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Only 1% of the Earth’s Life (By Weight) Lives in the Oceans

Estimates indicate that merely 1% of the Earth's total biomass is found in the oceans. 12 This figure, though surprising given the vast expanse of marine environments, is supported by comprehensive research methods and sophisticated modeling techniques. Despite the fact that much of the ocean remains unexplored, particularly the abyssal and hadal zones, scientists have developed robust methodologies to approximate the biomass residing in marine ecosystems.

Remote Sensing and Satellite Data​

Remote sensing, particularly satellite data, plays a critical role in estimating oceanic biomass. Satellites monitor chlorophyll levels in the ocean, which are indicative of phytoplankton presence—tiny, photosynthetic organisms forming the foundation of the marine food web. Chlorophyll data enables scientists to infer biological productivity and estimate the biomass of marine life. This remote approach provides a macro-scale view of oceanic life that would be unattainable through traditional sampling alone. 34

Oceanographic Surveys​

Oceanographic surveys conducted by research vessels further enhance our understanding of oceanic biomass. These ships are outfitted with advanced technology designed to sample various ocean layers. Data collection spans different depths and regions, encompassing diverse marine habitats. This hands-on approach enriches the data obtained from remote sensing, offering more granular insights into marine life distribution. 5

Ecological Models​

Ecological models synthesize data from remote sensing, oceanographic surveys, and established biological processes to create comprehensive biomass estimates. These models enable scientists to cross-validate their findings and provide more accurate estimates of marine biomass. By integrating multiple data sources, ecological models account for the dynamic and complex nature of marine ecosystems, further solidifying the estimation that around 1% of global biomass resides in the oceans. 6

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Footnotes​

  1. Bar-On, Y. M., Phillips, R., & Milo, R. (2018). The biomass distribution on Earth. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(25), 6506-6511. ↩

  2. Ritchie, H. (2019). Oceans, land, and deep subsurface: How is life distributed across environments? Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/life-by-environment ↩

  3. Mouw, C. B., Hardman-Mountford, N. J., Alvain, S., Bracher, A., Brewin, R. J. W., Bricaud, A., Ciotti, A. M., Devred, E., Fujiwara, A., Hirata, T., et al. (2017). A consumer’s guide to satellite remote sensing of multiple phytoplankton groups in the global ocean. Frontiers in Marine Science, 4, 41. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2017.00041 ↩

  4. EUMETSAT. (n.d.). Behind the data: Measuring ocean carbon. EUMETSAT. https://www.eumetsat.int/features/behind-data-measuring-ocean-carbon (Accessed on 08/17/2024) ↩

  5. U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). (n.d.). US NSF - GEO - OCE - Seagoing tools of oceanography. NSF. https://www.nsf.gov/geo/oce/whatis/tools.jsp (Accessed on 08/17/2024) ↩

  6. National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Deep dive into oceanography. National Geographic Education. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/deep-dive-oceanography/ (Accessed on 08/17/2024) ↩