The earth appears blue when viewed from outer space and is called the �Blue planet�. This is because more than 71% of the earth is covered with water. From deep, cavernous trenches to shallow intertidal zones, life thrives in all parts of the ocean. Let us learn about the importance of ocean.

Animals and plants of all shapes, sizes, and species make their home in ocean, with some habitats, like kelp forests, supporting up to 1,000 different species alone.

Ocean Facts:

� Ocean plants grow fairly close to the water�s surface because they need sunlight to stay alive.
� Sunlight penetrates the water to only about 600 feet (200 meters). The most numerous ocean plants are called Phytoplankton.
� These tiny, one-celled plants drift with the ocean currents. Various kinds of seagrass and other plants also grow in the world�s oceans.
� The tiniest animals are a form of plankton called zooplankton. Hundreds of thousands of other types of animals also live in the ocean.

Do You Know - The largest ocean animal is the blue whale.

Many of these organisms are important to the survival of ocean ecosystems and humans. Without alga like kelp, for example, we wouldn�t be able to make many of our everyday products, including toothpaste and ice cream!

Understanding, monitoring, and protecting these amazing creatures, from the smallest plankton to the largest animal ever known to have existed, the blue whale, is an important part of the National Park Service mission.

Why is the Ocean so important?

The Ocean is the heart of the planet. Water covers more than two-thirds of the Earth�s surface. Sea plants, like Posidonia, produce 70% of the oxygen we breathe, and the deep waters are home to wildlife and some of the biggest creatures on earth. It provides us with food, jobs, life, entertainment, and sailing! Without it, we cannot survive.

Why should we care so much about the creatures that live in the ocean? Does it matter if a species disappear? What does that mean for us?

Let us learn about the importance of ocean

1. Source of Water � An ocean is a major source of water to mankind through the water cycle. Oceans contribute water vapour to the atmosphere and we get the same in the form of precipitation.

2. Climate � Oceans have direct control over the climate. Nearness to oceans is an important factor in climate. Various elements of climate like temperature, rain, humidity, etc., are affected by nearness to oceans.

3. Food Resources � The oceans are the biggest storehouse of edible forms of marine food, fish is most important. Millions of people in the world take fish as their food. Seaweed is used to prepare food. Seaweed is an important part of the diet of the Japanese.

4. Mineral and Chemical Resources � Oceans have enormous minerals and chemical wealth. A variety of dissolved salts like sodium chloride (Common salt), magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, etc., are found in plenty.

5. Oceans and Oils � Oil and gas are important fuels obtained from oceans. More than 100 countries at present are extracting oil gas from continental shelves of oceans. A large part of the world�s oil production comes from offshore fields. Bombay High is an important offshore oil-producing area of India.

6. Oceans and Energy � Oceans are becoming a source of energy also. Some developed countries like France, the UK, the USA, etc., are generating energy from tides.

7. Trade and Transport � Oceans provide the cheapest mode of transportation for international trade. Oceans routes are very useful for trade and transportation of bulky products like coal, iron machinery, transport equipment, etc.

Importance of Ocean - MCQ:

1. Sea plants, like Posidonia, produce _____ of the oxygen we breathe.
a. 60%
b. 50%
c. 80%
d. 70%

2. Seaweed is an important part of diet of the __________.
a. Chinese
b. Indians
c. Americans
d. Japanese

3. _____ and _____ are important fuels obtained from oceans.
a. Coke, Petrol
b. Diesel, CNG
c. Kerosene, Coke
d. Oil, Gas

4. Some developed countries like ______ and _____ use tides in the generation of energy.
a. Canada and Brazil
b. India and Pakistan
c. New Zealand and West Indies
d. USA and UK

5. Oceans have enormous minerals and dissolved salts like __________.
a. Lithium Chloride
b. Hydrogen Chloride
c. Sulphur Chloride
d. Potassium Chloride

Read More: What are Ocean Currents: Two Types - Warm Currents and Cold Currents