Understanding Marine Life: Stories from Landlocked Perspectives

Marine life is a vast and intricate world that often feels distant for those living in landlocked regions. The ocean, with its diverse ecosystems and fascinating creatures, can seem like a realm reserved for those who live by the coast. However, understanding marine life is not just for ocean dwellers; it is essential for everyone. These stories aim to bridge the gap between landlocked perspectives and the wonders of the ocean, highlighting the importance of marine ecosystems and emphasizing that a healthy ocean is vital to a healthy planet.

Eye-level view of a vibrant coral reef teeming with marine life

The Importance of Marine Ecosystems

Marine ecosystems play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our planet. They provide numerous benefits, including:

• Biodiversity: Oceans are home to an estimated 230,000 known species, with many more yet to be discovered. This biodiversity is vital for ecological balance.

• Climate Regulation: Oceans absorb a significant amount of carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change. They influence weather patterns and temperatures.

• Oxygen: Billions of tiny phytoplankton in the ocean are responsible for 50-80% of the oxygen we breathe, more vital to humans for this purpose than even trees.

• Economic Resources: Fisheries and tourism related to marine life contribute billions to the global economy. Sustainable practices are essential to maintain these resources.

• Cultural Significance: Many cultures have deep connections to the ocean, shaping their traditions, stories, and livelihoods. For centuries, communities have learned from nature, understanding our oneness with it, and hold vast knowledge about the inter connectedness of the environment around them.

  
  

Understanding these benefits can help those of us in landlocked communities appreciate the ocean's value, even from afar. We rely on it all the same, whether you’re living on the coast and providing for others with the oceans’ bounty, or living at 8,000 ft elevation, like I am, and just enjoy breathing.

Stories from Sea to Summit

Living in a landlocked area doesn’t mean we cannot connect with marine life. Stories are one of the most powerful tools that can bring us to places we haven’t yet visited, and instill in us the values needed to put our differences aside and come together for a greater purpose.

The River Connection

Many rivers eventually flow into the ocean, creating a vital link between landlocked communities and marine ecosystems. The Missouri River, which runs through several states, is a tributary of the Mississippi River, leading to the Gulf of Mexico. Communities along the Missouri often participate in river clean-up events, fostering a sense of stewardship for the waterways that connect them to the ocean.

One such initiative is the Missouri River Relief, which organizes volunteer events to clean up the river. Participants not only help improve water quality but also learn about the river's role in the larger ecosystem, including its connection to marine life.

However, you don’t need to live where rivers meet the sea. Even from landlocked states like Colorado and Arizona, our actions impact the ocean. Our whole plastic bottles might not make it all the way down the Arkansas River to the ocean, but plastic never disappears. It breaks into tiny particles invisible to the eye, called microplastics (and even nanoplastics) and pollutes rivers, oceans, soil, crops, and human bodies too. We’ve found microplastics in every sample of blood and breatmilk taken from a diverse group of people, geographically spaced and from the naked eye, irrelevant to one another (cite a study).

And it’s not just a plastic pollution problem. Medications and metals too small for removal at water treatment plants to accumulate in river life and eventually make it into the ocean. New studies, like work from Ocean First Institute (cite) show that sharks have bioaccumulated high levels of metal in their blood because of these human pollutants.

While we don’t fully know the impact of these metals on the oceans’ top predators and most vital indicators of marine ecosystem health, we have seen cases, like in Boulder, Colorado, where medical waste from birth control accumulated in the rivers and caused male fish to lose their testes because of the high levels of estrogen in the water (cite).

This is a very real discovery that was discussed during my time at CU Boulder and one of the first instances I’d heard of where human waste, other than plastics and garbage, can have drastic effects on the environment around us that cascade through the different ecosystems of the Earth.

Bringing the Ocean Inland

While we can’t bring everyone on Earth to the ocean to understand its power and fragility, educational programs focused on marine life bring the wonders under the waves to landlocked areas. The Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, CO, is an AZA-accredited zoo, uncovering the secret lives of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates both with their impressive zoo and with traveling programs, bringing invertebrates into the classroom and leveling the playing field of opportunities to explore the natural world. The Denver Aquarium, Ocean First Institute, Fins Attached, and the Inland Ocean Coalition are other great examples of Colorado organizations striving to bring the oceans inland.

These programs often provide hands-on learning experiences about marine biology, conservation, and the importance of protecting ocean and freshwater habitats.

Students engage in activities such as:

• Interactive Workshops: They learn about marine ecosystems through engaging presentations and experiments, like using a watershed table to understand the flow of pollutants through the ecosystems, or inspecting tiny invertebrates and algae from a local river under the microscope.

• Virtual Tours: Utilizing technology like Virtual Reality, we can explore underwater environments and experience up-close encounters with marine life, even without a SCUBA certification.

• Conservation Projects: Participating in local initiatives that support ocean health, such as beach/river clean-ups and recycling campaigns, add the hands-on and applied experience often needed to grasp the scope of the plastic crisis.

