Life below water: Plants that live in the ocean
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Thousands of types of plants that live in the ocean provide habitat for marine creatures such as fish and shrimp. As 70% of the Earth is covered with ocean, these plants play an important role in our global ecosystem.
There are four common types of plants that live in the ocean including kelp, which is the largest marine plant in the world; red algae, which is rich in vitamins and proteins and also a popular food source in Asia; gulfweed, a floating ocean plant, and seagrass, a flowering plant which has around 60 species.
Here are some photos of some of the plants that can be found below water.
Red algae. /VCG Photo

Red algae. /VCG Photo

Japweed forest. /VCG Photo

Japweed forest. /VCG Photo

Kelp forest. /VCG Photo

Kelp forest. /VCG Photo

Marine diversity. /VCG photo

Marine diversity. /VCG photo

Red pigfish behind Ulva kelp. /VCG Photo

Red pigfish behind Ulva kelp. /VCG Photo

Seagrass grows underwater off the coast of the San Blas Islands. /VCG Photo 

Seagrass grows underwater off the coast of the San Blas Islands. /VCG Photo 

Kelp forest towers above the seafloor. /VCG photo

Kelp forest towers above the seafloor. /VCG photo

Air bladders on giant kelp plant. /VCG Photo

Air bladders on giant kelp plant. /VCG Photo

Seaweed. /VCG Photo

Seaweed. /VCG Photo

A giant kelp forest off Anacapa Island. /VCG Photo

A giant kelp forest off Anacapa Island. /VCG Photo

Life below water

World Wildlife Day was established by the United Nations (UN) in 2013 to raise people's awareness of protecting wild animals and plants on Earth. This year on March 3, the theme is "Life below water: For people and the planet." In this series, we're presenting the diverse marine lives of China, focusing on the endangered ones such as the Yangtze finless porpoise and spotted seals that are in need of protection by the government, NGOs and individuals.
(Cover image via VCG Photo)
(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com)