We classify habitats according to the combination of different factors. This includes ocean depth, the intensity of currents and waves and the type of seafloor (such as coarse sand or mud).
Each habitat has a distinct set of factors that make it a unique area. These areas support many levels of life. This can be from the smallest invertebrates to taonga species like tuna and commercially important species like snapper.
In the oceans, environmental conditions vary greatly by depth, so depth also plays a role in species distribution. The deeper you go, the less light there is, the colder it gets and the higher the pressure.
Download the Department of Conservation infographic as a PDF.
Copyright: Department of Conservation
