What species can be found in the pelagic zone?
The pelagic zone is home to a diverse range of species, including fish like tuna and mackerel, marine mammals such as dolphins and whales, various plankton, and seabirds. It also supports larger predators like sharks and sea turtles that traverse these open waters.
What are the different zones within the pelagic zone?
The pelagic zone is divided into the neritic and oceanic zones. The neritic zone extends from the coastline to the continental shelf, while the oceanic zone encompasses the deeper waters beyond the shelf, further categorized into the epipelagic, mesopelagic, bathypelagic, abyssopelagic, and hadal zones.
What role does the pelagic zone play in the Earth's ecosystem?
The pelagic zone is crucial for Earth's ecosystem as it supports a diverse range of marine life, plays a vital role in global carbon cycling, and regulates climate by absorbing carbon dioxide. It is also a key area for nutrient distribution and oceanic food webs, supporting fisheries and biodiversity.
What are the characteristics of the pelagic zone?
The pelagic zone is characterized by open ocean waters, vast depth, and lack of significant bottom structures. It is divided into layers such as the epipelagic (sunlit), mesopelagic (twilight), and bathypelagic (dark). This zone supports diverse marine life, including fish, whales, and plankton, adapted to varying light and pressure conditions.
How does climate change affect the pelagic zone?
Climate change impacts the pelagic zone by altering temperature and ocean chemistry, leading to shifts in species distribution and productivity. Increased carbon dioxide levels cause ocean acidification, affecting marine life. Changes in currents and weather patterns may disrupt food webs and breeding cycles, further threatening biodiversity.