MARINE

BIODIVERSIT
Y

Made by;
Kumar shrey
-13104014
Contents

Importance
Intrinsic Value
Extinctions
What is Biodiversity?
Genetic Biodiversity
Species Biodiversity
Ecosystem Biodiversity
Ecosystem Function
Marine Biodiversity
Caribbean Diversity
Extinctions
Threats to Biodiversity
Protection & MPAs
 Biodiversity - Definition

The variability among living organisms from all

sources including terrestrial, marine, and other
aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
complexes of which they are a part; this
includes diversity within species, between
species and of ecosystems.
Biodiversity also
provides us with
a community of
life, with which
we share planet
Earth, and the
opportunity to
practice
thoughtful
stewardship.
Why is biodiversity
important?
Biodiversity also
serves recreation
and tourism, and
supports the
ecosystems which
provide us with
many services.
 We Live in a most Fantastic
Place !
Biological diversity or biodiversity refers to the
number and variety of life forms found within a
specified geographic region.
This includes the different plants, animals and
microorganisms, the genes they contain, and the
ecosystems they form.
This living wealth is the product of hundreds of
millions of years of evolutionary history.
 Why is biodiversity important?
Human beings are dependent for their health, well-
being and enjoyment of life on basic biological
systems and processes.

People get food and many medicines and industrial

products from the wild and domesticated components
of biological diversity.
 Biodiversity is
important to people
because we
depend on other
species and the
ecosystems they
create.
Biodiversity provides
ecosystem
services, food,
medicines and
natural products,
economic benefits
and natural beauty.
 Intrinsic Value
Biodiversity also has value in its own
right, and is not something that should
simply be viewed for its usefulness to
humans.
Human responsibility toward other living
things, and obligations to future
generations, provide strong reasons for
conservation.
Many species keep us alive!
How?
purifying water
fixing nitrogen
recycling nutrients and waste
pollinating crops

Plants and bacteria carry out

photosynthesis, which produces the
oxygen we breathe. Trees absorb carbon
dioxide, the main greenhouse gas given off
by human activities.
 3 Types of Biodiversity
A. Genetic diversity
B. Species diversity
C. Ecosystem diversity
 A. Genetic
Genetic diversityDiversity
is the variation in the genetic
composition of individuals in a population,
community or species

Evolves as a result of many different processes:

e.g. chromosomal/sequence mutation, and
physical or behavioural isolation of populations

Allows individuals to adapt to different conditions.

Thus, high genetic diversity increases ability of
populations and species to survive major
changes in their environment (e.g. climate
change)
Gene is a packet of information (DNA) that codes for a particular protein that has a specific function.
DNA makes up genes and stores the information that is interpreted by genes for a function. 4
chemicals organized into 3 letter words make up the different amino acids in the DNA. The 3 letter
words can spell a total of 20 different amino acids.
 B. Species Diversity
Species diversity is the variety of species (group of
interbreeding organisms) in a particular habitat or
ecosystem.
About 1.75 million species described. Total number
estimated at approx 12.5 million, but could be
anything from 5-100 million. There may be 10
million und-escribed species in the deep sea alone!
(Convention on Biological Diversity)
The diversity of the smaller organisms (e.g.
phytoplankton, the plants of sea) is less well known
than the larger organisms (e.g. mammals such as
dolphins and whales).
 C. Ecosystem
Diversity
Ecosystem diversity describes the variation in all
living and non-living things in a particular
geographic or ecological region. Ecosystems
comprise unique combinations of animals, plants,
micro-organisms and physical characteristics that
define a location.
Novel marine ecosystems continue to be
discovered. In the ocean, hydrothermal vents,
extremely distinct habitats with many endemic
species, were discovered less than 25 years ago!
 Facts related to Biodiversity

Total Land Area of Earth

510,065,284
sq.km

Forest Cover 38.7 m. sq.km

(26%)

40% of Global Forest Land is

in South America, Africa,
and South Asia.
 Facts related to Biodiversity contd..
There are 5 million to 100 million
species on earth.

Only about 1.9 million species

have been catalogued so far.

There are 34 recognised

Hotspots in the world.

44.4% of Global Plant species and

35.3% of Vertebrate species are

present in Hotspots.
 Facts related to Biodiversity contd..

Total land area of India - 143 million.ha

India occupies 2.47% of the Worlds geographical
area and has only 1% of the forest

India has 16.1% of world human

population and 15.1% of cattle
population

Forest Cover in India

23.57
%
Marine Ecosystem
 Pelagic Ecosystems
Shallow open seas
including entire depth of
water column
Environment patchy in
resources with upwellings,
Photo credits: L Quinta Imag e DOP (top) & J G
Hermalin, BioMare (bottom) fronts, and gyres providing
sufficient nutrients for high
biological production
Wide diversity of plankton
supports fish and
invertebrate species, which
feed large predatory fish
and mammals.
Pelagic Ecosystems
Main threats to
biodiversity are:
commercial
fishing
disease
eutrophication
chemical
contamination
habitat invasion
and damage
Shallow Tropical Ecosystems
Shallow continental
shelves, banks, oceanic
islands, atolls, archipelagos
Coral reefs potentially occur
in all of these locations.
Environment rich in
resources but generally low
in nutrients:
Deserts of the Sea.
Specialized adaptations
result in high biological
production.
Shallow Tropical Ecosystems
Main threats to biodiversity
are:
Commercial fishing
and aquarium trade.
Disease
Eutrophication
Chemical
contamination
Habitat invasion and
damage
Coastal development
Groundings and
overuse
 Shallow Marine
Exposed Tropical Habitats
Mangroves
Beaches
Tide pools

Areas of the shore

that are alternately
exposed during low
tides and
submerged during
high tides.
Photo: MA 2002
Shallow Marine
Exposed Tropical Habitats
Can be affected by
wet and dry seasons
and other seasonal
changes (hurricanes
& winter storms).
Important habitats as
nurseries for marine
species, and for
diversity of bird
species, both
residential and
migratory.
Photo: MA 2002
 Ecosystem Functioning
Ecosystem functioning is a term that
comprises both the ecological and
evolutionary processes (e.g. food webs,
competition) and the individual
components (e.g. herbivores, predators)
within a system.