• Community/Citizen Science: Utilizing platforms like iNaturalist, anyone can collect valuable data for scientific researchers around the world! Grab your adventure shoes, your phone or camera, and your keen eye for detail as you head out to document the biodiversity around you. Some interesting local projects include “Reptiles and Amphibians of Colorado”, “Climbers for Bat Conservation” (oh, we’ll talk about bats and oceans, don’t worry), and “Arkansas River Corridor Bioblitz”. If you find yourself traveling near the coast or out on the open ocean, check out projects like Dr. Rebecca Helm’s neuston studies. Neuston is the life that lives at the surface of the ocean, where the salty water meets the air. Organisms like Portuguese man o war, blue sea dragons, violet snails, blue buttons, and juvenile fish hiding in sargassum drift at this interface and often wash ashore during high tides. Many of these are cnidarians, and will still sting after they’re dead, so never touch anything you find on the beach! Instead, grab your phone, open iNaturalist, and snap a few pics to help scientists like Dr. Helm unravel the mysteries of understudied ecosystems like this. Other local CO Community Science projects include Budburst by the Colorado Native Plant Society, where volunteers record observations of plant life cycles in gardens or, or open spaces. The Denver Botanic Gardens promote the Denver EcoFlora Project, focusing on observing and documenting plant species in the metro area to aid conservation efforts and The Denver Zoo’s Boreal Toad Conservation project monitors endangered boreal toads in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. To find more projects, visit SciStarter and use the SciStarter Project Finder to search for local, in-person projects by location or visit CPW Citizen Science to look for opportunities such as tracking wildlife or managing aquatic resources.

We’ll dive much deeper into Community Science programs, as well as workshops and conservation projects, later on this blog. All of these programs help foster a connection to marine life, encouraging us landlubbers to become advocates for ocean conservation.

Technology and Nature

Technology has made it easier for landlocked individuals to explore and understand marine life. Virtual reality (VR) experiences, for example, allow users to dive into the ocean without leaving their homes. Companies like OceanX provide immersive experiences that showcase the beauty and diversity of marine ecosystems.

Through VR, users can:

• Explore Coral Reefs: Swim alongside vibrant fish and learn about the importance of coral ecosystems.

• Witness Marine Conservation Efforts: Observe scientists at work, studying and protecting endangered species.

• Experience Ocean Depths: Discover the mysteries of the deep sea, including unique creatures and habitats.

  
  

These technological advancements make marine life accessible to everyone, regardless of their geographical location.

The Impact of Climate Change

Climate change poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems, and understanding its impact is crucial for everyone. Rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and habitat loss are just a few of the challenges facing marine life today.

Rising Sea Temperatures

As global temperatures rise, so do ocean temperatures. This change affects marine species in various ways:

• Coral Bleaching: Warmer waters can lead to coral bleaching, a phenomenon where corals expel the algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn white and become more susceptible to disease.

• Species Migration: Many marine species are shifting their ranges in search of cooler waters, disrupting existing ecosystems and fishing industries.

  
  

Ocean Acidification

Increased carbon dioxide levels are not only warming the planet but also leading to ocean acidification. This process affects the ability of marine organisms, such as shellfish and corals, to build their shells and skeletons. The consequences of ocean acidification can ripple through the food chain, impacting species that rely on these organisms for survival.

Habitat Loss

Coastal development, pollution, and overfishing contribute to habitat loss for many marine species. Mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs are essential habitats that provide shelter and food for countless marine organisms. Protecting these habitats is vital for maintaining biodiversity and supporting healthy marine ecosystems.

How Landlocked Individuals Can Make a Difference

Even from landlocked regions, individuals can contribute to marine conservation efforts. Here are some actionable steps anyone can take:

Support Sustainable Seafood

Choosing sustainable seafood options helps protect marine ecosystems. Look for certifications such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label or even better, the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch app. By making informed choices, consumers can support fisheries that prioritize sustainability.

Advocate for Clean Water

Clean water is essential for both freshwater and marine ecosystems. Supporting local initiatives that aim to reduce pollution and improve water quality can have a positive impact on rivers and oceans alike. Participate in community clean-up events or advocate for policies that protect water resources.

Educate Others

Sharing knowledge about marine life and conservation can inspire others to take action. Host educational workshops, create informative social media content, or simply engage in conversations about the importance of protecting our oceans. Every effort counts in raising awareness.

Participate in Community Science

Community science projects allow individuals to contribute to scientific research and conservation efforts. Many organizations seek volunteers to help with data collection, monitoring wildlife, and reporting environmental changes. Engaging in these projects can deepen one’s understanding of marine ecosystems while making a tangible impact.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Understanding marine life from a landlocked perspective is not only possible but essential. By exploring the connections between rivers and oceans, engaging in educational programs, and utilizing technology, we can foster a deeper appreciation for the ocean. The challenges posed by climate change and habitat loss require collective action, and we all have a role to play in protecting marine ecosystems.

As we continue to learn about and advocate for the ocean, we should remember that our actions, no matter where we live, can contribute to a healthier planet. Whether through supporting sustainable practices, educating others, or participating in conservation efforts, we can all make a difference. The ocean may seem distant, but its health is intertwined with our own. Let’s work together to ensure its future.