Marine Science: Lesson 15

What is the population trend of the Florida Manatee?

Stable but too low

What is the population trend of the green sea turtle?

Increasing but still low

What is the population trend of the common dolphinfish?

Stable

What are the factors that increase the population growth of the Florida Manatee?

Protection and food resources

What are the factors that increase population growth in green sea turtles?

Where they live, food resources, international law

What are the factors that increase population growth in common dolphinfish?

Food and fishing restrictions

What are the factors that decrease population growth in Florida Manatees?

Temperature changes, boat strikes, diseases, red tide, habitat destruction

What are the factors that decrease population growth in green sea turtles?

Birds, fish, raccoons, drowning, babies diseases, and fishing year

What are the factors that decrease population growth in common dolphinfish?

How long do Florida manatees live up to?

60 years

Population dynamics

Changes in the numbers of organisms of a population.

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of organisms of a species that can be supported in a habitat.

Population density

The number of individual organisms per unit of space.

Which kind of population density would be more susceptible to disease? Why?

Clumped. When someone's around you, you can get sick.

Which kind of population density would be most difficult to protect? Why?

Random. They're easier to catch by predators. They are more spread out.

Which kind of population would be more susceptible to predators? Why?

Clumped. Predators can find prey in one location.

Fish that move in schools

Clumped

Oyster larvae that settles on the sea floor in an unpredictable pattern

Random

Distribution of organisms that are evenly spaced such as some individual polyps

Uniform

Endangered Species Act

It was passed since 1973. One of Earth's strictest environmental laws. It lists species that are in danger of extinction.

Name all the important reasons for protecting biodiversity.

Species depend on each other for a survival. They help keep Ecosystems healthy and balanced. Humans depend on biodiversity.

Listed

Protected organisms under the ESA.

Endangered

In danger of extinction throughout all or a large portion.

Threatened

Likely to become endangered.

Recovery Plan

Has ways to protect organisms to increase their numbers. Goal: for organisms to be de-listed.

What does it mean when an organism is de-listed, and how does this happen?

They no longer need the ESA's protection. Scientists develop a recovery plan decisions require much scientific data…