Ecology- Marine Systems (Chapter 3)

Estuary

1. where greatest variety are located

2. relevance to upwelling zones

3. results of overfishing

Unique Qualities: Rich biodiversity, transition zone from freshwater to marine.

Unique Zones: Ecotone between terrestrial and marine environments.

Man's Influence: Threatened by pollution from rivers, agricultural runoff.

General Primary Autotrophs: Salt-tolerant grasses and rushes, various phytoplankton.

Limiting Conditions: Fluctuating salinity, pollution-induced dead zones.

Pelagic Zones

1. where greatest variety are located

2. relevance to upwelling zones

3. results of overfishing

Unique Qualities: Photic zone with high organism density, deep-sea adaptations.

Unique Zones: Open ocean, photic zone, below photic zone.

Man's Influence: Overfishing, climate change, habitat disruption.

General Primary Autotrophs: Phytoplankton, photosynthetic organisms.

Limiting Conditions: Temperature decrease with depth, pressure increase.

Mangroves

1. where greatest variety are located

2. relevance to upwelling zones

3. results of overfishing

Unique Qualities: Salt-tolerant, evergreen trees, sediment-trapping roots.

Unique Zones: Coastal zones, bridging aquatic/mud environments.

Man's Influence: Threatened by human development, shrimp farms, pollution.

General Primary Autotrophs: Mangrove trees, associated algal partners.

Limiting Conditions: Salinity fluctuations, habitat destruction

Rocky Shores and Sandy Shores

1. where greatest variety are located

2. relevance to upwelling zones

3. results of overfishing

Unique Qualities: Rocky shores are stable, sandy shores are less stable.

Unique Zones: Intertidal zones for rocky shores, wave-exposed sandy shores.

Man's Influence: Vulnerable to habitat disruption, pollution.

General Primary Autotrophs: Seaweed and algae on rocky shores, various invertebrates on sandy shores.

Limiting Conditions: Intertidal exposure, wave action.

Coral Reefs

1. where greatest variety are located

2. relevance to upwelling zones

3. results of overfishing

Unique Qualities: Complex habitat, high biodiversity, "build land" potential.

Unique Zones: Warm, shallow tropical waters.

Man's Influence: Threatened by sediment runoff, excess nutrients, warming temperatures, ocean acidification.

General Primary Autotrophs: Corals and associated algae.

Limiting Conditions: Sedimentation, nutrient imbalance, temperature stress

Benthic Zone

1. where greatest variety are located

2. relevance to upwelling zones

3. results of overfishing

Unique Qualities: Sparsely populated, cold and high-pressure, hydrothermal vent communities.

Unique Zones: Ocean floor, hydrothermal vent zones.

Man's Influence: Potential pollution from human activities, geological disturbances.

General Primary Autotrophs: Chemosynthetic bacteria in hydrothermal vents, various benthic organisms.

Limiting Conditions: Cold, high pressure, unique chemical environments.

This categorization should make it easier to remember the key information about each marine zone based on the provided categories.