Oceans and Marine Ecosystems: Easy Facts and Examples for Kids

Approximately 70% of the Earth's surface is covered with oceans which implies that the majority Earth surface will appear blue if you see it from space. Oceans are home to millions and millions of incredible species including plants, making them more than simply enormous bodies of salty water. Let's explore these amazing undersea realms.

What Is the Ocean?

An ocean is a massive salty water body that is a habitat of marine life. Total water on our planet earth is divided into five oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic oceans. And the land is divided into seven continents. The Pacific ocean is the biggest among all oceans. It is so large that all of the continents could fit into the Pacific Ocean.

Based on how deep and how much sunlight can penetrate into each layer of ocean, it can be classified into various zones. The four main zones of ocean based on this are:

• Sunlight Zone: A majority of marine life lives in this zone (0–200 m). This level is home to most fishes like dolphins along with coral reefs, sea turtles, etc.
• Twilight Zone: This level of sea receives very little sunlight and it ranges between 200 - 1,000 m. It is home to strange light species like anglerfish.
• Midnight Zone: This level of sea is totally dark and ranges between 1,000 - 4,000 m. Giant squids and other exceptionally adapted species are the only ones that survive in this zone of sea.
• Abyssal Zone: The ocean floor is close to the abyssal zone (4,000–6,000 m), that has extremely high pressure and is extremely cold.

What Is a Marine Ecosystem?

A group of living creatures, including plants, animals, and microscopic organisms, that rely on one another and their surroundings for survival is called a marine ecosystem. There are different types of marine ecosystems:

1. Coral Reefs: Coral reefs are some known as the rainforests of the sea as they are full of colour and vitality. Australia's Great Barrier Reef is the biggest coral reef in the world at more than 2,300 miles underwater.
2. Kelp Forests: These tall underwater forests serve as home to giant seaweed called kelp. Sea otters usually wrap themselves in kelp to avoid floating away when asleep.
3. Mangroves: Mangroves trees have roots that go deep into saltwater and also grow on the along coasts. For protection, young fish hide inside the roots of these mangroves.
4. Open Ocean: The deep blue ocean also called the open ocean or pelagic zone is the zone that is home for many sea creatures like tuna, sharks, whales, and jellyfish.
5. Deep Sea: Inside the black depths of the ocean some of the mysterious creatures like vampire squid, lanternfish and other bioluminescent animals are found.

Incredible Marine Animals

From the tiniest to the largest animal on Earth, the ocean is full of amazing creatures. Here are a some interesting facts about sea creatures:

• Blue Whale: Blue whale is the largest known mammal on Earth with a heart the size of a small car.
• Clownfish: These vivid orange fish reside inside the sea and have the ability to sting other fish. They are resistant to the sting!
• Octopuses: These blue blooded sea creatures have three hearts and the ability to adapt colour and shape to elude its predators.
• Sea Turtle: Sea turtles can live up to 100 years and always return to the same beach where they were born to lay eggs.
• Dolphins: They are extremely smart and communicate using clicks and whistles. They even have names for each other!

Why Are Oceans Important?

Oceans play a significant role for the existence of life on Earth. Let’s understand why they are so important:

• Over half of the oxygen on earth is produced by oceans and it comes from a small plant in the ocean known as phytoplankton.
• These oceans also help to regulate the climate of earth as they absorb heat and carbon dioxide.
• Billions of people around the world depend on oceans for food.
• Oceans are also home for nearly 1 million known species including animals and plants.

How Can Kids Contribute to Protect Oceans?

• Don't litter since straws and plastic bags can strangle dolphins and marine turtles.
• Try to reduce the amount of plastic you use at home and at school.
• Participate in cleaning drives like local beach clean-up campaigns.
• Acquire knowledge about marine life and impart it to your friends!