Interactions in Marine Ecosystem

Parasitic Relationship

A relationship where one organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of the host, which suffers harm.

Example of Parasitic Relationship

Copepods attach to marine fish, feeding on their blood and causing harm.

Commensal Relationship

A relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.

Example of Commensal Relationship

Remora fish attach to manta rays for transport without harming them.

Mutualistic Relationship

A relationship where both organisms benefit from the interaction.

Example of Mutualistic Relationship

Boxer crabs carry anemones for protection while the anemones benefit from mobility.

Producer

Organisms that synthesize their own organic compounds, forming the base of the food chain.

Primary Consumer

Organisms that feed on producers.

Secondary Consumer

Organisms that feed on primary consumers.

Tertiary Consumer

Organisms that feed on secondary consumers.

Decomposer

Organisms that break down dead organic material, cycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Food Chain

A linear representation of energy flow from one organism to another.

Food Web

A complex network of feeding relationships in an ecosystem.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants capture sunlight energy to produce glucose and oxygen.

Net Primary Production

Gross primary production minus respiration; the energy available to consumers.

Nutrient Cycles

The movement of nutrients through ecosystems, required for growth and metabolism.

Primary Productivity

The rate at which primary producers create new biomass.

Factors adding nutrients to the ocean

Upwelling, runoff, marine snow (death and sinking) and tectonic activity introduce nutrients to the ocean.

Factors removing nutrients from the ocean

Uptake by organisms, harvesting, and sedimentation (heat and pressure) remove nutrients.

Carbon Cycle

The process by which carbon is recycled in the environment through photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion.