The Importance of Marine Biodiversity
Marine biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining ocean health by providing a wide range of ecosystem services, including nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and shoreline protection. It supports key industries such as fisheries, tourism, and pharmaceuticals, and is also essential for cultural and recreational purposes.
Maintaining high levels of biodiversity increases ecosystem resilience and productivity, making marine environments better able to cope with disturbances such as climate change and ocean acidification.
However, overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change are causing significant declines in marine biodiversity. These threats highlight the urgent need for conservation measures to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of our oceans.