The Ocean Characteristics, Food Chains, Primary Productivity

Interesting Facts The Ocean covers 70% of the Earth’s surface Average ocean depth is > 12,000 feet The deepest part of the ocean is 35,813 feet (10,916 meters) deep Oceans contain 99% of all living space on the planet Over 80% of all life on earth is found in the ocean Some well-known marine animals are very big, but nearly all ocean life is very small The Ocean covers 70% of the Earth’s surface Average ocean depth is > 12,000 feet The deepest part of the ocean is 35,813 feet (10,916 meters) deep Oceans contain 99% of all living space on the planet Over 80% of all life on earth is found in the ocean Some well-known marine animals are very big, but nearly all ocean life is very small

Ocean Life Plants and animal living in the ocean face some very different challenges than plants and animals on land But there are some really basic similarities between organisms living in the ocean and organisms living on land, like you and me. What did you eat today? Plants and animal living in the ocean face some very different challenges than plants and animals on land But there are some really basic similarities between organisms living in the ocean and organisms living on land, like you and me. What did you eat today?

Primary (1) Producer Secondary (2) Consumer Primary (1) Consumer Tertiary (3) Consumer Quaternary (4) Consumer

A Chain of Connections - “Food Chain” Primary (1) Producer Secondary (2) Consumer Primary (1) Consumer Tertiary (3) Consumer Quaternary (4) Consumer

Not Much Room at the Top Primary (1) Producer Secondary (2) Consumer Primary (1) Consumer Tertiary (3) Consumer Quaternary (4) Consumer

Primary (1) Producer Secondary (2) Consumer Primary (1) Consumer Tertiary (3) Consumer Quaternary (4) Consumer

Inefficient? 10 pound fish 100 pounds smaller fish 1000 pounds of zooplankton 10,000 pounds of phytoplankton (primary producers) Largest animals on earth are not high on the food chain!!! 10 pound fish 100 pounds smaller fish 1000 pounds of zooplankton 10,000 pounds of phytoplankton (primary producers) Largest animals on earth are not high on the food chain!!!