Oceanography Field Trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium The Aquarium field trip is sort of like a scavenger hunt. Look at the exhibits and the explanations on the walls next to them for the answers. The section headings give a clue as to where the answers to the questions will be found. Work with other students if you wish; share and discuss your answers and observations. Focus a lot of your attention on marine habitats and how marine life adapts to the various habitats. Soon we ll do a lab that shows the importance of habitat classification in developing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). In the aquarium today you will see many of the marine organisms that we will deal with in that upcoming lab, including kelp, flounder, rockfish, and squid. Please go to the lower level to start the lab at the Kelp Forest exhibit. 1. The Kelp Forest First Floor What makes the behavior of the rockfish distinct from other types of fish, like the leopard shark, for example? Note the back wall of the kelp tank. How do the rock fish use the wall?
2. The Rock Fish Tank and Associated Video --This is on the wall opposite the big tank a few dozen steps right of the octopus. Why have the size and number of rock fishes have declined? Why will it be a long time before this fishery recovers? Under what name or names are rock fishes sold in the supermarket and/or restaurants? 3. The Deep Reef Note the Deep Reef and the Shale Reef is actually the same, connected, tank. It just depends where you look at them. Look for the halibut, flounder, and bat rays. What behavior characterizes these fish when they re resting or otherwise not moving around? How does their body shape and their behavior aid their survival?
4. The Shale Reef Check it out. It s cool. 5. The Sandy Seafloor Note the shape and characteristics of the sole, flounder, halibut, and skate. What is the over-riding characteristic of the fish shown in the Sandy seafloor exhibit? It s a mean ocean out there, full of predators. What is these fishes main tactic for survival?
7. The Real Cost Café Get some food at the Real Cost Café (but don t even try to steal any silverware ). Based on the vignettes shown here, what are two good choices for seafood dining? Why are these two choices better than some other similar choices? Based on the vignettes shown here, what are two poor choices for seafood dining? What are the problems with your two choices? Why are they worse than some other choices? From the Real Cost Café, please find your way upstairs to the second floor.
8. 2 nd Floor Kelp Display How do Rock Fish use the kelp? Why can t kelp grow on the sandy seafloor? Go find some of the tropical fish displays on the second floor. How does the water in the tropical fish displays appear different than the water in the Giant Kelp displays? Why is it different?
9. Out to Sea Exhibit Go across the Sky Walk to the Out to Sea exhibit and let your eyes adjust to the darkness and the always cool jellies. After enjoying the jellies, look for the Tiny Drifters exhibit on your left. Look for the big circle with the moving particles inside it. Touch a few particles and see what you can find. What kind of zooplankton can you find? What do they look like? Find examples of diatoms, coccolithophores, and dinoflagellates. Draw quick examples of them here. What happens when these organisms die? What kind of sediment do they create on the seafloor? (This is information from the class, not the aquarium)
More Tiny Drifters In one drop of water are found the secrets of all the endless oceans Why did the aquarium choose to put this quote in such large letters on the wall? Watch the cartoon vignettes in the rectangular screens on the walls. What is the main point of these vignettes? The Big Tuna Tank Enjoy the Tuna. Upon exiting the Tuna Tank area, look for a subtle image of sharks directly behind the Ocean Travelers sign. This image is by Chris Jordan. What does it represent? Read the small explanation to the right of the shark image. As you walk through this carpeted area, which of the exhibits appeals to you the most? Please tell me why.
Vanishing Wildlife (downstairs next to the Jellies Experience). There also may be some information upstairs after exiting the Tuna Tank area. This exhibit focuses on Tuna, Turtles, and Sharks Each of these organisms is representative of a different problem faced by marine organisms, as is shown by these two exhibits. Walk through both of them. What is the main problem faced by each of these organisms, and what can be done to address the issue? Tuna Turtles Sharks If you go to the Jellies Experience, send me an image of the jelly you create. ahochstaedter@mpc.edu