Ch 4.1/4.2CMessana

Ocean Life**3 Categories:1. Bottom-Dwellers (Benthic)2. Floaters3. SwimmersWhich is which? ->

**All marine organisms live in a HABITAT =An ENVIRONMENT that has all the

NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS for an organism to LIVE!!

ESTUARIES (at coastlines)

Area where FRESH WATER from rivers & SALT WATER from the ocean MIXES!

SALINITY changes constantlySalinity is lower in open ocean, higher

in rivers/lakesBreeding grounds for many organisms;

organisms have specific adaptations

W

WETLANDSAlong edges of ESTUARIESWET, SWAMPY AREAS that are FLOODED with

water2 Types:

1.)SALT MARSHES ~ Coastal Wetlands in COOL AREAS Nutrient rich SOIL Thick grasses

2.)MANGROVE FORESTS ~ Coastal Wetlands in WARM AREAS Found closer to the EQUATOR (Southern US) Mangrove shrubs & trees with thick roots

extending into waterHuman Harm to Wetlands: - clearing of land- pollution from industry/shipping

Migrating BIRDS use these areas as REST STOPS

Habitat for WILDLIFEGrasses & root systems keep

SHORELINE from washing away, hold sediment in place

ORGANISMS break down the GRASSES, return NUTRIENTS to the MARSHES

WETLAND LIFE

Intertidal ZoneArea of coastline between HIGH & LOW tide

The HABITAT at the EDGE of the ocean

DRY & EXPOSED to SUNLIGHT during LOW TIDE

50 % of the WORLD’S POPULATION live within 50 miles of the COAST

PROTECTION of the SHORELINES:1) Improve sewage treatment plants2)Laws to restrict dumping3) Set up Shoreline Sanctuaries

OCEAN ENVIRONMENTS –AWAY FROM THE COAST

WATERS near the SHORE~ 1.)Supports the greatest variety of life

(=BIODIVERSITY) of any part of the oceanBACTERIA, PROTISTS, PLANTS, ANIMALS

2.) Continental SHELF area3.) SUNLIGHT reaches the bottom4.) Many NUTRIENTS entering from the

land5.) TEMPERATURE & SALINITY fairly

CONSTANT

CORAL REEFSFound in TROPICAL WARM WATERS A build-up of LIMESTONE remains after the

CORAL ORGANISM dies ALGAE live inside the reef & PRODUCE

FOODContains over 25% of all species of ocean lifeENDANGERED area due to POLLUTION &

OVERFISHINGAustralia’s GREAT BARRIER REEF

Can be seen from outer space!

Kelp Forests Found in COLD WATERSLarge areas of SEAWEEDUses SUN to make food via photosynthesis

Habitat for many ORGANISMSEX: fish, otters, snails, crabs, worms

1) LIFE is more SPREAD OUT2) NUTRIENTS sink down 3) SUNLIGHT reaches ONLY the top

4) NO SHELTER for ORGANISMS

OPEN OCEANEnvironments Change w/ DEPTH

SURFACE ZONE1) Top 200 meters2) SUNLIT 3) PHYTOPLANKTON

Plant-like microscopic FLOATING organisms; do photosynthesis to convert SUNLIGHT & CO2 to GLUCOSE & O2

4) ZOOPLANKTON – animal-like; feed on the phytoplankton

5) OCEAN ANIMALS - eat the zooplankton

DEEP ZONE1) DARK, COLD, HIGH PRESSURE2) NO PLANTS3) PREDATORS eat PREY OR food comes

down from above (nutrients, dead organisms)

5) Organisms may GLOW in the dark = BIOLUMINESCENCE

6) Small eyes or none at all, prehistoric-looking

7) Animal communities found on deep ocean floor = HYDROTHERMAL VENTSCold water goes into cracks in the crust &

gets HEATED BY MAGMABACTERIA = base of the food chain here,

no sunlight or plants needed