Marine Ecology

Paper Summary:

The paper defines marine ecology as how plants and animals in a marine setting interact with the physical attributes of a water-dominated environment, such as in the major oceans of the world which are predominately saline. The paper shows how a great variety of animals and plants have managed to adapt themselves to this often harsh environment in order to survive and flourish. The paper relates that one particular adaptation is the application of camouflage, meaning that some marine animals are capable of disguising themselves in order to elude predators. The paper demonstrates how flounder, mussel, the sponge and barnacles have adapted themselves to their marine environment.

From the Paper:

"One particular adaptation is the application of camouflage, meaning that some marine animals are capable of disguising themselves in order to elude predators. A specific type of camouflage is called disruptive coloration, best illustrated by certain types of fish that are striped or spotted or have external markings or colors that blend in with the environment, making it very hard to see them when set against a sandy or rocky bottom. A prime example is the flounder, a flatfish belonging to the families of Pleuronectidae or Bothidae and well-known for its ability to conceal itself on the ocean bottom to primarily escape detection by predatory fish."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Haeffner, Paul. Exploring Marine Biology. New York; Random House, 1999.
• Reseck, John. Marine Biology. New York: Prentice-Hall, 1995.

More papers on Marine Ecology:

• Cause and Effect Essay # 120803 : "Marine Oil Spills"
• Essay # 137884 : "Environmental Studies and Ecology"
• Term Paper # 116706 : "Ecology, the oceans and medicine"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: