A. Marine ecosystems and conservation

A. Marine ecosystems and conservation

A.1 Plankton as the link among all marine ecosystems

Nature of science:

• Use careful observations to explain natural phenomena.

• The idea of adding iron sulfate to the open ocean to stimulate phytoplankton and reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide may be fanciful, but it has attracted the imagination of serious scientists as a possible way to slow global warming.

Understandings:

• The morphology of planktonic diatoms, dinoflagellates and coccolithophores varies.

• Asexual and sexual reproduction in diatoms provides an example of planktonic lifecycle.

• Adaptations that phytoplankton and zooplankton possess to survive in marine ecosystems.

• Zooplankton include meroplankton and holoplankton

• Relative primary productivity varies among marine ecosystems.

• The microbial loop describes a micro-food chain that can work within or alongside a classical food chain.

• The place of krill in marine food webs.

• Lack of nutrients (especially iron) in the open ocean reduce the presence of phytoplankton

Applications and skills:

• Application: discussion of the ways in which marine plankton are the link among all marine ecosystems

• Skill: Comparing morphology of diatoms, dinoflagellates and coccolithophores

• Skill: illustrating the life cycles of one phytoplankton species and one larval planktonic species

• Application: comparing primary productivity of two marine ecosystems

A.2 Kelp forests/seagrass beds/salt marshes and mangrove forests

Nature of science:

• An understanding of science is vital when society needs to make decisions about endangering ecosystems.

Understandings:

• Plant / algae dominated ecosystems include kelp forests, seagrass beds, salt marshes and mangrove forests.

• Each of these ecosystems has distinct characteristics of temperature, salinity, light, nutrients, oxygen, substrate and energy

• Adaptations of organisms living in these ecosystems are varied; named organisms expected for each adaptation

• Shrimp farming has been a major threat to mangrove forests

• Humans have threatened plant / algae dominated ecosystems.

Applications and skills:

• Skill: exploring the importance of detritus in grass dominated ecosystems. Draw a food web to include detritivores.

• Application: study of Yad Fon in Thailand illustrates a successful response to human irresponsibility.

A.3 Sediment-covered ecosystems

Nature of science:

• Use careful observations to explain natural phenomena.

Understandings:

• Sandy shores have distinct locations and characteristics of temperature, salinity, light, nutrients, oxygen, substrate and energy

• There is a dynamic equilibrium of sandy shores in response to currents and wave action with movement of sand.

• Zonation due to tides is seen on sandy shores

• Biological adaptations to sandy shores include deposit feeding, suspension feeding and camouflage in addition to methods for burrowing; named descriptions of each adaptation.

• Mudflats have distinct locations and characteristics of temperature, salinity, light, nutrients, oxygen, substrate and energy

• Adaptations of mudflat organisms include euryoxic animals and sulphide detoxification

• Human impact on sediment-covered shores includes resource exploitation, invasive species, fish farming, coastal development and pollution

Applications and skills:

• Skill: Using a transect line to examine distribution of 3-5 organisms from the sublittoral to the supralittoral zone of a sandy beach or mudflat including meiofauna if present.

• Application: discussion of issues of fish farming, alien species and coastal development.

• Skill: Comparing the composition of substrates of mudflats and sandy shores by measuring particle size, pH, moisture content (when the tide is out), mineral content, nutrients, etc.

A.4 Threats to marine ecosystems

Nature of science:

• Scientists work to assist with reducing ecological threats by collecting information to describe problems so that measured and informed problem-solving can occur.

Understandings:

• Threats to biodiversity of oceans and health of ecosystems have natural and human affected causes.

• Climate change affects marine systems

Applications and skills:

• Skill: exploring a biodiversity/conservation problem and possible solutions in detail. Local problems are encouraged as personal involvement may occur.

A.5 Conservation and public policy

Nature of science:

• Scientists work to assist with reducing ecological threats by solving problems to improve man's stewardship of marine ecosystems.

Understandings:

• Groups of people can find answers to these threats

• Organizations at local, national and global levels each have important parts to play in the solutions.

• Science has a role to play in the solutions

Applications and skills:

• Skill: examining the issues surrounding the designation of some areas of the ocean as nature reserves, sanctuaries, no-fishing zones, or other designations intended to mitigate over-exploitation of fish stocks.

• Application: determining who is responsible for conservation of marine resources in local state, region, nation or international. Contact these people, agencies, or groups and explore how their actions impact one or more problems.