According to recent findings based on biodiversity estimates, a surprising 94% of all species are aquatic.
Life on Earth is predominantly found in water. While we often think of terrestrial animals and plants, the sheer diversity and number of species inhabiting the vast oceans, lakes, and rivers far outweigh those on land.
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The vast majority of life on Earth is below water. A surprising 94% of all species are aquatic.
This statistic highlights the immense and largely unexplored realm of aquatic ecosystems and the incredible biodiversity they contain, from microscopic organisms to the largest animals on the planet.
What Constitutes Aquatic Life?
Aquatic life refers to organisms that live in water, which can be either freshwater (like rivers, lakes, and ponds) or saltwater (like oceans and seas).
Examples of aquatic organisms include:
- Fish of all shapes and sizes
- Marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, and seals
- Invertebrates like coral, jellyfish, crabs, and squid
- Microscopic organisms such as plankton and bacteria
- Aquatic plants and algae
The ocean, covering over 70% of the Earth's surface and reaching profound depths, provides the largest habitat for life, contributing significantly to the high percentage of aquatic species.
