Aquatic biome

About the Aquatic Biome

The Aquatic biome includes all the aquatic ecosystems on the Earths surface. This biome is divided into two main parts: Freshwater Biome (lakes, ponds, river, streams and wetlands) & the Marine Biome (oceans, coral reefs and estuaries). Both these biomes together make up 73% of the Earths surface.

Climate

The climate of the aquatic biome varies from place to place. Since it is the largest biome in world, the climate of this biome varies from -4 degrees farhenheit to 100 degrees. The average temperature is 39 degrees farhenheit but it is warmer near the equator where the direct rays of the sun come in the water and warm it up. The weather of the marine biome is very harsh, due to the ocean currents. These ocean currents make huge hurricanes and typhoons. Another role in the climate of The aquatic biome is the wind. The wind over the ocean creates large waves.

Location

The aquatic biome’s location is divided in two parts: The freshwater biome & the marine biome.

The Freshwater Biome:

  • Lakes
  • Ponds
  • Streams
  • Rivers

All these waterbodies have fresh water present in them.

The Marine Biome:

  • Oceans- 5 main oceans(Pacific ocean, Indian ocean, Atlantic ocean, Artic ocean, Southern ocean)
  • Seas

Wildlife

Marine animals

The marine biome has the most biodiversity compared to all other biomes. Many of the fish, have gills that allow them to breathe in water. Other animals are mammals that have to come up to the surface to breathe, but spend most of their lifetime in water. Another type of marine animal is mollusk which has a soft body & no backbone.

Marine animals:

  • Fish- Sharks, tuna, clown fish, stingray, eels, seahorse etc.
  • Mammals- Blue whales, seals, dolphins, walruses, otters etc.
  • Mollusks- Octopus, clams, squids, oysters, snails, slugs etc.

Endangered/Extinct animals

From snails to whales approximately 2,270 species are listed as endangered or threatened globally under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (E.S.A). Out of the species that are listed, approximately 150 of them live in the ocean in U.S. waters, and some are considered closer to extinction than the others. Many species of the sea turtles, sharks, whales, manatees and sawfish are endangered and in most cases its not the predators who are causing their decline, its humans. These ocean species all play an important role in keeping the ecosystem healthy and they need our help.

Vegetation

There are thousands of species of plants that live in the ocean. They rely on photosynthesis from the sun for energy. Plants in the ocean are extremely important to life on Earth. Algae in the oceans absorbs carbon dioxide and provides oxygen. Other plants are seaweeds, seagrasses and mangroves.