Marine Ecology
What is Ecology?
study of the relationship of living organisms (biota) to the environment (abiotic or non-living part).
What 3 niches is energy cycles through in ecosystems?
autotroghs, heterotrophs, decomposers.
What is symbiosis?
losely associated life styles exhibited by more than half of all marine animals.
What are the negative effects of oil pollution on birds?
oil can mat marine birds’ feathers so they can’t fly, catch food or keep warm.
what are the two main types of plankton?
What are the 2 major marine habitats?
Pelagic and Benthic zone.
What are complex and integrated food chains called?
food webs.
Describe parasitism and give an example.
Parasitism (+ - ) the most common type of association where one benefits, one is fatally harmed
What are the effects of oil pollution for marine mammals?
When marine mammals ingest oil, the result is liver damage and hypothermia.
what are the two types of benthos? Briefly describe them.
epifauna - walk on the substrate ex. crabs
infauna - live in the substrate ex. worms
What are some examples of nekton?
fish, mammals, birds, reptiles
Why does the amount of energy in an ecosystem change if energy is never created or destroyed?
It can be converted into unusable forms such as heat or for an organisms’ respiration, metabolism, and predation. Not all parts of an organism have food value or provide calories. ex: bones, scales
Describe mutualism and give an example in the marine environment.
mutualism (++) both organisms benefit
sources are discharges from industry, runoff from residential and agriculture, fuels, disinfection, mining, and silt.
chemical pollution.
Explain biomagnification.
Biomagnification is a process by which organisms concentrate toxins in the exchange of energy in food webs.
List the 5 different types of individuals in the marine environment and give 1 example of each.
plankton, nekton, benthos, demersal, sessile.
the amount of energy used at each level to maintain life
Respiration
What is commensalism and give 2 examples in the marine environment.
3. Commensalism (+ o) one benefits, the other not affected
Explain what high phosphates and nitrates can do to aquatic environments.
High phosphate and nitrates cause algae blooms that block sunlight and gas exchange. Bacteria decomposing organic material further reduce oxygen levels.
_____________ supplies the Earth with over 50% (most) of our oxygen supply.
Phytoplankton
populations are 2 or more individuals of the same species who must compete for mates, food, light, and space because they occupy the same niche and habitat.
communities are 2 or more populations occupying different niches in the same habitat.
Why are shorter food chains more efficient?
As you go up the energy pyramid, or trophic levels, only 10% of that energy is carried to the next level.
What is the maximum sustainable yield, and why is this number important?
The maximum sustainable yield is the largest number of fish that can be harvested and still allow the species to continue.
What are the two main divisions of pollution? Describe them.
point sources - where the source can be identified, regulated or prosecuted
non-point - where no single entity is responsible, such as runoff from over-fertilized yards or oil stained highways and parking lots
What does the intertidal zone include?
beach, tide pools, rocky shoreline.