Marine Biology Where have we been, and where are we going?

Introduction2 What is Marine Biology? Marine biology is the scientific study of organisms in the marine environment What does the marine environment encompass? The different disciplines of science covered in marine biology Marine biology is a combination of functional biology and ecology

Introduction3 Why should we study the marine habitat? Marine life provides different resources Problems created by the marine environment and marine animals Widely used for recreation and essential in many coastal economies

Introduction4 The History of Marine Biology Man has been attracted to the ocean since the Stone Age Aristotle lived in the 4 th century B.C. (first marine biologist) During the 9th and 10th century Vikings (Leif Eriksson) explored much of the North Atlantic As seamanship and navigation skills improved so did our knowledge of the environment

Introduction5 James Cook James Cook was one of the first captains to make scientific observations Carried an accurate chronometer and full-time naturalist In 3 voyages he explored all of the worlds oceans Killed in 1779 in Kealakekua Bay by native Hawaiians Through his example in the 19 th century most ships carried naturalists James Cook

Introduction6 James Cook Voyages Francesco Bartolozzi and William Byrne The death of Captain Cook

Introduction7 Marine Biology History In 1831 the H.M.S. Beagle sailed around the world for 5 years carrying Charles Darwin What are Darwin’s notable contributions to science and marine biology? Charles Darwin

Introduction8 Atoll Reefs and Barnacles

Introduction9 Edward Forbes One of the first true marine biologists Naturalist on the Beacon and sampled the bottom using a dredge Discovered that animal density decreased with depth and that species diversity changes with depth Up to this point it was believed that no life existed in the oceans depths

Introduction10 The British are Coming!! In 1872 the British government funded the first major oceanographic expedition. A light warship, the Challenger was used It took 19 years and 50 volumes to publish all the results 4,700 new species were discovered New standards were set in studying the ocean. Challenger

Introduction11 HMS Challenger Voyage

Introduction12 Marine Laboratories Marine labs were created at the shore to tackle long term studies of the marine habitat The first major American lab was the Woods Hole lab in Massachusetts Another important lab was created in Pacific Grove, California. The Scripps Institute These and many other marine labs are crucial in the growth of marine biology today Woods Hole Institute

Introduction13 Marine Biology Today The description of animals and the general picture of marine biology is now well understood Marine biologist are concerned with why patterns exist and how animals live With advances in technologies new areas are now available to explore Submersibles (Alvin) and ROV’s are used to explore the deep sea and hydrothermal vents Alvin

Introduction14 Aquarius Habitat

Introduction15 UNC-W’s Center for Marine Science