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Chapter 1 em 5

Marine ecosystems are saltwater environments characterized by unique biotic and abiotic factors, with coral reefs being a significant component that hosts a quarter of all ocean species. Key zones within these ecosystems include the euphotic, dysphotic, and aphotic zones, each defined by varying light availability. Various types of marine ecosystems include estuaries, salt marshes, mangrove forests, coral reefs, the open ocean, and deep-sea environments, all of which provide essential resources for life and human activities.

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17 views2 pages

Chapter 1 em 5

Marine ecosystems are saltwater environments characterized by unique biotic and abiotic factors, with coral reefs being a significant component that hosts a quarter of all ocean species. Key zones within these ecosystems include the euphotic, dysphotic, and aphotic zones, each defined by varying light availability. Various types of marine ecosystems include estuaries, salt marshes, mangrove forests, coral reefs, the open ocean, and deep-sea environments, all of which provide essential resources for life and human activities.

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Marine ecosystems are aquatic environments with high levels of dissolved salt, such as those found in or near the

ocean. Marine ecosystems are defined by their unique biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) factors.

Coral reefs are a diverse form of marine ecosystem, which in total may account for a quarter of all ocean species.
Several types of fish and coral are shown here at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Florida, United States

Sunlight is one of the most important abiotic factors for marine ecosystems. It’s so important that scientists classify
parts of marine ecosystems—up to three—by the amount of light they receive.

The topmost part of a marine ecosystem is the euphotic zone, extending down as far as 200 meters (656 feet) below the
surface. At this depth, there is sufficient light for regular photosynthetic activity.

Dysphotic zone, which can reach from 200 to as deep as 1,000 meters (656 to 3,280 feet) below the surface. At these
depths, sunlight is still available, but only enough to facilitate some photosynthesis. Below the dysphotic zone lies
the aphotic zone, which does not receive any sunlight.

Types of Marine Ecosystems

1. Estuaries

2. salt marshes

3. mangrove forests

4. coral reefs

5. the open ocean, and the deep-sea ocean.

Estuary

It is a coastal zone where oceans meet rivers. Here, nutrients and salts from the ocean mix with those from the river in
regions sheltered from extreme weather.

As a result, estuaries are among the most productive places on Earth and support many types of life. In addition,
because they are located where rivers join the ocean, estuaries have traditionally supported many human communities
and activities like fishing, shipping, and transportation.

Ex: Duyong Beach Glampsite, Pandan, Antique

Salt marshes

It occurs where oceans meet land. These places are rich in nutrients from sediment brought in by the ocean. Marshes
are regularly flooded by high tides, making the surrounding ground wet and salty. As a result, the soil is low
in oxygen and filled with decomposing matter. These ecosystems are dominated by low-growing shrubs and grasses.

Mangrove forests

It is found in tropical areas. These ecosystems frequently flood with ocean water, submerging the roots of mangrove
trees. The root systems of mangroves filter out salt and sit above ground to access oxygen. These trees provide a home
for a variety of species. Animals, such as fish, crabs, shrimp, reptiles, and amphibians, live among the mangrove’s roots
while its canopy provides a nesting site for birds.
Coral reefs

It is euphotic-zone ecosystems built from the exoskeleton secreted by coral polyps. These exoskeletons form complex
structures that shelter many different organisms. Coral reefs are extremely diverse ecosystems that host sponges,
crustaceans, mollusks, fish, turtles, sharks, dolphins, and many more creatures. By some counts, coral reefs can account
for a quarter of all ocean species.

Open ocean ecosystems

It is vary widely as the depth of the ocean changes. At the surface of the ocean, the euphotic zone,
the ecosystem receives plenty of light and oxygen, is fairly warm, and supports many photosynthetic organisms. Many of
the organisms that we associate with marine ecosystems, such as whales, dolphins, octopi, and sharks, live in the open
ocean.

Deep-sea ocean

As the depth of the ocean increases, it gets darker, colder, and with less available oxygen. Organisms living in deep-
sea ecosystems within the dysphotic and aphotic zones have unusual adaptations that help them survive in these
challenging environments. Some organisms have extremely large mouths that allow them to catch whatever nutrients
fall from shallower ocean depths. Others have adapted to get their energy via chemosynthesis of chemicals from
hydrothermal vents.

A Philippine Coastal Zone has the following major ecosystems along its shallow coastlines

• coral reefs

• seagrass beds

• coastal wetlands including mangroves

• estuaries and lagoons

Coastal resources provide much of what supports daily life:

• Food

• livelihood

• economic development

• clean water, and even the air we breathe.

The coastal zone is legally defined to extend 1 km inland from the shoreline at high tide and to seaward areas covered
within the 200-m isobath. Of the areas seaward of the low water mark, the marine waters out to 15 km are under local
government jurisdiction, while the national jurisdiction extends from 15 km from the shore up to 200 nautical miles.

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