Alaska Marine Province Quiz
Cold, nutrient-rich waters and productivity (10 questions).
Alaska Marine Province Quiz: Quick Study Notes
The Alaska Marine Province is a global hotspot for marine biodiversity and productivity, driven by a unique interplay of cold temperatures and abundant nutrients. This region, encompassing vast stretches of the North Pacific Ocean, including the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea, supports critical fisheries, iconic wildlife, and complex ecosystems. Its characteristic cold, nutrient-rich waters fuel an incredibly productive food web, making it vital for both ecological balance and economic sustainability.
Key Characteristics
Influenced by Arctic influx and deep-sea currents. Optimal for dissolved gas solubility (Oxygen, CO2).
Sustained by powerful coastal upwelling and major ocean currents like the Alaska Current.
Fuels massive phytoplankton blooms, forming the base of a robust marine food web.
Supports dense populations of fish (salmon, cod), marine mammals (whales, seals), and seabirds.
Key Takeaways
- The Alaska Marine Province is characterized by consistently cold ocean temperatures.
- Nutrient upwelling, especially in the Gulf of Alaska, brings vital nitrates, phosphates, and silicates to surface waters.
- These conditions create ideal environments for vast phytoplankton blooms, initiating high primary productivity.
- The region’s high productivity underpins commercially valuable fisheries, particularly salmon and cod.
- It serves as critical feeding and breeding grounds for a diverse range of marine mammals and seabirds.
- Key oceanographic features include the Alaska Current and the influence of Bering Sea waters.
- Climate change, leading to ocean warming and acidification, poses significant threats to this delicate balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Alaska’s marine waters so cold?
The cold temperatures are primarily due to the influence of Arctic waters, the Alaska Current (which carries cooler waters), and deep-ocean currents that bring cold water from lower depths.
What makes the Alaska Marine Province nutrient-rich?
Coastal upwelling, particularly along the continental shelf of the Gulf of Alaska, is a major driver. This process brings cold, nutrient-dense water from the deep ocean to the surface, where it becomes available for phytoplankton.
How does “productivity” manifest in this region?
High productivity means a large amount of biomass is generated by primary producers (phytoplankton). This supports dense populations of zooplankton, which in turn feed vast schools of forage fish, supporting marine mammals, seabirds, and commercially important fish species.
What role do ocean currents play in the Alaska Marine Province?
Currents like the Alaska Current transport nutrients, influence temperature, and distribute marine organisms. They are crucial for sustaining the region’s unique ecosystem and supporting the movement of migratory species.
What are the main threats to the Alaska Marine Province’s productivity?
Major threats include climate change impacts such as ocean warming, which can alter species distributions and food webs, and ocean acidification, which impacts shell-forming organisms and the entire ecosystem structure. Overfishing and pollution also pose risks.
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