Classification of Marine Organisms #2 Flashcards
What percent of species on Earth are marine?
13%
2 major divisions in the oceans
Pelagic environment and Benthic environment
2 zones that the pelagic environment is divided into
Neritic province and Oceanic province
Four zones in the ocean province
Epipelagic, mesopelagic, bathypelagic, and abyssopelagic
2 zones that the benthic environment is divided into
Subnertic province and suboceanic province
Euphotic zone
“well lit” area of ocean, energy to support life
Dysphotic zone
twilight zone, enough light for predators to see but not enough for rate of photosynthesis
Aphotic zone
little or no sunlight
El Nino
increased sea surface temps
La Nina
Decreased sea surface temps
Why don’t we know more about the ocean?
immense size, pressure, and inaccessibility
How many species are discovered each year?
2,000
Plankton
drifters
Nekton
swimmers
Benthos
Bottom dwellers
