General Information
The Marine Biome is a biome that includes all the water that is on the Earths surface. This is the biggest biome in the world which covers about three-fourths of the Earths surface which includes oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries. There is also a euphotic and disphotic zone which can be located in the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern. There are over a thousand animals and plants in this region, but the major ones are Algae, Kelp, Phytoplankton, Crustaceans, Sharks, and Fish. The climate of this region varies because it gets warmer the closer you get to the equator and colder as you get closer to the poles, but average temperature is 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Ocean currents create massive hurricanes and typhoons which makes the weather very harsh considering the climate. This region can receive a average yearly precipitation of up to 100 inches.
Coral Reefs
Coral Reefs are formed by living stony coral polyps and coral line red and green algae. Over a thousands of years, a thick limestone structure builds up in warm, clear tropical or subtropical water. They are home to many different kinds of marine animals. Coral reefs are found in shallow water where temperatures range from 68 to 97 degrees F. There are two types of coral, hard coral and soft coral. Hard corals (like brain coral and elkhorn coral) have hard, limestone skeletons which form the basis of coral reefs. Soft corals (like sea fingers and sea whips) do not build reefs.
Estuaries
An estuary is an partially enclosed body of water formed when freshwater from rivers, oceans, and streams flow into the ocean, and mix with salty sea water. They are often known as bays, lagoons, and harbors and can be found along the coasts. Species in the region have to be able to survive in freshwater and salt water.The complex food web found in a estuary food web helps to support the diversity of the plants and animals found in the region.
Oceans
The largest of all ecosystems is oceans. The oceans regions are separated into separate zones: Intertidal, Pelagic, Abyssal, and Benthic. All of these 4 zones have a large diversity of species. The Intertidal zone is where the ocean meets the land, where waves and tides come in and out. The Pelagic zone includes those waters further from the land. The Abyssal zone is the deep ocean. The water is very cold (close to 3 Celsius). The Benthic zone consists of sand, silt, and dead organisms.