11:375:101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Bathyal Zone, Abyssal Zone, Life Zone
31 Oct 2018
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Document Summary
75% of planet earth is covered in water. Oceans, estuaries, coastlands, coral reefs, mangrove forests, and shorelines. Key factors that determine the distribution of organisms. Temperature, amount of dissolved oxygen, availability of food, availability of light and nutrients needed for photosynthesis. Turbidity - degree of cloudiness in water; inhibits photosynthesis. Ocean is stratified by temperature and salinity (split into layers) Phytoplankton, low nutrient levels, high levels of dissolved oxygen, upwelling bring nutrient from below. Life scarce due to lack of nutrients. Coral reefs are the world"s oldest, most diverse, and most productive ecosystems. They form in clear, warm coastal waters in tropical areas. Polyps (tiny animals) and single celled algae have a mutualistic relationship. Polyps secrete calcium carbonate shells, which turn into coral reefs. Habitat and food for to of ocean"s organisms. Inland wetlands are covered in freshwater all or part of the time. Soil runoff, climate change increasing water temps, increasing ocean acidity.
