Earth & Ocean Science, Marine Biology, Many Questions.

I don't personally know that much on the subject of science, although I have an immediate interest in certain topics on the subject. Most of my 'background' in science, if you can really call it that, is basic human biology and Earth science. They are subjects I have a lot of interest in, and enjoy learning about on my own time as opposed to actually, taking the courses themselves, although I've had to take them too. I get a lot more enjoyment out of having the agency outside of class assignments and lectures, to fall down the rabbit hole of Googling things, finding documentaries and lectures on specific things I want to know about, and not being so restricted with time in ways of due dates and in class assignments.

The ocean is one subject that I've always been really interested in, and of course, like most of us, drawn to. Learning about what causes the ocean to move the way it does, allows so many organisms to live in their own world, separate and interrelated to ours, how all these organisms survive and adapt. What in their bodies enables them to do what they do. For me, some things that have sparked my curiosity start from a place of first wondering, do some fish really never sleep? Are some fish completely silent, if so how come? Is there a real reason behind why an octopus needs so many hearts? How do jellyfish digest? Do they digest anything at all? Where do shells get their colour from? What is the grouping name for starfish?

Without taking the fun away from you, I have seen that a group of starfish or sea stars, can be called a constellation, which made me way too happy to read. In actual practice, people would use the terms pod or clan, but such a cute idea if they went with constellation.

Even for the inner wannabe sociologist in me, the relationships we have with animals and they have amongst themselves I find so intriguing. What makes us so similar and where are real differences lie. Questions like, does gender play as big of a role in marine groups as much as the concept seems to matter for humans? What are some 'norms' that we have in our context of living and being alive, that other animals, marine or not, just completely not experience? Do certain types of fish feel homesick? Why is it that some species of fish stay together while others don't? Are there ever exceptions? Do young fish play games in a similar way to children?

As a vegetarian, I care so much about animals and the environment. I am amazed and puzzled by marine life and how we interact with it. It's a thrilling experience when you find or see something you don't quite recognize or you may have never seen in real life before, but only read about. And it is absolutely heart-breaking to see what we do to to this otherworld we take for granted and take advantage of, while not fully grasping how important and vital healthy oceans are to maintaining a homeostasis for the planet.

Most of the oxygen we need to live comes from the ocean and not from our trees and forests, although it is a great argument and place to talk about the importance of old growth forests, like the ones local to us here in B.C. on Vancouver Island, in Fairy Creek. If you haven't heard or read about it at all, it's worth the Google.

https://ancientforestalliance.org/photos/fairy-creek-headwaters/

Keeping our oceans clean, taking care of the marine animals (i.e., not eating them), understanding the real purpose of the ocean in our delicate ecosystem, doing our part as often as we can to do the right things, matters and does make a difference.

Through this blog, I hope to do a deeper dive into various subjects involving, Earth and Oceans Science and if I know enough at any point to be able to write on it, marine biology. I will include sources once I make a post that is a little more scholarly so you will have some receipts for what I say and can back up the facts for yourself.