IMIS

Publications | Institutes | Persons | Datasets | Projects | Maps
[ report an error in this record ]basket (1): add | show Print this page

one publication added to basket [199760]
Global marine biodiversity trends
Sala, E.; Knowlton, N. (2006). Global marine biodiversity trends. Annu. Rev. Environ. Resourc. 31: 93-122
In: Annual Review of Environment and Resources. Annual Reviews: Palo Alto, Calif.. ISSN 1543-5938; e-ISSN 1545-2050, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Sala, E.
  • Knowlton, N.

Abstract
    Marine biodiversity encompasses all levels of complexity of life in the sea, from within species to across ecosystems. At all levels, marine biodiversity has naturally exhibited a general, slow trajectory of increase, punctuated by mass extinctions at the evolutionary scale and by disturbances at the ecological scale. In historical times, a synergy of human threats, including overfishing, global warming, biological introductions, and pollution, has caused a rapid decline in global marine biodiversity, as measured by species extinctions, population depletions, and community homogenization. The consequences of this biodiversity loss include changes in ecosystem function and a reduction in the provision of ecosystem services. Global biodiversity loss will continue and likely accelerate in the future, with potentially more frequent ecological collapses and community-wide shifts. However, the timing and magnitude of these catastrophic events are probably unpredictable.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors