Name: __________________________ Class: ____________________ Date: _____________

Ocean Zones Cut and Paste Diagram

As you move deeper into the ocean, the amount of available light decreases quickly. The presence of absence of sunlight drastically impacts what life can be found in each zone. First, label each of these geographic areas of the ocean:

The intertidal zone is found between the ocean and land. It is only underwater during high tides.

The continental shelf is an area of seabed found around a larger landmass. It is shallower than the rest of the ocean.

The continental slope is a downward sloping area that leads from the continental shelf to the sea floor.

The abyssal plain is at the bottom of the continental slope. It consists of a “mud” of fallen marine snow.

The coastal zone is a shallow (green) sea found directly above the continental shelf. Kelp forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs are found here.

The open ocean is the deeper area of the ocean past the continental shelf.

The benthic zone is the ecological region at the sea floor.

Second, label each of these light zones of the ocean. Using blue colored pencils, color in each layer. The euphotic zone should be a very light blue, the dysphotic zone a medium-to-dark blue, and the aphotic zone black.

The euphotic zone (0-200m) contains a sufficient amount of sunlight to support photosynthetic organisms.

The dysphotic zone (200-1000m) has a rapid decrease in sunlight. Photosynthesis is not possible in this layer.

The aphotic zone (below 1000m) is bathed in darkness – no sunlight is present.

Add the following abiotic factors to your ecosystem:

The sun, which will provide energy to all photosynthetic producers.

Marine snow (specks of organic matter), which is found throughout the aphotic zone.

These are examples of species found in the different areas of the ocean.

Seaweed and Sea Grasses

Plants and algae colonies that photosynthesizes sunlight to

produce food.

CoralsSymbiotic relationship between

algae and coral polyps. The algae perform photosynthesis, while the polyps catch and eat zooplankton.

SpongesFilter-feed plankton and marine

snow. Permanently attached to the sea floor.

MollusksClams, oysters, and mussels.

Filter-feed on plankton brought in by the tide.

HatchetfishHave light-producing organs along

their bellies that matches faint sunlight, camouflaging them from

predators. Eat plankton.

ShrimpScavengers that will eat algae,

plankton, or marine snow.Sperm Whale

A mammal that must surface to breathe every 60-90 minutes. Hunt

squid and octopus.

Angel FishEats coral and sponges.

ZooplanktonMicroscopic organisms that

weakly swim and ingest phytoplankton or marine snow.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic organisms that freely-float in the water and perform

photosynthesis.Octopus

Predators that eat shrimp and mollusks.

Angler FishPoor eyesight. Uses a

bioluminescent lure to attract hatchet fish and shrimp to prey on.