Marine biology: what is and importance

Marine biology is Rama of biology that studies life in seas and oceansas well as the vital processes that occur in this environment. It is not a simple science, but when approaching complete ecosystems is a Multidisciplinary branch which integrates several disciplines of biology to explain the phenomena that occur in the sea. Some of the particular areas that study this branch are:

• Taxonomy and systematic.
• Ecology.
• Physiology of marine organisms.
• Animal behavior.
• Biogeography
• Oceanic dynamics, for the effect of gravitational forces and meteorology.
• Evolution.
• Conservation of ecosystems and species.
• Effect of climate change.

The study can be both in very deep areas, as of shallow depth. These areas can open several ecosystems such as coastal areas, wetlands, mangroves, seabed, estuaries, marshes, coral reef, sea prairies or rocky areas, to mention some.

The organisms that can study range from algae to marine mammals, passing from phytoplankton, corals, echinoderms, mollusks, fish and reptiles.

Being one Very complex and complete sciencemarine biology has multiple applications. Research can contribute to the knowledge of species, populations dynamics, nutrient cycles or population genetics. Beyond being simply research, these can be very useful in the practical world.

TO research levelthis science has discovered several components with Medical application. For example, hydroxyapatite present in sea stars and corals functions as biomaterial for dentistry, ophthalmology and orthopedics⁽¹⁾. Sea hedgehogs have been used as a fertilization studies model, as they have gametes as are us and can be made comparative⁽²⁾.

On the other hand, the study of marine life has allowed a better understanding about her, as well as everything that harms her. You can explain what biotoxins exist and how they interfere with diversity, as is the case with pollution. Much of what we discard reaches the seas through the rivers or the subsoil. Knowing the composition of marine waters and toxins that reach the ocean can reveal the bad practices we have in the terrestrial environment. Marine biology has achieved make visible the negative impact of human development and how it is reflected in these ecosystems. Here you can read about causes and consequences of sea pollution.

Finally, we will know some details of the importance of marine biology for the human being:

• The sea has allowed man to move in this environment so alien to him. Knowledge about the sea has allowed us to navigate it. From ancient times the knowledge of oceanic dynamics and tides to prospect boat trips were used. This was one of the first approaches to the sea, which was followed by submersibles, diving and technology techniques that allowed us to know him to take advantage of it.
• The weather It has also been very useful to predict which routes will take hurricanes and what preventive measures should take the exposed coasts.
• On the other hand, marine biology has been of great importance to learn to take advantage of the dynamics of these ecosystems. Example of this is the Fishing industry. Marine biology also seeks make these practices more sustainable of use of resources. The determination of the reproduction cycles helps to calculate the time it takes to sexually mature organisms in order to allow reproduction to be interrupted and that derives in overfishing. This is known as the closure period, and is particular for each species. This closure can include areas to avoid the incidental fishing of other species, since it is common for fishing nets to capture many other species. Likewise, marine biology contributes to the knowledge about the nutrition and reproduction of commercial species, in order to establish efficient and lucrative productive systems.
• All Ecosystems are important for the planet’s balance and, therefore, for the quality of life of the human being. For example, it has been determined that mangroves They play a very important role to protect the erosion coast of the tide and before the wind, as is the case of the tsunamis. Unfortunately, human activity near the coast has reduced the percentages of mangroves and with it, the quality in the ecosystem services on which these same communities depend.
• Knowing which components make up a marine ecosystem, it is possible restore them and improve protection for all organisms that relate to him.

Now that you know much better what marine biology is, you may be interested in knowing more about the different branches of biology and what they study and, for this, you can read this other article.

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