OCEAN

The ocean is the largest habitat on Earth, covering more than 70% of the planet's surface and is home to a wide range of species. The ocean is a crucial source of resources, and it plays a critical role in regulating the Earth's climate and weather patterns. Currently, the ocean is facing a variety of man-made threats, including pollution, habitat destruction, and overfishing, which is leading to a dramatic biodiversity loss.

OCEAN

Why is it so important to protect and restore our oceans?

Ocean habitats serve as vital ecosystems for a wide range of marine plant and animal species, playing a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and delicate ecological balances. They play a critical role in mitigating climate change by acting as carbon sinks: coral reefs, for example, are estimated to sequester billions of tons of carbon annually. Moreover, ocean habitats are integral to water regulation by filtering and purifying seawater, maintaining water quality, and supporting marine ecosystems. Protecting and conserving these habitats is essential for the sustainability of marine ecosystems, the well-being of coastal communities, and the overall health of our planet’s oceans.

Whales are a keystone specie of ocean habitats

+1%

phytoplankton productivity = the sudden appearance of 2 billion mature trees.

50%

of the oxygen we need is generated by our oceans

25%

of all CO2 emissions is absorbed by our oceans

90%

of excess heat caused by CO2 emissions is captured by oceans

<8%

of our ocean is protected

How can we best support our oceans?

Create/lobby for more marine protected areas

Marine protected areas provide safe spaces for marine biodiversity to flourish. By creating and lobbying for more of these protected areas, we can conserve fragile ecosystems, and promote the recovery of threatened species.

Protecting/restoring keystone species

The protection and restoration of keystone species are vital for the well-being of habitats. By ensuring their survival, we contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, promote ecological stability, and support the interconnected web of life.

Coral is a keystone specie of coastal habitats

Protecting/planting coral

By protecting and planting coral, we can combat the impacts of climate change, preserving marine biodiversity and protecting coastlines from erosion.

Keystone species

Keystone species have a key role in the functioning of a habitat, as they have a cascading effect on other species in an ecosystem. It is crucial to protect keystone species to ensure habitats’ health. For habitat restoration purposes, it can also be beneficial to reintroduce keystone species in certain areas. Here are some of the keystone species crucial for our oceans:

Whales

endangered
The population of humpback whales and blue whales (5,000-15,000) is slowly increasing

All big whales are key to creating healthy ocean ecosystems and a crucial element in our fight against climate change. Through their defecation, whales fertilize the microscopic phytoplankton, upon which all sea life depends. Whale populations have declined significantly over the past century due to a variety of factors, including hunting, entanglement in fishing gear, and habitat loss.

Phytoplankton

data-deficient
Strongly declining

Phytoplankton are essential for the marine ecosystem as they generate oxygen, serve as a food source for zooplankton and other organisms, and contribute to the overall productivity and nutrient cycling of marine ecosystems. A 1% increase in phytoplankton productivity would have the same effect as the sudden appearance of 2 billion mature trees.

Sharks

vulnerable
Decreasing

As apex predators, sharks are at the top of the food chain and extremely important in maintaining the balance of marine life. In areas where sharks are present, the populations of their prey species, such as fish and invertebrates, tend to be smaller and more evenly distributed. This has a crucial impact on plant communities and the distribution and abundance of other species.

Coral

endangered
Half of coral reefs have been lost since the 1950s

Found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, coral forms coral reefs, which are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems on Earth. Coral is a keystone species because it plays a crucial role in the functioning of coral reefs, which in their turn play a key role in the functioning of our oceans. They are a habitat for a wide range of species, offer protection from storms and waves, and support for human activities such as fishing.