Introduction 1.1 background information Seagrass is on the decline around the world and it is a key vital marine ecosystem found in shallow water mainly distributed throughout tropical seas, from a temperature of 4oC to 24oC. They are the only angiosperm to be able to survive in aquatic conditions providing support and shelter for vast amounts of species. Are marine aquatic plant and is a key species in coastal areas found all over the world, although there is not a huge variety of species, there
neighboring systems. The study conducted by Heck focused exclusively on seagrass ecosystems and their interconnectedness with nearby and distant habitats. The researchers investigated biomass exchanges that occur through both passive and active means. Consumers accomplish active transport as they directly transport biomass into and out of seagrass meadows. Passive transport of seagrass biomass is associated with roots, rhizomes and seagrass detritus that’s is carried out of the system by currents and waves
Introduction Seagrass is on the decline around the world and it is an extremely vital marine ecosystem found in shallow water mainly distributed throughout tropical seas, from a temperature around 4oC to 24oC (Green and Short 2003). They are the only true flowering plant (angiosperm) to live in aquatic conditions providing support and shelter for vast amounts of species (Orth et al. 2006; Jackson et al. 2001). They are a marine aquatic plant and a keystone species for many coastal areas found all
The relation between the decline in population size of seagrass and the Atlantic cod Synopsis Atlantic cod has played and continues to play an important role in human society; however, the species’ survival is dependent upon the maintenance of seagrass. A main issue related to the massive decline in this species is attributed to the disappearance of large areas of Zostera marina (Z. marina) seagrass (30 000 km2 in twenty years). The meadow provides an abundance of nutrients annually and contributes
Challenges and Opportunities Regulatory Challenges The expansion of shellfish and seagrass farming faces significant regulatory challenges, particularly concerning environmental compliance and permitting processes. Regulatory frameworks for aquaculture are often complex and multifaceted, involving local, state, and federal agencies with differing mandates and priorities. Farmers must navigate a web of regulations that govern everything from water quality standards and habitat protection to the use
ecosystem has unique and diverse plant and animal life. In Puerto Rico, you can find either several of an ecosystem or one. For example, there is one tropical dry forest (Guanica Dry Forest), one tropical rainforest (El Yunque), several coral reefs and seagrass and around four mangrove forests. All of the ecosystems within Puerto Rico are fairly warm considering Puerto Rico’s latitude. The coolest place on the entire island is Cordillera Central, the major mountain range of Puerto Rico. All of the ecosystems
marine species and improve coastal water quality by abiotic and biotic retention. It is an important habitat that buffers the shoreward ecosystem and protects the organisms that lives on coastline. Mangroves supply nutrients to the coral reefs and seagrass communities and have great economical value whether is direct or
protection until big enough to survive in the open ocean. Large healthy seagrass beds provide hiding places and food for many of the animals living on the reef. Protected by a chain of islands or keys off shore and the mainland to the west, the bay is one of the most productive ecosystems in the park. It is comprised of four different ecosystems; the two major ecosystems are beneath the bay 's clear waters: hardbottom and seagrass. The
In response to Bas C. Van Fraassen’s argument for constructive empiricism, Alan Musgrave wrote an essay entitled, Realism versus Constructive Empiricism, as an argument for realism. In our essay we are attempting to rebut some of the arguments Van Fraassen’s makes as well demonstrate the importance of accepting scientific theories as a form of truth regardless of their overall Truth value by utilizing some of Musgrave’s arguments. We will do this by comparing the results of several studies recently
an environment to function properly.Tiger sharks are a keen example of a keystone species. “These sharks will eat practically anything. This helps control populations of sea turtles and dugongs who may cause overgrazing of the seagrass in Western Australia. Since seagrass is where fish lay their eggs, overgrazing would lead to fewer fish.” This represents just how important one organism is to the whole circle of life and how it’s presence can greatly affect the whole
