marinedominated

Marinedominated, also written as marine-dominated, is an adjective used to describe ecosystems, regions, or processes in which marine forces—such as salinity, tidal exchange, wave action, ocean currents, and marine primary production—predominate in shaping structure and dynamics. In this sense, marinedominated systems are those where oceanic conditions are the principal driver of biodiversity, energy flow, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem services, with land or freshwater inputs playing a secondary or localized role.

The concept is applied in coastal science, biogeography, and conservation to flag areas where oceanographic processes control conditions more than terrestrial factors. It can apply to geographic regions such as continental shelves or coastal zones, and to ecosystems including coral reefs, kelp forests, and seagrass beds, particularly where strong wave energy, upwelling, or tidal exchange maintains marinedominated environments, though many habitats exhibit mixed influences near their margins.

Determinants and indicators include salinity regime, tidal exchange, wave exposure, ocean temperature, nutrient supply from upwelling, and dissolved oxygen levels. Biological indicators involve assemblages dominated by marine taxa, high reliance on marine primary production, and strong connectivity with offshore populations.

Applications and implications include informing biodiversity planning, fisheries management, climate adaptation, and coastal development. Recognizing marinedominated zones helps target conservation and management efforts in areas where oceanographic processes govern conditions, while also acknowledging gradients and potential shifts due to climate change, sea-level rise, or geomorphological changes.

Note: The term is used in ecological and biogeographic contexts to describe dominance by marine processes, and is less common as a formal category outside those disciplines. Related topics include marine ecology, coastal ecosystems, estuaries, and continental shelf dynamics.