Aquatic Habitats Approx. 75% of Earth’s surface is water! This is the aquatic biome. Marine Habitats Saline (salt water) Oceans and Seas (35ppt.) Estuaries (brackish 0-34ppt) Coral Reefs (35ppt) Freshwater Habitats Lakes Rivers Ponds Streams Swamps Marshes
Oceans & Seas What’s the difference? Well…it’s in the geographic details rather than the science. Seas often areas within oceans (Sargasso Sea). Sometimes they’re surrounded by land (Caspian Sea). Salinity is the measure of how much salt is dissolved in the water average is 35ppt or 3.5%). Divided into zones (zonation) in several way including temperature, distance from shore, and depth.
Ocean Zonation…I know…that’s a lot of zones!
Here’s Another View
And…one more
Lakes…they have zones too!
And another…
More Later… but this oughta get you started