Marine Pollution The key to reducing and eventually eliminating marine pollution is for everyone to be aware of the detrimental types of marine pollution, which are nutrient loading and sedimentation, sewage and human non degradable waste, and petroleum Nutrient loading and sedimentation are two types of marine pollution that are quite similar. Nutrient loading is caused by the runoff of agricultural land and urban areas. The runoff from the agricultural lands are fertilizers, pesticides, and other
Shark finning should not be allowed since poachers are throwing away shark carcases back into the ocean wasting away the majority of meat and only keeping the fins making the shark population decline rapidly, it is also inhumane to kill any animal in such a manner, and the loss of sharks are destroying ecosystem. I completely disagree with the waste of sharks and the idea of killing mass populations of sharks for just fins, the results are more severe than one would think since other populations
There are numerous management plans in place for the upkeep and sustenance of the Biscayne Bay. The execution of these management strategies is undertaken by various agencies and groups. These plans are created through research and obtaining a full understanding on the issues at hand and how they must be addressed to prevent further problems. The main concerns that are managed relate to the biodiversity, water quality, the declining health and sustainability of ecosystems and the organisms and also
released by the blooms pass through the gills of fish and lead to death by respiratory failure (Flaherty & Landsberg, 2011). Plankton, seagrass, and fish are not the only marine life affected by the toxic blooms. Larger animals, such as the Florida manatee, are harmed by these algae blooms. Manatees succumb to toxic poisoning from the algae blooms by ingesting seagrass that has been polluted with neurotoxins (Edwards, 2013). Also, coastal birds that feed on fish in algae bloom infested waters are exposed
Our Earth consists of many of many different components, such as land, animals, air, etc. and lately a lot of our attention has been brought to pollution and the state in which our Earth and atmosphere is in. Our ocean covers seventy one percent of the earth’s total surface area and plays a major role in our Earth’s atmosphere. (Hoegh-Guldberg, 2010) Acidification has been one of the many components that has been leading to the destruction of our surrounding oceans. (Doney, 2008) Due to the overload
power plants, where occasionally a manatee has gotten stuck and rescue efforts have been made. Residential and commercial development along rivers and waterways has also affected the manatee population. Habitat destruction has damaged the estuarine seagrass communities on which manatees depend (Kasnoff, C. 2016 and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 1999-2016). The manatee is a large, bulky aquatic mammal with flippered forelimbs and a spatula-shaped tail. Manatees can grow to 12 feet
dwarf seahorse faces an uncertain future. It is threatened by habitat loss (Biological Diversity). It is the slowest fish on earth with a speed of five feet per hour (Guinness World Records). It spends most of its time using its tail to cling to seagrass and catch tiny plankton. They are found mostly found in the Florida Keys, Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Gulf of Mexico (Monterey Bay Aquarium). The female generally has reproductive maturity at 118 days. Dwarf seahorses get to know each other before
functioning (Vitousek et al. 1997, Duarte 2002, Lozte et al. 2006 and Airoldi & Beck 2007). Alteration of natural landscapes can result in loss of entire habitats or transition of more complex to less complex habitats, for example shellfish reefs or seagrass beds to mud flats (Short and Wyllie-Echeverria 1996, Hughes et al. 2002, Ruesink et al. 2005, Thrush et al. 2006). Alterations in habitat can generate unsuitable habitat between isolated patches of contiguous habitat (MacArthur & Wilson 1967, Hanski
and foraging by sunrise, and usually are resting by mid- day. They are a threatene... ... middle of paper ... ...w after the fur trade it's taken them about 200 years to slowly repopulate. They are one of the most diverse species and lucky for Seagrass and kelp habitats, sea otters have been making a big comeback. Cambria California has and will continue helping sea otters. Also, the Canbria SMCA will continue so. And the biggest help of all is the Endangered Species Act. They and the Sea Otter
Lit Review Sharks are some of the most feared predators by humans and of course my favorite animal. Their numbers are becoming dangerously close to extinction. The elimination of sharks would affect our entire ecosystem in ways we cannot even fathom. The biggest cause for the decline in shark population is shark fishing. Shark fishing is “the practice of cutting of the shark’s fins and throwing the still living shark back into the sea to die.” (Kettles) My goal is to explain how shark finning, which