Shark Bay Research Paper

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Shark bay research

A bit about shark bay:
Shark bay lies on the extreme western coast of Australia between 24 and 27 degrees south of the equator. Shark Bay comprises two large, shallow embayment, numerous islands and a coastline, which is 1500km long. Part 1: Ecosystem description
a) Shark bay is a heavily marine based environment that covers 2.2 million hectares and has a coastline of more than 1,500 km long. Shark bay has a very diverse ecosystem but is mostly steered by aquatic abiotic and biotic factors. The biotic factors of Shark Bay are much more distinct than the abiotic factors. The biotic factors include numerous species of fish and other aquatic creatures (sharks, dolphins etc.), invertebrates (centipedes, spiders and millipedes),
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Its skin is dark to light grey that fades to white on its belly, with a slightly hooked dorsal fin which is settled midway along the body. It has a short rostrum containing 18–26 cone-shaped teeth, and a noticeable forehead that contains oily fats. It is thought that the forehead helps to concentrate and produce the high-frequency whistles, clicks and pulses that is used by the dolphin to find its food. The forehead also features the dolphin’s blowhole. The dolphin can grow up to 4 m in length and weigh up to 650 kg, but those in Australia are usually smaller, about 2.6 m long and 120 …show more content…
They are usually at the top of the food web in their ecosystem. E.g. The tiger shark is the top predator of the shark bay ecosystem, with dugongs and sea snakes as its main source of food.
Mutualism Mutualism is when both species benefit from each other. E.g. Cleaner fish and sharks, the shark is free from parasites and the fish has a constant food source.
Competition Competition is an interaction between two species, which has the same habitats or food groups (either plant or animal). E.g. The Shark Bay mouse is at competition with the more recently introduced Rabbit, as they both live in the same habitat and are both herbivores.
Parasitism Parasitism is a relationship between two living organisms in which one species benefits from the other and injures them but does not kill them, as they need the host to survive.
Commensalism Commensalism is the act of one animal benefiting from the relationship of another, but this having no effect on the other animal. E.g. Barnacle and whale, the barnacle has easy access to food whilst the whale has no change.

Part 4: Human impacts and management
a)

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