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| ==Techniques== | ==Techniques== | ||
| Strategies and techniques for marine conservation tend to combine theoretical disciplines, such as population biology, with practical conservation strategies, such as setting up protected areas. On a global scale this is known as ocean zoning. As described by, < |
Strategies and techniques for marine conservation tend to combine theoretical disciplines, such as population biology, with practical conservation strategies, such as setting up protected areas. On a global scale this is known as ocean zoning. As described by, <ref>http://www.mcbi.org/what/ocean_zoning.htm/ref>ocean zoning is the process of mapping out the uses of the ocean and categorizing the spaces appropriately. Whether it be for recreational fishing, or an area like coral reefs that must be protected. Obviously this process will be long and arduous, but it has already begun.<ref>http://www.mpa.gov/dataanalysis/atlas/</ref> On a smaller scale this is much like the use of MPAs (Marine Protected Areas). Other techniques include developing ] and restoring the populations of endangered species through artificial means. | ||
| Another focus of conservationists is on curtailing human activities that are detrimental to either marine ecosystems or species through policy, techniques such as ], like those set up by the ], or laws such as those listed below. Recognizing the economics involved in human use of marine ecosystems is key, as is education of the public about conservation issues. This includes educating tourists that come to an area that might not be familiar of certain rules and regulations regarding the marine habitat. One example of this is a project called ] that uses the ] diving industry to educate the public based in ]. This project, implemented by ], encourages scuba diving operators to educate the public they teach to dive about the importance of marine conservation and encourage them to dive in an environmentally friendly manner that does not damage ] or associated marine ]. | Another focus of conservationists is on curtailing human activities that are detrimental to either marine ecosystems or species through policy, techniques such as ], like those set up by the ], or laws such as those listed below. Recognizing the economics involved in human use of marine ecosystems is key, as is education of the public about conservation issues. This includes educating tourists that come to an area that might not be familiar of certain rules and regulations regarding the marine habitat. One example of this is a project called ] that uses the ] diving industry to educate the public based in ]. This project, implemented by ], encourages scuba diving operators to educate the public they teach to dive about the importance of marine conservation and encourage them to dive in an environmentally friendly manner that does not damage ] or associated marine ]. | ||
Revision as of 00:19, 31 May 2011
Marine conservation, also known as marine resources conservation, is the protection and preservation of ecosystems in oceans and seas. Marine conservation focuses on limiting human-caused damage to marine ecosystems, and on restoring damaged marine ecosystems. Marine conservation also focuses on preserving vulnerable marine species.
Overview
Marine conservation is the study of conserving physical and biological marine resources and ecosystem functions. This is a relatively new discipline. Marine conservationists rely on a combination of scientific principles derived from marine biology, oceanography, and fisheries science, as well as on human factors such as demand for marine resources and marine law, economics and policy in order to determine how to best protect and conserve marine species and ecosystems. Marine conservation can be seen as a subdiscipline of conservation biology.
Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are the epicenter for immense amounts of biodiversity, and are a key player in the survival of an entire ecosystem. They provide various marine animals with food, protection, and shelter which keep generations of species alive. Furthermore, coral reefs are an integral part of sustaining human life through serving as a food source (i.e. fish, mollusks, etc) as well as a marine space for eco-tourism which provides economic benefits.
Unfortunately, because of human impact of coral reefs, these ecosystems are becoming increasingly degraded and in need of conservation. The biggest threats include "overfishing, destructive fishing practices, and sedimentation and pollution from land-based sources." This in conjunction with increased carbon in oceans, coral bleaching, and diseases, there are no pristine reefs anywhere in the world. In fact, up to 88% of coral reefs in Southeast Asia are now threatened, with 50% of those reefs at either "high" or "very high" risk of disappearing which directly effects biodiversity and survival of species dependent on coral.
