The Ocean Biome
Seventy-one percent of the earth's surface is covered in water. Of that, 97.5 percent makes up the earth's oceans. Oceans are home to over 1 million species, and scientists speculate that there may be 9 million more that remain undiscovered! There are many types of ecosystems beneath (and above) the waves, such as coral reefs, beaches, tide pools, and even the Mariana trench, which is nearly 7 miles deep!
What Is The Difference Between A Biome and an Ecosystem?
A biome is usually defined by its geographical properties. For instance, the ocean is a biome, because every part of the ocean has common characteristics. But the ocean is not an ecosystem, because more than one biological community inhabits it. A coral reef, however, is an ecosystem, because every animal living within it is an important part of the reef's food chain. Ecosystems can be as small as a single log, or as large as an entire reef.