Salt Water Biome By: Amanda Kocot, Chloe Edmundson, Jenna Steiner, and Laurel Fay

Introduction to the Biome The salt water biome consists of the following parts: *Coastal Waters *Near shore zones *Coral reefs *Open oceans *Deep oceans E8E59EB1&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

Coastal Waters E8E59EB1&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

Climate in Coastal Waters The temperatures of the water in this part of the salt water biome vary depending on season and geographical location o Water temp in Portland, ME in Sept. averages 57o F; temp of the water in Bermuda in Sept. averages 80o F Biodiversity must adapt to the constant changing temperatures so boidiversity in coastal waters of Maine = different from the biodiversity in coastal waters of Bermuda Coastal waters - shallow enough for sunlight to penetrate o Reaches algae and other organisms beneath water's surface

Bodiversity in Coastal Waters Coastal waters normally contain the following organisms o Algae o Scallops o Crabs o Barnacles o Sea anemonies Must be able to function with rising and falling tides o Exposed to water, air, sunlight, other organisms, etc Exposure to sun - plants (algae) beneath water's surface can photosynthesize, create their own food

Human Effects on the Biome Urban runoff or inorganic pollution Organic pollution from pesticides Direct action (ie: littering, dumping waste into the water) CASE STUDY: o In New Mexico, nutrient runoff from farms etc causing an overgrowth of algae in Gulf of Mexico. Algae is feeding on the nutrients that come from the runoff and it is overtaking the area, similar to an invasive species. This is making it extra difficult for other organisms to survive.

Coral Reef Biomes E8E59EB1&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

Diversity of Coral Reefs Polyps and Zooxanthellae = foundation of coral reefs Coral Reefs are food and home to many organisms Support more than 800 coral species and over 4000 species of fish There may be another 1 to 9 million undiscovered species living in and around coral reefs Harbor more than 1/4 of the ocean's biodiversity "Rainforests of the Seas"

Climates of Coral Reefs Coral Reefs are found in tropical and sub-tropical areas Need salt water to survive They are found in clear, shallow water Coral reefs thrive in waters at 65 to 85 degrees F

Human Impact on the Biome Vulnerable to damage The "Coral Reef Crisis" is caused by human activites and climate stress 20% of coral reefs have been lost to coastal development, overfishing, pollution, and increase in temperature Another 30% of coral reefs are in danger within the next years Coral Bleaching o Increased runoff and silt preventing photosynthesis o Coral reefs turn white o Can be triggered by even a 1 degree C change

Near Shore Zone 4FAA-A2C5-1375E8E59EB1&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

Near Shore Zone: Continental Shelf Most fertile areas of the oceans. High amounts of sunlight = high plankton levels o perfect for consumers and secondary consumers. Most diverse and abundant salt water communities

Near Shore Zone: Estuaries Estuary: the thin zone along a coastline (such as bays, lagoons, and sounds) where freshwater systems mix with a salty ocean, becoming brackish Five major types of estuaries: coastal plain, bar-built, delta system, tectonic, and fjords Unique and very valuable to enviroment fjordtravel.no jandykane.wikispace.com

Why are Estuaries Important? Each estuary can make up an individual ecosystem o they are extremely interconnected with surrounding environments Some animals and plants specialize in, or adapt to, living with the unique characteristics of estuaries Rich in nutrients Buffers - protect upland areas from crashing waves and storms, prevent soil erosion Soak up excess water from floods and stormy tidal surges driven into shore from strong winds "Nursery of the Ocean"

Human Effects on the Near Shore Zone Overfishing Pollution leads to habitat loss Hypoxia: low oxygen levels o Fertilizers put excess nutrients into the water --> large spike in plant growth. Plant levels cannot be controlled by consumers, the plants use up too much oxygen.

Open Ocean and Deep Ocean Biome pieterliesl.wordpress.com

Open Ocean Most life is found in Photic Zone (photosynthesis possible) International waters - unregulated! Overfishing common and extremely harmful and dangerous Many types of swimmers (whales, sharks, fish) Some fish swim in schools (herring), others swim alone Other ways of moving - propulsion, etc Fish and other animals swim in pods or schools - hunt together, mate with each other, migrate together o highly developed bodies - streamlined o very fast swimmers o camouflage (countershading on dolphins, sharks)

Deep Ocean Divided into zones o Sunlight Zone - sunlight can penetrate surface o Twilight Zone - light during day but deeper is perpetually dark o Abyssal Plain km, sea bed flattens out; largest habitat on Earth! Covers half the ocean floor o Trenches - hardly any organisms live here - only bacteria sumedh.info

Deep Ocean Adaptions Difficulties Faced: o Darkness  Larger eyes, bioluminescence, no photosynthesis so must scavenge o Pressure  bodies mostly liquid, some have gas-filled buoyancy bladders to float o Finding Food  Scavengers, large mouths, expandable stomachs, can live off of larger dead animal carcasses o Temperature  Cold water! (tropical deep = 4 degrees C) Must be able to retain heat animals.nationalgeographic.com

Human Impact: Deep Ocean / Open Ocean Oil Spills! o currents carry oil far away o not cleaned up b/c not localized Pollution: currents carry into open ocean; harmful to organisms and oceanic chemistry climate change (overall increase in water temperature) Pacific Trash Vortex!!!! listverse.com

Works Cited /Coral_(coral Reefs_JJ07_01.ashx?w=534&h=350&as=1http:// 007/Coral(coral Reefs_JJ07_01.ashx?w=534&h=350&as= /Coral_(coral Reefs_JJ07_01.ashx?w=534&h=350&as=1http:// 007/Coral(coral Reefs_JJ07_01.ashx?w=534&h=350&as= FAA-A2C5-1375E8E59EB1&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=UShttp://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=B30450C0-AD4D- 4FAA-A2C5-1375E8E59EB1&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US