Ocean Life Zones

Starting with an activity Starting with an activity Look at the organisms around the classroom. Look at the organisms around the classroom. –What kind of conditions do you think each of these organisms needs in order to survive? –In what part of the ocean do you think each of these organisms lives? –Do you think all sea organisms can live anywhere in the ocean?

What affects life in the ocean? Animal and plant life found in the ocean is affected by several factors!!

Light Sunlight directly impacts _______. Sunlight directly impacts _______. ______ provides food and shelter for animals. ______ provides food and shelter for animals.

Temperature

Pressure As depth increases, pressure ________.

Ocean Life! The animals and plants in the ocean can be classified into three major groups according to their habitats and the depth of water in which they live.

Plankton

PLANKTON Largest group of animals (zooplankton) and plants (phytoplankton) Largest group of animals (zooplankton) and plants (phytoplankton) Tiny, microscopic Tiny, microscopic Do not swim! Float. Do not swim! Float. Includes eggs and larvae of larger marine life. Includes eggs and larvae of larger marine life. Float at or near the surface where sunlight penetrates. Float at or near the surface where sunlight penetrates.

Fun Fact The throat of some of the largest whales is so small that they cannot swallow food larger than a fifty-cent piece!!!!! The throat of some of the largest whales is so small that they cannot swallow food larger than a fifty-cent piece!!!!!

Nekton

What are they? Forms of ocean life that can swim!!! Forms of ocean life that can swim!!!

Impact of Swimming Because they can swim, nekton are able to actively search for food and avoid predators. Because they can swim, nekton are able to actively search for food and avoid predators.

Where are they found? At all levels of the ocean (near surface to along bottom) At all levels of the ocean (near surface to along bottom) Can move Can move Remain where conditions are favorable Remain where conditions are favorable

What else… Nekton eat nekton as well as plankton Nekton eat nekton as well as plankton Some have adaptations enabling them to function at depths that have great pressure and no light. Some have adaptations enabling them to function at depths that have great pressure and no light.

Benthos

Where do they live? Some such as sea anemones attach themselves to the ocean floor. Some such as sea anemones attach themselves to the ocean floor. Others live in shore areas. Others live in shore areas. A few kinds live on the ocean floor in the deepest parts of the ocean. A few kinds live on the ocean floor in the deepest parts of the ocean.

Different Environments The classification of life zones is based on the conditions in the ocean – conditions that vary widely. The classification of life zones is based on the conditions in the ocean – conditions that vary widely.

OCEAN ZONES

Intertidal Zone Region in-between low and high tide Region in-between low and high tide –What is a tide? –What causes tides? –How many low and high tides per day? Supports a variety of organisms with special adaptations Supports a variety of organisms with special adaptations –Exist without water for short periods of time –Withstand the force of breaking waves on the shore

Who Survives? Anemones, crabs, clams, mussels, some sea weeds, and more! Anemones, crabs, clams, mussels, some sea weeds, and more! Do they have something in common? Do they have something in common?

Neritic Zone Low-tide to the edge of a continental shelf. Low-tide to the edge of a continental shelf. Extends to a depth of about 200 meters. Extends to a depth of about 200 meters. Receives plenty of sunlight. Receives plenty of sunlight. Water pressure low and temperature fairly constant. Water pressure low and temperature fairly constant.

Who lives there? Many different plants and animals. Many different plants and animals. Include plankton, nekton and benthos. Include plankton, nekton and benthos. Really rich in life, richer then any other part of the ocean. Really rich in life, richer then any other part of the ocean. This is where the worlds great fishing zones are. This is where the worlds great fishing zones are. The zone includes….. The zone includes…..

OPEN OCEAN ZONES (Pelagic Zones)

Bathyal Zone Sunlight is not able to penetrate to the bottom of this zone. Sunlight is not able to penetrate to the bottom of this zone.

Who lives there? Many forms of Nekton, including squid, octopus and large whales. Many forms of Nekton, including squid, octopus and large whales.

Abyssal Zone Starts at a depth of about 2000 meters and goes through to 6,000 meters. Starts at a depth of about 2000 meters and goes through to 6,000 meters. Covers the large, flat plains of the ocean. Covers the large, flat plains of the ocean. No sunlight is able to penetrate this zone. No sunlight is able to penetrate this zone. Little food is available. Little food is available. Water pressure is great. Water pressure is great. But…life does exist there!! But…life does exist there!!

Life in the abyss Most of the things that exist here are small and funny looking. Most of the things that exist here are small and funny looking. Some are even able to make their own light = bioluminescence Some are even able to make their own light = bioluminescenceanoplogaster

THE END