We are all aware of current threats to the biodiversity of many biomes on the planet, with information being shared around the destruction of rainforests and the melting of permafrost in the tundra. However, we also need to recognise the impact on one of the most critical biomes, the marine environment which makes up approximately 95% of the living space on the planet.
Some figures place the number of known species in the oceans at more than 250,000. However, this is also suspected to account for as little as 9% of what is actually there. To add to this, these species are not evenly distributed but rather clustered within the top few 10s of metres, where light can penetrate, and mainly around coastlines. The open ocean (pelagic zone) is rather barren, something akin to a desert, and the deep ocean bottom (benthic zone) has very few and highly specialised organisms, although 95% remains unexplored.
The top few meters of the marine environment provide one of the largest carbon sinks (for absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere) on the planet and as such, can directly influence climate. In these areas when cold, nutrient rich bottom water rises to the surface due to currents, the productivity is incredible capturing and producing between 150 & 500 grams of carbon per square metre per year. This is on par with rainforests and intensive agriculture, but over a far greater area and provides huge potential for well managed aquaculture.
Most of our effluent, run off from agricultural land and areas of high population have a direct impact on the oceans and the life they sustain. While it is easy to overlook this vast area of the planet (71% and rising), we must remember that directly or indirectly it is a critical part of the planet’s biosphere and climate. As such, its health does and will increasingly impact on our daily lives.
By David Boardman, Kristin Senior School Principal.
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