Types of marine biomes

Marine biomes are part of the subgroup of Aquatic biomesbeing the largest bioma (occupy 3/4 parts of the planet’s surface) compared to all the aquatic and terrestrial biomes that exist.

As its name indicates, the main characteristic of marine biomes is the presence of marine (salty) water throughout its distribution area. Thus, the main characteristics of marine biomesthey always have a relationship with this composition of marine waters, highlighting the following characteristics:

• The amount of sunlight they receive (directly related to the depth they are in), allows to distinguish three large areas of vertical structure within marine biomes: euphotic zone (upper layer, sunlight comes with relative abundance), dysphotic zone (sunlight arrives weakly) and Affotic area (Located amayor deep, does not receive sunlight and has few nutrients, such as abyssal plains).
• Several physical and chemical elements constitute the main components of marine biomes, such as saline concentration, pH, and temperature. All of them establish specific conditions for the development of a certain flora and fauna in each marine bioma.
• The flora and fauna of marine biomes It is characterized by a great wealth of species. Both invertebrates and vertebrates and microorganisms share habitats and natural resources, maintaining close ecological relationships that allow the maintenance of trophic chains and other essential relationships for their development and survival.

To know in more detail the marine biomes, it is useful to differentiate the different types in which it is possible to group these marine biomes. Making use of the classification offered by the World Fund for Nature (WWF), the following are distinguished Types of marine biomes:

• Biomes of coasts.
• Open and deep seas.
• Oceanic Islands.
• Tropical coral reef.

Next, we will explain in the next sections which are the main Characteristics of the different types of marine biomes that we have mentioned, to know how to differentiate them between them and know a little more about the ecological wealth that each of them hides under its waters.

Characterized by being located in coastal regions Of biogeographic interfaces, that is, located between terrestrial and aquatic areas, coastal biomes have an amazing fauna and floristic wealth.

They are very defined biomes, according to the different physical phenomena that act in their distribution area, such as winds and tides. Therefore, fragile biomes and sensitive to environmental changes or by anthropic action, since any phenomenon of pollution, increased temperatures, etc., puts into play its delicate balance and the characteristics that define it.

Know more about this type of marine bioma with this other article in which you can know the type of fauna that usually lives in it: 60 animals of the coast.

This type of marine bioma corresponds to the regions of Oceanic waters that travel the planet throughout. Both the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic, Indian, Arctic and Antarctic, encompass marine biomes full of biodiversity. Their marine flora and fauna makes them one of the most important biomes and at the same time vulnerable on the planet, since their infinite ecological relationships need certain environmental conditions for their proper functioning.

Discover much more about this bioma with this ecology article see about oceanic waters: what are, characteristics and importance.

The numerous oceanic islands represent small Marine Biodiversity Points Something isolated and different from the rest of the existing biodiversity in the other biomes of greater extension and with easy connection between them.

Among its main characteristics, the existence of its own climatic conditions (already exclusive) of the islands, which allow the growth and evolution of species of flora and fauna very different from the one that lives in continental areas and even in other marine biomes. This fact, considered one of the most fascinating within the ecology and genetic evolution of the species, makes Oceanic islands in great sources of animal and plant wealth that needs even more specific conservation, because due to the different physical and/or temporary barriers, it is not possible to find the mimas species in other parts of the world. A clear example of this is the Island of Madagascar.

Here you can meet +13 endemic animals from Madagascar.

As you will probably know, the tropical coral reefs They are one of the biomes that have a higher risk of disappearance today, as a result of climate change.

Present in temperate waters From different tropical regions of the planet, reefs serve as a refuge and source of resources to Millions of animal species, vegetables and other living beings. An endless biological connections have been established for millions of years in these magical marine biomes.

Today, tropical coral reefs require strict and urgent conservation measures, since the drastic and fast global increase in earth temperature puts their survival at risk directly and drastically. The results of numerous scientific studies presented by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), demonstrate the relationship between the disappearance of 90% of the planet’s reefs with a global increase in the temperature of the planet of +2 ºC.

Without a doubt, these data allow us to get an idea of ​​the magnitude of the negative effects that the current climatic emergency will bring in the future, so all work of dissemination and conservation of biodiversity will always be useful and beneficial to maintain ecosystem balances both in the short and long term.

Learn more about the different types of marine biomes and others with this other post of ecology see what biomes, their types and examples are.

If you want to read more articles similar to Types of marine biomeswe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.