The ocean contains a wealth of biodiversity, and most of this diversity lives in the sunlit area called the euphotic zone (see Distribution of Life, page 45, for more information).
Where is the highest biodiversity in the ocean?
Coral reefs are believed by many to have the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem on the planet—even more than a tropical rainforest. Occupying less than one percent of the ocean floor, coral reefs are home to more than 25% of all marine life.
Where are the biodiversity hotspots found in the ocean?
The ten hotspots were South Japan, the Gulf of Guinea, the North Indian Ocean, Eastern South Africa, Cape Verde Islands, West Caribbean, Red Sea, Philippines, South Mascarene Islands and the Sunda Islands. Open ocean hotspots have been defined using data associated with long line fisheries.
Where are coral reefs located around the world?
Coral reefs are found in shallow water where sea surface temperatures range from 68° F to 97° F. More than 90 percent of the world’s coral reefs occur in the Indo-West Pacific biogeographic region. Reef systems also can be found in the West Atlantic, East Atlantic, and East Pacific oceans between 30° N and 30° S.
Does the ocean have a high biodiversity?
The ecosystems that are marine, or made up of saltwater, include coral reefs and the intertidal zone, which are both highly diverse, as well as the open ocean, which has a fairly low biodiversity. Ecosystems that are based upon freshwater, such as lakes and rivers, also have high biodiversity.
Which is the largest biodiversity hotspot in India?
The Indo-Burma region, one of the largest hotspots, covers Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos PDR and also includes the Gangetic plains, areas around the Brahmaputra river and parts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
What is the biodiversity in the Pacific ocean?
The ocean provides: Pacific Ocean biodiversity feeds us and the world: 70% of the global fish catch is from the Pacific! The ocean supports: without coral reefs, our island shores would wash away. The Pacific has the most coral reef species in the world.
What is the richest ocean in the world?
Pacific Ocean ~ The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world’s oceans. Atlantic Ocean ~ The Atlantic Ocean is the world’s richest fishing waters.
Where is the biggest coral reef?
Stretching for 1,429 miles over an area of approximately 133,000 square miles , the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. The reef is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, in the Coral Sea.
Which country has the best coral reefs?
Best Coral Reefs in the World – Top 5
- Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Raja Ampat is located at the intersection of the Indian and Pacific Ocean, right in the heart of the prestigious Coral Triangle. …
- Solomon Islands. …
- Papua New Guinea. …
- FIJI. …
- Red sea.
What is the greatest misuse of the ocean?
Here are five of the biggest challenges our oceans face, and what we can do to solve them.
- Climate change. Climate change arguably presents the greatest threat to ocean health. …
- Plastic pollution. …
- Sustainable seafood. …
- Marine protected areas. …
- Fisheries subsidies.
What part of the ocean has the least biodiversity?
The arctic regions of the world have the least biodiversity because plants don’t survive in the extreme cold and ice that cover these regions year-round. However, life does exist in the arctic regions, mostly affiliated with the seas that surround them.
Which best explains how the ocean is the most diverse ecosystem?
Which best explains how the ocean is the most diverse ecosystem? It receives nutrients from land carried by rivers and upwelling. It receives an abundant source of salt from melting glaciers. There is a large population of decomposers.