A bog, also called a bogland, is a type of wetland where layers of peat form from dead plant materials, such as mosses, especially sphagnum moss. It is one of four main wetland types. Other names for bogs include mire, quagmire, muskeg, and mosses.
A peatland is a type of wetland where the soil is made mostly of decayed plant material, forming layers called peat. These wetlands form when plant matter does not fully break down because the soil is wet and lacks oxygen. Peatlands are unique landforms shaped mostly by living things rather than physical forces, and they often have distinct shapes and patterns on the surface.
Seagrasses are the only flowering plants that live in ocean environments. There are about 60 types of seagrasses that grow completely in the sea. These plants belong to four families: Posidoniaceae, Zosteraceae, Hydrocharitaceae, and Cymodoceaceae.
Seagrasses are the only flowering plants that live in ocean environments. There are about 60 species of seagrasses that grow completely in the ocean. These species belong to four families: Posidoniaceae, Zosteraceae, Hydrocharitaceae, and Cymodoceaceae.
Kelp forests are underwater areas where large amounts of kelp grow, covering many parts of the world’s coastlines. Smaller groups of kelp that are attached to the ocean floor are called kelp beds. These areas are considered some of the most productive and changing ecosystems on Earth.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, made up of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. It spans more than 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) over an area of about 344,400 square kilometers (133,000 square miles). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, near the coast of Queensland, Australia.
The Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) is a partnership between National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) agencies, created in 2000. The program uses different areas of study to help manage and learn about coral reef ecosystems by doing research and sharing data. This supports other groups that work to restore coral reefs.
Human activities have a big effect on coral reefs, causing their worldwide decline. Harmful activities include mining coral, pollution (both from living things and non-living materials), overfishing, using explosives to fish, and digging canals or access points to islands and bays. Other dangers include disease, harmful fishing methods, and rising ocean temperatures.
Coral bleaching happens when corals turn white. This is because they lose algae and colors that help them make food. These changes can be caused by stress, such as water that is too hot or cold, too bright or dark, too salty or not salty enough, or too many or too few nutrients.
A mangrove is a shrub or tree that grows mainly in coastal areas with salty or brackish water. They are found in equatorial climates along coastlines and tidal rivers. Mangroves have special traits that allow them to take in extra oxygen and remove salt, helping them survive in conditions that harm most plants.