Freshwater habitats and marine biomes are two different types of ecosystems. They have unique features and support different kinds of living things. Knowing how they differ helps us appreciate the variety of life on our planet.

1. What Are Their Differences?

• Freshwater Habitats:

  • They make up about 0.8% of the Earth's surface.
  • These areas include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, and wetlands.
  • The salt level in freshwater is low, ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 parts per thousand.
  • Freshwater environments usually have fewer types of living things compared to marine areas.

• Marine Biomes:

  • These cover around 71% of the Earth's surface.
  • Marine areas include oceans, seas, coral reefs, and estuaries.
  • The salt level in the ocean is much higher, at about 35 parts per thousand.
  • Marine biomes have a wider variety of creatures, with around 230,000 known species.

2. Types of Living Things:

• Freshwater Organisms:

  • These organisms are specially adapted to the low salt and changing temperatures.
  • Some examples are:
    • Fish like perch and trout.
    • Amphibians such as frogs and salamanders that live in these waters.
    • Insects, crustaceans, and other small creatures like dragonfly larvae.

• Marine Organisms:

  • These creatures have adapted to the higher salt levels and pressure found in the ocean.
  • Some examples include:
    • Fish like clownfish and tuna.
    • Marine mammals such as whales and dolphins.
    • Coral, which are tiny animals that build large reefs.

3. Variety of Life and Adaptations:

• Freshwater habitats have about 10,000 species, but many of these are endangered because of changes in their environment and pollution.
• Marine biomes are home to a greater number of species. About 25% of all marine fish live in coral reefs.

In summary, the main differences between freshwater habitats and marine biomes are their salt levels, types of environments, and the organisms that live in them. Understanding these differences is important for protecting and managing both of these ecosystems.