Topic: Nearshore Ecosystems
In this learn assignment you will:
- Examine the variety of nearshore systems in tropical, temperate, and polar regions
- Understand the variety of environmental pressures that exist in intertidal zones
- Examine coral reefs and their biodiversity
Associated Course Competencies
CC8. Evaluate the major groups of marine life and the adaptations that help these organisms thrive in the marine environment. (III) CC11. Provide examples and characteristics of diverse and unique ecosystems from the surface through the water column and down to, and below, the seafloor. (IV) CC12. Explain how zonation patterns are caused by environmental features and influence marine organisms’ distribution and diversity. (IV) CC13. Provide examples of the interconnectedness of the various organisms in marine systems through competition, predation, and symbiosis. (IV) CC14. Describe how human activities impact the ocean, marine life, and marine ecosystems. (V)
Image Details: Intertidal zones are marine areas that are intermittently exposed to air for prolonged periods of time and deal with things such as tidal impacts and heat exposure.
Nearshore Ecosystems
Nearshore ecosystems are any marine ecosystems in the intertidal or neritic zones of ocean basins. To review these two zones please revisit the physical features of Ocean Basins learn assignment (embedded to the right for convenience). They are characterized by their relatively shallow waters, nearness to terrestial habitats, and often their unique interactions with the nutrient cycles of terrestrial environments.
We will be covering five examples of nearshore communities:
- Rocky Tidal (Intertidal Zone)
- Estuaries (Intertidal Zone)
- Mangrove Forests (Intertidal Zone)
- Kelp Forests (Neritic Zone)
- Coral Reefs (Neritic Zone)
Rocky Tidal Zones
Rocky tidal zones are regions of coasts that contain rocks or rocky ground that experience tides. Tides are the movement of water between a high tide state and a low tide state due to the moon's gravitational pool on Earth's water (see video to the right).
We classify the different tidal zones by how much time they are under water. The spray zone is never under water, but waves will cause mist to splash water on them. Organisms such as limpets and rock louse colonize spray zones. High tide zones spend the least amount of time fully submerged (since water is only present there during high tide). Chitons, marine snails, and other hardier species that have covering to protect themselves from drying out live in this zone. middle tide zone, and low tide zone
Rocky Tidal Zones
Middle tide zones are the transition area between low tide and high tide. They are under water for longer than high tide, but still have several hours each day they are exposed. Organisms that are often shelled, but more prone to drying out, such as mussels, abalone, or hermit crabs are found in this zone. This zone also supports hardier algae such as sea lettuce or rock weed. Low tide zones spend most of their time covered in water, but are exposed for a few hours each day. Organism in this region will seek shelter in pools (areas that are deeper than low tide and so hold water) or temporarily close / hide soft body parts to protect themselves from the dry conditions and terrestrial predators. Organisms such as sea anemone, sea stars, sea urchins, and many types of algae live in this zone. 📃 Wrap-Up Activity 1: The video to the right will show what different tidal zones environments look like. As you watch the video make notes on types of organisms you see, how you think they are protecting themselves from drying out, and then look up they are holding onto the rocks (despite be hit by waves regularly).
Estuaries
Estuaries are places where fresh water meet salt water. They tend to have high biodiversity and often are areas where marine birds or other organisms nest / rear young. The videos on the next slide are from the Hakai Institute for the Nature Trust of British Columbia looking at estuaries along the British Columbia coastline. They each look at a different parts of estuary biodiversity. Note: as usual, if you click on the video you can make it full screen by click f as it plays or the full screen button in the lower right corner. 📃 Wrap-Up Activity 2: As you watch the videos, make note of what some of the benefits and challenges are for organisms living in estuaries.
Estuaries Videos
Mangrove Forests
Mangrove forests are forest and shrub communities found in the intertidal zone. Like other tidal communities they need to deal with a mixture of salt and fresh water, waves, and tides. 📃 Wrap-Up Activity 3: As you watch the videos, make note of what some of the benefits and challenges are for organisms living in mangrove forests.
Kelp Forests
Kelp forests are found in cold to temperate regions of the neritic zone. These ecosystems are characterized by large brown algae, kelp, creating an "underwater forest" environment. 📃 Wrap-Up Activity 4: After you watch the video describe the relationship between kelp, otters, and urchins. Briefly research and explain what an urchin barren is (1-2 sentences).
Coral Reefs
Coral, as your recall, are cnidarians that form calcium carbonate "homes" we collectively refer to as coral reefs. They occur in tropical regions of the neritic zone. These reefs can serve as homes for many other organisms and are often one of the first things people think of when they think of marine ecosystems. 📃 Wrap-Up Activity 5: After watching the videos explain what ocean acidification is, what coral bleaching is, and what impacts it has.
Wrap-Up
Submit the 5 wrap-up activity parts to Canvas for credit. This learn assignment has an extra credit opportunity for 4 additional points. Read the article to the right looking at desert lions adapting to hunt in the intertidal zone. Then write a response to the following questions beneath your 5 wrap-up activities: 1. What behavioral or evolutionary changes might you expect to see in the marine organisms that live there should lions continue to hunt in the intertidal? 2. What adaptations might show in larger numbers of the lions if they become increasingly reliant on marine resources?
