Marine biology

Marine biology is the scientific study of biological organisms in the ocean or other marine or brackish bodies of water. Given that in biology many phyla, families and genera have some species that live in the sea and others that live on land, marine biology classifies species based on the environment rather than on taxonomy.

Overview

Marine biology differs from marine ecology. Marine ecology is focused on how organisms interact with each other and the environment, and biology is the study of the organisms themselves. Marine life is a vast resource, providing food, medicine, and raw materials, in addition to helping to support recreation and tourism all over the world.

Marine habitats

Marine habitats can be divided into coastal and open ocean habitats. Coastal habitats are located in the area that extends from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf. Most marine life is found in coastal habitats, even though the shelf area occupies only seven percent of the total ocean area. Open ocean habitats are found in the deep ocean beyond the edge of the continental shelf.

Marine organisms

Marine organisms are classified into three groups: plankton, nekton, and benthos. Plankton are organisms that float along the water column, unable to swim against the current. Nekton are able to swim and move independently of the current. Benthos are organisms that live on, in, or near the seabed, also known as the benthic zone.

Marine research

Marine research is a large and growing field. The study of marine biology dates back to Aristotle (384–322 BC), who made many observations of life in the sea around Lesbos, laying the foundation for many future discoveries.

See also

• Aquatic science
• Marine life
• Oceanography

External links

• Marine Biology at marinebiology.org

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