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Issue: Species, habitats and ecological communities - Condition of marine biodiversity: Condition of marine vegetation

This is an issue under the Biodiversity theme of the Data Reporting System.

Why we need to know about this issue

The health of the ocean’s biodiversity is a critical aspect of the health of biodiversity more broadly. Marine biota are also important to both water quality and to the ocean’s capacity to regulate the global climate. Physical marine conditions such as water quality, salinity, acidity and temperature are likewise essential to the well-being of marine life.

Marine plant life is essential to the function of marine ecosystems, providing both the basis of the food chain and oxygen, through photosynthesis, to surrounding waters. Disproportionate blooms of some marine plants, such as algae, may be indicative of excess nutrients in the water, and may in turn place pressure on other marine life by blocking off sunlight from the surface this preventing oxygenation.

Indicators

• CO-44 Marine chlorophyll concentration 
  The health of marine plant life is essential to the health of marine biodiversity more broadly. A change in ocean colour or number of reported algal blooms could be indicative of a change in the condition of marine plant life.

Related issues

• Coasts and Oceans - Condition of the ocean and coastal waters - Condition of marine vegetation 
• Coasts and Oceans - Direct pressure of human activities on coasts and oceans - Direct pressure of coastal activities (other than shipping and fishing) 
• Coasts and Oceans - Contributions and pressures between the coasts and oceans and the atmosphere - Climate and carbon dioxide 
• Coasts and Oceans - Contributions and pressures between the coasts and oceans and the atmosphere - Ozone depletion