Marine Ecology Study Tool

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size that can be sustained by the available resources in a given environment

Competitive Exclusion

The elimination of one species by another as a result of competition

Ecological Niche

The full range of ecological characteristics of a species, like it's feeding habits, specific habitat, and reproductive strategy

Trophic Cascade

When changes in the abundance of an organism result in changes at other trophic levels of the food chain

Coevolution

The process in which one species envolves in response to another

Predation

The act of an animal, or predator, eating another organism, or prey

Competition

The interaction that results when a resource is in short supply and one organism uses the resource at the expense of another

Commensalism

The type of symbiosis in which one species obtains shelter, food, or other benefits without affecting the other, or host

Parasitism

The type of symbiosis in which one partner, the parasite, derived benefit from the other, or host

Mutualism

The type of symbiosis in which both partners benefit from the relationship

Trophic Level

Each of the steps in a food chain

Biomass

The total mass of living organisms

Detritus

Particles of dead organic matter

Nutrient Regeneration

The release of nutrients from organic matter by decomposers

Producer

A autotroph-Incorporate chemicals from the nonliving environment into organic compounds

Consumer

A heterotroph-Feed on the producers, incorporating some of the chemicals into their own bodies and releasing some back into the environment in waste productions

Decomposer

Organisms that break down dead organic matter into smaller molecules- Break down waste and dead organisms, reapplying soil, water, and air with chemicals that the producers will use to continue the cycle

Standing Stock

The total amount, or biomass, of an organism at a given time

Denitrification

Is the conversion of nitrates back into nitrogen gas (N2), completing the nitrogen cycle. This process is preformed bacteria

Ecology

The interaction between organisms and their environment

Population

All individuals of the same species living together

Community

All populations of organisms of different species living in a defined area

Habitat

The physical place where an organism lives

Intraspecific Competition

Organisms can compete with members of their own species

Interspecific Competition

Individuals of different species compete for the same resources

Herbivory

A special case of predation when organisms eat algae or plants

Mutualism

Both species benefit

Commensalism

One species benefits with no apparent effect on the other

Parasitism

One species benefits and the other is harmed

Facultative Symbiosis

If partners can live free without one another

Obligate Symbiosis

If a partner can’t survive without the other partner

Intertidal Zone

Between high and low tide, exposed at least once a day

Subtidal Zone

Below the low tide level to edge of continental shelf (shelf break), always submerged

Deep Sea

Bathyal, Abyssal, and Hadal Zones beyond shelf break

Epipelagic Zone

Is from the surface to the 100-200m; there is plenty of sunlight available to support primary production

Mesopelagic Zone

Extends from the lower limit of the epipelagic to about 1000m; there is reduced light

The Bathypelagic, Abyssopelagic, and Hadopelagic Zones

Are deep-sea zones where light does not penetrate

First Step in the Flow of Energy

Primary producers-autotrophs that make food

Second Step in the Flow of Energy

Primary consumers-heterotrophs that feed on primary producers

Third Step in the Flow of Energy

Heterotrophs that feed on the pervious level consumers

Predation

One organism benefits through recording nutrition and there is no benefit to the host or prey