Final answer:
Ice floats because it is less dense than liquid water, creating an insulating barrier for organisms in bodies of water.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ice floats because it is less dense than liquid water. This is important to living things because it creates an insulating barrier on the surface of bodies of water, such as lakes and ponds. This insulating layer protects the organisms living in the water from freezing and allows them to survive during the winter.