Out on the ocean, exploring . . . Feel the ocean spray against your face Taste the salt on your tongue. Breathe deep and smell the air. On the horizon, see the whales! Hear them spout!
A biome is a community of plants and animals that live together in a certain climate.
Ahoy biome explorer! Grab a swimsuit and a life jacket because we’re on our way to study the largest of all of Earth’s biomes—WATER! I bet you can predict what the main characteristic of this biome is.
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But did you know there are two types of water biome? Trickling creeks, glassy lakes, and raging rivers are all fresh water. 2
The freshwater biome includes springs, streams, creeks, rivers, ponds, and lakes, as well as some wetlands.
Oceans and seas with their crashing waves and rolling tides are salt water. The ocean might can be refreshing to swim in, but don’t drink it—too salty. 3
Before we take off, look at the map. What do you notice? Water, water everywhere!
This biome covers more than 70 percent of the earth’s surface. Almost all of Earth’s water is in the ocean—more than 96 percent.
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There are also freshwater sources underground in aquifers.
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On our boating adventure, we’ll visit both freshwater and saltwater biomes.
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Let’s launch our freshwater exploration on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. And it’s a BIG river, isn’t it? That’s because it rains a lot in this basin. Hundreds of tributaries, from dozens of states, feed this river through spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Now, all aboard!
The Mississippi River basin covers all or part of 32 states and 2 Canadian
provinces.
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As we drift downstream, watch for birds along the shore. Look in the branches of the cypress or black willow trees. It’s migration season, so there are more than 300 species of birds along the Mississippi River flyway right now—water fowl, songbirds, raptors, and more.
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If you pay attention, you might spot nesting bald eagles!
One third of all North American birds migrate along the Mississippi River. 9
SPLASH! Was that a turtle plopping into the water? Otters playing? A fish jumping? The murky water hides most of the many species of fish, but look closely and you might spot bass, catfish, or bluegills. If we were to muck around in the shallow edges of the river, we’d be able to find crawdads and other critters, too.
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Duckweed and other plants are also adapted to living in the water here. Flowers too!
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We’ve reached the end of the river! Here at the Mississippi Delta, the freshwater river meets the saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico. And it’s an important place! It is a stopover for some migrating birds. For others, it’s a winter home. It’s a nursery for young fish and shellfish. And many plants are found only in wetlands like this.
Wetlands are important water habitats. Swamps, bogs, marshes, and prairie potholes are all types of wetlands.
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From here, it’s out to the ocean where even the air is salty!
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Since the ocean covers so much of Earth, the climate differs from place to place. Some experience four seasons. Other parts of the ocean are teethchattering cold all year and full of ice bergs. Let’s head to the Caribbean, where it’s warm and tropical all the time—flip flops year round!
Ninety-seven percent of Earth’s water is saltwater. 15
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Wade in. In these warm, shallow coastal waters, you can see many different species of plants and animals. Since the sun reaches the sea floor, plants can grow there. And since there’s more to eat, there are more animals. Watch your feet! You don’t want to step on a sea star or a conch. Now, are you ready to swim with the turtles?
90 percent of all marine creatures live in the coastal waters.
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Float on the ocean’s surface. Breathe. Relax. One of those colorful fish might even come up to your googles!
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Do you think that coral is a plant or animal? It’s an animal! Coral reefs are formed by colonies of many tiny individual corals, called polyps. Each one leaves behind a stone-like skeleton. Together, they form the reef. But don’t touch! The reef is fragile.
There is so much biodiversity on all coral reefs, they are often called the rainforests of the seas. 19
As we sail farther offshore to the open ocean, what do you notice that’s different? One thing—it’s quiet! There not as much life as near the shore. Still, below us there might be piglet squid, sea angels, northern comb jellyfish, or spoonarm octopus.
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And LOOK! Migrating whales!
Scientists are still discovering new species in the deep ocean.
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Standing here on deck you might not realize how important the ocean is. Microscopic marine plants, called phytoplankton, produce more than 50 percent of Earth’s oxygen. So the next time you take a breath, thank a phytoplankton!
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The ocean also absorbs carbon dioxide so there’s less of that damaging greenhouse gas in our atmosphere. Plus, the ocean regulates our climate and weather patterns.
Phytoplankton form the base of the entire ocean food web.
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Despite how massive the water biome is, humans are impacting it. Have you ever spotted plastic in the ocean? Pollution is a big problem on land and in the sea, harming the plants and animals that live there.
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People are also catching too much fish, which upsets the food web. But the biggest problem is climate change. The oceans are getting warmer, which cause stronger storms that happen more often.
So much trash, especially plastic, makes its way into the ocean that there are enormous garbage patches in the oceans.
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Many people understand the need to protect our water biome.
Groups around the world are working to keep pollution out of the water. Some people are creating safe areas where no harm can come to animal and plant life. Many aquatic species are also now protected by laws.
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The mission is to keep our waters clean and healthy for us, the wildlife, and Earth. What can you do to help?
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Activity Time!
Ocean animals live very differently than we do. Imagine that you are an ocean animal. What is a day in your life like in the ocean? WHAT YOU NEED: paper, pen or pencil, art supplies Begin by deciding that creature you will be. Do some research about where it lives and its habits. Next, describe your day as that animal. Where do you live? What do you eat? Who might want to eat you? How do you stay safe? Use as many descriptive words as you can, focusing on strong verbs and adjectives. Draw a picture of you as a marine animal! Swap journal entries with a friend. Compare your day!
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Glossary biome: a community of plants and animals that live together in a certain climate. climate change: a big change to the climate that lasts over a long period of time. climate: weather patterns during a long period of time. greenhouse gas: a gas in the atmosphere that traps heat. habitat: a plant or animal’s home. migration: moving from one place to another. phytoplankton: tiny free-floating plants and plant-like organisms. pollution: waste that harms the environment. polyps: small creatures that live in colonies and form coral. tributary: a river or stream that flows into a larger lake or river. wetland: a low-lying area that is filled with water.
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Glossary
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