Vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs)

Laxmilatha, P (2015) Vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). [Teaching Resource]

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Abstract

Oceans cover 70% of our planet and represent over 95% of the biosphere. Marine and coastal habitats include coral reefs, mangrove forests, sea grass beds, estuaries, hydrothermal vents, seamounts and soft sediments on the ocean floor deep below the surface. Apart from source of food, the ocean is one of the largest natural reservoirs of carbon. It stores about over 15 times more CO2 than the terrestrial biosphere and soils, and plays a significant role in climate moderation. Deep-seabed habitats host between 500,000 and 10 million species. Deep-sea life is essential to life on Earth because of its crucial role in global biogeochemical cycles, including nutrient regeneration and oxygen. Oceans are seriously underprotected, with only about 0.8% of the oceans and 6% of territorial seas being in protected areas. About 80% of world fish stocks, for which assessment information is available, are fully exploited or overexploited and thus require effective and precautionary management

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