By Katie and Trevor.
Biotic Factors in the
Ocean:
Producers, consumers and decomposers are often referred to
as the
biotic components in an ecosystem.
One example of a
biotic factor would be
a fish eating his prey.
Producers are so important in the food chain because they
affect all the other organism (either directly or indirectly)
because they are the primary source of energy in the food
chain. Producers have the ability to make their own food,
which means they don’t rely on other organisms for food.
Consumers are heterotrophic - they depend on
others for food and energy.
Sharks would be tertiary
consumers because they are at
the top of the food chain.
Decomposers are really important in marine
ecosystems because they break down the dead,
decaying matter (detritus) and turn it into
nutrients that can help the other organisms.
Examples of decomposers in the ocean: certain types of bacteria, sea slugs, and sea
worms.
There are many species of organisms in the ocean, each and every one of them has many
adaptations that help them survive in their environment.
Deep Ocean Adaptations
Light:
Pressure:
There is barely any visible
light, the only light is
produced by
bioluminescence, a
chemical reaction in the
animal’s body which causes
a low light level.
Most often there light are
blue or green but some have
red to lure in prey.
some can use there lights in
bioluminescence patterns to
find mates.
Deep sea creatures have adapted to pressure by developing
bodies with no excess cavities, such as swim bladders, that
would collapse under intense pressure.
Temperature: The temperature between the surface and the deep ocean is dramatic.
Temperatures vary more in the waters above the benthic zone where thermo clines, or the
separation of water layers of differing temperatures, are more common. In most parts of the
deep sea, the water temperature stay the same. With the exception of hydrothermal vent
spots where hot water is shot up into the cold waters, the deep sea temperature remains
between 2-4 degrees.
Many ocean organisms have to deal with several problems but an
interesting one is “how do they breathe under water”?
Fish and other organisms take in oxygen through their gills and skin.
Marine mammals need to come up to the surface for air, which is why whales have
blowholes like nostrils on the top of there heads, so they can come up for air then
dive back under and not have to breathe again for another hour or even longer.
Exchanging up to 90% of their lung capacity with every breath., they also store a
great amount of oxygen in they blood and muscles when diving, so the deep ocean
pressure collapses there lungs but they can still breath because the oxygen in the
muscles last longer.
Water Pressure Adaptio
There are all sorts of
organisms that can live
under high water
pressure.
The reason they can
survive such pressure is
because of and adaptation
to let their lungs collapse
under the high pressure,
keeping a small amount of
oxygen in their lungs, and
storing the rest in their
muscle tissues (which have
a higher concentration of
oxygen cells).
The leatherback sea turtle can dive to over 3,000 feet.
Its collapsible lungs and flexible shell help it withstand
the high water pressure.
Individual Adaptations:
Beluga Whale
Clown Fish
Crab
Seahorse
The clown fish has a lot of adaptations
that help it survive in the ocean.
The Beluga Whale is very unique:
• Beluga whales are adapted to be
manoeuvrable swimmers, rather
than fast swimmers.
• They have specific adaptations for
saving oxygen while diving in deep
water:
1)
2)
3)
Their heart rate slows down in a dive.
Blood is directed to places that rely on
oxygen the most (heart, etc) during a
dive.
Their muscles have a high concentration
of oxygen to keep them going.
•
They breathe through a blowhole
(like other whales).
•
There is only one side of the brain
that rests so the whale will always
be alert.
The crab has a very hard shell and it has many jobs
to do. It protects the him from predators, keeps his
body moist, and prevents him from being crushed
by the waves. The crab’s shell is a physical
adaptation.
The Seahorse:
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