What Are We Doing to Marine Biodiversity?

This chapter identifies current human threats to marine biodiversity, the greatest of which is habitat destruction from activities such as fishing, housing, and industrial development. Habitat destruction is increasing with increases in global human population. Probably the greatest potential threat to marine biodiversity is from anthropogenic climate change. This is linked to ocean warming, ocean deoxygenation, and ocean acidification; ocean warming can lead to coral bleaching and ocean deoxygenation. Climate change is particularly important in slowing down the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The AMOC is not in imminent danger of stopping, but its slowing down is likely to have significant effects on regional climates and marine biodiversity. Other important threats to marine biodiversity include marine pollution, overfishing, and the introduction of non-native species by human agents. There are many examples of human actions and organizations that help protect marine biodiversity, but well-designed and well-managed Marine Protection Areas are probably the most effective.