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2 Overview of the Aquatic Ecosystem
to the adhesive surface and are eventually entrapped within the hairs and tentacles
and are eventually digested by the plant enzymes (Schulze et al. 2012). In the active
capture system, the plant traps prey via a mechano-electrical sensor and trap system
where the movement of the prey in contact with a biological sensor, usually a hairlike
sensor, stimulates the closure of a trap which seals and crushes the insect. This is
then followed by digestion and the nutrients extracted from the insect. The enzymes
produced by the aquatic carnivorous plants are a form of aquatic biopolymers as well
as polymeric compounds which these enzymes act on.
2.3.5 Aquatic Insects
Insects form an important part of the aquatic system. Some depend on the aquatic
plants for food and in some cases shelter. They also depend on the aquatic environment for nursery where they lay their eggs and larvae. They in turn serve as food and
a source of nutrition for other aquatic animals and carnivorous plants. Aquatic insects
generally inhabit rocky shores, remain buried in sand or settle on aquatic plants and
algae (Merritt and Wallace 2009). They therefore require the aid of other structures
or aquatic life-form, in order to inhabit the aquatic environment. Examples of insect
which inhabit the aquatic environment include Gerridae, Diptera, Coleoptera and
Collembola (Merritt and Wallace 2009).
2.3.6 Aquatic Birds
Some flying and flightless birds inhabit the aquatic environment. These include those
which mostly stay afloat on water for most of the time and mainly depend on the
aquatic environment for food. They feed mainly on fish and other aquatic organisms.
Some are able to fly away from the water and however depend solely on fish for food.
Examples are the penguins, ducks, swans, geese and the kingfisher bird.
Some of the challenges faced by these birds include the release of toxins into the
aquatic environment. They face risk of toxins present in the water and in the organisms
they feed on from the polluted water. One of such is lead toxin, toxins from algal
blooms of blue-green cyanobacterium, oil spills, Clostridium botulinum, zinc and
lead from industrial waste. These toxins could lead to conditions such as hypochromic
anemia, pneumonia, secondary aspergillosis, neuromuscular malfunction and even
unexplained death while body is still in good condition (Backues 2015).
2.3.7 Aquatic Microorganisms
Microorganisms exist both on land and in water. They are as important to the aquatic
environment as the larger organisms. The microorganisms present in water include
2 Overview of the Aquatic Ecosystem
to the adhesive surface and are eventually entrapped within the hairs and tentacles
and are eventually digested by the plant enzymes (Schulze et al. 2012). In the active
capture system, the plant traps prey via a mechano-electrical sensor and trap system
where the movement of the prey in contact with a biological sensor, usually a hairlike
sensor, stimulates the closure of a trap which seals and crushes the insect. This is
then followed by digestion and the nutrients extracted from the insect. The enzymes
produced by the aquatic carnivorous plants are a form of aquatic biopolymers as well
as polymeric compounds which these enzymes act on.
2.3.5 Aquatic Insects
Insects form an important part of the aquatic system. Some depend on the aquatic
plants for food and in some cases shelter. They also depend on the aquatic environment for nursery where they lay their eggs and larvae. They in turn serve as food and
a source of nutrition for other aquatic animals and carnivorous plants. Aquatic insects
generally inhabit rocky shores, remain buried in sand or settle on aquatic plants and
algae (Merritt and Wallace 2009). They therefore require the aid of other structures
or aquatic life-form, in order to inhabit the aquatic environment. Examples of insect
which inhabit the aquatic environment include Gerridae, Diptera, Coleoptera and
Collembola (Merritt and Wallace 2009).
2.3.6 Aquatic Birds
Some flying and flightless birds inhabit the aquatic environment. These include those
which mostly stay afloat on water for most of the time and mainly depend on the
aquatic environment for food. They feed mainly on fish and other aquatic organisms.
Some are able to fly away from the water and however depend solely on fish for food.
Examples are the penguins, ducks, swans, geese and the kingfisher bird.
Some of the challenges faced by these birds include the release of toxins into the
aquatic environment. They face risk of toxins present in the water and in the organisms
they feed on from the polluted water. One of such is lead toxin, toxins from algal
blooms of blue-green cyanobacterium, oil spills, Clostridium botulinum, zinc and
lead from industrial waste. These toxins could lead to conditions such as hypochromic
anemia, pneumonia, secondary aspergillosis, neuromuscular malfunction and even
unexplained death while body is still in good condition (Backues 2015).
2.3.7 Aquatic Microorganisms
Microorganisms exist both on land and in water. They are as important to the aquatic
environment as the larger organisms. The microorganisms present in water include