Definition of Marine Ecosystems
Seventy percent of the Earth's surface consists of marine ecosystems. These ecosystems play an important role in regulating the planet's climate, and they allow coastal communities to develop sustainable economies.
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Types
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Coral reefs are a type of marine ecosystem Marine ecosystems include oceans, coral reefs, estuaries and coastal areas such as lagoons and kelp beds. They are the homes of various species including algae, marine mammals, fish and birds.
Features
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All marine ecosystems have dissolved salts in the water. The salts give the water its salty flavor, the ecosystem its species composition and keep the oceans from freezing in the winter.
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Significance
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Marine habitats provide us with food. Marine ecosystems provide humans with food and income. The habitats support animals and plants that serve as fertilizers for crops and additives in food and cosmetics. Coastlines are protected from erosion by mangroves (trees and bushes that grow within these habitats), reefs and seagrass beds. Salt marshes and estuaries have the ability to filter runoff from the land.
Considerations
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Marine food webs are based primarily on short-lived microscopic plants known as algae. Algae have a lifespan of days, as opposed to years for land-dwelling plants. This means that disturbances to the food web spread much quicker in marine ecosystems than in land-based ecosystems.
Fun Fact
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The open ocean does not have a high net productivity. Although a diverse range of animal and plant species can be found in the open ocean, this ecosystem has a net productivity comparable to the desert.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of woodley wonderworks Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Hamed Saber Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of fady habib Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Sherrie Thai
