By Chelsey and Kaila

Marine ecosystems includes: 1.Intertidal zone: Sandy beaches, rocks, estuaries, mangrove swamps and coral reefs. Many of the species living in intertidal zones have adapted to survive in the exposure of air and wave action. Intertidal zones may support as many as two thousand species. Marine ecosystems includes: 1.Intertidal zone: Sandy beaches, rocks, estuaries, mangrove swamps and coral reefs. Many of the species living in intertidal zones have adapted to survive in the exposure of air and wave action. Intertidal zones may support as many as two thousand species.

2.Neritic zone: This is the relatively shallow ocean that extends to the edge of the continental shelf, which is the seabed surrounding a continent(up to 200 m deep). In neritic zones planctonic algae are the primary source of the food chain. 3.Oceanic zone: Oceanic zones are located over the ocean. Planctonic algae are the producers of the food chain and life is limited to the depths that light can reach. 2.Neritic zone: This is the relatively shallow ocean that extends to the edge of the continental shelf, which is the seabed surrounding a continent(up to 200 m deep). In neritic zones planctonic algae are the primary source of the food chain. 3.Oceanic zone: Oceanic zones are located over the ocean. Planctonic algae are the producers of the food chain and life is limited to the depths that light can reach.

4. Abyssal plain : The abyssal plain is located at the bottom of the ocean. This dark region is home to organisms that make up the benthos(organisms that live at or near the bottom of the sea). These organisms depend on the organic matter drifting down from the upper part of the sea. 4. Abyssal plain : The abyssal plain is located at the bottom of the ocean. This dark region is home to organisms that make up the benthos(organisms that live at or near the bottom of the sea). These organisms depend on the organic matter drifting down from the upper part of the sea.

Artificial marine ecosystems consists of human-made objects in the ocean or sea. Like coral reefs, artificial reefs frequently attract marine animals from the surrounding ocean areas.

Shipwrecks may have redeeming ecological value. The ships often become artificial reefs and habitats, providing shelter for the very creatures threatened by human intrusion. The presence of artificial reefs as an alternative dive site can reduce the stress placed on the natural reefs. Which means that artificial reefs will decrease the total dives on natural reefs. Artificial reefs can also start the development of rare coral species that are not often found in natural reefs. Shipwrecks may have redeeming ecological value. The ships often become artificial reefs and habitats, providing shelter for the very creatures threatened by human intrusion. The presence of artificial reefs as an alternative dive site can reduce the stress placed on the natural reefs. Which means that artificial reefs will decrease the total dives on natural reefs. Artificial reefs can also start the development of rare coral species that are not often found in natural reefs.

Panasonic Malaysia teamed up with Coral Malaysia to construct artificial reefs. These manmade coral ecosystems help sustain the wide variety of marine organisms that call these reefs home. South Carolina has created more than 40 offshore artificial reefs in the waters off of its coast. The artificial reefs are popular destinations for recreational anglers and divers. Panasonic Malaysia teamed up with Coral Malaysia to construct artificial reefs. These manmade coral ecosystems help sustain the wide variety of marine organisms that call these reefs home. South Carolina has created more than 40 offshore artificial reefs in the waters off of its coast. The artificial reefs are popular destinations for recreational anglers and divers.

Artificial ecosystems also attract invasive species. Invasive species move to an environment where it is not native, and becomes a nuisance through rapid spread and increase in numbers. Increase in invasive species of marine invertebrates and algae in the coastal zone of the USA over the last two centuries.

The theory of Balanced Ecosystems states that there is no growth or loss required in an ecosystem. Therefore the population should not go up nor down, causing the ecosystem to remain in perfect balance. A coral reef with a balanced ecosystem would consist of the following: -Coral reef that feeds on plankton and nutrients found in water. -The reef is then eaten by parrot fish that in turn are eaten by larger fish including barracudas and snappers. The theory of Balanced Ecosystems states that there is no growth or loss required in an ecosystem. Therefore the population should not go up nor down, causing the ecosystem to remain in perfect balance. A coral reef with a balanced ecosystem would consist of the following: -Coral reef that feeds on plankton and nutrients found in water. -The reef is then eaten by parrot fish that in turn are eaten by larger fish including barracudas and snappers.

There might be a problem with this theory, since a coral reef must constantly be expanding in order to continue to support life and be healthy. The larger a coral reef gets the more life it can support and the number of fish that eat the reef and fish that eat smaller fish enlarges. Therefore the population is on the rise, which then goes against the theory of balance in ecosystems.

A Balanced Ecosystem can be better described as something that is constantly changing that leads to slow but gradual population increases. Ecosystems separately support life, but they must work together in order to balance each other.

