Oceans: ecosystems

The Arctic and Antarctic are found on opposite poles of Earth and, despite similarities, these regions are unique in their biology and history.

Marinebio: coral reefs

Marine Zones @ MarineBio.org

Difficult to reach, the deep ocean is still very much a mystery and is often explored using remotely operated vehicles or submarines. The deep sea is vast and dark, but many organisms call this area home.

Called the “rain forests of the sea,” coral reefs are important ocean ecosystems that support a quarter of all marine organisms despite covering less than one percent of the sea floor.

The Open Ocean @ MarineBio.org

Arctic,Antarctic,Tagging,Scientists at work,Biodiversity,Census of Marine Life

Through the use of specially adapted filtration systems, mangrove trees manage to survive in hot, salty and muddy conditions that would kill your average tree. They play a vital role in the ecosystem, especially as a nursery to many commercially important fish.

With calming surf or pounding waves, beaches act as the buffer between the ocean and land, where specially adapted coastal communities thrive.

Cold, white or clear, and glistening. Ice can be found in many forms, from the Antarctic, to Arctic, or simply floating along in the form of an iceberg. The world’s ice is changing due to human influence, so watching and learning from those changes is even more important than ever.

The seafloor is vast and diverse—from hard to soft bottom, cracks and crannies and mountainous ranges—and supports an equally diverse community of animals and microbes.

Habitat Conservation @ MarineBio.org.

Estuaries, Salt Marshes, and Mangroves @ MarineBio.org

he Arctic Ocean and parts of Russia, Canada, Greenland, Lapland, Norway, Alaska, and Iceland make up the Arctic region of the North Pole. North of the Arctic Circle at 66°33"N, it is the land of the midnight sun and polar nights. There is a July isotherm at 10°C or 50°F in accordance with the treeline. The huge, ice-covered Arctic is considered an ocean with eight states even though many scientists simply consider these areas the subarctic region. Although there are no trees and the ground...

Our ocean covers 72% (and rising) of this small planet and is home to most of the globe's biomass, or living matter, and biodiversity. Learn more about the science involved in understanding marine life and its ocean habitat.