ch 4.1/4.2c messana ocean life **3 categories: 1. bottom-dwellers (benthic) 2. floaters 3. swimmers...
TRANSCRIPT
Ocean Life**3 Categories:1. Bottom-Dwellers (Benthic)2. Floaters3. SwimmersWhich is which? ->
**All marine organisms live in a HABITAT =An ENVIRONMENT that has all the
NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS for an organism to LIVE!!
ESTUARIES (at coastlines)
Area where FRESH WATER from rivers & SALT WATER from the ocean MIXES!
SALINITY changes constantlySalinity is lower in open ocean, higher
in rivers/lakesBreeding grounds for many organisms;
organisms have specific adaptations
W
WETLANDSAlong edges of ESTUARIESWET, SWAMPY AREAS that are FLOODED with
water2 Types:
1.)SALT MARSHES ~ Coastal Wetlands in COOL AREAS Nutrient rich SOIL Thick grasses
2.)MANGROVE FORESTS ~ Coastal Wetlands in WARM AREAS Found closer to the EQUATOR (Southern US) Mangrove shrubs & trees with thick roots
extending into waterHuman Harm to Wetlands: - clearing of land- pollution from industry/shipping
Migrating BIRDS use these areas as REST STOPS
Habitat for WILDLIFEGrasses & root systems keep
SHORELINE from washing away, hold sediment in place
ORGANISMS break down the GRASSES, return NUTRIENTS to the MARSHES
WETLAND LIFE
Intertidal ZoneArea of coastline between HIGH & LOW tide
The HABITAT at the EDGE of the ocean
DRY & EXPOSED to SUNLIGHT during LOW TIDE
50 % of the WORLD’S POPULATION live within 50 miles of the COAST
PROTECTION of the SHORELINES:1) Improve sewage treatment plants2)Laws to restrict dumping3) Set up Shoreline Sanctuaries
OCEAN ENVIRONMENTS –AWAY FROM THE COAST
WATERS near the SHORE~ 1.)Supports the greatest variety of life
(=BIODIVERSITY) of any part of the oceanBACTERIA, PROTISTS, PLANTS, ANIMALS
2.) Continental SHELF area3.) SUNLIGHT reaches the bottom4.) Many NUTRIENTS entering from the
land5.) TEMPERATURE & SALINITY fairly
CONSTANT
CORAL REEFSFound in TROPICAL WARM WATERS A build-up of LIMESTONE remains after the
CORAL ORGANISM dies ALGAE live inside the reef & PRODUCE
FOODContains over 25% of all species of ocean lifeENDANGERED area due to POLLUTION &
OVERFISHINGAustralia’s GREAT BARRIER REEF
Can be seen from outer space!
Kelp Forests Found in COLD WATERSLarge areas of SEAWEEDUses SUN to make food via photosynthesis
Habitat for many ORGANISMSEX: fish, otters, snails, crabs, worms
1) LIFE is more SPREAD OUT2) NUTRIENTS sink down 3) SUNLIGHT reaches ONLY the top
4) NO SHELTER for ORGANISMS
OPEN OCEANEnvironments Change w/ DEPTH
SURFACE ZONE1) Top 200 meters2) SUNLIT 3) PHYTOPLANKTON
Plant-like microscopic FLOATING organisms; do photosynthesis to convert SUNLIGHT & CO2 to GLUCOSE & O2
4) ZOOPLANKTON – animal-like; feed on the phytoplankton
5) OCEAN ANIMALS - eat the zooplankton
DEEP ZONE1) DARK, COLD, HIGH PRESSURE2) NO PLANTS3) PREDATORS eat PREY OR food comes
down from above (nutrients, dead organisms)
5) Organisms may GLOW in the dark = BIOLUMINESCENCE
6) Small eyes or none at all, prehistoric-looking
7) Animal communities found on deep ocean floor = HYDROTHERMAL VENTSCold water goes into cracks in the crust &
gets HEATED BY MAGMABACTERIA = base of the food chain here,
no sunlight or plants needed