Nearshore Ecosystems
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Transcript
Topic: Nearshore Ecosystems
In this learn assignment you will:
Associated Course Competencies
CC8. Evaluate the major groups of marine life and the adaptations that help these organisms thrive in the marine environment. (III) CC11. Provide examples and characteristics of diverse and unique ecosystems from the surface through the water column and down to, and below, the seafloor. (IV) CC12. Explain how zonation patterns are caused by environmental features and influence marine organisms’ distribution and diversity. (IV) CC13. Provide examples of the interconnectedness of the various organisms in marine systems through competition, predation, and symbiosis. (IV) CC14. Describe how human activities impact the ocean, marine life, and marine ecosystems. (V)
Image Details: Intertidal zones are marine areas that are intermittently exposed to air for prolonged periods of time and deal with things such as tidal impacts and heat exposure.
Nearshore Ecosystems
Nearshore ecosystems are any marine ecosystems in the intertidal or neritic zones of ocean basins. To review these two zones please revisit the physical features of Ocean Basins learn assignment (embedded to the right for convenience). They are characterized by their relatively shallow waters, nearness to terrestial habitats, and often their unique interactions with the nutrient cycles of terrestrial environments.
We will be covering five examples of nearshore communities:
Rocky Tidal Zones
Rocky tidal zones are regions of coasts that contain rocks or rocky ground that experience tides. Tides are the movement of water between a high tide state and a low tide state due to the moon's gravitational pool on Earth's water (see video to the right).
We classify the different tidal zones by how much time they are under water. The spray zone is never under water, but waves will cause mist to splash water on them. Organisms such as limpets and rock louse colonize spray zones. High tide zones spend the least amount of time fully submerged (since water is only present there during high tide). Chitons, marine snails, and other hardier species that have covering to protect themselves from drying out live in this zone. middle tide zone, and low tide zone
Rocky Tidal Zones
Middle tide zones are the transition area between low tide and high tide. They are under water for longer than high tide, but still have several hours each day they are exposed. Organisms that are often shelled, but more prone to drying out, such as mussels, abalone, or hermit crabs are found in this zone. This zone also supports hardier algae such as sea lettuce or rock weed. Low tide zones spend most of their time covered in water, but are exposed for a few hours each day. Organism in this region will seek shelter in pools (areas that are deeper than low tide and so hold water) or temporarily close / hide soft body parts to protect themselves from the dry conditions and terrestrial predators. Organisms such as sea anemone, sea stars, sea urchins, and many types of algae live in this zone. 📃 Wrap-Up Activity 1: The video to the right will show what different tidal zones environments look like. As you watch the video make notes on types of organisms you see, how you think they are protecting themselves from drying out, and then look up they are holding onto the rocks (despite be hit by waves regularly).
Estuaries
Estuaries are places where fresh water meet salt water. They tend to have high biodiversity and often are areas where marine birds or other organisms nest / rear young. The videos on the next slide are from the Hakai Institute for the Nature Trust of British Columbia looking at estuaries along the British Columbia coastline. They each look at a different parts of estuary biodiversity. Note: as usual, if you click on the video you can make it full screen by click f as it plays or the full screen button in the lower right corner. 📃 Wrap-Up Activity 2: As you watch the videos, make note of what some of the benefits and challenges are for organisms living in estuaries.
Estuaries Videos
Mangrove Forests
Mangrove forests are forest and shrub communities found in the intertidal zone. Like other tidal communities they need to deal with a mixture of salt and fresh water, waves, and tides. 📃 Wrap-Up Activity 3: As you watch the videos, make note of what some of the benefits and challenges are for organisms living in mangrove forests.
Kelp Forests
Kelp forests are found in cold to temperate regions of the neritic zone. These ecosystems are characterized by large brown algae, kelp, creating an "underwater forest" environment. 📃 Wrap-Up Activity 4: After you watch the video describe the relationship between kelp, otters, and urchins. Briefly research and explain what an urchin barren is (1-2 sentences).
Coral Reefs
Coral, as your recall, are cnidarians that form calcium carbonate "homes" we collectively refer to as coral reefs. They occur in tropical regions of the neritic zone. These reefs can serve as homes for many other organisms and are often one of the first things people think of when they think of marine ecosystems. 📃 Wrap-Up Activity 5: After watching the videos explain what ocean acidification is, what coral bleaching is, and what impacts it has.
Wrap-Up
Submit the 5 wrap-up activity parts to Canvas for credit. This learn assignment has an extra credit opportunity for 4 additional points. Read the article to the right looking at desert lions adapting to hunt in the intertidal zone. Then write a response to the following questions beneath your 5 wrap-up activities: 1. What behavioral or evolutionary changes might you expect to see in the marine organisms that live there should lions continue to hunt in the intertidal? 2. What adaptations might show in larger numbers of the lions if they become increasingly reliant on marine resources?