100 likes | 114 Views
MARS 294 Introduction to Marine Biology. Dr. Ron Kaufmann kaufmann@sandiego.edu rkaufmann@gmail.com Shiley Center 274 (x5904) Office Hrs: Mo 1:30-3:00 Th 2:30-4:30 Fr 12:30-2:00 www.sandiego.edu/~kaufmann/mars294/mars294.html. What is Marine Biology?
E N D
MARS 294Introduction to Marine Biology • Dr. Ron Kaufmann • kaufmann@sandiego.edu • rkaufmann@gmail.com • Shiley Center 274 (x5904) • Office Hrs: Mo 1:30-3:00 Th 2:30-4:30 Fr 12:30-2:00 • www.sandiego.edu/~kaufmann/mars294/mars294.html
What is Marine Biology? • Biology of organisms inhabiting the ocean • Marine biologists study different things at different levels • Molecules Ecosystems • Related to oceanography, particularly biological oceanography • Coastal vs. Open Ocean • Shallow vs. Deep Water • Perspective: Organismal vs. Environmental • Studying marine organisms requires understanding of • Principles of evolution (esp. natural selection) • Physical/chemical environment and interactions
Ecology • “Ecology” from Greek “Oikos” (house) • Interactions among groups of organisms and between organisms and physical environment • Includes abiotic and biotic components • Physical • Chemical • Biological • Habitat – Location where organisms live • Unique combination of characteristics • Microhabitat
Physical Environment • Ocean: ~71% of earth’s surface area • Largest volume of habitat on earth • Average depth ~3700 m • Marine habitat differs from terrestrial habitat in important ways • Three-dimensional
Physical Environment • Sunlight • Quantity and quality related to physical characteristics of water • Intensity decreases with depth • Maximum penetration ~1000 m • Light penetration affects • Photosynthesis • Vision • Behavior • Spectral attenuation
Physical Environment • Temperature • Varies predictably with latitude, depth • Consistent within a region and time period • Exception: intertidal areas
Physical Environment • Temperature • Varies predictably with latitude, depth • Consistent within a region and time period • Exception: intertidal areas • Affects thermoregulation • Most marine organisms are ectotherms • Some animals are endotherms • Adaptations to retain heat • Affects species distributions • Polar • Cold temperate • Subtropical (warm temperate) • Tropical