Covering more than two-thirds of the planet and producing almost three quarters of the oxygen that we breathe, it isn’t an exaggeration to say that the Earth’s oceans and seas are the lifeblood that keeps our world turning. From the warm shallows of the Mediterranean to the dark, mysterious depths of the Pacific Ocean, this is a habitat like no other - and one that we’re only just beginning to explore.
Found in the warm, clear waters of the tropics, within reach of the sun’s rays, coral reefs are some of the most surprising parts of our seas. The most famous coral reef of all is found off the northern eastern coast of Australia. Stretching for over 340,000 square kilometres, across 900 islands, the Great Barrier Reef is home to 1600 species of fish, 134 species of shark, and hundreds upon hundreds of species of plant. It’s a scale that those of us dwelling on the land might find it difficult to fully comprehend.
The Great Barrier Reef isn’t the only coral reef to be found in our seas, though. From Hawaii and Belize to the Solomon Sea, the aquatic habitats found just under the surfaces of our warmest waters contain a rich marine life that remains mysterious to many of us. Supporting 25% of all marine life whilst only making up 1% of the ocean’s floor, these coral reefs are working hard to protect our below sea habitats.
Absorbing 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere and regulating our temperature and weather through their distribution of heat between the north and south poles, the planet’s oceans and seas are quietly performing the work needed to maintain life on Earth.
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