Salt Water Biome

Salt Water Biome

By: Amanda Kocot, Chloe Edmundson, Jenna Steiner, and Laurel Fay

Introduction to the Biome

The salt water biome consists of the following parts: *Coastal Waters*Near shore zones*Coral reefs*Open oceans *Deep oceans http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=B30450C0-AD4D-4FAA-A2C5-1375E8E59EB1&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

Coastal Waters

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Climate in Coastal Waters

• The temperatures of the water in this part of the salt water biome vary depending on season and geographical locationo Water temp in Portland, ME in Sept. averages 57o F; temp of

the water in Bermuda in Sept. averages 80o F• Biodiversity must adapt to the constant changing temperatures so

boidiversity in coastal waters of Maine = different from the biodiversity in coastal waters of Bermuda

• Coastal waters - shallow enough for sunlight to penetrateo Reaches algae and other organisms beneath water's surface

Bodiversity in Coastal Waters

• Coastal waters normally contain the following organismso Algaeo Scallopso Crabso Barnacleso Sea anemonies

• Must be able to function with rising and falling tideso Exposed to water, air, sunlight, other organisms, etc

• Exposure to sun - plants (algae) beneath water's surface can photosynthesize, create their own food

Human Effects on the Biome• Urban runoff or inorganic pollution• Organic pollution from pesticides • Direct action (ie: littering, dumping waste into the water) • CASE STUDY:

o In New Mexico, nutrient runoff from farms etc causing an overgrowth of algae in Gulf of Mexico. Algae is feeding on the nutrients that come from the runoff and it is overtaking the area, similar to an invasive species. This is making it extra difficult for other organisms to survive.

Coral Reef Biomes


Diversity of Coral Reefs• Polyps and Zooxanthellae = foundation of coral reefs• Coral Reefs are food and home to many organisms• Support more than 800 coral species and over 4000 species of fish• There may be another 1 to 9 million undiscovered species living in

and around coral reefs• Harbor more than 1/4 of the ocean's biodiversity• "Rainforests of the Seas"

Climates of Coral Reefs• Coral Reefs are found in tropical and sub-tropical areas• Need salt water to survive• They are found in clear, shallow water • Coral reefs thrive in waters at 65 to 85 degrees F

Human Impact on the Biome• Vulnerable to damage • The "Coral Reef Crisis" is caused by human activites and climate

stress• 20% of coral reefs have been lost to coastal development,

overfishing, pollution, and increase in temperature• Another 30% of coral reefs are in danger within the next 20-40

years • Coral Bleaching

o Increased runoff and silt preventing photosynthesiso Coral reefs turn whiteo Can be triggered by even a 1 degree C change

Near Shore Zone


Near Shore Zone: Continental Shelf

• Most fertile areas of the oceans. • High amounts of sunlight = high plankton levels

o perfect for consumers and secondary consumers.• Most diverse and abundant salt water communities

Near Shore Zone: Estuaries

• Estuary: the thin zone along a coastline (such as bays, lagoons, and sounds) where freshwater systems mix with a salty ocean, becoming brackish

• Five major types of estuaries: coastal plain, bar-built, delta system, tectonic, and fjords

• Unique and very valuable to enviroment

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Why are Estuaries Important?• Each estuary can make up an individual ecosystem

o they are extremely interconnected with surrounding environments

• Some animals and plants specialize in, or adapt to, living with the unique characteristics of estuaries

• Rich in nutrients• Buffers - protect upland areas from crashing waves and storms,

prevent soil erosion• Soak up excess water from floods and stormy tidal surges driven

into shore from strong winds• "Nursery of the Ocean"

Human Effects on the Near Shore Zone

• Overfishing• Pollution leads to habitat loss• Hypoxia: low oxygen levels

o Fertilizers put excess nutrients into the water --> large spike in plant growth. Plant levels cannot be controlled by consumers, the plants use up too much oxygen.

Open Ocean and Deep Ocean Biome

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Open Ocean

• Most life is found in Photic Zone (photosynthesis possible)• International waters - unregulated! Overfishing common and

extremely harmful and dangerous• Many types of swimmers (whales, sharks, fish)• Some fish swim in schools (herring), others swim alone• Other ways of moving - propulsion, etc• Fish and other animals swim in pods or schools - hunt together,

mate with each other, migrate togethero highly developed bodies - streamlinedo very fast swimmerso camouflage (countershading on dolphins, sharks)

Deep Ocean• Divided into zones

o Sunlight Zone - sunlight can penetrate surface

o Twilight Zone - light during day but deeper is perpetually dark

o Abyssal Plain - 3.5 - 4km, sea bed flattens out; largest habitat on Earth! Covers half the ocean floor

o Trenches - hardly any organisms live here - only bacteria

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Deep Ocean Adaptions

• Difficulties Faced:o Darkness

Larger eyes, bioluminescence, no photosynthesis so must scavenge

o Pressure bodies mostly liquid, some have gas-filled buoyancy bladders

to floato Finding Food

Scavengers, large mouths, expandable stomachs, can live off of larger dead animal carcasses

o Temperature Cold water! (tropical deep = 4 degrees C) Must be able to

retain heat

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Human Impact: Deep Ocean / Open Ocean• Oil Spills!

o currents carry oil far awayo not cleaned up b/c not localized

• Pollution: currents carry into open ocean; harmful to organisms and oceanic chemistry

• climate change (overall increase in water temperature)• Pacific Trash Vortex!!!!

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Works Cited• http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Water/life_pelagic.html• http://nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/earth/oceans/deep-ocean-life/ocean-facts/index.html• http://coralreef.noaa.gov/• http://www.pewclimate.org/docUploads/Coral_Reefs.pdf• http://www.untamedscience.com/biology/world-biomes/coral-reefs-biome• http://mairamar1992.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/coral_reef1.jpg• http://www.nwf.org/~/media/Content/National%20Wildlife%20Magazine%20Layouts/2

007/Coral_(coral Reefs_JJ07_01.ashx?w=534&h=350&as=1

• http://www.treehugger.com/20091020-coral-reef.jpg• http://www.nwf.org/~/media/Content/National%20Wildlife%20Magazine%20Layouts/2

007/Coral_(coral Reefs_JJ07_01.ashx?w=534&h=350&as=1

• http://www.estuaries.gov/ • http://geology1a-1.wikispaces.com/file/view/continental_shelf.gif• http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/jmjaeger/estuaries.htm• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709140820.htm• http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=09582137610• http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=B30450C0-AD4D-4FAA-

A2C5-1375E8E59EB1&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US• http://www.weather.com/activities/recreation/boatandbeach/coastal/cstlwt• http://www.pcrf.org/reef%20poster.jpg

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Salt Water Biome