BIOL 228 Quiz: Marine Ecosystems
Document Summary
Found in waters between 10 to 20 degrees celsius. Kelp forests off the west and east coast of canada. Thrive in low nutrient environments rapid cycling. Can get very large 3d structure in an ecosystem. Kelp have hold fasters than hold them in place during incredible turbulence. Problem with growing kelp on the west coast otters. Increases in sea urchins no otters to eat them; sea urchins cause decline in kelp pop. Coral reefs require infrequent disturbance to remain species diverse. Intermediate disturbance hypothesis optimal amount of disturbance in the middle of the curve. Zooxanthellae photosynthetic dinoflagellates that form symbiotic (parasitic?) relationship with reef forming corals. Coral provides mineralized nutrients to dinoflagellate; coral suppresses reproduction in the dinoflagellates. 90% of the energy needs of hard corals may be met by the zooxanthellae. Corals consist of many feeding polyps and dinoflagellates are found in the polyps. Up to 30,000 dinoflagellates can be found per mm3 in the polyp.
