Marine Ecosystem Services

Marine ecosystems represent some of the most heavily exploited ecosystems throughout the world. For example, coastal zones make up just 4% of the earth’s total land area and 11% of the world’s oce[...]

Seasonal and Temporal CO2 Dynamics in Three Tropical Mangrove Creeks: A revision of global mangrove CO2 emissions

Continuous high-resolution surface water pCO2 and δ13C-CO2 and 222Rn (dry season only) were measured over two tidal cycles in the wet and dry season in three tropical tidal mangrove creeks on the nor[...]

Long Distance Biotic Dispersal of Tropical Seagrass Seeds by Marine Mega-herbivores

Terrestrial plants use an array of animals as vectors for dispersal, however little is known of biotic dispersal of marine angiosperms such as seagrasses. This study in the Great Barrier Reef confirms[...]

The Ocean Carbon Cycle

The ocean holds vast quantities of carbon that it continually exchanges with the atmosphere through the air-sea interface. Because of its enormous size and relatively rapid exchange of carbon with the[...]

Seagrass Ecosystems as a Globally Significant Carbon Stock

The protection of organic carbon stored in forests is considered as an important method for mitigating climate change. Like terrestrial ecosystems, coastal ecosystems store large amounts of carbon, an[...]

Status and Trends for the World’s Kelp Forests

Kelp forests are extensive underwater habitats that range along 25% of the world’s coastlines, providing valuable resources, habitat, and services for coastal communities. They grow best in cold, nu[...]

Estuarine fish and shellfish species in U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries : economic value as an incentive to protect and restore estuarine habitat

Commercial and recreational fisheries generate billions of dollars each year for the U.S. economy. In 2006, 9.5 billion pounds of commercial catch was valued at $4.0 billion. This value is enhanced by[...]

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and Associated Drivers

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing accounts for 20% of the world catch and up to 50% in some areas. This industry often uses bonded labour, destructive fishing practices and deceptive p[...]