Ocean ZonesIntertidal – closest to shore – extremely shallow – changes in salinity and temperature – exposure to air and pounding waves

A.Examplesa.Estuariesb.Mangrove Forestsc.Salt Marshesd.Sandy Shorese.Rocky Shoresf.Tide Pools

Neritic – from Intertidal to Open-Ocean – to the end of the continental shelf – sunlight and nutrients

Open-Ocean – past the continental shelf -deepest part of the ocean – very little sunlight and few nutrients

A.Examplesa.Coral Reefb.Kelp Forest

A.Three subdivisionsa.Surface Zoneb.Transition Zonec. Deep Zone

Ocean Habitats

Factors that affect ocean life are:• Amount of sunlight • Temperature

Classification/Region of the Ocean:Plankton

A.Largest group of ocean lifeB.Float at or near the top of the oceanC.Carried by waves and currentsD.Usually microscopicE. Broken down into further subdivisions:

a.Phytoplankton (plant-like) – diatoms & dinoflagellatesb.Zooplankton (animal-like) – certain types of jellyfish,

crustaceans and copepods

Nekton (Nektonic)– All life forms can swim– Can move in and out of other regions (surface to benthic)– Search for food while avoiding predators– Examples:

– All fish– Sharks, Whales, Dolphins, Rays, Eels

Benthos (Benthic)

a.Live on or rooted to the ocean floor

*** Remember that the ocean floor is the continental shelf, slope and rise. ***

b. Broken down into two subdivisions – moving or non-moving

Plants• non-moving life form• rooted to the ocean floor

Animalsa.can crawl on the ocean floorb.do NOT swimc.Examples:

-Crabs, lobsters, starfish (moving)- Oysters, clams, mussels, sea anemones, sponges (non-moving)