Ocean Zones The Ocean is divided in three ways: The Water - Pelagic The Substrate (Ocean Floor) - Benthic Light Penetration – Photic/Aphotic

Major marine habitats are divided into 2 groups: 1. Pelagic Zone - The Water Column. Subdivided along both horizontal and vertical axes Horizontal Axis: a. neritic - coastal areas b. oceanic - open water Vertical Axis: a. Epipelagic- Top b. Mesopelagic c. Bathypelagic d. Abyssalpelagic e. Haldalpelagic- Deepest

2. Benthic Zone - The substrate (Ocean Floor) on the margins or basins. Divided based on depth A.The Littoral or Intertidal Zone Submerged according to the tides B. Shelf- Low Tide End to the Continental Shelf Break C. Bathyal- shelf Break to the bottom of Continental Slope D. Abyssal- Base of the Continental Slope to the beginning of the Deep Ocean E. Hadal - Deepest part of the Ocean

Water and Light The Ocean is also divided by depth that Light penetrates it Photic zone- Where light penetrates

The depth to which light can penetrate the ocean is called the _____ zone 1.Aphotic 2.Abyssal 3.Photic 4.light

The Pelagic zone is broken up into two sections which are the 1.Neritic and Pelagic 2.Neritic and Oceanic 3.Oceanic and Abyssal 4.Pelagic and Benthic

Ocean Lifestyles : Marine Scientists classify Marine Life into one of several categories 1. Plankton - organisms that can not make a forward motion against a current (1) phytoplankton - photosynthetic producers (2) zooplankton - primary consumers 2. Nekton : swimming animals ex. fish, mammals, birds, reptiles (3) Neuston – Those that float on the surface- Portuguese Man of War

c. benthos - bottom dwellers (2) infauna - live in the substrate ex. worms (1) epifauna - walk on the substrateex. crabs d. demersal - hover, swim or rest at or near the bottom ex. flounder, skate, rays e. sessile - attached ex. barnacles, sponges NOAA

Organisms which cannot swim against current and just float are called 1.Nekton 2.Demersal 3.Plankton 4.Benthic

Plankton which are consumers are called 1.Phytoplankton 2.Zooplankton

Flounder which Swim near the ocean bottom are known as 1.Demersal 2.Sessile 3.Infauna

Organisms which live on the bottom like the crab is which type of benthic organism 1.Infauna 2.Epifauna 3.Outerfauna 4.Trifauna

A sponge attached to the bottom is known as a _______ organism 1.Benthic 2.Nekton 3.Sessile 4.Plankton

Marine Terms Ecology - study of the relationship of living organisms (biota) to the environment (abiotic or non-living part) Biotic – Living Abiotic – Non Living Each organism is structurally, chemically or behavioral adapted for a particular habitat (place) and occupies a particular niche (job).

Ecosystems have 2 or more communities whose life style is related to a unique habitat. Ex: coral reefs, polar seas Changes in the components will have unpredictable effects, but ecosystems have remarkable ways of restoration. The Biosphere is composed of many ecosystems, exhibiting great diversity, that are related by the interdependence of living things. NOAA

Individual Population Community Ecosystem Biosphere

Community living has an advantage by reducing competition, increasing variety and diversity. The general niches are: A. Producers - phytoplankton, start the food chains B. Consumers - herbivores, carnivores, omnivores - eat others C. Decomposers - scavengers, break down organic compounds into nutrients for producers photo credit: Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Ecosystems of Energy In ecosystems, energy is cycled through these niches: The amount of energy available to support life is called the carrying capacity. autotrophs - produce food by photosynthesis or Chemosynthesis heterotrophs - consume autotrophs and other heterotrophs decomposers - rearrange organic materials into nutrients for autotrophs

Food chains represent the steps in transferring energy through the ecosystem. Complex and integrated food chains are called food webs. A keystone specie is the critical biomass in an ecosystem because the food web is built around that particular organism. Energy can be representations by trophic pyramids that compare the number of organisms in a population, or the weight (biomass) of organisms, or the productivity (energy calories). Populations needed

Why does the amount of energy change if energy is never created or destroyed? 1. It can be converted into unusable forms such as heat or for an organisms’ respiration, metabolism, and predation. 2. Not all parts of an organism have food value or provide calories. ex: bones, scales USDA

Which is an Abiotic factor 1.Water 2.Coral 3.Fish 4.Bacteria

A tuna would be considered a(n) 1.Abiotic Factor 2.Biotic Factor

Organisms which make their own food are called 1.Heterotrophs 2.Autotrophs 3.Omnivores 4.Herbivores

This group returns nutrients back into the ecosystem 1.Autotrophs 2.Heterotrophs 3.Decomposers

The base of any energy pyramid starts with 1.Autotrophs 2.Heterotrophs 3.Decomposers 4.None of the above