Marine biology is the scientific study of plants and animals that live in salt water. When many people think about a marine biologist, they picture a dolphin trainer. But marine biology is so much more. With the oceans covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface and providing habitat for thousands of species, marine biology is a very broad field.
A marine biologist can study a variety of organisms, from tiny plankton only visible under a microscope to the largest whales that are over 100 feet long. Marine biology can also include the study of different aspects of these organisms, including the behavior of animals in the ocean environment, adaptations to living in salt water and interactions between organisms.
Tools to Study Marine Biology:
The oceans are difficult to study, as they are vast and foreign to us land-dwelling humans. Different tools used to study the oceans include sampling mechanisms such as bottom trawls and plankton nets, tracking methods and devices such as photo-identification research, satellite tags, hydrophones and “critter cams,” and underwater observation equipment such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).
Importance of Marine Biology:
Among other things, the oceans regulate climate and provide food, energy and income. They are so important, yet there is so much we don’t know about this fascinating environment. Learning about the oceans and the marine life inhabiting them is becoming even more critical as we realize the importance of the oceans to the health of all life on the planet.
