Ecology

Yesterday we had a brief lecture on ecology. Ecology is the study of how and why organisms interact with one another and their environment. 


We learned that organisms must adapt to both biotic and abiotic factors of their communities.

    - Abiotic factors: lack of sunlight, too much sunlight, evaporation, currents, UV radiation, etc.

    - Biotic factors: fouling, parasites, predators, competition for food, etc.


Each species in a community has its own ecological niche, or special role. And population growth depends on limiting resources, like oxygen or CO2, food and nutrients, space (habitat), and physical factors. The largest population size that can be supported by the available resources is called carrying capacity. 


We also learned about the major marine environments:

    - Benthic: sessile organisms that live on the bottom

    - Pelagic: organisms that live in the water column


A gorgonian attached to a horse mussel shell in Cholla Bay.



- Kelsey


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