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Oceans cover some 71% of the world's surface. They play an essential
role in the maintenance of life on the planet and yet are often
threatened by human activities. The coastal zones, which include
some of the most diverse and productive marine ecosystems, such
as coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests, tidal mudflats,
and kelp forests, are particularly important and vulnerable.
UNEP-WCMC's marine programme aims to compile information on these ecosystems
and the conservation of the species which they harbour. A number of ongoing
projects contribute to the overall programme:
Coral Reefs
Since the publication in 1988 of the 3-volume Coral Reefs of
the World, UNEP-WCMC has been acclaimed as a centre of expertise
in these important ecosystems. In support of ReefBase,
a project run by the World
Fish Center in Manila, UNEP-WCMC has been developing digital
maps of coral reefs of the world. Draft maps have been prepared
for all countries, and for 45 countries the reefs have been mapped
at scales of 1:250,000 or better. These maps have been incorporated
into the Reefbase
database and are also available on the Marine
Information page. The use of GIS for storing the data has enabled
the calculation of global and regional estimates of reef area. UNEP-WCMC
has also been involved in international work as part of the International
Coral Reef Initiative and the International Year of the Reef.
Mangrove
Atlas
In association with the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems
and the International Tropical Timber Organization, UNEP-WCMC has completed
work on a World Mangrove Atlas, published in 1997. This involved
compiling GIS map coverage of mangroves in all countries, thus producing
the most complete global overview of mangrove distribution. Combined with
this work was a detailed review of the distribution of mangrove species
and national summaries of the uses, threats and conservation status of
mangroves.
Mangrove Protected Areas
In 1993, a survey was undertaken of
protected areas with mangrove ecosystems. This resulted in the development
of a database of some 1200 protected mangrove sites.
Poster Map of Coral Reefs and Mangroves of the World
Using mapped coral reef and mangrove data, an educational Coral Reefs
and Mangroves poster was published, with support from BHP Ltd. The poster
was launched in Panama at the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium,
in anticipation of the 1997 International Year of the Reef. Nearly 5000
copies have been distributed to schools, community groups and non-governmental
organisations in over 35 countries, including many developing countries.
Marine Protected Areas
The UNEP-WCMC Protected Areas
Database includes some 35,000 protected areas. Over 4000 are coastal
or marine and a simple habitat classification scheme is used to classify
them. Many of the sites also have detailed information sheets on physical
and biological features as well as legal protection, management systems
and threats. This database has been updated and used in the preparation
of the four-volume review: A Global Representative System of Marine
Protected Areas prepared by the World Bank. The data are maintained
in support of the IUCN Commission on National Parks and Protected Areas.
Threatened and Endemic Marine Species
A large number of threatened marine organisms are recorded in the
UNEP-WCMC species database. This has been used to publish the JNCC
Checklists for all CITES Appendix II species which include complete
species listings and distribution for all hard coral genera and
all black coral species. Data have also been exchanged with Fishbase,
a global database on fish distribution maintained by the World
Fish Center, and with the IUCN Coral Reef Fish Specialist Group.
Related publications include Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales of
the World; the IUCN Red Data Book and The IUCN Invertebrate
Red Data Book.
Marine Turtle Nest Sites
Preliminary maps of feeding and nesting sites of all species of marine turtles have been produced for the world.
A wide range of references has been used, and information on numbers
of eggs/hatchlings, time-series and breeding season has been included.
The database is being reviewed and updated with financial support from
the Convention on Migratory Species.
Sirenia
Similar work is being undertaken to map the global distribution of Sirenians
(manatees and Dugong).
IPIECA and the Biodiversity Map Library
Biodiversity Map Library
(BML) is a user-interface designed to store and access a range of environmental
information in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) format. The development
of this interface is supported by IPIECA, the International Petroleum
Industry Environmental Conservation Association. Data on marine and coastal
environments are particularly important in assessing the likely impact
of oil spills and have been regularly used for this purpose and in emergency
response. Further relevant information, such as coastal wetlands, bathymetry
and coastal morphology, is being collected where available.
Marine Biodiversity Status Report
With partial funding from UNEP, UNEP-WCMC has prepared a report summarising available knowledge
on marine biodiversity in each of the UNEP Regional Seas areas.
Marine Jurisdiction
Central to the problem of managing marine resources is the question of national jurisdictions. A preliminary map
of 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone boundaries has been compiled and
UNEP-WCMC proposes to work with Durham University to produce a definitive
version of this.
Seagrass Beds
In collaboration with IUCN Marine Programme, a global survey of the extent and status of seagrass beds is planned.
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