Of the entire earth’s surface, 70.8% (equivalent to 362 million km2), corresponds to oceans and seas. These marine systems are very dynamic environments and that are connected to each other by networks of superficial currents. The variation of temperatures and salinity levels in these environments defines different areas occupied by different organisms.
In this ecology article, we talk about What are the water ecosystems of salt water and their characteristics.
The seas and oceans are the main salt water ecosystems
The oceans They are large salt water masses that separate the continents. There are three great oceans (Atlantic, Indian and Pacific) and two minors (Arctic and Antarctic). While The seas They are also salt water masses, but smaller than the oceans. There are many seas worldwide such as the Caribbean Sea, the North Sea or the Ross Sea.
In this type of environments, they are aspects such as tides, waves, cold and warm currents, salinity, temperature or luminous intensity, which determine life. These factors influence the availability of nutrients, behavior, development and interrelations between living beings.
Several areas can be differentiated within these ecosystems, according to different criteria such as proximity to the coast, depth or depth according to the presence of light. Taking into account the depth according to lightWe differentiate:
Phostic area of the seas and oceans
It is illuminated ocean area and includes up to 200 meters deep. Divided in turn into:
- Euphotic region: more illuminated area. In this area of this type of Salada water aquatic ecosystems Photosynthetic organisms inhabit.
- Dysphotic region: Less enlightened region of the photic zone. In this region they live certain algae that can perform photosynthesis.
Affotic area of the seas and oceans
Dark area located at a depth greater than 200 meters. In turn it is divided into:
- Batial region: zone located between 200 and 4,000 meters deep. In this area, what we know as Necton Marino, which includes fish, squid, sea turtles, seals or whales.
- ABISAL REGION: located between 4,000 and 6,000 meters deep. In this region the light is non -existent. In this area, what we know as marine bentos, formed by sea stars, sponges and other animals. It is a very rich region in terms of biodeversity of species, with organisms that are not found in any other geographical region of the planet.
- Hadal Zone: located between 6,000 and more than 10,000 meters deep. This region includes seabed, large oceanic graves and hydrothermal fumaroles. In this region, we can find some of the most extreme microorganisms on the planet.
Mangroves, marine and coastal ecosystems
Mangroves are marine-coastal ecosystems that we can find in the tropics and subtropics of the planet. We can find mangroves, for example, on the coasts of Latin America, from Mexico to Peru. In certain areas of the planet, they are also called salty forestsin reference to the fact that it is an environment dominated by halophile species (plant species with preference for salty environments).
Mangroves are very important ecosystems for the maintenance of natural balance where they are present. These tasks include:
- They help control floods.
- They help stabilize the coastline and control erosion.
- They retain sediments and toxic substances.
- They are a source of organic matter.
In this other ecology article, you can know better what a mangrove is and its characteristics.
Coral reefs are very special salt water ecosystems
This type of salt water water ecosystems are developed in Tropical waters such as the Pacific and Indian Oceans and the Caribbean Sea. They are formed by coral skeletons that grow year after year by the deposit of new structures. Because of their location, they serve as important protective barriers of mangroves and marine meadows.
These structures are constantly exposed to the wave of the waves. One of the most responsible organisms of this type of corals is a kind of red seaweed, the algae. In this way, a symbiotic relationship is established, where corals provide protection and algae provide nutritional substances through photosynthesis. Two differ Types of corals: soft corals and hard or stone corals.
For the growth of a Coral reefit is essential that the water temperature is between 20 ºC and 28 ºC, something that occurs in tropical waters. These structures grow only in the photic area, where sunlight offers them the necessary energy. Therefore, reefs grow better in crystalline waters.
If you want to read more articles similar to What are the water water ecosystemswe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.
