Threats & Terminologies
đŖOverexploitation and Resource Depletion
Bycatch
Non-target species that are unintentionally caught during fishing operations, often leading to their injury or death.
Sustainable Fishing
Fishing practices that maintain fish populations at healthy levels without compromising the ecosystem's ability to regenerate.
Fishery Management
The regulation and supervision of fishing activities to ensure sustainable fish populations and ecosystems.
Aquaculture
The farming of aquatic organisms, including fishes, mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic plants, which can impact wild populations and habitats if not managed sustainably.
đĒ¸ Habitat Degradation and Loss
Coral Bleaching
The loss of color in corals due to stress factors such as temperature rise, causing corals to expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues.
Ghost Nets
Abandoned or lost fishing nets that continue to trap marine life, causing damage to ecosystems and contributing to marine debris.
Coastal Development
Construction and development activities along coastlines that can lead to habitat destruction, increased pollution, and erosion.
Habitat Fragmentation
The breaking up of continuous habitats into smaller, isolated areas, often due to human activities such as coastal development and pollution.
Marine Debris
Human-created waste that has been discharged into the marine environment, including plastics, glass, metals, and other materials.
Invasive Species
Non-native species that spread rapidly in new environments, often outcompeting or preying on native species and disrupting ecosystems.
âŖī¸ Pollution and Contamination
Marine Pollution
Contamination of the marine environment by harmful substances such as plastics, chemicals, oil, and heavy metals.
Eutrophication
Excessive nutrients, often from agricultural runoff, leading to overgrowth of algae, depletion of oxygen, and negative impacts on marine life.
Desalination
The process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater to produce freshwater, which can have significant environmental impacts.
Tourism
Recreational activities and infrastructure development in marine and coastal areas, which can cause physical damage to ecosystems and increased pollution.
đ Climate Change and Environmental Stressors
Ocean Acidification
The decrease in pH levels of the ocean caused by the absorption of excess atmospheric CO2, affecting marine life, particularly calcifying organisms like corals and shellfishes.
Climate Change
Long-term alterations in temperature and weather patterns, which significantly impact marine ecosystems, including sea level rise and increased storm frequency.
Sargassum Blooms
Large masses of floating seaweed that can accumulate on coastlines, potentially harming marine life and coastal ecosystems.
Carbon Sequestration
The process by which carbon dioxide is captured and stored, particularly by oceanic and coastal ecosystems.
Trophic Cascade
A series of changes in the population sizes of organisms at different trophic levels in an ecosystem, typically initiated by the removal or addition of a top predator.
đ Conservation and Restoration
Ecotourism
A form of sustainable travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, respects local cultures, and promotes education and conservation.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Areas of the ocean where human activities are more strictly regulated to conserve marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
Marine Ecosystem Services
Benefits provided by marine ecosystems, including food provision, carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and recreation.
Marine Reserves
A type of MPA where all extractive activities like fishing and mining are prohibited to protect ecosystems and biodiversity.
Mangrove Restoration
Efforts to restore and protect mangrove forests, which are critical for coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and habitat provision.
Restoration Ecology
The scientific study and practice of restoring degraded ecosystems to a healthy state, often involving activities such as replanting vegetation and removing invasive species.
Artificial Reefs
Man-made structures placed in the ocean to promote marine life by providing habitat and protection.
Seagrass Beds
Underwater meadows of seagrass that provide important habitat for marine life, help stabilize sediment, and absorb carbon dioxide.
Biodiversity Hotspots
Areas with exceptionally high levels of species diversity and endemism, often targeted for conservation efforts.
Blue Carbon
Carbon captured and stored by the world's oceanic and coastal ecosystems, particularly mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes.
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