Sinopsis
Marine biology is the scientific study of the organisms that live in the ocean. The ocean is a vast realm that contains many strange and wonderful creatures. It is often the beauty, mystery, and variety of life in the sea that attracts students to a course in marine biology. Even professional marine biologists feel a sense of adventure and wonder in their studies.
There are also many practical reasons to study marine biology. Marine life represents a vast source of human wealth. It provides food, medicines, and raw materials, in addition to offering recreation to millions and supporting tourism all over the world. On the other hand, marine organisms can also create problems. For example, some organisms harm humans directly by causing disease or attacking people. Others may harm us indirectly by injuring or killing other marine organisms that we value for food or other purposes.
Marine organisms may erode piers, walls, and other structures we build in the ocean, foul the bottoms of ships, and clog pipes. They may even interfere with our weapons of war, for better or for worse. At a much more fundamental level, marine life helps determine the very nature of our planet. Marine organisms produce much of the oxygen we breathe and help regulate the earth’s climate. Our shorelines are shaped and protected by marine life, at least in part, and some marine organisms even help create new land.
In economic terms, it has been estimated that the ocean’s living systems are worth more than $20 trillion a year. To make both full and wise use of the sea’s living resources, to solve the problems marine organisms create, and to predict the effects of human activities on the life of the sea, we must learn all we can about marine life. In addition, marine organisms provide clues to the earth’s past, the history of life, and even our own bodies that we must learn to understand. This is the challenge, the adventure, of marine biology.
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