Aquatic productivity and fishing methods | AQA A-Level Environmental Science Revision | Primrose Kitten

Rate of organic substance production via photosynthesis.

Primary Productivity

Amount of light available for photosynthesis.

Light Intensity

Levels of inorganic nutrients like nitrates and phosphates.

Nutrient Concentrations

Surface layer where light penetrates for photosynthesis.

Photic Zone

Depth where light cannot penetrate; no photosynthesis occurs.

Aphotic Zone

Cloudiness of water affecting light penetration.

Turbidity

Cold, nutrient-rich water brought to the surface.

Upwellings

Regions with high productivity due to light and nutrients.

Coastal Areas

Areas with lower productivity due to distance from coast.

Open Ocean

High light and warmth but low nutrient availability.

Tropical Regions

Seasonal productivity influenced by storms and light.

Temperate Mid-Latitude Areas

High nutrients but extreme light variations affect productivity.

Polar Regions

Sources of nutrients from land runoff or upwellings.

Nutrient Inputs

Process converting light energy into organic matter.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthetic organisms crucial for ocean productivity.

Algae

Microscopic plants that dominate ocean primary productivity.

Phytoplankton

Substances produced by living organisms, vital for food webs.

Organic Material

Condition where low nutrient levels restrict growth.

Nutrient Limitation

Variations in productivity due to seasonal changes.

Seasonal Productivity

Maximum depth where sufficient light supports photosynthesis.

Light Penetration Depth

Process contributing to nutrient runoff into oceans.

Erosion

Soil and nutrients washed into water bodies.

Sediment Runoff

Cover that reduces light penetration to water bodies.

Dense Tree Canopy

Effects of human actions on aquatic ecosystems.

Human Activity Impact

Fishing activity occurring on the seabed.

Demersal Fishing

Large net dragged on seabed to catch fish.

Demersal Trawling

Baited hooks laid on seabed for fish.

Demersal Long Line

Measure of how well a method captures fish.

Catch Effectiveness

Ability to target specific fish species.

Selectivity

Energy required for fishing methods.

Energy Inputs

Harm caused to ecosystems by fishing methods.

Environmental Damage

Fishing in open water areas.

Pelagic Fishing

Net dragged to catch shoaling fish.

Pelagic Trawling

Vertical nets held by buoys to catch fish.

Drift Nets

Vertical nets that encircle and trap fish.

Purse Seine Nets

Cages used to catch crustaceans like lobsters.

Shellfish Traps

Using bait to attract specific fish species.

Baiting

Total energy consumed in producing fishing gear.

Embodied Energy

Technique to estimate population sizes.

Mark, Release, Recapture

Species not intended to be caught.

Non-target Organisms

Destruction of ecosystems due to fishing methods.

Habitat Damage

Ability to avoid catching non-target species.

Selectivity in Fishing

Large group of fish swimming together.

Shoal

Gases released from fossil fuel combustion.

Greenhouse Gases

Aquatic animals like lobsters and crabs.

Crustaceans

Effectiveness of a method in capturing fish.

Fishing Efficiency

Consequences of fishing on marine ecosystems.

Environmental Impacts