Many scientists believe that ecosystems

with a high variety in processes and
components are more resilient to change
than ecosystems with fewer functional
Marine Biodiversity Facts
Important facts:
The Ocean covers > 70% of earth
Over 50% of humans live in the
coastal zone and draw 90% of our
marine-living resources from this
region
Life evolved in the ocean 2.7 billion
years before terrestrial life.
All except one phyla (33) occur in the
ocean while only half exist on land
(high phyletic diversity)
15 phyla are exclusively marine.
Ocean creatures contain a diversity of
survival strategies not found on land
so exhibit high functional diversity.
 Why is Marine Biodiversity
Adaptation Food Raw materials Climate
Important ?
Knowledge Aesthetic and cultural value Economics

Biodiversity allows the environment to adapt

to changing conditions. How rapidly can the
marine environment adapt? Preserving genetic
diversity is paramount if marine organisms are
going to adapt to rapidly changing
environments.
Food fish, invertebrates, algae are especially
important for developing countries.
Raw materials - The potential for discovery is
enormous and includes medicines (biochemical
diversity is high), agriculture (seaweeds as
feedstock), building materials, human
Why is Marine Biodiversity Important ?

Climate Biogeochemical cycling of cases is

controlled by living organisms (esp. ocean life).
Marine plants and animals control carbon dioxide
and are a biological pump.
Knowledge New marine ecosystems have been
discovered with many endemic and new species.
Aesthetic & Cultural Value human spirit, tourism,
recreation.
Economics & Employment (e.g. fisheries, tourism)
Diversity of Coral Reef
Ecosystems
There exists 34 animal phyla globally
32 are found on living coral reefs
Contain 25% of all marine species
9 are found in tropical rainforests
Only 10% or fewer of the species contained in
reefs have been described
 Caribbean Marine Life
An amazing diversity of marine life
including corals, sponges, fish, turtles,
invertebrates and other creatures.
Corals provide the home for thousands of
different creatures.
 Extinction Rates

Extinction has usually progressed at what scientists call a

natural or background rate. Today the tempo is far faster.
Many scientists believe this is the sixth great wave - the
sixth mass extinction to affect life on Earth.
We (humans) have more than doubled our numbers in half
a century, and that is the most obvious reason why there is
less room for any other species.

We are taking their living room to grow our food, their

food to feed ourselves.
We are exploiting them, trading in them, squeezing
them to the margins of existence - and beyond.
Threats to Marine Biodiversity
Habitat Degradation
Eutrophication (Red
Tides)
Effects of contaminants
(especially estrogenic
mimic hormones)
Habitat degradation,
fragmentation and
destruction
Fishing and especially
trawling
Climate Change
Threats to Marine Biodiversity

Reclamation (= coastal habitat

destruction)
Threats to Marine
Biodiversity; Trawling
 Threats to
Marine
Biodiversity;
Trawling

Above: Before Trawling;

Below: After Trawling

A full trawl
Marine Biodiversity Hotspots
(Myers et al 2000 Nature)
Biodiversity Losses = Loss of
Services & Potential Helpful
Products Tropical cone snails contain
toxins which show promise
for treating some forms of
cancer and heart
irregularities. One toxin may
Cone snail from the Pacific be a thousand times more
Ocean.
potent than morphine for
pain relief.
But millions of cone snails are now killed
annually for their shells, and their habitats are
under pressure.
How can we prevent biodiversity
loss?
Research
Legislation
Education/Awareness
Sustainable use of
habitats and fisheries
Integration/Co-ordination
Marine Protection Provide educational and
research opportunities.
Areas (MPAs) are
used to..
Nationally /
internationally to conserve
biodiversity. Enhance commercial and
Manage natural recreational activities.
resources.
Protect endangered
species.
Reduce user conflict.
What is a Marine Protected
Area?definitions based on level of protection
Varying
provided by MPA.

Any area of the intertidal or

subtidal terrain together with
its overlying water and
associated flora, fauna,
historical and cultural
features, which has been
reserved by law or other
effective means to protect
part or all of the enclosed
environment.
Marine
Protected Areas

Marine Protected
Areas are used as
management tools to
protect, maintain, or
restore natural and
cultural resources in
coastal and marine
waters.
Kinds of Marine 1. National marine
sanctuaries.
Protected Areas 2. Fishery management
zones.
3. National seashores.
4. National parks/
monuments.
5. Critical habitats.
6. National Wildlife refuges.
7. National estuarine
research reserves.
8. State conservation areas.
9. State reserves.
Varying levels of protection in
MPAs
Closed to public
access.
Permit access but
no consumptive use.
Use of specific
types fishing gear
restricted.
Multiple-use areas.
No-take zones.
 What do MPAs
protect?
Sea Turtle nesting areas . Endangered Species

Habitat important to
valuable fisheries

Aggregations
 What do MPAs
protect?

Coral reef habitats Shipwrecks

The End