Marine Ecosystems A brief overview of different marine ecosystems

Marine Environments and Habitats Habitat – the place or “home” in which an organism is typically found Habitat – the place or “home” in which an organism is typically found Environment – the total surroundings of living things Environment – the total surroundings of living things The oceans have many environments, some coastal and some out at sea The oceans have many environments, some coastal and some out at sea Environments have 2 components – living and nonliving Environments have 2 components – living and nonliving

Living Components of Environments These are the biological aspects of environments, having to do with living things These are the biological aspects of environments, having to do with living things These things are called “biotic” things and the living things within environments are called “biota” These things are called “biotic” things and the living things within environments are called “biota” For example, a coral reefs biota consists of algae, fish, crustaceans, cnidarians, sponges, bacteria, etc. Anything living that inhabits the area For example, a coral reefs biota consists of algae, fish, crustaceans, cnidarians, sponges, bacteria, etc. Anything living that inhabits the area

Nonliving Components of Environments The nonliving aspects of environments are the physical and chemical parts that make up the environment The nonliving aspects of environments are the physical and chemical parts that make up the environment These are the “abiotic” things These are the “abiotic” things For example, the abiotic aspects of a coral reef are the water chemistry, light, temperature, salinity, and pressure For example, the abiotic aspects of a coral reef are the water chemistry, light, temperature, salinity, and pressure It is the interactions between the biotic and abiotic factors that characterize environments! It is the interactions between the biotic and abiotic factors that characterize environments!

Identify Some Biotic Factors

Biotic Factors Fish Fish Sea stars Sea stars Predators Predators

Identify Some Abiotic Factors

Abiotic Factors Salinity of the water Salinity of the water Sunlight Sunlight Weather/Climate Weather/Climate Nutrient availability Nutrient availability Waves Waves

Different Marine Life Zones (A Review)

Life Zones Review

Sandy Beach Environment

The Sandy Beach Environment Made up of small sand, crashing waves and exposed to fresh water from rain and runoff Made up of small sand, crashing waves and exposed to fresh water from rain and runoff Has distinct zonation of life, contains small organisms adapted to sandy environments (such as the mole crab and surf clam) Has distinct zonation of life, contains small organisms adapted to sandy environments (such as the mole crab and surf clam)

Video

Rocky Coasts (Ex: Our West Coast)

Rocky Coast Greatly affected by tides Greatly affected by tides Crashing waves Crashing waves Ice in higher latitudes Ice in higher latitudes Intense sunlight in tropic regions Intense sunlight in tropic regions Fresh water runoff which can contain a lot of minerals and lots of dissolved gas Fresh water runoff which can contain a lot of minerals and lots of dissolved gas

Rocky Coasts continued During high tides the intertidal zone is exposed to ocean grazers During high tides the intertidal zone is exposed to ocean grazers During low tide it is exposed to terrestrial (land) grazers During low tide it is exposed to terrestrial (land) grazers Large quantity of food available because of the high level of nutrient availability Large quantity of food available because of the high level of nutrient availability

Barnacles!

Estuary Environments An estuary is an area where fresh and salt water mix (brackish – mixture of salt and fresh water) An estuary is an area where fresh and salt water mix (brackish – mixture of salt and fresh water) Usually occurs along coasts near rivers. Usually occurs along coasts near rivers. Affected by tides Affected by tides

Birds Eye

Estuarine Salt Marshes

Costal region that is affected by the tides Costal region that is affected by the tides Can potentially have extreme temperature changes Can potentially have extreme temperature changes Generally calm waters Generally calm waters Fresh and salt water mix in this area Fresh and salt water mix in this area

Estuarine Salt Marshes Continued Has a lot of decaying material Has a lot of decaying material High primary productivity High primary productivity Many marsh grasses, hermit crabs, shrimp, eels and ducks Many marsh grasses, hermit crabs, shrimp, eels and ducks Act as nurseries Act as nurseries

Mud flats

Mudflats Characterized by dark, muddy sand and no marsh grasses Characterized by dark, muddy sand and no marsh grasses Very little wave action so the sands are poorly aerated Very little wave action so the sands are poorly aerated

Mud flats Decaying material tends to accumulate Decaying material tends to accumulate –Kind of a graveyard –Causes a gross, rotten egg smell if you disturb the sand Home to lots of scavengers Home to lots of scavengers –Mud snails, blood worms…

Mangroves

Mangrove Found in tropical regions Found in tropical regions Affected by the tides Affected by the tides Water may be brackish (mixing salt and fresh water) in some mangrove environments Water may be brackish (mixing salt and fresh water) in some mangrove environments

Mangroves Cont. Mangrove trees are dominant Mangrove trees are dominant –Form an intricate system of tangled prop roots –Serves as a nursery for fish Lots of decaying materials Lots of decaying materials Barnacles, snails, crabs and fish are typical of this environment Barnacles, snails, crabs and fish are typical of this environment

Coral Reef

Coral reefs Found in warm environments Found in warm environments Clear, nutrient poor water Clear, nutrient poor water High wave energy environments High wave energy environments

Corals Continued Coral polyps create oddly shaped crevices which fish can hide and live in Coral polyps create oddly shaped crevices which fish can hide and live in –Acts a nursery and protects them from predators

Corals Continued Has a high level of biodiversity (number of species) Has a high level of biodiversity (number of species) Parrot fish, sharks, butterfly fish and corals are typical of this environment Parrot fish, sharks, butterfly fish and corals are typical of this environment

Brochure assignment You will be assigned the zone/ecosystem your group will be doing. You will be assigned the zone/ecosystem your group will be doing.