SALT WATER ECOSYSTEMS

OCEAN (MARINE) ECOSYSTEMS

Oceans cover more than two thirds of the earth’s surface. The ocean environment is
characterized by its high concentration of salts and minerals.

It supplies huge variety of sea-products and drugs. It also provides us iron, magnesium,
phosphorus, natural gas.

Zones of Oceans

1. Coastal zone: It is relatively warm, nutrient rich shallow water. It is the zone of high
primary productivity because of high nutrients and sunlight.

2. Open sea: It is the deeper part of the ocean. It is vertically divided into three regions.

(a) Euphotic zone: It receives abundant light and shows high photosynthetic activity.

(b) Bathyal zone: It receives dim light and is usually geologically active.

(c) Abyssal zone: It is the dark zone and is very deep (2000 to 5000 meters).

Characteristic features of Ocean Ecosystem

1. It occupies a large surface area with saline water.

2. Since ship, submarines can sail in ocean, commercial activities may be carried out.

3. It is rich in biodiversity.

4. It moderates the temperature of the earth.

Ocean (marine) Ecosystem

Trophic levels are energy or feeding levels of organisms. Producers are photosynthetic
organisms that produce food (sugar). Producers are known as autotrophs because they
produce their own food.

Producers are at the base of the biomass or energy pyramids and are at the bottom of food
chains or food webs (interconnected food chains).

 The producers of the marine environment are primarily algae, phytoplankton, and
larger plants like kelp.
 Primary consumers or herbivores are organisms that eat only autotrophs (plant
matter).
 Secondary consumers or carnivores are organisms that eat primary consumers (animal
matter).
 Tertiary consumers are the top carnivore eating secondary consumers (animal matter).

Organisms that obtain their nutrients from consuming other organisms are known as
heterotrophs.

 Omnivores are organisms that consume both plant and animal matter.

Nekton refers to free swimming marine organisms, most of which are consumers.

A predator is an organism that kills and eats another organism (plant or animal), the prey.

Scavengers feed on dead plants and animals that they have not killed.

 Decomposers are organisms (bacteria, fungi, protist) that break down organic material
into inorganic nutrients (nitrates NO3 and phosphates PO4)

Only about ten percent of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next
(producer primaryconsumer secondary consumer decomposer)

within the energy pyramid.

A few marine species absorb dissolved organic matter through diffusion as their principal
source of sustenance.

Symbiotic Relationships

Symbiosis refers to a close nutritional association between two different species

Mutualism refers to a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.

Commensalism refers to a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other
is unaffected.

Parasitismrefers to a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits to the detriment

(harm) of the other.
ESTUARINE ECOSYSTEM

Characterstics of eco system

Structure and function of Estuarine Ecosystem
I. Abiotic Components
Eg. Temperature, pH, sodium and potassium salts and various
nutrients.
II. Biotic Components
(a) Producers
Eg. Marsh grasses, seaweeds, sea grasses and phytoplankton
(b) Consumers
Eg. Oysters, crabs, seabirds, small fishes.
(c) Decomposers
Eg. Bacteria, fungi and actenomycetous.