How much of Earth’s surface is covered by oceans?
Over 70%
What is the continental shelf?
A shallow sea area extending a few hundred meters deep near continents.
How does Antarctica affect its continental shelf?
The massive icecap depresses it, making the shelf as deep as 1000 m in places
What is the average depth of the ocean?
Nearly 4000 m
What features rise up from the ocean floor to the continental shelf?
Mid-ocean ridges and seamounts.
What percentage of Earth’s habitat is marine?
Approximately 99%.
What does benthic habitat mean?
Habitat on the ocean floor (seabed).
What was discovered in the Mediterranean in 2008?
First biological samples from the continental shelf of the Amundsen Sea.
Why are oceans important for climate?
They act as a carbon sink, drive climate change through CO₂ absorption, and regulate heat with currents.
How do oceans help coastal populations?
Features like coral reefs and mangroves protect against storms and rising seas.
What shows how fragmented land can be?
Views from forests, prairies, lakes, or mountain climbs.
How do polar regions compare to the tropics?
Polar regions are species-poor deserts, while tropics are species-rich.
How are wide ocean basins often perceived?
As monotonous and uniform ecosystems.
What actually characterizes ocean ecosystems?
Many features that punctuate them, creating diverse environments.
What factors shape ecosystem patterns across time and space?
Changes in time, topography, chemistry, and oceanography.
