At Carkeek Park down on the beach, I found a sea star at around the third or fourth quadrat which is the mid tide zone. It was not doing anything probably do to the fact that it was not in the water and it was exposed to the sun and air. This Sea Star's ecological role is to feed on smaller organisms like barnacles, clams, and mussels so that they could balance the population of that live within an ecosystem. While studying marine biology I have notice more small marine organisms than I usually do such as some small arthropods, small blood worms, and skeleton shrimp. If a species that have an important role in an ecosystem go extinct, or a certain species takes over an area which causes other species to go extinct, what can humans do to prevent this from happening? What can they do to recover the species that are being extinct?
I too am starting to notice more small marine organisms. I used to only notice small crabs, barnacles, and clams, but now more. Going to the beach is getting more interesting
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool picture, that starfish really is a cool color. I have noticed that i have also began to notice more and more organisms that i would of previously not noticed.
ReplyDeleteI also found a purple starfish. That was the first time I got to see one. However, contrary to yours, I found mine in the high-tide zone. It unfortunately had two broken arms. Concerning your question, I think they would take a few organisms of the endangered specie, and maybe make the; reproduce in laboratory before releasing them? And obviously, trying to find the cause of their extinction.
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