Tide Pools, Kelp Forest & Red Tides, ETC

What are the three classifications of marine organisms?

1.Plankton (Floaters/drifters)

2.Nekton (Swimmers)

3.Benthos (Bottom-dweller)

Describe phytoplankton and give examples.

-Autotrophic - photosynthesize and produce own food, including coccolithophores, diatoms, dinoflagellates

Describe zooplankton and give examples.

-Heterotrophic - relies on food produced by others and this includes foraminifers, radiolarians, copepod and larvae

What are nekton?

-Independent swimmers

-Most adult fish and squid

-marine mammals

-Marine reptiles

Describe the three types of benthos.

a.Nektobenthos (organisms that scurry around on the seafloor)

b.Epifauna (Organisms attached to the sea floor)

c. Infauna (Organisms that bury down into the seafloor, while coming out to feed)

What do red tides consist of?

“bloom” of phytoplankton (dinoflagellates or diatoms)

What makes some red tides toxic?

Diatoms produce domoic acid, resulting in amensia shellfish poisoning

Dinoflagellates produce a toxin, resulting in paralytic shellfish poisoning

What causes glowing blue seawater and explain how it occurs?

Bioluminescence cause by Dinoflagellates and it occurs by a chemical reaction producing a light, usually by being affected by mechanical stimulation by boats, waves or swimming fish

List the characteristics of tide pools.

-Occur along rocky shores

-Very diverse organisms

-Much food available

-Many small hiding places

-Rise & fall of tide

-Natural Problems : wave shock and extreme temperature change

Name the intertidal zones.

1.Spray Zone

2.Upper / High Intertidal Zone

3.Middle Intertidal Zone

4.Low Intertidal Zone

What are the six environmental issues for tide pools mentioned in the recording?

Pollution, Coastal Runoff, Climate Change, Sea Level Rise, Trampling feet and illegal collecting

What is the nickname for kelp forests?

‘Rainforest of the Sea’

Describe the various parts of the kelp structure.

-Stipes (stem) and blades (leaves) supported by pneumatocysts (gas bladder)

Attaches to rocky bottom with strong holdfast

What is urchin barren and what causes it?

Barren sea floor caused by sea urchin eating the holdfast & decimating kelp forest

Caused by over harvesting of sea urchin predators (Sea stars, Lobsters & Sea Otters).

What is the importance of kelp as described in the recording?

Increases the productivity, Provides Habitats, Slows down the water, natural breakwaters