Merieläimille

Merieläimille refers to animals that live in marine environments. This vast category encompasses a diverse array of life forms, from microscopic plankton to the largest whales. They inhabit every part of the ocean, from shallow coastal waters to the deepest abyssal trenches. Marine animals have adapted to a wide range of conditions, including varying salinity, temperature, pressure, and light levels. Their lifestyles are equally varied, with some being free-swimming (pelagic) while others live on or in the seabed (benthic). These animals play crucial roles in marine ecosystems, influencing everything from nutrient cycling to the food web. Examples include fish, marine mammals like dolphins and seals, invertebrates such as corals, jellyfish, and crustaceans, and many species of birds that rely on the ocean for food. The health of marine animal populations is often an indicator of the overall health of the ocean.