Marine biology is the study of life forms living in saltwater, and thus usually ocean environment. Studies in marine biology may include analysis of plants, fish, microscopic organisms and marine mammals. Marine biology may also study the whole of an ocean ecosystem, or a specific type of life form and how it interacts with its habitat.

Marine biology may occur as studies in the field, or as analysis of data gathered from ocean sites. It can be comparative in nature, for example, analysis of similar bacteria existing in several different oceans. Alternately it can be species specific.

Marine biology is closely tied to other forms of science, particularly climatology as it affects ocean life forms, oceanography, and animal behavior. While some marine biologists may study the biological structure of an animal, others might study how it behaves.

Often people think of marine biology as only the study of marine mammals, like whales, dolphins or seals. This actually represents just a small portion of marine biology study. There are relatively few marine mammals as compared to vast numbers of species of fish, plants, and single-celled organisms in ocean environments. Understanding the mechanism and interactions of these less glamorous species tend to elucidate important facts about the marine mammals that do exist.

Marine biology may also involve a certain amount of activism. Many scientists who term themselves marine biologists have amassed a great deal of additional scientific education. This is because marine biology must be understood in the context of other sciences. As well, if one wants to become engaged in protecting the ecosystems of the ocean, writing and speaking skills are immensely important.

Many in the field of marine biology must be able to successfully apply for grants. Not all who study marine biology do so at the ocean. There are often marine biology sites in landlocked states or countries. This occurs because oceans and their lifeforms have an effect on all areas. As well, prehistoric marine biology may evaluate the specimens of extinct ocean life forms that are present in areas where no saltwater bodies still exist.

Marine biology may also undertake the study of beneficial organisms in the ocean that might prove vital to human life. The oceans’ many different life forms may hold potential health benefits, give keys to developing beneficial medications, or help us determine how best to protect earthbound life forms.

Some find marine biology particularly appealing because so many of the ocean’s species remain unknown. There are ocean areas that people still cannot access because of temperature or depth. The ocean is a frontier that humans have not yet breached. Thus those in marine biology regularly have an opportunity to be a part of earth and life science studies that constitute brand new discoveries.