Coastal Ecosystems - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution The narrow region where land and ocean meet is among the most dynamic and complex collection of physical and biological systems on Earth These can include seagrass meadows, salt marshes, mangroves, wetlands, estuaries, reefs, and bays often linked in an intricate network of physical, chemical, and biological interchanges above and below the water They are often highly productive, highly
Ocean Plants - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Ocean plants are critical to marine life—they are an important food source, they provide oxygen to surrounding marine life, and they supply refuge and nursery grounds
The 10,000-foot view - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution As a result, an estimated 30% of the world’s seagrass meadows and mangroves have disappeared in the last century, and we continue to lose the equivalent of two soccer fields’ worth of salt marsh every hour
Did you know: Where does all the carbon go? Blue carbon refers to carbon taken up by coastal ecosystems, including seagrass meadows, mangroves, and salt marshes These plants store some carbon in their roots But these ecosystems are able to absorb much more carbon than a comparable amount of tropical rainforest That's because dead and dying leaves, branches, and other organisms settle into sediment that's flooded with water, which
7 Essential Reef Species - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 4 Octopus Though many octopus prefer sandy or rocky bottoms and seagrass meadows, a few species make coral reefs home The most widespread is the common octopus, whose range extends from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean In Pacific reefs, the day octopus reigns supreme These shape-shifting cephalopods are masters of camouflage, blending in seamlessly to the complex, colorful reef bottom
Ocean Life - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Ocean Plants Ocean plants are critical to marine life—they are an important food source, they provide oxygen to surrounding marine life, and they supply refuge and nursery grounds Phytoplankton Seagrass Meadows