

Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Prepare for your exams
Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points to download
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Community
Ask the community for help and clear up your study doubts
Discover the best universities in your country according to Docsity users
Free resources
Download our free guides on studying techniques, anxiety management strategies, and thesis advice from Docsity tutors
An overview of the ecology (biol 250) lecture 4, focusing on life in water and the hydrologic cycle. Topics include climate, solar radiation, air circulation, the hydrologic cycle, the ocean's depths, temperature, and physical conditions. Discussions on oceanic provinces, pelagic zones, benthic zones, oceanic circulation, and shallow marine waters are also included.
Typology: Study notes
1 / 3
This page cannot be seen from the preview
Don't miss anything!
Today’s Outline
Climate - Overview Solar radiation Air circulation Life in Water Hydraulic Cycle Oceans Lakes Rivers Over 71% of the earth’s surface is covered by water:
The Hydrologic Cycle The Hydrologic Cycle
Heat Evaporation Clouds Precipitation
Atmosphere 9 days Rivers 12-20 days Oceans 3,100 years Deep Blue Sea - The Ocean
Pacific - 4,000 m Atlantic - 3,900 m Indian - 3,900 m
Marianas - 10,000 m deep Would engulf Mt. Everest with 2 km to spare.
Coast to margin of continental shelf.
Everything else. Pelagic Zone
Benthic zone
The Oceans Temperature
Rapid motion decreases density, thus warm water floats on top of cooler water.
Creates thermal stratification. Light
Very little, if any penetrates past 600 m.
Ocean - Physical Conditions Water Movements
Wind-driven surface currents across open ocean create gyres that move right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere. Deepwater currents cause upwelling. Oceanic Circulation Ocean Oxygen Changes Shallow Marine Waters Reef Categories Fringing reefs: Hug shore of continents. Barrier reefs: Stands between open sea and lagoon. Coral atolls: Coral inlets built up from submerged ocean island. Kelp Beds Structure similar to terrestrial forests. Canopy at water’s surface. Shallow Marine Waters Reefs and kelp beds both grow in surface waters with sufficient light for photosynthesis. Both limited by temperature. Currents deliver oxygen and nutrients, and remove waste products. Biological productivity may depend on flushing action. Reefs and kelp beds among most productive and diverse ecosystems. Coral reefs appear to be in decline around the world! WHY? Coral reef decline in Florida (1) Diversion of water causing an increase in salinity (2) water quality decline due to fertilizer, pesticide, and herbicide runoff. (3) increasing water temperature due to global warming. (4) perhaps some combination of factors or other unknown issue. Shallow Marine Waters