15 4 Marine Ecosystems KEY CONCEPT Marine ecosystems

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems The ocean can be divided into zones. Simplest division: •

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems Ocean zones can be determined by their distance from shoreline

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems Intertidal zone (Seashore) • Found between high and low tide

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems Neritic zone (Coastal waters) • From edge of intertidal zone

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems Bathyal zone • Edge of neritic zone to the base

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems Abyssal zone • • Below 2000 meters Complete darkness Deep-sea

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems • The neritic zone harbors 40 X more biomass than

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems Neritic or Coastal waters contain unique habitats. • Coral reefs

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems • Kelp forests are found in cold, nutrient-rich waters. –

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15. 4 Marine Ecosystems KEY CONCEPT Marine ecosystems are global. 70% of Earth’s surface is water-covered. The oceans hold about 96. 5% of the water.

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems The ocean can be divided into zones. Simplest division: • Open Sea (Pelagic Zone) vs. Ocean Floor (Benthic) • Photic Zone -200 m (receives light) vs. Aphotic Zone (no sunlight)

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems Ocean zones can be determined by their distance from shoreline and water depths. – intertidal zone—between low and high tide (Seashore) intertidal zone – neritic zone— also called coastal sea – from intertidal zone to continental shelf – bathyal zone—from neritic zone to base of continental shelf – abyssal zone –lies below 2000 m “The Abyss” neritic zone bathyal zone abyssal zone

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems Intertidal zone (Seashore) • Found between high and low tide line • Must tolerate changing conditions- salinity, temperature, moisture levels (tide pool, spray zone) • burrowers

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems Neritic zone (Coastal waters) • From edge of intertidal zone to edge of continental shelf • From shallow to deep (few cm to 200 m) • Majority of ocean life (coral reefs) Stable environment

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems Bathyal zone • Edge of neritic zone to the base of the continental shelf • From 200 m to 2000 m • High pressure, murky water

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems Abyssal zone • • Below 2000 meters Complete darkness Deep-sea vent communities – chemosynthesis (bacteria) Bioluminescence – lantern fish, angler fish

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems • The neritic zone harbors 40 X more biomass than any other zone. • Plankton make up most of the biomass. – Zooplankton – Phytoplankton (70% of oxygen)

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems Neritic or Coastal waters contain unique habitats. • Coral reefs are found in warm waters. – tropical climate zone (warm, clear water) – Usually between 25 o N and 25 o S Latitude – great amount of biomass (1000 x more) – Coral- symbiotic relationship with algae (zooxanthellae)

15. 4 Marine Ecosystems • Kelp forests are found in cold, nutrient-rich waters. – – 100 feet tall ( grow a foot a day) large communities of seaweed great amount of biomass Harvested for foods/cosmetics