Unit 10: Ocean Zones

Unit 10: Ocean Zones

Unit Focus

This unit describes the marine biome’s two major regions: pelagic (water) and benthic (bottom) environments. Students will learn the characteristics of each of these marine environments and how marine organisms adapt to pelagic and benthic environments.

Ocean zones are layers within the oceans that contain distinctive plant and animal life. They are sometimes referred to as ocean layers or environmental zones. The ocean environment is divided into two broad categories, known as realms: the benthic realm (consisting of the seafloor) and the pelagic realm (consisting of the ocean waters). These two realms are then subdivided into separate zones according to the depth of the water.

Student Goals

1. Identify the pelagic and benthic environments within the marine biome and the zones into which each is further divided.
2. Recognize organisms that live within each marine zone or environment.
3. Give examples of adaptations marine organisms use to live in pelagic or benthic communities.