Biotic Factors in Marine Ecosystems

Study Notes

Biotic Factors in Marine Ecosystems

Competition: Marine organisms compete for limited resources like food, space, and mates.
- Intraspecific competition occurs between members of the same species.
- Interspecific competition occurs between different species.
- Competition significantly impacts population size and distribution, influencing community structure.
- Examples include corals competing for reef space, or fish competing for prey.
Predation: Predators hunt and consume prey, affecting prey populations.
- Predator-prey relationships are crucial for ecological balance.
- Predator absence/presence significantly alters prey abundance.
- Predator population changes (e.g., overfishing) disrupt entire food webs.
- Examples include sharks feeding on fish, and larger fish hunting smaller ones.
Symbiosis: Close interactions between species.
- Mutualism: Both species benefit (e.g., cleaner shrimp and fish).
- Commensalism: One benefits, the other is unaffected (e.g., barnacles on whales).
- Parasitism: One benefits (parasite), the other is harmed (host).
  - Examples include various worms, bacteria, and fungi.
- Symbiotic relationships shape marine communities.
Parasitism: A parasite derives nourishment from a host, often harming it.
- Parasites impact host health and survival.
- Parasitism influences host population dynamics and distribution.
- Examples include marine worms and single-celled organisms affecting fish and invertebrates.
Herbivory: Herbivores consume plants or algae.
- Herbivores affect plant abundance and distribution.
- Herbivory maintains ecosystem balance by preventing excessive plant growth.
- Examples include sea urchins grazing kelp, and sea turtles consuming seagrass.
Disease: Pathogens cause illness and death in marine organisms.
- Pollution, temperature/salinity changes influence disease outbreaks.
- Disease outbreaks can decimate populations.
- Examples include bacteria and viruses affecting shellfish and finfish.
Food Web Complexity: Interconnected trophic levels in a marine ecosystem.
- Food webs are intricate, including numerous species and trophic levels.
- Disruptions at one level impact the entire food web.
- Keystone species abundance changes significantly affect the ecosystem.
Competition for Space: Marine organisms compete for space on reefs, substrates, or burrows.
- Limited space influences distribution and abundance of organisms.
Ecological Interactions: These processes dictate species diversity and community structure in marine environments.

Implications of Understanding Biotic Factors

Conservation: Understanding biotic factors is crucial for effective conservation strategies.
Fisheries Management: Understanding trophic interactions is vital for sustainable fisheries.
Pollution Impacts: Biotic interactions help predict pollution impacts on marine ecosystems.
Climate Change Effects: Biotic factors determine how marine life reacts to environmental changes.
Ecosystem Resilience: Identifying keystone species and crucial interactions predicts ecosystem resilience under pressure.

Description

Explore the critical biotic factors influencing marine ecosystems through this quiz. Learn about competition among species and the dynamics of predation that shape the ecological balance of underwater habitats. Test your understanding of how these factors impact biodiversity and species distribution in marine environments.