Marine Biology

Description

Marine biology is the scientific study of organisms in marine bodies of water. Marine biology classifies species based on environment. It is related to oceanography as well as ecology. The organisms studied in this field, range from microscopic phytoplankton and zooplankton to huge cetaceans or whales that can go up to 30 meters in length.

The habitats studied in marine biology range from the tiny layers of surface water, in which organisms and abiotic items may be trapped in surface tension between the ocean and atmosphere, to the depths of the oceanic trenches that are at times more than 10,000 meters beneath the surface of the ocean. Specific habitats include coral reefs, kelp forests, seagrass meadows, the surrounds of seamounts and thermal vents, tide pools, muddy, sandy and rocky bottoms, and the open ocean or pelagic zone, where solid objects are absent or rare.

Marine organisms contribute significantly to the oxygen cycle, and are also involved in the regulation of the Earth’s climate. The well-being of marine organisms and other organisms are interlinked. These cycles include those of matter, such as the carbon cycle, and of air like the Earth’s respiration and movement of energy through ecosystems, including the ocean. This book is valuable for every student, teacher and researcher in the subject as it offers a solid basis for a thorough understanding of the entire subject area.