Posted: November 16th, 2023

Marine Environment and Ecology

Marine Environment and Ecology – Examines oceanography, marine ecosystems, environmental protection, pollution prevention and sustainability.

Marine environment and ecology is a field of study that examines the physical, chemical, biological and social aspects of the ocean and its inhabitants. Marine ecosystems are diverse, complex and dynamic, providing a range of benefits and services to humans and other life forms. However, marine ecosystems are also facing multiple threats from human activities, such as overfishing, pollution, climate change, habitat destruction and invasive species. Therefore, it is important to understand the structure, function and interactions of marine ecosystems, as well as the impacts and responses of human interventions on them.

One of the main concepts in marine ecology is the food web, which describes the flow of energy and matter among different organisms in an ecosystem. The food web consists of different trophic levels, or groups of organisms that share a similar role in the energy transfer. The primary producers, such as phytoplankton and seaweeds, are the base of the food web, converting light energy into organic matter through photosynthesis. The primary consumers, such as zooplankton and herbivorous fish, feed on the primary producers. The secondary consumers, such as carnivorous fish and marine mammals, feed on the primary consumers. The tertiary consumers, such as sharks and killer whales, feed on the secondary consumers. The decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down the organic matter from dead organisms and release nutrients back into the environment.

Another concept in marine ecology is biodiversity, which refers to the variety of life forms in an ecosystem. Biodiversity can be measured at different levels, such as genetic diversity (the variation within a species), species diversity (the number and abundance of different species), functional diversity (the diversity of ecological roles and processes), and ecosystem diversity (the diversity of habitats and communities). Biodiversity is important for maintaining the stability, resilience and productivity of marine ecosystems, as well as for providing ecosystem services, such as food provision, climate regulation, nutrient cycling, waste removal, recreation and cultural values.

Marine ecosystems can be classified into different types based on their physical and biological characteristics. Some examples of marine ecosystems are:

– Estuaries: coastal zones where rivers meet the ocean, characterized by high salinity gradients, nutrient inputs and productivity.
– Salt marshes: coastal wetlands dominated by salt-tolerant plants, such as grasses and sedges, providing habitat for many birds, fish and invertebrates.
– Mangrove forests: coastal forests composed of salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in intertidal zones, protecting the shoreline from erosion and storms.
– Coral reefs: underwater structures formed by colonies of coral polyps that secrete calcium carbonate skeletons, hosting a high diversity of fish and invertebrates.
– Open ocean: the vast area of water that covers most of the Earth’s surface, divided into different zones based on depth, light availability and temperature.
– Deep-sea ocean: the dark and cold region below 200 meters depth, where life is adapted to high pressure, low oxygen and scarce food resources.

Marine environment and ecology is an interdisciplinary science that combines biology with physical sciences (e.g. geology, chemistry, oceanography, geophysics) (Geoscience Australia 2023). It also involves social sciences (e.g. economics, sociology) to address the human dimensions of marine issues. Marine ecologists use various methods to collect data on marine organisms and environments, such as field observations, experiments, surveys, remote sensing and modeling. They also use various tools to analyze data and communicate results, such as statistics software (e.g. R), geographic information systems (GIS) software (e.g. ArcGIS) and scientific writing software (e.g. LaTeX).

Marine environment and ecology is a relevant topic for anyone who cares about the ocean and its life forms. It can help us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of marine ecosystems; to understand the challenges and opportunities for their conservation; to evaluate the impacts and trade-offs of human activities; to develop solutions for sustainable management; to inform policies for ocean governance; to educate future generations; to inspire curiosity; to foster stewardship.

References:

– Beaumont NJ et al. (2007) Identification,
valuation
and management
of
ecosystem
services
in
the
marine
environment.
Report
to
the
Department
for
Environment,
Food
and
Rural
Affairs,
London,
UK.
– Cabral P et al. (2015) Ecosystem services assessment tools for marine planning in Europe: A review. Ecological Indicators 58: 237-248.
– Geoscience Australia (2023) Marine ecology. https://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/disciplines/marine-ecology (accessed 16 November 2023).
– Liquete C et al. (2013) Current status and future prospects for the assessment of marine and coastal ecosystem services: A systematic review. PLoS ONE 8(7): e67737.
– Rees SE et al. (2016) A framework for the social valuation of ecosystem services. Global Environmental Change 40: 105-118.
– Schuhmann PW and Mahon R (2015) The valuation of marine ecosystem goods and services in the Caribbean: A literature review and framework for future valuation efforts. Ecosystem Services 11: 56-66.
– UNEP (2021) The marine environment is an essential component of the global life support system. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/marine-environment-essential-component-global-life-support-system (accessed 16 November 2023).