Marine Science Syllabus Notes

Marine Science Syllabus Overview

• Niche: The role or function of an organism within its ecosystem.

• Ecosystem: Interaction of a community with its non-living environment.

• Habitat: The specific environment where an organism lives.

• Species: A group of organisms that can interbreed.

• Population: A group of individuals of the same species in a given area.

• Community: Interactions between different populations.

Biotic and Abiotic Factors

• Biotic Factors: Living components like competition, predation, and symbiosis.

• Abiotic Factors: Non-living components like temperature, salinity, and nutrient availability.

Sampling Techniques

• Random Sampling: Data collected without bias.

• Systematic Sampling: Data collected at regular intervals.

• Mark-Release-Recapture: Estimating population size using:

  • $N = \frac{n<em>1 \times m</em>2}{m_2}$
    Where:

  • $N$ = estimated population size

  • $n_1$ = marked individuals in first sample

  • $m_2$ = marked individuals recaptured in second sample

  • $n_2$ = total individuals in second sample

Biodiversity

• Genetic Diversity: Variation in genetic characteristics.

• Species Diversity: Variety of species and relative abundance.

• Ecological Diversity: Variety of ecosystems in a region.

• Importance of Biodiversity:

  • Ecosystem stability.

  • Protection of environments (e.g., coral reefs).

  • Climate regulation (e.g., CO₂ absorption by phytoplankton).

  • Food and medicinal resources.

Tides and Ocean Currents

• Tides: Caused by alignment of Earth, Moon, and Sun.

  • Spring Tides: Maximum tidal range.

  • Neap Tides: Minimum tidal range.

• Ocean Currents: Driven by wind, temperature, and Earth's rotation.

Feeding Relationships

• Producers: Convert inorganic substances into organic (e.g., via photosynthesis).

• Consumers: Organisms that eat producers or other consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores).

• Energy Flow: Energy loss through food chains at each trophic level.

Organism Classification

• Taxonomic hierarchy: Domain > Kingdom > Phylum > Class > Order > Family > Genus > Species.

• Binomial Nomenclature: Two-part naming system for species.

• Dichotomous Keys: Tools for identifying organisms based on observable characteristics.

Key Marine Organisms

• Plankton: Microscopic organisms drifting in water currents.

  • Phytoplankton: Photosynthetic producers.

  • Zooplankton: Consumers including larvae and larger animals.

• Echinoderms: Radially symmetric with tube feet (e.g., starfish).

• Crustaceans: Have jointed legs and segmented bodies (e.g., krill).

• Bony and Cartilaginous Fish: Distinguished by skeleton type (bony or cartilaginous).