Lab Activity 8.1
Marine Habitats

  Directions

Study the instructional material below. Be sure to click on each of the photographs for an enlarged view in a separate window. The larger version is necessary to complete the assignment. It opens in a separate window which can be resized by grabbing the bottom right corner and dragging it. It can also be moved by grabbing the top heading bar and dragging it. Be sure to close the extra window by using the X in IBM, or the close box in MAC when you are finished using them.

  Introduction


Studying a wide variety of marine habitats is not only interesting but insightful. A careful examination of a few marine habitats will introduce the types of living places offered by our oceans. It will also provide a glimpse of the relationships between physical environments and the kinds of organisms they support. In this lab activity you will study the coastal habitats of Monterey Bay, California. Pay careful attention to the diversity of both the living and non-living aspects of the coastal environment.

Top  Instruction

Answer the following questions about the marine habitats of Monterey Bay, California by visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Animal Guide Web Site and searching for the answers. Click on the required "Habitat" link in the Animal Guide. Then click the links to individual organisms to gather information. For example, click "Kelp Forest", then "Giant Kelp". Prepare an answer for each of the questions listed below. You can print out the charts and fill them in or create similar charts in your notebook.

Be sure to write about what you are learning in the lab section of your notebook. You will be expected to answer questions about the lab activity during the lab self test and lab quiz. It helps to have your text and coloring books open beside you for support.

 
Supporting Information
Refer to the Assigned Readings Below:
Marine Biology Textbook none
Marine Biology Coloring Book Plates 5, 9, 10 and 11
 

Kelp Forests of Monterey Bay
Questions Answers
1. Why is kelp the king of the Kelp Forest?  
2. Which kelp forest species are photosynthetic producers?  
3. Which kelp forest species are herbivores that eat algae?  
4. Which kelp forest species are carnivores?  
5. What Kelp Forest species are on the Aquarium's "Online Field Guide"?  

Rocky Shores of Monterey Bay
Questions Answers
1. How does life obey the rule of the tides on Rocky Shores?  
2. What Rocky Shore species are on the Aquarium's "Online Field Guide"?  
3. Which of these rocky shore species eat plankton?  

Sandy Shores (Beaches & Dunes) of Monterey Bay
Questions Answers
1. What do waves do to Sandy Beaches?  
2. What Sandy Beaches and Dunes species are on the Aquarium's "Online Field Guide"?  
3. Which of these beaches and dunes species eat worms?  

Outer Bay Habitats (Open Waters) of Monterey Bay
Questions Answers
1. How is life in constant motion in the Outer Bay?  
2. What Outer Bay species are on the Aquarium's "Online Field Guide"?  
3. Which of these outer bay species is the top carnivore?  

Lab Activity 8.2 Marine Ecosystems