Natural ecosystems operate by themselves under natural conditions without any major interference by man. For example: Aquatic ecosystems which is further divided as: a. Freshwater, which may be Iotic (spring, stream or river) or lentic (lake, pond, pools, ditch, swamp, etc.) b. Marine, e.g. sea or ocean (deep bodies) and estuary (shallow bodies). Natural ecosystems operate by themselves under natural conditions without any major interference by man. For example: Aquatic ecosystems which is further divided as: a. Freshwater, which may be Iotic (spring, stream or river) or lentic (lake, pond, pools, ditch, swamp, etc.) b. Marine, e.g. sea or ocean (deep bodies) and estuary (shallow bodies).

Marine ecosystems are a part of the largest aquatic system on the planet, covering over 70% of the Earth's surface. Some examples of marine ecosystems are: oceans, estuaries, coral reefs, and coastal areas like lagoons etc. Oceans Coral ReefsCoral Reefs and Other Tropical Communities (Mangrove Forests) CoastalCoastal areas like Lagoons, Kelp and Sea grass Beds and Intertidal systems (rocky, sandy, and muddy shores) EstuariesEstuaries and Salt Marshes Marine ecosystems are a part of the largest aquatic system on the planet, covering over 70% of the Earth's surface. Some examples of marine ecosystems are: oceans, estuaries, coral reefs, and coastal areas like lagoons etc. Oceans Coral ReefsCoral Reefs and Other Tropical Communities (Mangrove Forests) CoastalCoastal areas like Lagoons, Kelp and Sea grass Beds and Intertidal systems (rocky, sandy, and muddy shores) EstuariesEstuaries and Salt Marshes

The oceans ecosystems are very diverse from the tropics to the arctic. Only certain organisms can survive in an oceanic ecosystem due to the salt water. There need to be a balance between the sustainability of the ecosystem and the oceanic life. In the ocean the food chain begins with the biggest predatory mammals and fish and continues until it reaches the smallest poly and coral life. The ocean has a very complicated food web, if organism goes off balance, the whole chain could break. The oceans ecosystems are very diverse from the tropics to the arctic. Only certain organisms can survive in an oceanic ecosystem due to the salt water. There need to be a balance between the sustainability of the ecosystem and the oceanic life. In the ocean the food chain begins with the biggest predatory mammals and fish and continues until it reaches the smallest poly and coral life. The ocean has a very complicated food web, if organism goes off balance, the whole chain could break.

Coral reefs are composed of hard corals; organisms such as sponges break down the coral into sediments (they fall to the floor of the ocean). Coralline algae and similar organisms take dead matter and build upon it, composing the foundation of the coral reef. The initial source of energy for coral reefs is through sunlight, this is transferred into chemical energy by phytoplankton, Algae etc. These are then eaten by fish and other animals that then absorb a portion of that energy. Coral reefs are composed of hard corals; organisms such as sponges break down the coral into sediments (they fall to the floor of the ocean). Coralline algae and similar organisms take dead matter and build upon it, composing the foundation of the coral reef. The initial source of energy for coral reefs is through sunlight, this is transferred into chemical energy by phytoplankton, Algae etc. These are then eaten by fish and other animals that then absorb a portion of that energy.

Coastal ecosystems are the parts where land and water meet, they include salt marshes, wetlands, estuaries, etc. Coastal ecosystems are endangered due to human activity; the smallest amount of pollution could result in disaster. The introductions of non-native species and disasters such as hurricanes have destroyed the food chain in several coastal ecosystems. Harsh chemicals pollute these areas from the run off of factories and plants. Coastal ecosystems are the parts where land and water meet, they include salt marshes, wetlands, estuaries, etc. Coastal ecosystems are endangered due to human activity; the smallest amount of pollution could result in disaster. The introductions of non-native species and disasters such as hurricanes have destroyed the food chain in several coastal ecosystems. Harsh chemicals pollute these areas from the run off of factories and plants.

Estuaries are considered open ecosystems because they effect the larger environment. Nutrients are carried from land by rivers and then by the sea to tides, some of these nutrients are carried by animals to an estuary.

Estuaries contain such organisms as; phytoplankton (manufacture food by photosynthesis and absorb nutrients from the water), Detritus (Dead organic matter), zooplankton and large animals such as filter-feeder worms, shellfish, etc. Snails, crabs etc, live in the mud bed, they feed off of the nutrients stored in the mud, making them perfect food for fish, birds and humans. The mangrove and sea grass house vital nutrients around their roots, allowing them to supply food for over 30 different species of fish. Estuaries contain such organisms as; phytoplankton (manufacture food by photosynthesis and absorb nutrients from the water), Detritus (Dead organic matter), zooplankton and large animals such as filter-feeder worms, shellfish, etc. Snails, crabs etc, live in the mud bed, they feed off of the nutrients stored in the mud, making them perfect food for fish, birds and humans. The mangrove and sea grass house vital nutrients around their roots, allowing them to supply food for over 30 different species of fish.

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