This is especially harmful to island nations such as Samoa, Indonesia, and the Philippines because many people depend on the coral reef ecosystems to feed their families and to make a living. However, many fisherman are unable to catch as many fish as they used to, so they are increasingly using cyanide and dynamite in fishing, which further degrades the coral reef ecosystem. This perpetuation of bad habits simply leads to the further decline of coral reefs and therefore perpetuating the problem. One solution to stopping this cycle is to educate the local community about why conservation of marine spaces that include coral reefs is important. Once the local communities understand the personal stakes at risk then they will actually fight to preserve the reefs. Conserving coral reefs has many economic, social, and ecological benefits, not only for the people who live on these islands, but for people throughout the world as well.
Human Impact
The deterioration of coral reefs is mainly linked to human activities – 88% of coral reefs are threatened through various reasons as listed above, including excessive amounts of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) emissions . Oceans absorb approximately 1/3 of the CO2 produced by humans, which has detrimental effects on the marine environment . The increasing levels of CO2 in oceans change the seawater chemistry by decreasing the level of pH. This process is also known as acidification. Acidification negatively affects the carbonate buffering system and drops the carbonate saturation by 30%, which results in a decrease in reef calcification . Reductions in calcification have negative implications on calcifiers, such as corals and shellfish. Some examples include diminishing coral resilience from bleaching, decreasing organisms’ ability to fight off predators, inhibiting their potential to compete for food, and altering behavior patterns . When the bottom of the food web declines tremendously due to acidification, the food web and the whole marine conservation effort is jeopardized. Although humans cause the greatest threat to our marine environment, humans also have the ability to create effective management plans that will be the key to successful marine conservation. Although the most widely known conservation tool is the MPA, one of the best marine conservation tools simply stems from smarter individualist choices we make in efforts to reduce CO2 emissions on a daily basis.
==Techniques==
Strategies and techniques for marine conservation tend to combine theoretical disciplines, such as population biology, with practical conservation strategies, such as setting up protected areas. On a global scale this is known as ocean zoning. As described by, Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). On a smaller scale this is much like the use of MPAs (Marine Protected Areas). Other techniques include developing sustainable fisheries and restoring the populations of endangered species through artificial means.
Another focus of conservationists is on curtailing human activities that are detrimental to either marine ecosystems or species through policy, techniques such as fishing quotas, like those set up by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, or laws such as those listed below. Recognizing the economics involved in human use of marine ecosystems is key, as is education of the public about conservation issues. This includes educating tourists that come to an area that might not be familiar of certain rules and regulations regarding the marine habitat. One example of this is a project called Green Fins that uses the SCUBA diving industry to educate the public based in SE Asia. This project, implemented by UNEP, encourages scuba diving operators to educate the public they teach to dive about the importance of marine conservation and encourage them to dive in an environmentally friendly manner that does not damage coral reefs or associated marine ecosystems.
- http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/coral/coral4.htm
- Trist, Carolyn. "Recreating Ocean Space: Recreational Consumption and Representation of the Caribbean Marine." Professional Geographer. 51.3 (1999). Print.
- Burke, Lauretta, Liz Selig, and Mark Spalding. "Reefs At Risk in Southeast Asia." World Resources Institute (2002): 72. Print.
- J. M. Pandolfi et al., 2003. Global Trajectories of long-term decline of coral reef ecosystems. Science 301: 955-958.
- Burke, Lauretta, Liz Selig, and Mark Spalding. "Reefs At Risk in Southeast Asia." World Resources Institute (2002): 72. Print.
- "CORAL REEF DESTRUCTION AND CONSERVATION - Coral Reefs - Ocean World." Welcome to OceanWorld - Bringing the Ocean to the Classroom. Web. 18 May 2011
- Rodrigo, Raul. Resource at Risk: Philippine Coral Reefs. Manila?: Bookmark, 1998.
- http://pdf.wri.org/rrseasia_key.pdf
- http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&day=21&id=40659&l=e&sp ecial=&ndb=1%20target
- http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/eb/
- http://www.reefresilience.org/Toolkit_Coral/COAb1_Calcification.html