1. JQ: List at least 3 things that you are thankful for 1

2. 2 Barnacle Seagull Fish Anemone SeaweedHermit Crab

3. 3 MARINE ECOLOGY TERMS Ecology - study of the relationship of living organisms (biota) to the environment (abiotic or non-living part) Each organism is structurally, chemically or behavioral adapted for a particular habitat (place) and occupies a particular niche (job).

4. 4 Major marine habitats are divided into 2 groups: PELAGIC and BENTHIC 1.Pelagic Zone – Volume of ocean occupied by water: a.Vertical zones: Photic vs. Aphotic b. Horizontal Zones: Neritic (coastal) vs. Oceanic (Open Water) 2. Benthic Zone - substrate on the margins or basins a. abyssal - deep bottom of the ocean floor

5. 5 Three Levels of Marine Biota (Organisms) 1. plankton - organisms that can not make a forward motion against a current a. phytoplankton - photosynthetic primary producers b. zooplankton - primary consumers 2. nekton: swimming animals ex. fish, mammals, birds, reptiles 3. Benthos: Bottom dwellers a. epifauna - walk on the substrate ex. Crabs b. infauna - live in the substrate ex. Worms “sessile” – organsism that are attached – EX. barnacles, coral, sponges

6. 6 Population - 2 or more individuals of the same species who must compete for mates, food, light, and space because they occupy the same niche and habitat.

7. 7 Communities - 2 or more populations occupying different niches in the same habitat. 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 – eat others - herbivores, carnivores, omnivores c. decomposers - scavengers, break down organic compounds into nutrients for producers photo credit: Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

8. 8 Communities age in a process called Biological Succession. a. Pioneer - first populations move into a habitat such as the polychaete worm pictured here. b. Juvenile - young populations; simple food chains c. Mature - older communities with complex food webs, stable populations are those where natality = mortality Dr. James P. McVey, NOAA Sea Grant Program

9. 9 Ecosystems consist of all the biotic and abiotic factors in a geographical region Ex: coral reefs, polar seas biosphere consists of all the Earth’s ecosystems NOAA