Ocean Life

Tropical fish at a coral reef

There are more than 250,000 known marine species, in addition to many more that have not yet been classified by scientists. Oceanographers classify marine organisms based on similar characteristics in order to organize this vast amount of species diversity. In this topic, you will explore these classifications through the different marine life zones of the ocean. You will learn how light, distance from shore, and the depth of the ocean water affect life in the ocean. You will also learn to classify marine species into one of three major groups depending on their habitat and how they move.

Essential Questions

  • What are marine life zones and how are they organized?
  • How are marine species classified?