Final answer:
Freshwater and marine ecosystems differ in salt content, with marine having high and freshwater having low. They also differ in the diversity of life and ecosystem structure, with marine systems showing high biodiversity, particularly in coral reefs, and freshwater systems varying from standing to flowing waters supporting different species.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences Between Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems
Understanding the differences between freshwater and marine ecosystems is essential in the study of biology and ecology. Here are three major differences:
Salt Content
Marine ecosystems have a relatively constant high salt content due to the accumulation of dissolved minerals over time. Conversely, freshwater ecosystems have a significantly lower concentration of salts because of the rapid cycling of water through processes like evaporation and precipitation.
Diversity of Life
Freshwater biomes such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands, support a diverse range of life forms, from fish to plants, adapted to low salinity environments. Marine biomes, like the coral reefs and deep ocean ecosystems, host a different set of species that are adapted to higher salinity levels and often exhibit higher biodiversity, especially in nutrient-rich areas like coral reefs.
Ecosystem Structure
The structure of aquatic systems is shaped by factors like density, temperature, and movement. Marine zones vary based on depth, distance from shore, and light penetration, with unique organisms adapted to each zone. Freshwater systems, meanwhile, provide different environments such as the standing water of lakes vs. the flowing water of rivers, each supporting different adaptive traits and species.