Ocean Ecosystems
This warm, shallow ecosystem is home to coral, algae, and colorful fish.
What is a coral reef?
This zone receives the most sunlight and contains the most producers.
What is the sunlight (euphotic) zone?
These organisms make their own food using sunlight.
What are producers?
Dolphins can dive longer than humans because they can slow this vital organ’s rate.
What is the heart?
Scientists who study ocean life are called this.
What are marine biologists?
This ecosystem is made of giant underwater algae that provide habitat for sea lions and otters.
What is a kelp forest?
Bioluminescent animals like lanternfish thrive in this dimly lit zone.
What is the twilight (dysphotic) zone?
Krill eating algae is an example of this type of consumer.
What is a primary consumer?
This adaptation allows some deep-sea animals to produce their own light.
What is bioluminescence?
Marine biologists do this type of work but do not make laws.
What is collecting information or studying marine organisms?
This type of water found in estuaries is a mix of fresh water and salt water.
What is brackish water?
The anglerfish uses a glowing lure to hunt in this completely dark zone.
What is the midnight (aphotic) zone?
The energy in a food web originally comes from this source.
What is the sun?
Sea urchins protect themselves with these sharp body parts.
What are spines?
This swirling system of ocean currents can trap plastic and other debris.
What is a gyre?
Mangrove forests protect coastlines because their roots help slow this process.
What is erosion?
Hydrothermal vents are found in this deep zone where chemosynthesis occurs.
What is the abyssal zone?
Organisms like bacteria that break down dead plants and animals are called this.
What are decomposers?
This plant in estuaries survives changing tides because its leaves and roots grow both above and below water.
What is spatterdock?
Plastic harms producers because it blocks this essential resource.
What is sunlight?
This ecosystem contains the largest variety of organisms and includes sharks, whales, and plankton.
What is the open ocean?
This deepest zone includes the Mariana Trench.
What is the hadal zone?
This fish is a quaternary consumer and an apex predator in the ocean food web.
What is a great white shark?
Lanternfish use bioluminescence to blend in with light from above, a strategy known as this.
What is counter-illumination?
Remoras help sharks by eating dead skin and parasites in a partnership known as this.
What is symbiosis?