A few examples of autotrophs that live in the Pacific Ocean are algae, coral and coral reefs, kelp, phytoplankton, and seagrass.
Algae
Description: Algae are a diverse group of aquatic organisms that have the ability to conduct photosynthesis.
Niche: The niche of algae is one of the most important contributions to our environment because they generate about half of the oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere through photosynthesis. Habitat: The habitat of algae varies, as these organisms can thrive in freshwater lakes or in saltwater oceans because they can endure a wide range of acidity, carbon dioxide or oxygen concentrations, temperatures, and turbidity (Live Science). Adaptations: Algae have adapted to this environment by “varying its pigment to help it absorb sunlight” (Reference). Algae are dependent on carbon dioxide, light, nutrients, water, and other chemicals in order to make their own food through photosynthesis. |
(Live Science)
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Coral and Coral Reefs
Description: Coral, or coral reefs, are a sessile animal that rely on plant-like algae to build the largest structures of biological origin on Earth, coral reefs (NOAA).
Niche: The niche of coral and coral reefs is to provide for the “one quarter of all ocean species depending on reefs for food and shelter”, “Because they are so diverse, coral reefs are often called the rainforests of the sea” (Ocean Portal). Habitat: The habitat of coral and coral reefs is “found across the world’s ocean, in both shallow and deep water, but reef-building corals are only found in shallow tropical and subtropical waters” (Ocean Portal). Adaptations: Coral and coral reefs have adapted to this environment by developing their very own natural protection, kind of like a sunblock, called a fluorescent pigment in order to survive coral bleaching (Biodiscovery). Corals and coral reefs are dependent on carbon dioxide, light, nutrients, water, and other chemicals in order to make their own food through photosynthesis. Scientific Name: Cnidaria |
(Ocean Portal)
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Kelp
Description: "Kelp are large brown algae that live in cool, relatively shallow waters close to the shore" (NOAA).
Niche: The niche of kelp is to "provide food and shelter for thousands of fish, invertebrates, and marine mammal species" (NOAA). Habitat: The habitat of kelp "can be seen along much of the west coast of North America", "These dense canopies of algae generally occur in cold, nutrient-rich waters. Because of their dependency upon light for photosynthesis, kelp forests form in shallow open waters and are rarely found deeper than 49-131 feet" (NOAA). Adaptations: Kelp have adapted to this environment by by changing the shape of their blades to be less likely to be ripped off, blades can be wide in more calm water zones where they are less likely to be ripped off, and they can be more thin in exposed areas where they are more likely to be ripped off (Biology Online). Kelp are dependent on carbon dioxide, light, nutrients, water, and other chemicals in order to make their own food through photosynthesis. Scientific Name: Laminariales |
(NOAA)
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Phytoplankton
Description: "Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that live in watery environments, both salty and fresh" (NASA Earth Observatory).
Niche: The niche of phytoplankton is to act as the "foundation of the aquatic food web, the primary producers, feeding everything from microscopic, animal-like zooplankton to multi-ton whales" (NASA Earth Observatory). Habitat: The habitat of phytoplankton is "along coastlines and continental shelves, along the equator in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and in high-latitude areas" (NASA Earth Observatory). Adaptations: Phytoplankton have adapted to this environment by "chain[ing] together in an to increase their surface area in an attempt to extend their time at the surface" (Center for Coastal Studies). Phytoplankton are dependent on carbon dioxide, light, nutrients, water, and other chemicals in order to make their own food through photosynthesis. |
(NASA Earth Observatory)
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Seagrass
Description: Seagrass, even though it appears similar to seaweed, is actually a flowering plant that makes its own food through photosynthesis.
Niche: The niche of seaweed is to modify their environments in order to provide food and shelter for the seagrasses and other animals within their ecosystem. Habitat: The habitat of seagrass is in salty or semi-salty waters around the world, but they are typically found along protected, gently sloping coastlines. They usually live in pretty shallow waters, but some seagrass is known to live in deeper water. Adaptations: Seagrasses have adapted to this environment by developing a higher salinity tolerance in order to better thrive in saltwater. Seagrasses are dependent on carbon dioxide, light, nutrients, water, and other chemicals in order to make their own food through photosynthesis. |
(Ocean Portal)
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