concentrations relative to each
other
LAKE ECOLOGY
Lakes?
• bodeis of water that is surrounded by land.
• dynamic water environment in which chemical, physical
and biological properties interact and influence one
another.
• it can be contrasted with the rivers or streams, which
are usually flowing
Formation of Lakes:
• Tectonic Activity
-diastrophic activity create depressions which become lake
basin
• Glacial Action
-deposits from glaciers; depressions filled with water form
melting ice.
• Volcanic Action
-after a volcanic eruption, leaving a depression called a
caldera. It can be filled with rainwater.
• Landslides/Mudslides
-send soil, rock or mud sliding down hills and mountains,
the debris piles up in natural dams.
• Manmade lake
-Blocking running water to make a artificial dams and
reservoirs.
Types of Lakes:
1. Periglacial Lake
2. Subglacial Lake
3. Artificial Lake
4. Endorheic Lake
5. Oxbow Lake
6. Underground Lake
7. Crater lake
 Lake Variability
• Extremely Heterogeneous
• Varied in Physical, Chemical and Biological
Characteristics
• Though lakes vary in many dimensions they are actually
highly structured, similar to a forest ecosystem
 Physical Condition: Light

• Promotes
Photosynthesis
• Light decreases with
depth
Density Stratification
 Epilimnion – upper wind-mix layer of a thermal stratified lake
 Metalimnion/Thermocline – abrupt change in the temperature
 Hypolimnion – bottom; dense layer of a stratified lake
 Watershed
Most evident in the relation of nutrient
loading to the watershed:lake surface
area ratio.
• Drainage basin

• Lake is a reflection of
its watershed
The stormwater discharge to a lake differs greatly among landuses. In
urban areas, the high proportion of impervious surfaces prevents
absorbance of rainwater into the soil and increases the rate of surface
water flow to the lake. The high flushing rates from urban areas can
increase erosion of stream banks and provide sufficient force to carry
large particles (i.e., soil) to the lake. Thus, water quantity affects water
quality.
Biological Characteristics
 WATER QUALITY IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH EUTROPHICATION

• Noxious algae (scums, blue-greens, taste and odor, visual)

• Excessive macrophyte growth (loss of open water)
• Loss of clarity (secchi depth goes down)
• Possible loss of macrophytes (via light limitation by algae
and periphyton)
• Low dissolved oxygen (loss of habitat for fish and fish food)
• Excessive organic matter production (smothering eggs and bugs)
• Blue-green algae inedible by some zooplankton (reduced food
chain efficiency)
• "Toxic" gases (ammonia, H2S) in bottom water (more loss of fish habitat)
• Possible toxins from some species of blue-green algae
• Chemical treatment by lakeshore homeowners or managers may result
(copper, diquat, 2,4-D, etc.)
• Drinking water degradation from treatment disinfection byproducts
• Carcinogens, such as chloroform (from increased organic matter reacting
with disinfectants like chlorine)
 Lake Zone

 Littral Zone – near from the shore; light can penetrate all the way
 Limnetic Zone – open water area; light does not generally
penetrate all the way
 Euphotic Zone – layer from the surface down to the depth that
where light levels become low
 Benthic Zone – bottom sediments; abundant in organism
Lake Organism
Those that go where they choose
Fish Turtle Larger Zooplanktons and
Amphibians Insects

Those that go where the water takes them

Living things – Plankton Dead Stuff – Detritus

Animals – Zooplankton Internal – Produce within the lakes

Algae – Phytoplankton External – Wash in from watersheds
Bacteria - Bacterioplankton

Those that live in the lake bottom

Benthos – Animals Plants Bacteria & Fungi

Aquatic insects Higher plant – macrophytes Sewage sludge

Mollucs – clams, snails Attached algae - periphyton Aufwuchs
Typical Food Chain
in the Lake
 Food Web
in the lake Mead