Aquatic Biomes: Marine

• these are ocean ridges formed by marine invertebrates living in warm shallow waters within the photic zone of the ocean

• among the most biologically diverse and economically important ecosystems

• foundation for many marine species

• grow in shallow clear water

coral reefs

• posses zooxanthellae

• are reef builders

Hermatypic corals

• no zooxanthellae

• rely on tentacular feeding

• can live in aphotic zone

Ahermatypic corals

what is an example of hermatypic coral?

what is an example of non-hermatypic coral?

hawaiian coral zonation: high light levels, moderate wave energy

0m

• cauliflower coral (Pocillopora meandrina)

hawaiian coral zonation: moderate light level, occasional storm wave energy

6m

• Lobe coral (Porites lobata)

hawaiian coral zonation: low light level, low wave energy

13 m

• Finger coral (Porites compressa)

hawaiian coral zonation: very low light, primarily downwelling, no wave energy

25 m

• Plate coral (Porites rus)

what are the types of reef?

fringing, barrier, atoll, drowned

• growth on reefs are often limited by tidal action

fringe reef

The great barrier reef

• volcanic left-overs

atoll reefs

atoll reef fulanga

what are the environmental factors affecting corals?

• water motion

• depth: photic vs aphotic zone and water motion

• sedimentation

• salinity: 32-35 ^ppt

• temperature: 18-32 ⁰C

• tidal fluctuations

• nutrients: eutrophic vs. oligotrophic

• the largest marine biome with relatively uniform chemical composition

• the physical diversity of the ocean is a significant influence on plants, animals, and other organisms

open ocean

• the ocean is categorized into different zones based on how far light reaches into the water. Each zone has a distinct group of species adapted to the biotic and abiotic conditions particular to that zone

submerged area of continents

Continental margin

the continental margin includes?

• continental shelf

• continental slope

• continental rise

(flat gradually sloping seafloor) from shoreline to ~200m; end shelf is called the shelf break

continental shelf

(steeply sloping seafloor) seaward of shelf break

continental slope

(moderately sloping seafloor) seaweed of slope

continental rise

• one simple ocean zone classification is between the water and the ocean floor

• the water is referred to as the?

pelagic zone

• one simple ocean zone classification is between the water and the ocean floor

• the ocean floor is referred to as the?

Benthic zone

in the pelagic zone the organisms that swim through the water column are known as?

Nekton

in the benthic zone what are the organisms that live here

organisms that live here are benthic organisms or benthos

what are the benthic zone divisions? (seafloor zones)

• supralittoral

• littoral

• sublittoral

• Bathyl

• Abyssal

• Hadal

shore above high tide

Supralittoral

the intertidal zone (sometimes submerged and sometimes above water)

Littoral

• Epipelagic (0-200m)

seafloor of the continental shelf (from low tide to the shelf break)

Sublittoral

• Mesopelagic (200-1,000m)

seafloor of the continental slope to the deep ocean bottom

Bathyl

• Bathypelagic (1,000-4,000m)

deep ocean bottom between the base of the slope and 6,000m

Abyssal

• Abyssopelagic (4,000-6,000m)

the deepest zone, below 6,000m

hadal

• Hadalpelagic (6,000-10,000m)

what are the differences of saltwater swamp and saltwater marsh

• saltwater swamps are regions dominated with trees, whereas salt marshes are covered with grasses

what are the commonly found water species of saltwater wetland ecosystem?

• amphibians

• reptiles

• some migratory birds

• shellfishes

• few fishes

are coastal wetlands that are flooded and drained by salt water brought in by the tides

• they are marshy because the soil may be composed of deep mud and peat

saltwater marsh

• is made of decomposing plant matter that if often several feet thick

• is waterlogged, root-filled, and very spongy

peat

are a group of trees and shrubs that live in the coastal intertidal zone

Mangroves

what are the threats to marine environments

• illegal and unregulated fishing

• tourism and recreational activities

• global trade and shipping

• noise pollution

• climate change and ocean acidification

• overfishing and bycatch

• pollution and plastic waste

• habitat destruction

what continues to affect the state of the marine environment?

climate change continues to affect the state of the marine environment; oceans are continuing to acidify, sea levels are rising, and sea- surface temperatures continue to increase

what may impact marine species and ecosystems?

The state of the marine environment has impacts on marine species, habitats, ecosystems, and people. increases in sea-surface temperature, ocean acidification, and sea-level rise may impact marine species and ecosystems, coastal infrastructure and communities and sites of significance

what risks can pose to marine ecosystems?

Excess sediment and nutrients, plastics, and a non-indigenous introductions can pose risks to marine ecosystems. Changes to biodiversity and ecosystems have potential to influence connections to our marine environements