MARINE ECOLOGY

Chapter 14 (& parts of 5 and 6)

Ecology definition....

Ecological Niches

Factors that control the development & distribution of life in the marine environment or Biozones:

PHYSICAL FACTORS:

light ...... vision, photic zone, photosynthesis, bioluminescence

pressure (table 14.2)

temperature

circulation .... currents / waves

CHEMICAL FACTORS:

salinity

nutrients

dissolved gases: carbon dioxide and oxygen (Chapter 5)

photosynthesis, respiration and decomposition

Atmosphere: N 2 78%, O 2 21%, CO 2 .03%

Sea Water: N 2 48%, O 2 15%, CO 2 15 %

BIOLOGICAL FACTORS:

dispersal and migration abilities

reproduction and numbers of offspring

food

predators ...... camouflage, colorings, armor, speed, poinsons , senses

GEOLOGICAL FACTORS:

substrate

slope failure

chemosynthesis

plate tectonics

PLANKTON, PRODUCTION AND LIFE

(Chapters 15 & 16)

What is plankton? phytoplankton and zooplankton

Food Web: All the feeding relationships of a community including production, consumption, decomposition and the flow of energy.

Trophic Levels and Trophic Pyramids