Marine Ecology Study Tool

The maximum population size that can be sustained by the available resources in a given environment

The elimination of one species by another as a result of competition

The full range of ecological characteristics of a species, like it's feeding habits, specific habitat, and reproductive strategy

When changes in the abundance of an organism result in changes at other trophic levels of the food chain

The process in which one species envolves in response to another

The act of an animal, or predator, eating another organism, or prey

The interaction that results when a resource is in short supply and one organism uses the resource at the expense of another

The type of symbiosis in which one species obtains shelter, food, or other benefits without affecting the other, or host

The type of symbiosis in which one partner, the parasite, derived benefit from the other, or host

The type of symbiosis in which both partners benefit from the relationship

Each of the steps in a food chain

The total mass of living organisms

Particles of dead organic matter

The release of nutrients from organic matter by decomposers

A autotroph-Incorporate chemicals from the nonliving environment into organic compounds

A heterotroph-Feed on the producers, incorporating some of the chemicals into their own bodies and releasing some back into the environment in waste productions

Organisms that break down dead organic matter into smaller molecules- Break down waste and dead organisms, reapplying soil, water, and air with chemicals that the producers will use to continue the cycle

The total amount, or biomass, of an organism at a given time

Is the conversion of nitrates back into nitrogen gas (N2), completing the nitrogen cycle. This process is preformed bacteria

The interaction between organisms and their environment

All individuals of the same species living together

All populations of organisms of different species living in a defined area

The physical place where an organism lives

Organisms can compete with members of their own species

Individuals of different species compete for the same resources

A special case of predation when organisms eat algae or plants

Both species benefit

One species benefits with no apparent effect on the other

One species benefits and the other is harmed

If partners can live free without one another

If a partner can’t survive without the other partner

Between high and low tide, exposed at least once a day

Below the low tide level to edge of continental shelf (shelf break), always submerged

Bathyal, Abyssal, and Hadal Zones beyond shelf break

Is from the surface to the 100-200m; there is plenty of sunlight available to support primary production

Extends from the lower limit of the epipelagic to about 1000m; there is reduced light

Are deep-sea zones where light does not penetrate

Primary producers-autotrophs that make food

Primary consumers-heterotrophs that feed on primary producers

Heterotrophs that feed on the pervious level consumers

One organism benefits through recording nutrition and there is no benefit to the host or prey