Marine biology is the study of plants and animals that live in the ocean. Scientists who study marine biology learn about sea creatures and how they live, grow, and interact with their environment. Instead of grouping these organisms only by their scientific family, marine biology often groups them by where they live — in the sea.
A large amount of life on Earth lives in the ocean. Scientists do not know the exact number because many ocean species have not been discovered yet. The ocean covers about 71% of the Earth’s surface, making it the largest habitat on our planet. Marine biologists study many parts of the ocean, from the sunlit surface waters to the deep ocean trenches, which can be more than 10,000 meters deep.
The ocean has many different habitats. These include coral reefs, estuaries, kelp forests, seagrass meadows, tide pools, sandy and rocky sea floors, and the open ocean. Each habitat is home to different kinds of plants and animals. Marine life ranges from tiny organisms like phytoplankton and zooplankton to very large animals like whales, which can grow over 30 meters long.
Marine ecology is another part of marine biology. It studies how ocean animals and plants live together and how they interact with their environment.
Marine life is very important for people. The ocean provides food, medicine, and materials, and it also supports tourism and recreation. Ocean plants and animals also help produce oxygen and play a role in controlling the Earth’s climate. Some marine organisms even help shape coastlines and create new land.
Many sea species, such as fish and shellfish, are important for the global economy. Scientists are learning more every day about how ocean life is connected to the health of our planet. Even today, large parts of the ocean are still unexplored, and new marine species continue to be discovered.
