Marine Biome
The marine biome is the biggest in the world. Marine regions cover about three-fourths of the Earth's surface. Abiotic factors found there include salinity, depth, availability of light, and temperature. Ecologists study marine biomes by separating them into photic zones and aphotic zones. Photic zones are the shallow part of the marine biome where sunlight can penetrate through. The aphotic zone is the deeper portion that never receives sunlight.
Location: Marine regions include oceans, seas, coral reefs, and estuaries.
Examples- Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean
Location: Marine regions include oceans, seas, coral reefs, and estuaries.
Examples- Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean
Climate/Precipitation: The marine biome has a huge influence on our terrestrial climate, due to the water cycle. It provides rain and wind. More than half of the world's rainfall takes place over the ocean. The average temperature of all oceans is about 39 degrees F. The climate gets warmer depending on how close it is to the equator. The water's temperature is usually cold and gets even colder the deeper you go.
Animals: Contains a large amount of biomass, or living material, which include microscopic organisms and large organisms. Microscopic organisms include phytoplankton and zooplankton. Large organisms include whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, sharks, crabs, eels, and more.
Plants: Just like plants in freshwater biomes, plants in marine biomes are needed to provide oxygen and food. Plants also serve as shelters for some animals. Plants in the marine biome include: algae, macro-flora seaweeds, kelp, marsh grasses, and coral.
Animals: Contains a large amount of biomass, or living material, which include microscopic organisms and large organisms. Microscopic organisms include phytoplankton and zooplankton. Large organisms include whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, sharks, crabs, eels, and more.
Plants: Just like plants in freshwater biomes, plants in marine biomes are needed to provide oxygen and food. Plants also serve as shelters for some animals. Plants in the marine biome include: algae, macro-flora seaweeds, kelp, marsh grasses, and coral.