How We Use Marine Biodiversity?

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2013, Caroline Hattam, Plymouth Marine Laboratory,   "The Youth Guide to Biodiversity" 1st Edition (Chapter 8) Youth and United Nations Global Alliance. Reproduced with permission.

Chapter 8. Verbatim.

From left to right:

Mangroves, Galapagos.

© Reuben Sessa

Coastal recreation, Lym e Regis, UK.

© S. Boyne

Students on Prapas beach, Thailand studying taxonomy.

© PML

Examining microscopic marine organisms in the lab.

© scalefreenetwork/www.flickr.com

Fishing trawler surrounded by great crested terns.

© Marj Kibby/www.flickr.com

Humans are dependent upon marine biodiversity in more ways than you think! 

When you think of how we use marine life, you probably think of fish and shellfish for food. Although the oceans are important sources of food, they also provide many other important benefits, such as:

•• The balance of our climate: some marine organisms (e.g. phytoplankton) take up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Others produce gases, such as dimethyl sulphide, which can help form clouds that reflect the sun’s rays and cool the planet.

•• The breakdown and removal of waste and pollution: bacteria in sea water can break down organic waste (e.g. sewage), some can even breakdown petrochemicals and have been used to help clean up oil spills. Larger marine animals eat organic and inorganic materials (e.g. metal compounds) and can bury them within the sea bed. 

•• The reduction of damage from storms: the presence of salt marshes, coral reefs, mangroves and even kelp forests and seagrass meadows can reduce the amount of energy in waves, making them less destructive when they reach the shore. 

•• Recreation: millions of people use the marine environment for recreation and many are drawn to it because they can see marine life (e.g. dolphins, whales, sea birds, seals and manatees). Coral reefs are also a popular tourist attraction and are estimated to generate US $ 9.6 billion worldwide for the tourism industry. 

 •• Learning experiences: some schools and youth groups take young people on field trips to the beach to learn about marine life. Has your school taken you?

•• New medicines, biofuels and other products: many  pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies study marine life in the search for new compounds that may be useful for people. So far more than 12 000 potentially useful compounds have been found in marine organisms. 

•• Our heritage and culture: the sea and sea life appear in many folk tales, novels, poetry, songs and works of art. Can you think of any? 

•• Our health and well-being: many people find being near the sea to be relaxing and inspirational, and seeing marine life adds to the enjoyment. Doing exercise on the beach or in the sea is being promoted as a way to improve our health and well-being.

Seaweed Surprises

Did you know that you’ve probably already eaten some seaweed today? It’s in your toothpaste! And maybe you’ve put some on your face and hair as it’s found in many shampoos and cosmetics such as creams and lotions. 

It’s also used as a fertiliser, animal feed, in medicines, gums and gels. Maybe you’ve used it in a science lesson at school as a medium called agar on which to grow bacteria. Perhaps in the future you’ll also be using it to fuel your car as scientists are already using marine algae to produce biofuels.