1. Ocean Zones Intertidal – closest to shore – extremely shallow – changes in salinity and temperature – exposure to air and pounding waves A.Examples a.Estuaries b.Mangrove Forests c.Salt Marshes d.Sandy Shores e.Rocky Shores f.Tide Pools

2. Neritic – from Intertidal to Open-Ocean – to the end of the continental shelf – sunlight and nutrients Open-Ocean – past the continental shelf - deepest part of the ocean – very little sunlight and few nutrients A.Examples a.Coral Reef b.Kelp Forest A.Three subdivisions a.Surface Zone b.Transition Zone c. Deep Zone

3. Ocean Habitats Factors that affect ocean life are: Amount of sunlight Temperature Classification/Region of the Ocean: Plankton A.Largest group of ocean life B.Float at or near the top of the ocean C.Carried by waves and currents D.Usually microscopic E. Broken down into further subdivisions: a.Phytoplankton (plant-like) – diatoms & dinoflagellates b.Zooplankton (animal-like) – certain types of jellyfish, crustaceans and copepods

4. Nekton (Nektonic) – All life forms can swim – Can move in and out of other regions (surface to benthic) – Search for food while avoiding predators – Examples: – All fish – Sharks, Whales, Dolphins, Rays, Eels

5. Benthos (Benthic) a.Live on or rooted to the ocean floor *** Remember that the ocean floor is the continental shelf, slope and rise. *** b. Broken down into two subdivisions – moving or non-moving Plants non-moving life form rooted to the ocean floor Animals a.can crawl on the ocean floor b.do NOT swim c.Examples: -Crabs, lobsters, starfish (moving) - Oysters, clams, mussels, sea anemones, sponges (non-moving)