Octopus lab

I learned many facts about the octopus from this lab. First there are over 300 species of octopus. Also octopi release an ink to confuse their predators from attacking them. Octopi have special skin cells called chromatophore that give them the ability to blend in with their surroundings. Because they have no skeleton they are able to squeeze themselves into tight spaces. They also have very short life spans. It could be as short as six months to five years. Finally I learned that Octopi travel through the water by jet propulsion which releases a quick flow of water and also uses a lot of energy. Or crawling along the ocean floor which does not use as much energy.
The most interesting thing I did was taking the beak out. I had no idea they had beaks that were so similar to a bird's. The most disgusting thing I did was accidental popping his brain and all the pieces of it coming out. It was AWFUL!!! What I liked best was the opportunity to dissect an animal that I most likely will never have the opportunity to touch again and get a closer understanding of marine life. There was really nothing about the lab I didn't enjoy. If I were to change anything it would probably have just been the time frame.

Guest from the Navy

Petty Officer Allen visited our class today. He is thirty-one years old married with two kids and has completed his seventh year with the Navy. Today we learned what exactly the Navy does on a regular basis. The Navy protects Americans from the enemies of the water. From submarines and ships they also can travel by aircraft. He has traveled to many areas such as Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. I also learned about the ONR or the Naval Research Laboratory. This research laboratory coordinates, executes and promotes the science and technology programs of the U.S. they also perform deep sea searches. For instance they helped Bob Ballard find the Titanic. Tsunami prediction is also a growing study of the Navy. Because of the recent natural disasters relief effort programs are increasingly growing thanks to the Navy. I will remember that submarines have zero sight when they are under the ocean. They rely solely on sonar maps and previously drawn maps of the sea floor by people in the Navy who have visited the area already.

Whale Flukes

A Whale fluke is the tail fin. It is flat and can be used to identify the whale. Flukes are used to i.d. Whales because they act as a fingerprint for the whale. If there is a a scar the whale obtains as a child it will grow with the whale and can later be identified as a mature adult even from across the world. Scientists need this data to understand whale habits, migration, and individual characteristics. The most difficult part of the lab today was identifying the flukes on a black and white small scale picture. If you were to change anything in the lab it would just be the quality of the photos. And maybe a way for us to check our identifications without you having to run all over the room.

Overfishing

Over eighty percent of all life on earth in found in the ocean. Overfishing is becoming an increasing issue to our planet. The amount caught on an average fishing trip is over three times more than necessary. When the overfishing takes place the ocean is not able to keep up and sustain life. Fish are not able to reproduce at the speed needed in order to remain a large population. Because the fish population is not able to keep up our food recourses from the ocean in depleting. The food chain is starting to die off and harshly effected. In order to prevent the spread of overfishing it is important for us to severely cut down on our fishing habits and maintain the changes even after the fish population is able to catch up.

Coral bleaching!

Coral bleaching is when they lose their zooxanthellae because of loss in pigmentation. It is dependent on a symbiotic relationship so if anything changes in their lives the zooxanthellae leaves the Coral. For instance earth's temperature rising. If the Coral can no longer supply the zooxanthellae with the necessary nutrients to perform photosynthesis the zooxanthellae will abandon the Coral causing its conditions to only worsen. Eventually leading to death. If the coral begins to die off it can no longer remain a habitat for the marine life that were living and eating off the algae on it. Coral Reef bleaching is an important topic because according to Brian Skoloff of The Christian Science Monitor, "If the reefs vanished, experts say, hunger, poverty and political instability could ensue."

Marine debris

Marine debris is causing many problems for the ocean. Most of all it is causing the death and extinction of the different animals. Six pack rings, plastic bags, plastic pellets, and bottles are often found within the stomachs of the different marine animals. The marine debris is polluting the waters and killing the ecosystem. The debris can get caught on the plants and cover them from the sun. In order to prevent the continuing spread of marine debris we need to stop dumping our trash in the ocean. Also cutting up six pack rings in order to stop them from entangling animals. And finally recycling. The great pacific garbage patch is a perfect example of what not to do. In the last 40 years it has reached the size of Texas and only continues to grow.

