Abstract
The marine environment is often viewed as a vast expanse of clean habitats and ecosystems supporting a diverse range of marine life, from familiar charismatic animals to strange creatures from the deep. Research has revealed that today's oceans face a number of challenges including the alarming rate of biodiversity loss. Human activity is increasingly impairing the ocean's capacity to maintain good water quality as a consequence of, for example, resource overexploitation, climate change and eutrophication. In oceans, as on land, the scope of depletion and degradation has no precedent in human history. Actions are being taken to halt biodiversity loss through tackling a number of issues including the effects of aquaculture, acidification, and water quality. By taking into consideration the results being produced through research, such as the development of new management tools, the European Union can introduce legislation and monitoring programs to help reduce biodiversity loss and subsequently improve water quality throughout European waters. As information is gathered from marine research throughout the world, new challenges emerge. This chapter examines the oceans and their challenge to conserve marine biodiversity by looking at human activities. It delves into the consequences of our actions and the measures that are currently being taken to protect our oceans. It also addresses the challenges that lie ahead.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Living with Water |
Subtitle of host publication | Targeting Quality in a Dynamic World |
Publisher | Springer New York |
Pages | 143-194 |
Number of pages | 52 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781461437529 |
ISBN (Print) | 1461437512, 9781461437512 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |