Lesson 1 Marine Ecosystems

Factors that influence all ecosystems

• Abiotic Factors– pH– Salinity– Dissolved Oxygen– Turbidity– Lat/Long.– Observation of weather– Temperature– Light– Waves/Tides

• Biotic Factors– Organisms

• Predators/prey/ parasites

Coral Reefs• Most biodiverse marine

ecosystem– Biodiversity =health of

ecosystem

Abiotic Factors

• Abiotic factors– Temperature: Tropical– Shallow waters: Availability of light– Wave action– Nutrient poor: why water is pretty blue in color=

lacks nutrients• So why is it the most biodiverse ecosystem

when there are so few nutrients available?– Symbiosis!!!! What is definition?

Biotic Factors• Mutualistic relationship– Corals = animals– Zooxanthellae:

zooplankton• Can’t live without

another. Coral give zooxanthellae N, P, and CO2 and zoo give corals carbohydrates

• Forms basis of community that provides food and shelter to all other organisms

Location of World’s Coral Reefs

Types of Reefs

• Fringing Reefs- directly borders landmass:– Ex. Cayman Islands

• Barriers Reefs: separated from landmass by a lagoon– Ex: Australia and Florida

• Atolls: arise from deep water and have lagoon in center– Most in pacific islands

Threats to Reefs

1. Coral Bleaching : (take notes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EGvE5mTxRI&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

2. Disease1. Black band disease-caused by

bacteria2. White pox- killed 85% of Elkhorn

corals in Keys3. Others

3. Human Impact1. Coastal development = increased

runoff (leads to algae blooms like red tides)

2. Activities: snorkeling/diving disturbing corals

• Partially enclosed body of water that is open to the sea/ocean(salt h2o) and has rivers and streams(freshwater) running into it.

What is an estuary?

• Marine characteristics– Salinity– Tides– waves

• Freshwater characteristics– Flow of freshwater– Flow of sediments (sand,

silt, gravel)

Has characteristics of BOTH marine and Freshwater environments

• Type of estuary– Located in the intertidal zone between land and

salt/brackish water– Dominated by salt tolerant plants– Important for environment• to the food web and export nutrients to water• Provide habitats for birds and other land animals• Serve as nurseries for juvenile fish• Protect coast from erosion from hurricanes

What is a salt marsh?

Plant Succession

Genus Species-Spartina Alterniflora-Common Name-”SmoothCordgrass”

Genus Species- Spartina patensCommon Name- saltmeadow cordgrass

Genus species- Salicornia virginicaCommon name-Pickleweed

Genus species- Batis maritimaCommon Name- turtleweed

Genus- JuncusCommon Name- Rush

Terrestrial Animals- Birds

Intertidal animals-Fiddler Crab

Fish species