The Future Structure Organizational Chart Introduction Earth, as photographs taken from space clearly show, is the Water Planet. Water covers two-thirds of the planet's surface, and some of its subsurface too. It is essential to all forms of life and plays a vital role in the processes and functioning of the Earth's ecosystems.
Water is the common element that links ecosystems.
It links forest ecosystems of the interior mountains with the bays and estuaries along the coasts. It transports food, nutrients and other biologically important materials and organisms. Finally, water supplies energy to ecosystems because, through cooling and its motion, water saves energy that organisms and ecosystems would otherwise need to expend. People all over the planet are dependent on water to grow food, generate power, cool the machines of industry, carry wastes and much more. People use water in their personal lives for bathing and cleaning, recreating, drinking, cooking, gardening, and just for the pleasure of watching it.