lesson 1 marine ecosystems
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Lesson 1 Marine Ecosystems
Factors that influence all ecosystems
• Abiotic Factors– pH– Salinity– Dissolved Oxygen– Turbidity– Lat/Long.– Observation of weather– Temperature– Light– Waves/Tides
• Biotic Factors– Organisms
• Predators/prey/ parasites
Coral Reefs• Most biodiverse marine
ecosystem– Biodiversity =health of
ecosystem
Abiotic Factors
• Abiotic factors– Temperature: Tropical– Shallow waters: Availability of light– Wave action– Nutrient poor: why water is pretty blue in color=
lacks nutrients• So why is it the most biodiverse ecosystem
when there are so few nutrients available?– Symbiosis!!!! What is definition?
Biotic Factors• Mutualistic relationship– Corals = animals– Zooxanthellae:
zooplankton• Can’t live without
another. Coral give zooxanthellae N, P, and CO2 and zoo give corals carbohydrates
• Forms basis of community that provides food and shelter to all other organisms
Location of World’s Coral Reefs
Types of Reefs
• Fringing Reefs- directly borders landmass:– Ex. Cayman Islands
• Barriers Reefs: separated from landmass by a lagoon– Ex: Australia and Florida
• Atolls: arise from deep water and have lagoon in center– Most in pacific islands
Threats to Reefs
1. Coral Bleaching : (take notes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EGvE5mTxRI&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active
2. Disease1. Black band disease-caused by
bacteria2. White pox- killed 85% of Elkhorn
corals in Keys3. Others
3. Human Impact1. Coastal development = increased
runoff (leads to algae blooms like red tides)
2. Activities: snorkeling/diving disturbing corals
• Partially enclosed body of water that is open to the sea/ocean(salt h2o) and has rivers and streams(freshwater) running into it.
What is an estuary?
• Marine characteristics– Salinity– Tides– waves
• Freshwater characteristics– Flow of freshwater– Flow of sediments (sand,
silt, gravel)
Has characteristics of BOTH marine and Freshwater environments
• Type of estuary– Located in the intertidal zone between land and
salt/brackish water– Dominated by salt tolerant plants– Important for environment• to the food web and export nutrients to water• Provide habitats for birds and other land animals• Serve as nurseries for juvenile fish• Protect coast from erosion from hurricanes
What is a salt marsh?
Plant Succession
Genus Species-Spartina Alterniflora-Common Name-”SmoothCordgrass”
Genus Species- Spartina patensCommon Name- saltmeadow cordgrass
Genus species- Salicornia virginicaCommon name-Pickleweed
Genus species- Batis maritimaCommon Name- turtleweed
Genus- JuncusCommon Name- Rush
Terrestrial Animals- Birds
Intertidal animals-Fiddler Crab
Fish species