Studied by 0 people
Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
A system that classifies marine organisms into groups based on shared features and evolutionary relationships.
Binomial Nomenclature
A naming system for organisms that includes two parts: the genus (capitalized) and species (lowercase), both italicized or underlined.
Dichotomous Key
A tool used to identify organisms through a series of choices that lead to the correct identification based on characteristics.
Phytoplankton
Microscopic plants in the ocean that perform photosynthesis and are key producers in marine food webs.
Zooplankton
Microscopic animals in the ocean that feed on phytoplankton and are important consumers in marine ecosystems.
Keystone Species
A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment and ecosystem compared to its abundance.
Echinoderms
A phylum of marine invertebrates characterized by a hard calcium carbonate skeleton and water-filled tube feet, including starfish and sea urchins.
Macroalgae
Large, photosynthetic marine organisms, such as kelp and seaweeds, that play a crucial role as producers in marine ecosystems.
Seagrasses
Flowering plants that grow underwater in shallow marine and estuarine environments, providing habitat and food for many marine organisms.
Biodiversity
The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, often measured in terms of species richness and evenness.
Mark-Release-Recapture Method
A technique used in ecology to estimate animal populations, where animals are caught, marked, released, and then recaptured.
Simpson's Index of Diversity (D)
A formula used to calculate the biodiversity of a community, taking into account species richness and evenness.
Trophic Level
A position in a food chain or food web that signifies the role of an organism in the flow of energy and nutrients.
Abiotic Factors
Non-living physical and chemical components of an environment, such as temperature, pH, and salinity.
Biotic Factors
Living components of an environment, including interactions between organisms such as predation and competition.
Nutrient Cycling
The process by which nutrients are recycled through ecosystems, involving biogeochemical cycles such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
Habitats
The natural environment in which a species or community of organisms lives, providing necessary resources for survival.
Symbiosis
A close and long-term interaction between two different biological species, which can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful.
Autotrophs
Organisms that produce their own food using light or chemical energy, forming the base of the food chain.
Heterotrophs
Organisms that cannot produce their own food and must consume other organisms for nutrition.
Tides
The regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun.
Coral Reefs
Underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals, supporting diverse marine life and ecosystems.
Estuaries
Coastal areas where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean, creating rich ecosystems.
Ocean Acidification
The decrease in pH of the ocean due to increased carbon dioxide absorption, impacting marine life, especially calcifying organisms.
Fisheries
Areas designated for catching fish and other marine organisms, managed for sustainability and ecological health.
Primary Producers
Organisms, such as phytoplankton and macroalgae, that convert sunlight or chemical energy into organic matter, serving as the foundation of the marine food web.
Marine Food Web
A complex network of feeding relationships among marine organisms, illustrating how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem.
Pelagic Zone
The open water column of the ocean, home to a variety of organisms that live away from the ocean floor.
Benthic Zone
The ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water, including the sediment surface and sub-surface layers.
Nekton
All organisms that swim actively in open water, independent of currents, including fish, squid, and marine mammals.
Photic Zone
The upper layer of the ocean where sunlight penetrates, allowing photosynthesis to occur, typically extending to about 200 meters.
Abyssal Zone
The depths of the ocean, typically below 2000 meters, characterized by high pressure, low temperature, and darkness.
Overfishing
The depletion of fish stocks due to excessive fishing, leading to ecological imbalance and decline in marine biodiversity.
Habitat Fragmentation
The process by which larger habitats are divided into smaller, isolated patches, affecting species survival and biodiversity.
Ecological Succession
The process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time, often following a disturbance or the creation of a new habitat.
Photosynthesis
The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with carbon dioxide and water.
Nutrient Limitation
A situation where the growth of organisms is restricted by the availability of essential nutrients, such as nitrogen or phosphorus.
Coral Bleaching
A phenomenon where stressed corals expel their symbiotic algae, leading to loss of color and vital energy sources.
Ocean Circulation
The large-scale movement of waters in the ocean driven by forces such as wind, salinity differences, and the Earth's rotation.
Mangroves
Coastal ecosystems characterized by salt-tolerant trees that provide habitat for diverse marine species and protect shorelines.
Eutrophication
The enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, often leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen.
Microbial Loop
The pathway of organic matter cycling through bacteria and small protozoa in aquatic ecosystems, playing a critical role in nutrient recycling.
Biomagnification
The increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms at each successive level of the food chain.
Fisheries Management
The process of regulating fish stocks to ensure sustainable harvests while minimizing environmental impact.
Acidic Oceans
Oceans that have decreased pH levels, often due to increased absorption of carbon dioxide, affecting marine ecosystems.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Designated regions in oceans that are protected for conservation purposes, limiting human activity to preserve biodiversity.
Upwelling
The process where deep, cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface, stimulating primary productivity in marine ecosystems.
Gastropods
A class of mollusks characterized by a soft body and often a coiled shell, including snails and slugs.
Littoral Zone
The nearshore area of a body of water where sunlight penetrates and supports aquatic plant life.
Trophic Cascade
An ecological phenomenon triggered by the addition or removal of top predators, resulting in changes in the population of species at lower trophic levels.
Bioaccumulation
The process by which toxic substances accumulate in an organism faster than they can be eliminated, leading to harmful concentrations.
Parasites
Organisms that live on or in a host organism, deriving their nutrients at the host's expense and often causing harm.
Anthropogenic Impact
Environmental effects resulting from human activity, such as pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.
Salt Marshes
Coastal wetlands that are flooded and drained by salt water brought in by the tides, supporting diverse species.
Ocean Currents
Continuous, directed movements of ocean water generated by wind, water density differences, and Earth's rotation.
Nutrient Runoff
The flow of nutrients from land into waterways, often due to agricultural processes, leading to issues such as eutrophication.
Invasive Species
Non-native organisms that spread rapidly in a new environment and can disrupt local ecosystems and economies.
Coastal Erosion
The process by which coastlines are eroded due to wave action, currents, tidal forces, and human activities.
Aquaculture
The farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, mollusks, and plants, for food production.
