 
| WATER ECOLOGY - by ecologist KIMBERLY |
| Several distinguishable water ecosystems exist on the planet OSIRIS. |
- the oceans which cover over 89 % of the planet's surface (Earth's ocean coverage = 70%)
- the deep,cold waters of the Greater OSIRIS Crater Lake
- the coral reefs and the estuaries and rivers
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| Due to factors caused by biological stressors, geological events and severe weather conditions along with the fact that the OSIRIS oceans account for most of the planet surface, the probability of biomes (environmental divisions based on similar climate, plants and animals) are very few. | |
| What this means is both the land and water ecosystems existing on OSIRIS are extremely diverse and unique, at least at this point in the planet's life. However, these factors which create such diversification also contribute greatly to how living and nonliving things interact (the ecosystems) on the planet. Below is a table listing the main ecosystem zones and some of the plant and animal life that exists there: | |
| Zones | Plant Life | Animal Life | | Oceans | CABILETUC, ZIGENS, SAGEMASS | BLUE STRIPED FLAPJACK | | Coral Reefs | CABILETUC, ZIGENS, SAGEMASS | COONSHELSLUGS, PHOTOFLUG | | Estuaries/Rivers | KHNUMS, ZIGENS | PHOTOFLUG | | Greater Crater Lake | KHNUMS | ALGOMITEIS, ANEMISIS | |
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| To help us learn and study the water ecology of OSIRIS, the survey team used a special submarine vehicle called "the black widow", named after the spider we are familiar with on Earth. |  | |
 | The team used and applied the same principles and general understanding of Ecology that is used on the planet EARTH. Click on the image to the left to learn more about those principles. | |
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| About 89 % of the planet surface is covered by its oceans. The average depth of these waters is 3,000 ft which is about a 1/4 of the average depth of the Earth's oceans. The hot outside temperatures and the long OSIRIS days create warm ocean waters especially in the coral reef areas. | |
| In one way, the oceans of OSIRIS can be viewed as a "protector" providing necessary water and nutrients to the land continents. But on the other hand, the oceans can be also a "discipliner" creating a hostile and complex environment for living organisms to survive. |  | |
| Carbon dioxide, which is an important component used by the Zigens and Cabiletucs and other plant producers, is combined with water to create carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the basic element of all food webs. Measurements show that the carbon dioxide levels in the oceans appear to be cyclic in nature. Periods of high levels are followed by periods of low disturbing the ecosystems and creating competitive environments. | |
 | But it is the "bursters", the underwater volcanoes that tend to balance this ecosystem. Each time these underwater volcanoes erupt, a whole ecosystem of bacteria, viruses and other organisms which were living beneath the surface, reproduces rapidly and are released into the waters. | |
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GREATER OSIRIS CRATER LAKE | |
| The ecosystems existing in this body of water located in the planet's main continent is where scientist predict the first water plant originated from, the KHNUMS. The lake is extremely deep (8,500 feet) - where below 350 feet the temperatures begin to diminish quickly as you approach the bottom. | |
 | Most of the plant and animal life exists in the top 500 feet where sunlight can penetrate. Plants, like the KHNUMS and another main producer, the phytoeyeoris, live very close to the surface as they need the sun's energy for the process of photosynthesis to occur. | |
| The ecosystem becomes isolated the further you go down to the bottom of the lake, but even these darkest depths are not devoid of life. The dead matter that sinks to the lake bottom is either eaten by bottom, cold living species like the anemisis or it decays, producing minerals |  | |
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THE CORAL REEFS AND ESTUARIES/RIVERS | |
| The coral reefs on OSIRIS are spectacular and rival those of many Caribbean areas on Earth. Both the coral reefs and the estuaries and rivers are specialized habitats that provide shelter, food and breeding sites for numerous plants and animals. | |
 | Decomposition levels are high and provide nutrients to such plant and animal forms such as the ZIGENS and the CABILETUC. Since predators are few in this environment, plants and animals populate and multiply. Again, its the severe weather systems of OSIRIS that balance this ecosystem by destroying life with the strong currents and runoff. | |
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