Overview- The marine biome regions cover about three quarters of the Earth’s surface. This includes coral reefs, estuaries and oceans. Oceans cover approximately 70% of the earth’s surface with an average depth of 3,800 meters. The marine ecosystem, includes the shorelines, with mud flats, rocky and sandy shores, tide pools, barrier islands, estuaries, salt marshes, and mangrove forests making up the shoreline segment. The marine algae supply a lot of the world’s oxygen and take in a huge amount of carbon dioxide. Oceans are the largest of all ecosystems, they are very large bodies of water that conquer the Earth’s surface. Ocean regions are separated into separate zones: Intertidal, Pelagic, Abyssal and Benthic. All four have different diversities of fauna and flora.
Climate and Weather- The climate of the marine biome is mostly varied. Since it is the largest biome on this world the temperature can range from 37 degrees Celsius to -40 degrees Celsius. The average temperature is about 4 degrees Celsius. The weather of the marine biome can be very harsh, because of its ocean currents. These currents can create massive hurricanes and typhoons. Another role the weather plays in the marine biome is the wind. Although the climate can become extreme, it has little effect on life. Most life forms have adapted to the ocean. Some life forms use the currents as a form of transportation. More than 50% of the world’s rain falls over the ocean for two reasons. One, it's so large, and two, the water cycle runs faster because the biome is made of water.
Fauna and Flora- Marine ecosystems support a great diversity of life and variety of habitats. Plants have adapted to places deep in the ocean where sunlight doesn't reach. Over all, the life forms in the sea have adapted so that the climate doesn't affect them. Salinity has a major effect on marine wildlife. When plants and animals are choosing a place to settle, they choose a place with the right amount of salinity. If they choose wrong, it can have long term lasting effects.
ZONES:
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The Intertidal Zone or Littoral Zone is where the ocean meets the land.
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The Pelagic Zone includes those waters further from the mainland, basically the open ocean.
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The Benthic Zone is the area below the pelagic Zone, but doesn’t include the deepest parts of the ocean.
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The Abyssal Zone is the zone where the deep ocean is.
Sub-Biomes:
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Oceans-Oceans cover approximately 70% of the earth’s surface with an average depth of 3,800 meters. The ocean has a major influence on weather and climate.
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Coral reefs are widely distributed in warm shallow waters. They can be found as barriers along continents (e.g., the Great Barrier Reef off Australia), fringing islands, and atolls.
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Estuaries are areas where freshwater rivers and streams merge with ocean. The mixing of the two waters creates a unique ecosystem. Microflora lime and algae and macraflora such as seaweeds can be found here. Estuaries support a diverse fauna, including a variety of worms, oysters, crabs, and waterfowl.
