Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
2.2 Value and use of ocean areas, and environmental impacts
of use
The goods and services provided by the ocean range from climate regulation to food, and
recreational and spiritual value. For example, an analysis undertaken by The Economics of
Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) project, found the value of coral reefs to humankind
calculations take into account the services provided by coral reefs in relation to food, raw
materials, ornamental resources, climate regulation, moderation of extreme events, waste
treatment, water purification, biological control, cultural services (including tourism), and
maintenance of genetic diversity. Similarly, the services seagrasses provide in the form of
nutrient cycling are valued at an estimated $1.9 trillion per year, while their support for com-
mercial fisheries is estimated to be worth as much as $3500 per hectare per year (Waycott
et
al.
,
2009
).
The deep sea also provides important ecosystem services, but these are less well un-
derstood. Recent scientific research has shown that life in the deep sea plays a fundament-
al role in global biogeochemical cycles, including nutrient regeneration and production of
oxygen, as well as the maintenance of the Earth's climate through the global carbon cycle
atmosphere that becomes bound or 'sequestered' in natural systems is cycled into the seas
and oceans. Oceans not only represent the largest long-term sink for carbon but they also
store and redistribute CO
2
. Some 93% of the Earth's CO
2
is stored and cycled through the
oceans (Armstrong
et al
.,
2010
).
Fisheries provide an example ofdirect use ofthe oceans, and highlight their importance
inprovisioningfoodtohumankind.AccordingtotheFAO,fishprovidemorethan2.6billion
people with at least 20% of their animal protein intake. This figure includes protein from
the total of over 1000 species harvested from the world's capture fisheries. Since the 1960s,
