Oceans
How Earth's five oceans connect to form the largest ecosystem on the planet, and how its network of currents supports the health of the seas and marine wildlife.
Oceans are the largest ecosystem on earth, covering two thirds of our world鈥檚 surface and providing half the oxygen in our atmosphere. They are home to as much as 80 per cent of all life on earth, and nearly three billion people rely on them for their primary source of food.
But our planet鈥檚 oceans would be little more than stagnant wastelands, and life on earth - not just in the oceans - would cease to exist, were it not for one simple factor: a global network of powerful currents. Every drop of seawater on earth rides these currents, taking 1,000 years to complete a single circuit. Without the constant mixing of currents, tides and waves, our oceans would stop supporting life - and a healthy ocean is vital to a healthy planet.
Last on
Clips
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Surfing iguanas of the Galapagos
Duration: 02:25
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Rockhopper penguins' perseverance
Duration: 02:20
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Finding love
Duration: 02:12
Music Played
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Bing Wen Li
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Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Narrator | David Attenborough |
Director | Ed Charles |
Series Producer | Huw Cordey |
Executive Producer | Alastair Fothergill |
Executive Producer | Keith Scholey |
Production Manager | Jenni Collie |
Broadcasts
Featured in...
Secrets of the Seas
Discover the abundance of life underneath the surface.
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