Little stingers of the sea

When a puffer fish feels threatened they can reach up to three times their size. The puffer fish contains tetrodotoxin which makes them taste badly and also poisonous. Tetrodotoxin is extremely lethal to humans and one puffer contains enough poison to kill thirty full grown adults. There are more than 120 known types of puffer fish and they are most frequently found in tropical areas of the ocean. They can range from one inch to two feet in size. Depending on the environment the puffer has been known to eat anything from algae to small clams. They are not on an endangered species list however hunted for a delicacy continuing in popularity called Fugu. Fugu is considered a delicacy in Asia and of the highest class. If prepared correctly the after taste of Fugu leaves the tongue tingling. However if one mistake in preparation occurs the person consuming fugu will die.

Sea grass adaptations

Sea grasses have been able to develop adaptations for the marine environment. They were once terrestrial plants but now grow best in shallow waters that are unharmed. The currents are able to carry the seeds to disperse them and created new plants. Sea grasses are able to provide food for the marine life that inhabit them. For instance detritus, bacteria and fungi all settle on the sea grass and provide a food for the fish and small creatures. Also snails, cucumbers and anemones are just a few of these animals that live on the sea grass receiving their food on the leaves. These marine organisms would also be referred to as residents because they live in the sea grass. Migrants move from reef, or mangrove to sea grass beds through out its life. By night and day in order to take turns hiding and hunting. Finally travelers are visitors that only occur every few months or a year. Dolphins, and sea turtles could be a possible example for when on their migration patterns.

Benefits of sea grasses

Sea grasses are efficient producers of energy. Because most animals can not eat the sea grasses directly they are able to eat the detritus, bacteria and fungi that settle on the sea grass. They are able to provide a community for over a hundred species of algae and marine life is able to attach itself to the plant leaves. The sea grass provides a lower covering making for a nice nursery for small animals until they are grown enough to fend for themselves. The coral reef and sea grasses also maintain a symbiotic relationship. Finally the coral reef is able to create a calm condition where the sea grass provides food and filters sediment and toxins from the water before they can come in contact with the reef.

Marine Video Issue

The Pew Marine Fellows are a group of marine biologists that are trying to protect the ocean ecosystem. Although people believe that by fish living around the coral reef they are safer that is no longer true. These marine biologists are measuring the fish abundance and fishing pattern in order to prevent over fishing. They are also measuring the climate changes and gaps in the currents. In Indonesia they have 37 million acres of protected area for fish conservation and the Pew Fellows are trying to learn more to help prevent the loss of more marine life.

http://youtu.be/LszU9JFKmhE

Pollution

The pollution and plastic found in the ocean causes many deaths to the marine animals as well as greatly harming the ocean. Entanglement is when the marine life gets wrapped into the plastic and can lead to strangulation. Ghost fishing is when the nets get lost at sea. Many plastic bags resemble jelly fish and are accidentally eaten by Sea Turtles. As well as monofilament, when the fishing line is lost. Plastic pellets are the small pieces of plastic within the ocean usually bottle caps. Many birds mistake these for eggs and carry them back to their babies who could choke on the caps.

Mangrove benefits

Mangroves are important to the environment. They provide a nursery to the different marine fish that inhabit the area. Because the roots can keep out the many bigger predators. Also they provide nutrients to the ground and help maintain the soul. The mangroves are able to filter the sediment and toxins within the water and keep them from passing. They also act as buffer zones for the communities that live in the area. Villages are not as prone to destruction from hurricanes when built behind mangroves. Finally mangroves are beneficial to the ecosystem because of the oxygen they produce as well as soil nutrients.

Red and Black Mangroves

Mangroves are considered Halophytes, or salt water tolerant. The mangrove is able to regulate the amount of salt that enter into their roots by transpiration. They are also able to grow a thick "cuticle", to help keep the salt out of the leaves.

The sea otter

Scientific Name: Enhydra lutris kenyoni
Common Name: Sea Otter
Habitat: the sea otter lives primarily in coastal shallow waters. The ocean floor is where they find their different food and then can play at the top of the waters.
Reproduction: when the female becomes pregnant it usually takes between six to eight months. Then most otters are morning in May. The female has one pup about every three to four years. The babies are then born in the water with their eyes wide open and ready to begin swimming.
Prey: sharks, humans, and killer whales often hunt the otter. Whereas the Otter hunts small crabs, mollusks and crustaceans.
Interesting facts: A sea otter reaches it's sexual maturing between the ages of three and six. Otters can dive up to 250 feet. They also are able to eat up to thirty percent of their body weight per day.
Why I chose it: I chose the otter because it is one of the friendliest creatures in the sea and they are cute.