Podcast
Questions and Answers
What purpose do differing patterns serve in female and juvenile fish?
What purpose do differing patterns serve in female and juvenile fish?
- To attract more males
- To allow safe feeding in a male's territory (correct)
- To signal danger to predators
- To differentiate between species
Which of the following best describes the relationship between cleaner wrasses and larger fish?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between cleaner wrasses and larger fish?
- Cleaner wrasses compete with larger fish for food
- Cleaner wrasses perform useful cleaning services for larger fish (correct)
- Cleaner wrasses provide harmful parasites to larger fish
- Larger fish threaten the survival of cleaner wrasses
Which statement reflects a characteristic of venomous and poisonous animals?
Which statement reflects a characteristic of venomous and poisonous animals?
- They are equally distributed in warm and cold waters
- They are more prevalent in warmer waters (correct)
- They are only found in coral reefs
- They are more commonly found in colder regions
What defines biodiversity in an area?
What defines biodiversity in an area?
How do zooxanthellae contribute to the survival of corals?
How do zooxanthellae contribute to the survival of corals?
Which country has the highest level of biodiversity?
Which country has the highest level of biodiversity?
What is the main component of the structure of coral reefs?
What is the main component of the structure of coral reefs?
What is a 'biodiversity hotspot'?
What is a 'biodiversity hotspot'?
What temperature must surface waters maintain for coral reefs to develop?
What temperature must surface waters maintain for coral reefs to develop?
What role do clownfish play within anemones?
What role do clownfish play within anemones?
Which region has more plant species than the entire British Isles or New Zealand?
Which region has more plant species than the entire British Isles or New Zealand?
What is the growth rate of coral reefs based on past generations' skeletons?
What is the growth rate of coral reefs based on past generations' skeletons?
What is the distinction between the two oceans off South Africa’s coast?
What is the distinction between the two oceans off South Africa’s coast?
What does the term 'upwelling' refer to?
What does the term 'upwelling' refer to?
What phenomenon greatly affects the distribution of animals and plants along the shore?
What phenomenon greatly affects the distribution of animals and plants along the shore?
Which of the following is NOT a cause of tides?
Which of the following is NOT a cause of tides?
What gas is produced by anaerobic bacteria during the decay of red tide organisms?
What gas is produced by anaerobic bacteria during the decay of red tide organisms?
Why are rock lobsters particularly susceptible to oxygen depletion?
Why are rock lobsters particularly susceptible to oxygen depletion?
What occurs during a 'black tide' event?
What occurs during a 'black tide' event?
What is a consequence of calm weather following a plankton bloom?
What is a consequence of calm weather following a plankton bloom?
Mussels can remain contaminated during red tide events for approximately how long?
Mussels can remain contaminated during red tide events for approximately how long?
What must be done before consuming shellfish during a red tide event?
What must be done before consuming shellfish during a red tide event?
Which of the following is necessary for the development of red tide?
Which of the following is necessary for the development of red tide?
What detrimental effect does the decay of red tide organisms have on marine life?
What detrimental effect does the decay of red tide organisms have on marine life?
What is the primary direction of flow for the Benguela Current?
What is the primary direction of flow for the Benguela Current?
What effect does upwelling have on the temperature of the West Coast water during summer?
What effect does upwelling have on the temperature of the West Coast water during summer?
What is a consequence of the nutrient-rich water from upwelling along the West Coast?
What is a consequence of the nutrient-rich water from upwelling along the West Coast?
Which current flows southwards from the Madagascar region and carries warm water?
Which current flows southwards from the Madagascar region and carries warm water?
What role does the South Easterly wind play in the process of upwelling?
What role does the South Easterly wind play in the process of upwelling?
What is the characteristic of the Agulhas Current concerning nutrient concentration?
What is the characteristic of the Agulhas Current concerning nutrient concentration?
Which of the following statements is true about the West Coast of Southern Africa?
Which of the following statements is true about the West Coast of Southern Africa?
What phenomenon occurs when cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface?
What phenomenon occurs when cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface?
Which organisms dominate the upper balanoid zone?
Which organisms dominate the upper balanoid zone?
What is the primary characteristic of the lower balanoid zone on the west coast?
What is the primary characteristic of the lower balanoid zone on the west coast?
In which zone are red bait (sea squirts), anemones, sea urchins, and starfish predominantly found?
In which zone are red bait (sea squirts), anemones, sea urchins, and starfish predominantly found?
Which coastal zone is dominated by oysters?
Which coastal zone is dominated by oysters?
What characterizes the cochlear zone?
What characterizes the cochlear zone?
Which zone features Argenville's limpet?
Which zone features Argenville's limpet?
How are different areas of the rocky shore identified?
How are different areas of the rocky shore identified?
What characterizes the east coast in terms of organism diversity?
What characterizes the east coast in terms of organism diversity?
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Study Notes
Biodiversity
- The diversity of living organisms in an area.
- This includes the number of species, genetic variation within species, relationships between species, and their habitats.
- South Africa has the third highest level of biodiversity in the world.
- The Western Cape is a biodiversity hotspot.
Southern African Coastline Currents
- The Benguela Current flows northward along the West Coast carrying colder water.
- The Agulhas Current flows southward along the East Coast carrying warmer water from the tropics.
- These currents influence the climate and marine life.
Upwelling
- Occurs when offshore winds push surface water away from the coast.
- This allows cold, nutrient-rich water from the ocean floor to rise to the surface.
- This water fuels the growth of plankton and kelp forests.
- The West Coast is the most productive due to upwelling.
Differences Between Coastal Regions
- West Coast:
- Nutrient-rich due to upwelling.
- Cold, but colder in summer due to upwelling.
- Supports a vast number of organisms, but fewer species.
- Animals are territorial and some boast colorful patterns for protection or warning.
- High concentration of venomous animals.
- High diversity of algae and kelp forests.
- Seasonal changes in temperature influence plant and animal life.
- East Coast:
- Warmer due to Agulhas Current.
- Less nutrient-rich.
- Supports a lower number of species than the West Coast.
- More colorful animals and less diversity of algae.
Red Tide
- Occurs when there is an overgrowth of phytoplankton (algae).
- Red tide organisms produce toxins that can harm marine life and humans.
- Red tide blooms are triggered by nutrient-rich upwelling, calm weather, and ideal conditions for phytoplankton growth.
- Dangerous if consumed by humans, particularly shellfish.
- Black tide events occur when red tide organisms die and decompose, consuming oxygen and producing toxic hydrogen sulfide gas.
Tides
- Caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun.
- Spring tide: Occurs when the sun and moon are aligned, resulting in the highest high tides and lowest low tides.
- Neap tide: Occurs when the sun and moon are at right angles, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.
- Tides influence the distribution of animals and plants on rocky shores.
Rocky Shores
- Divided into zones based on tidal exposure.
- Upper Balanoid Zone: Characterized by barnacles, limpets, and some seaweed.
- Lower Balanoid Zone: Rich in fleshy seaweed (West Coast), and zoanthids, sponges, and mussels (East Coast).
- Infratidal Zone: Lowest zone, rich in sea squirts, anemones, sea urchins, starfish, and colourful seaweed.
- Other zones include the Oyster Belt (East Coast) and the Cochlear Zone (South and West Coasts).
- The distribution of organisms in each zone is determined by their tolerance to tidal exposure, competition, and the presence of predators.
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