Marine Ecosystems
Open-Oceans
General Description
It’s the largest biome in the world, covering 70% of the Earth. The deep sea comprises 80% of all the habitats on earth, which makes it the largest habitat on the planet. Over 1 million plants and animals have been discovered in the ocean. The deepest point in the ocean, The Mariana Trench, is 36,200 feet tall which is taller than Mt. Everest.
Ocean Temperature
Surface - 62.6 degrees F
Deep Ocean - 32 degrees F
Ocean Precipitation
Seaweed
Seaweed has adapted to survive by making itself light. It has conducting tissue or supporting tissue. Instead it relies on the Sun so it can use photosynthesis to make sugar.
Red Algae
The red algae has adapted by making itself red, “This pigment reflects red light and absorbs blue light. Because blue light penetrates water to a greater depth than light of longer wavelengths, these pigments allow red algae to photosynthesize."
Phytoplank-ton
The Phytoplankton has adapted by insteaded of swimming, it floats to save energy.
Seagrass
Seagrasses belong to a special group of plants called monocotyledons, which are flowering plants that usually only have one cotyledon. They are flowering plants. Although Seagrass and Seaweed look similar they are very different.
Giant Kelp
The macrocytis pyrifera or more commonly known as Giant Sea Kelp, their size is generally 100 to 175 feet. They are most commonly found in kelp forests. They get their food because Photosynthesis converts sunlight to carbohydrates, which is their food source.
Anglerfish
The deep sea anglerfish lives so deep the light doesn’t shine, so it has a light on it’s forehead so it can see.
Dolphin
The dolphin is a majestic creature. It has cognitive functions that are at a higher level than most other sea creatures. They use echolocation similar to bats to travel around in the ocean.
Squids
Both squids have adapted to survive by changing the color of their skin, this camouflage helps them hide from their predators.
Manta Ray
The manta rays’ massive wingspan allows it to eat plankton and breath on a large scale effortlessly.
Blobfish
The blobfish has adapted to surviving by replacing all of it’s muscle with gelatinous flesh, which is more dense than water so it lightly floats amongst the ocean floor. This allows the blobfish to eat whatever gets in it’s mouth way and save energy by not moving it’s muscles.
Ocean Soil Composition
The ocean "soil" is sand which carries no nutrients.Plants such as algae can survive but they don’t stay on the ocean floor. Coral does stay on the ocean floor but only where sunlight is visible.