Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
man life. Sponges, bryozoans, ascidians, and molluscs are the major sources of secondary
metabolites in the sea and therefore have been the prime target for research (Battershill
et
lights the urgency tominimize greenhouse gasemissions andhuman-induced global warm-
ing and to develop marine conservation strategies that account for the potential impact of
climate change (Cheung
et al.,
2009
).
Since61%ofworldgrossnational productisderivedfromcoastal ecosystems, theim-
portanceofactingimmediately topreservethiscapacity whichisneededforthesustainable
development of humanity cannot be ignored. In addition, the evaluation made by Costanza
et al.
(
1997
) does not consider the economic importance of deep-sea habitats that represent
approximately 95% of the ocean surface. The conservation and sustainable use of marine
biological diversity is a priority for all countries, and particularly in areas beyond national
jurisdiction, where the lack of appropriate laws represents a major threat to their conser-
vation. The existing knowledge relative to coastal and deep-sea ecosystems indicates that
establishing networks of marine protected areas (in both coastal areas and the open ocean)
is extremely effective in maintaining marine biodiversity, without compromising (and con-
versely enhancing) the values and benefits for stakeholders and for society. Therefore, ad-
dressing marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, and access to and the
benefits ofsharing genetic resources is the priority forscientists and policy makers over the
next decade. However, marine ecosystems have no political boundaries, and these actions
have to be ensured through a wide regional and even global partnership.
