Marine Ecology

Sea Otter Heroes: The Predators That Saved an Ecosystem

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Copies: 6

In Elkhorn Slough, an inlet on the California coast, seagrass grows healthy and strong in the shallow water, providing homes for fish, preventing erosion, and trapping carbon from the environment.

This healthy seagrass baffled marine biologist Brent Hughes. Water in the slough is chock-full of nutrients from fertilizer runoff on nearby farms. Normally, nutrient-polluted water supports huge population of algae that block sunlight from reaching the seagrass, and the seagrass dies. Why has the slough's seagrass thriving?

Author:

Patricia Newman

Lexile:

1060L

Sea Otter Heroes: The Predators That Saved an Ecosystem

TED Talks: Jackie Savitz: Save the Oceans, Feed the World!

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What's a marine biologist doing talking about world hunger? Well, says Jackie Savitz, fixing the world's oceans might just help to feed the planet's billion hungriest people. In an eye-opening talk, Savitz tells us what's really going on in our global fisheries right now - it's not good - and offers smart suggestions of how we can help them heal, while making more food for all.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxMidAtlantic 2013, an independent event. TED editors featured it among their selections on their home page.

Kuruwitu: Between a Rock and a Hard Place (2011)

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A traditional fishing community on Kenya's coast declares a no-fishing zone along their stretch of coastline in an effort to halt the total destruction of their marine resources, to bolster fish numbers and to create opportunities for marine tourism.

Grade Level:

Middle

High

Length:

01:00

Kuruwitu: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

The End of the Line: Where have all the fish gone? (2009)

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Humans have long regarded the world's oceans as vast and inexhaustible. Now, we have learned otherwise.

Grade Level:

High

Length:

2009

The End of the Line: Where have all the fish gone?

The Last Ocean: The Toothfish and the Battle for Antarctica's Soul (2012)

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The Ross Sea, Antarctica is the most pristine marine ecosystem on Earth. Scientists describe it as a 'living laboratory', a place that can teach us about the workings of all marine ecosystems. But the fishing industry recently found its way to the Ross Sea, targeting Antarctic toothfish and, unless fishing is stopped, the natural balance of the Ross Sea will be lost forever.

Grade Level:

Middle

High

Length:

01:27

The Last Ocean: The Toothfish and the Battle for Antarctica's Soul

Planet Ocean (2012)

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Planet Ocean captures extraordinary images of our remarkable oceans—the source of all life on our planet.

Filmed by directors Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot, along with an outstanding team of international underwater cinematographers in partnership with OMEGA and with the scientific support of Tara Expeditions.

Grade Level:

Middle

Length:

01:33

Marine Ecosystems (2001, 2003)

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Students will explore saltwater environments -- from shorelines to coral reefs -- and learn about the fish, plants, mammals and insects that depend on each other for survival in this aquatic biome. Examine concepts such as salinity and currents, and find out about the three major life zones found in ocean waters.

Grade Level:

Elementary

Middle

Length:

00:23