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  Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Biodiversity »

  UNEP-WCMC has provided technical support to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to conduct a major study of more than 300 scientific literatures to synthesise the observed and predicted impacts of ocean acidification on marine biodiversity. The study, Scientific Synthesis of the Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Biodiversity, describes an alarming picture of possible ecological scenarios and adverse impacts of ocean acidification for marine ecosystems, and highlights the direct link between climate change, ocean health and human well-being. The study was released by the CBD on the 14th December 2009 to mark Oceans Day and inform the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen.

  Resource Type: Reports
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  In the front line: Shoreline protection and other ecosystem services from mangroves and coral reefs »

  This report has gathered lessons that have been learned since these events that will be relevant to future management of the coasts in the context of severe weather events and other potential consequences of global warming. More than ever it is essential to consider the full value of ecosystem services - that is the benefits that people derive from ecosystems - when making decisions about coastal development.

  Resource Type: Reports
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  Framing the Flow: Innovative Approaches to Understand, Protect and Value Ecosystem Services Across Linked Habitats (2010) »

  This report provides a synthesis of the current state of knowledge regarding the natural capital of water related ecosystems and habitats, and offers an overview of the innovative approaches that can support the analysis of the links between interconnected ecosystems. It analyses the linkages across coastal ecosystems (seagrasses, mangroves, and coral reefs) and the ‘value added’ in terms of ecosystem services (benefits) provided by these linkages as opposed to the services provided by just one system studied in isolation. The linkages between ecosystems are examined under consideration of environmental, economic, management and social aspects and recommendations are provided for integrating this new paradigm into cross-sectoral environmental practices.

  Resource Type: Reports
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  Mangroves of Western and Central Africa »

  This report presents a country profile for 19 countries of West and Central Africa, considering the status, distribution, biodiversity, uses, threats and drivers of change for their mangroves. Although there is considerable work being undertaken to research this habitat at the national, regional and global level, there are still significant gaps in information, emphasizing a need for continued efforts to improve assessment in the region. This report concludes that there has been a decline in mangrove cover in the region over the last quarter of a century, and that there will be consequences as a result of this decline.

  Resource Type: Reports
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  Climate Change and Marine Diseases: The Socio-Economic Impact »

  Diseases in the marine environment are integral to the regulation of marine ecosystems. However, in recent decades, unprecedented disease outbreaks have brought into focus the implications of human impacts upon marine disease. Climate change acts in synergy with other anthropogenic factors, such as pollution and over-exploitation, to drive changes in disease dynamics with important socio-economic consequences.

  Climate Change and Marine Diseases: The Socio-Economic Impact reviews this emerging field of research and presents case studies illustrating how the impact of climate change on marine disease has significant implications for human health, food security and business sustainability. A number of key recommendations are presented on how best to move forward in terms of unraveling the processes behind marine diseases and to integrate this knowledge into the wider policy realm.

  Resource Type: Reports
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  Global Marine Assessments: a survey of global and regional marine environmental assessments and related scientific activities »

  The world's oceans provide goods, services and functions fundamental to the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Planning for their sustainable use requires a more detailed understanding of the marine environment than is available at present: an understanding that will only become possible through improved levels of monitoring and assessment. This publication is the result of inter-agency and national government collaboration. It represents part of UNEP's contribution to evaluating the feasibility of establishing a Global Marine Assessment, a process that would regularly report on the state of the marine environment. The report presents a snapshot of assessments and related scientific activities that were in progress at the end of 2002. It considers and recommends various ways in which a future Global Marine Assessment process could integrate these activities, and identifies the thematic and geographical gaps that need to be addressed.

  Resource Type: Reports
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  Deep-sea sponge grounds: Reservoirs of biodiversity (2010) »

  This report draws together scientific understanding of deep-water sponge grounds alongside the threats they face and ways in which they can be conserved. Beginning with a summary of research approaches, sponge biology and biodiversity, the report also gives up-to-date case studies of particular deep-water sponge habitats from around the world. These include the spectacular giant glass sponge reefs of British Columbia – a relic of the time of the dinosaurs – and the diverse sponge kingdom of Antarctica. Long-overlooked, recent research now shows that deep-water sponge grounds form complex, slow-growing and long-lived habitats in many parts of the global ocean. As well as forming local biodiversity centres, deep-water sponges are also storehouses of novel chemical compounds, some of which show promise in the fight against cancer and other diseases.

  Resource Type: Reports
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  National and Regional Networks of Marine Protected Areas: A Review of Progress »

  In response to the global challenge, for a systematic conservation planning approach to MPA establishment, set by the Convention on Biological Diversity and other international agreements and action plans, there are now many initiatives to develop ecologically representative MPA networks. This report describes the progress being made in 30 national and 35 sub-national ecological MPA network initiatives, using information from the literature, MPA practitioners and planners, and conservation experts. The report explores the diverse range of approaches applied, at various spatial and geographical scales, to demonstrate how MPA networks can be established in practice, and how they can be adapted to different needs and priorities.

  Resource Type: Reports
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  Global Marine Assessments: A survey of global and regional assessments and related scientific activities of the marine environment »

  In 2003, UNEP and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO published 'A survey of global and regional marine environmental assessments and related scientific activities' in response to the call of the UN General Assembly (Resolution 57/141) and the Heads of States and Governments at the World Summit on Sustainable Development to establish a regular process for the global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment. Today, the urgency to understand the state and functioning of our oceans is even greater than ever. In December 2006, the 61st session of the United nations General Assembly adopted a new resolution (A/RES/61/222) on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, renewing the commitment of Member Stats to support the implementation of the start-up phase: the Assessment of Assessments of the Regular Process.

  Resource Type: Reports