Water Everywhere!

The largest biome on planet Earth is the marine biome, which covers around 70% of the Earth's surface.

The Marine Food Web

The transfer of energy from one organism to another in the form of food is termed as a food web. Organisms placed higher in the food chain prey those placed on the lower level. In case of ocean animals, the same process is followed. The food chain is described below, along with the list beginning with the biggest organism that consumes the next in the food chain. Any disruption caused to any member in the chain is a serious blow to the entire food chain. The top predators are at the highest level of the food chain, and are called the 'quaternary consumers'. Being the biggest and most powerful creatures in the ocean, they prey on the larger fish as well. Apex predators are well-versed in hunting, and are quite helpful in controlling the population of other species of the marine world. Big predators include whales, killer sharks, orcas, etc. In times of need, they also hunt and kill the weak and the sick members of their own species. Sea mammals also contribute to the food chain by consuming fish. Seals, walruses, sea lions, and dolphins are common examples of such sea animals. Large fish prey on the smaller ones, and are also known as the 'tertiary consumers'. With regards to the food chain, it is quite important that even small fish are hunted and eaten. If not, their population would explode, making it difficult for the entire race to survive. After the larger fish consume the smaller ones, they too are ingested by the top predators. Thus, it makes it a fish-eat-fish world. Small sharks, swordfish, tuna and octopuses are examples of large fish that fit into this part of the food chain. As the name suggests, these are primarily used as bait to catch larger fish. Also known as the 'secondary consumers', they are very common, breed very fast, and thus form one of the most important members of the marine food web. They are present in large numbers, and make it easy for large fish to prey upon them. These small fish prey upon zooplanktons. Examples of small bait fish include croakers, glass minnows, menhadens, pinfish, sandperches, spot fish, etc. Small floating animals, known as 'zooplankton' eat phytoplankton (the lowest in the food chain). Being weak swimmers, they drift or wander along with the water current. They are also called 'primary consumers', as they are responsible for consuming phytoplanktons, who are the primary producers. There are basically two types of zooplankton: meroplankton and holoplankton. Meroplankton stay as plankton only till their larval stage. Examples of meroplankton are sea urchins, crustaceans, starfish, crabs, lobsters, etc. On the other hand, holoplankton remain plankton their entire lives. Some of the common examples of holoplankton are amphipods, jellyfish, krill, copepods, etc. These are single-celled marine organisms that live on the sunlit upper layers of the ocean, the 'euphotic zone', and are considered as one of the most powerful foods around. They contain antioxidants, vitamins, proteins and minerals. This tiny plant is the beginning of the food chain in the ocean. All other organisms of the ocean are largely dependent on this microscopic plant. Known as 'primary producers' of food, they use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide and other nutrients into carbohydrates, that are used by marine creatures. Ninety-five percent of the primary food is derived from phytoplankton. They consist of algae, bacteria, archaea, etc. They are consumed by zooplankton and other fish as well. Phytoplankton is considered the most essential form of food in the ocean.