Oceans help maintain our global climate by storing heat and moving water across its expanse, and they serve as home for numerous ecosystems.
Ocean animals include sea mammals (whales, dolphins, otters, seals and sea lions), marine reptiles such as sea turtles and saltwater crocodiles as well as invertebrates such as jellyfish and shrimp.
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most important natural wonders and an UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as being home to one of the largest coral reef systems on earth. Home to dolphins, sea snakes, crocodiles and sharks among other animals; along with thousands of colourful fish species residing within its confines (estimated 10%).
Coral reefs are created when coral polyps collect minerals from the water to form protective skeletons for themselves and provide homes for other marine life. The Great Barrier Reef boasts hundreds of different kinds of coral, some over 20 million years old! Many are very brightly-colored due to the production of special substances by small animals living inside each coral. In turn, algae provide food sources which give color as well as protection to these structures.
The reef is home to over 200 bird species that call it home, feeding off of everything from fish and squid to snails as food sources. Their presence helps maintain balance by spreading nutrients across the reef ecosystem.
Reefs are home to various plants, from woody ones such as pine needles to herbaceous (leaves). Furthermore, numerous kinds of fungi live there as well.
Every year, six species of sea turtles make an annual visit to the Great Barrier Reef to breed. These include green sea turtles, leatherback sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, loggerhead turtles and flatback turtles; the olive ridley sea turtle is also commonly seen on this reef.
The Great Barrier Reef comprises over 900 islands that are mostly uninhabited but contain hotels or other human structures. Tourism plays an integral part in Australia, with over two million visitors annually flocking to visit and contribute significantly to economic growth; moreover, tourism jobs have also been created due to this magnificent formation of islands.
The Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of Earth’s oceans and covers nearly one-third of our planet’s surface area. Extending from Antarctica in the south to Arctic Ocean in the north, its borders run along Asia Australia Americas Europe Africa on either side. Home to whales sharks dolphins coral reefs deep sea trenches the Pacific is often called one of natures most tranquil seas.
The Pacific is home to more than 25.000 islands, the most notable ones being Hawaii, Fiji and Easter Island. Furthermore, numerous smaller islands can be found scattered across Japan, Indonesia and New Zealand, often grouped together into larger archipelagos.
There are also many large volcanoes in the Pacific as a result of slow movements by other plates in relation to the Pacific Plate, creating mountains and volcanoes as a result. Furthermore, its western and northern edges feature trenches which form deep cracks in Earth’s crust – this area is commonly known as The Ring of Fire.
Ocean water is predominantly blue because of how its composition absorbs colors from the red spectrum, creating its characteristic colors of blue and green. Additional hues in the ocean may result from reflections off sunlight or from sediments floating through it.
The ocean is an expansive and uncharted space. To protect its beauty and support the ecosystem that calls it home, it is vital that we all learn more about its diverse inhabitants. Together we can do our part in maintaining its health by picking up at least one piece of trash daily from its shorelines or waterways.
The Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean lies between Africa, Europe and North America and comprises 17% of our planet’s water surface. Formed over hundreds of millions of years by landmasses disintegrating across Europe, Africa and America; today its currents influence weather patterns throughout its entirety.
One of the most intriguing facts about the Atlantic Ocean is that it contains an underwater mountain range called Mid-Atlantic Ridge that spans 1,400 miles from north to south and marks the boundary between Eurasian and American tectonic plates.
It features some of the highest tides in the world and is considered a particularly hazardous area for ships – commonly referred to as “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Many notable ships, including Titanic in 1912, have foundered here.
Children often marvel at marine creatures such as sharks, long stingrays, sea turtles and other sea life. A visit to an aquarium or sea sanctuary allows kids to interact with these marine life in person and gain more knowledge. As more exposure occurs within an environment like an aquarium or sanctuary, children will develop greater appreciation and respect for what exists under water.
One of the most vital facts about our ocean is its role as a major source of oxygen. Additionally, it plays an integral role in maintaining stable global temperatures, keeping sea levels down, and providing habitat to many different plant and animal species. If ocean pollution threatens its existence and we all feel its effects; fortunately there are various methods we can use to safeguard and clean up our marine environments.
Atlantic islands include Greenland, Ireland and Cuba – as well as being home to one of the world’s greatest reefs, The Great Barrier Reef – are scattered across this stretch of water. During the Age of Discovery ships and later airplanes crossed it between Europe and North America, showing us their importance. Scientists now realize that changes to our oceans have far-reaching repercussions for planet earth as a whole – this is why it is imperative that children learn the value of protecting it!
The Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean and an essential component of Earth’s water cycle, comprising around 20% of our planet’s freshwater reserves and being an important trade route.
Indian Ocean differs significantly from Atlantic and Pacific oceans in several aspects. It’s landlocked, lacks a temperate-to-cold zone transition area, has narrower continental shelves, and features asymmetric, semi-annual surface circulation patterns. Furthermore, this ocean is young relative to other major oceans, boasting numerous active geologic features like seamounts and ridges formed by hotspots.
Indian Ocean waters provide shelter to several endangered marine species, such as turtles, seals and dugongs (commonly referred to as sea cows). Furthermore, this ocean serves as a breeding ground for humpback whales as well as thermal vents where molten lava meets with water to form unique creatures.
Indian Ocean waters are home to abundant marine life as well as several beautiful tropical islands like Mauritius and Seychelles that serve as popular vacation spots for people from around the globe.
Swimming in the Indian Ocean can be an enjoyable experience, but it’s important to be mindful that water temperatures may be hot and there may be strong currents or undertows which can pull swimmers from the seabed. Therefore, lifeguard-supervised areas are recommended as swimming areas which ensure swimmers remain safe.
Children can be naturally fascinated with ocean life, and visiting an aquarium or seaquarium can offer them hands-on learning experiences to gain more knowledge of sharks, long-stint rays and beautiful sea turtles. Furthermore, educational activities at such establishments may help children understand why it’s so essential to protect our oceans.
Oceans are our planet’s primary source of saltwater and contain 97% of all its freshwater, making them vital components in our global climate system. Their health affects everything that lives here, including humans. Preschoolers should understand that any significant environmental changes could have ripple effects across all realms, impacting everyone including themselves.