Marine ecosystems

This guide answers key questions about ocean acidification and discusses the degree of certainty of the international scientific community about what is already happening to the ocean, what the future may hold for the ocean in a high carbon dioxide (CO2) world, and the possible consequences of ocean acidification. The guide provides the latest science on the speed and scale of impact that CO2 emissions will have on the ocean and on humanity.

This guide answers key questions about ocean acidification and discusses the degree of certainty of the international scientific community about what is already happening to the ocean, what the future may hold for the ocean in a high carbon dioxide (CO2) world, and the possible consequences of ocean acidification. The guide provides the latest science on the speed and scale of impact that CO2 emissions will have on the ocean and on humanity.

Marine News is the IUCN Global Marine and Polar Programme e-newsletter. It includes news stories related to a diversity of marine-related topics such as climate change mitigation and adaptation; threatened marine species; energy and industry; marine protected areas; marine invasive species; fisheries and aquaculture; ocean governance and the Arctic. It also highlights recent marine expeditions and outstanding marine photographs.

The Mediterranean Sea is a highly variable and dynamic environment, with very high biologic diversity. However, human activities have a large impact on this environment and sometimes lead to permanent ecosystem shifts. A broad-based dynamic conservation approach is needed to preserve essential ecological processes and services, and to protect economic and cultural resources for future generations.

The Greening Blue Energy project aims to facilitate well-balanced and science-based discussions on the impacts on the marine environment from offshore renewable energy developments and as such this publication provides a synthesis of current knowledge on the potential biodiversity impacts of offshore wind energy on the marine environment. It is based on scientific evidence and experiences from offshore renewable energy development and other relevant sectors.

This report is based on discussions among maritime experts and draws on the conclusions of a workshop that was held in Istanbul in 2007.

The ocean continues to get only peripheral attention in climate change research and policy, despite its enormous importance in regulating global climate and its sensitivity to the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification. This report provides an overview of the interactions between the ocean and climate and describes the impacts of climate change on the marine ecosystems and the goods and services they provide human society.

This report focuses on the management of natural coastal carbon sinks. There is a lack of recognition and focus on coastal marine ecosystems to complement activities already well advanced on land to address the best practice management of carbon sinks.