Marine Biome Climate

Covering approximately three-fourths of the total surface area of our planet, the marine biome is undoubtedly the largest biome of the world. The amazing size of this aquatic biome plays a crucial role in making it one of the richest biomes of the world in terms of biodiversity. Sadly though, it is also one of the least popular biomes of the world, and this is highlighted by the fact that our knowledge about 'It' is restricted to its use to facilitate transportation and as an important food source. Some of the least known marine biome facts revolve around its climate. In fact, marine biome climate and temperature are among the most important attributes of this biome as they play a crucial role in determining the climate of other terrestrial biomes on our planet. Before we move on to see what is the climate of the marine biome, let's go through some general facts about it.

Marine Biome: An Overview

Basically, the marine biome is made up of five oceans of the world - Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean, as well as various other water bodies such as the gulfs and bays. The most important characteristic trait of this biome is its 'salinity', which differentiates it from the other aquatic biomes on the Earth - the freshwater biome. The study of marine biome is called marine biology. As in case of various other ecosystems of this planet, even the marine ecosystem is characterized by presence of various marine plants and marine animal species. While the number of marine animals and plants lies in millions, if the number of those lifeforms which are indirectly dependent on this biome - including us humans, is added together then it will cross the billion mark with ease.

Marine Biome: Climate and Weather

Even before you move any further, you need to get well versed with two geography terms - climate and weather. In geography, the term 'weather' is defined as the atmospheric conditions prevailing at a particular place over a stipulated period of time - generally a day. On the other hand, 'climate' is defined as the aggregate of weather conditions prevailing in the said place over a longer duration of time - generally a whole year. In general, these atmospheric conditions include various attributes of nature including temperature, precipitation, wind, sunlight etc. While temperature and sunlight have a direct role to play when it comes to ocean biome climatic conditions, wind and precipitation play an indirect - but crucial role in the same.

Even though the average temperature of marine biome is 39ºF, you will see a great deal of variation in the same owing to its vast size. The temperature will be at its highest at the equator - wherein the ocean bodies receives direct sunrays which can penetrate deep into the water. As you head towards either of the poles, the temperature falls and eventually, goes into minus in the polar areas wherein absence of sunlight for half the time of the year and presence of icebergs in water both come into play. Yet another important attribute of marine biome climate, which you don't get to see in freshwater biome climate, is the presence of ocean currents - which play a crucial role in formation of hurricanes. Similarly, wind is an important factor here, as it plays a crucial role in formation of waves and precipitation adds some freshwater to these saline bodies.

Marine Climate Influence on Various Lifeforms

Marine plants and animals have adapted themselves very well to the climatic conditions prevailing in this biome, and therefore the climate plays a relatively less important role in this biome. One of the best examples of marine animal adaptations is the use of ocean currents and tides by various marine species to facilitate transportation. Other than these animal adaptations, even the marine biome plants have adapted themselves to survive at depths wherein there is no sunlight penetration. This may come as a surprise for many, but marine climate has a great influence on terrestrial climate, and the example of hurricanes given above is the best example of the same. Similarly, the strong winds blowing over the oceans and large-scale evaporation of water from these water bodies have a major role to play when it comes to precipitation in various terrestrial biomes.

That covered a significant bit of information on the marine biome climate and weather, with a passing reference to its influence on other biomes of the world. Even though marine biome is far different from various terrestrial biomes, one common factor that you are bound to notice in both these type of biomes is 'human interference'. The rate at which we have been turning our oceans into virtual garbage bins, sooner or later we are bound to spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e for marine organisms, and eventually a d-e-a-t-h k-n-e-l-l for ourselves.