Marine Biodiversity and Environment – An Overview

Sobhana, K S (2025) Marine Biodiversity and Environment – An Overview. ICAR Short Term Training Manual on Integrated Taxonomic Techniques for Marine Biodiversity Conservation. pp. 1-8.

Text CMFRI Training Manual Series No. 48_2025_Sobhana K S Biodiversity.pdf Download (255kB)

Abstract

Marine biodiversity encompasses the rich and diverse array of life in the oceans, including ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity. Covering about 70% of the Earth’s surface, oceans are home to millions of species, many of which remain undiscovered. Marine ecosystems play a fundamental role in sustaining life on Earth, offering invaluable ecological, economic, and social benefits. These ecosystems, ranging from coral reefs and mangrove forests to the deep ocean and polar seas, provide essential services such as carbon sequestration, coastal protection, food sources, and climate regulation. Marine life spans an incredible range of organisms, from microscopic viruses and plankton to massive marine mammals, each uniquely adapted to their specific environment. The diversity of marine habitats is staggering, with species thriving in environments as varied as the sunlit surface waters to the dark depths of the ocean, where pressures and temperatures are extreme. Of the estimated 500,000 to 2 million marine species, only about 242,000 have been formally described. This indicates that a vast majority of marine life remains unexplored, particularly in the remote deep-sea regions and the polar seas. As new technologies and exploration methods continue to advance, thousands of new species are discovered each year, further highlighting the immense, untapped biodiversity of the world’s oceans. The ongoing discovery of these species underscores the need for greater exploration and, most importantly, for comprehensive conservation efforts to protect these ecosystems and their inhabitants. The extraordinary wealth of marine biodiversity is not only crucial for the health of the oceans but is also essential to the well-being of all life on Earth, making its preservation a top priority for global sustainability.

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