Lab Activity 8.2
Marine Ecosystems

  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


Marine scientists study coastal environments to determine how they function and how they are linked to one another. These studies can help policy makers when making management decisions about human activities in coastal ecosystems. Although ecosystem function is often complex, a basic analysis of the physical and biological nature of the coastal zone can often be very useful. In this lab activity you will examine the coastal ecosystem of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Pay careful attention to the relationships between the living and non-living aspects of the coastal environment. Consider how the basic information you will review is useful for those charged with protecting this ecosystem.

Top  Instruction

Answer the following questions about marine ecosystems by visiting the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Site Characterization Web Site and searching for the answers. 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 and 11
 

Physical Setting-Geology
Questions Answers
1. How does the physical setting of the Nortern, Central and Southern Sections of the site differ geologically?  

 

Physical Setting-Physical Oceanography
Questions Answers
1. Briefly describe the temperature and salinity of the water masses at the site.  
2. When does upwelling occur in Monterey Bay and what effects does it have?  
3. What is the diurnal tidal range in Monterey Bay?  

 

Biological Communities
Questions Answers
1. What macrofaunal species dominate the various zones of the Sandy Beaches?  
2. What macrofaunal species dominate the various zones of the Rocky Intertidal Habitats?  
3. What macrofaunal species dominate the Kelp Forests and Rocky Subtidal Habitats?  

 

Species Lists
Questions Answers
1. What is the total number of macrofauna (invertebrate) species identified from Sandy Beaches in this study?  
2. What is the total number of animal (invertebrate) species identified from Rocky Intertidal Habitats in this study (combine all zones but don't double count duplications)?  
3. What is the total number of plant (algae) species identified from Rocky Intertidal Habitats in this study (combine all zones but don't double count duplications)?  
4. What is the total number of invertebrate (animal) species identified from Kelp Forest and Rocky Subtidal Habitats in this study (combine all zones but don't double count duplications)?  
5. What is the total number of algae (plants) species identified from Kelp Forest and Rocky Subtidal Habitats in this study (combine all zones but don't double count duplications)?  
6. Which of the three types of habitats had the largest number of invertebrate species and which had the smallest?  
7. Which of the three types of habitats had the largest number of algal species and which had the smallest?  

Lab Activity 8.3 Marine Symbiosis