What is Ocean Biodiversity?
Ocean biodiversity is the variety of life in marine environments – from microscopic plankton to massive whales. In UNESCO’s words, it covers all living organisms in marine ecosystems and their ecological communities.
Local Insight: Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg coast is the richest marine hotspot in the state, featuring vibrant coral gardens and dolphins.
Ecosystem Services: Why It Matters
Biodiversity directly supports Ecosystem Services, the benefits nature provides to humanity:
Climate Regulation
Oceans absorb 25% of global CO₂. Marine plants like phytoplankton generate oxygen.
Food Security
Oceans provide seafood for billions. In India, the Konkan coast supports millions of livelihoods.
Coastal Protection
Healthy coral reefs buffer 97% of wave energy, protecting shorelines from storms.
Key Concepts Explained
- Keystone Species: Species like sharks that have an outsized impact on the ecosystem.
- Blue Carbon: Mangroves and seagrass sequester carbon faster than terrestrial forests.
- Food Webs: The complex "who eats whom" network starting from phytoplankton.
⚠️ Threats and Human Impacts
Climate change, overfishing, and plastic pollution are causing mass coral bleaching. NOAA reports that 75% of reefs were heat-stressed between 2014-2017.