State of the Environment

2006

Issue: Contributions of the coasts and oceans to human life - Ecological services (air, water, climate)

This is an issue under the Coasts and oceans theme of the Data Reporting System.

Why we need to know about this issue

The ocean contributes to global ecological services on which humans, as well as the all other living things, depend. Marine biodiversity is essential to these services. By regulating the oxygen and carbon dioxide balance of the ocean an oxygen/carbon dioxide exchanges with the atmosphere, marine biodiversity helps maintain climate and global hydrology. It also provides food, either directly or indirectly, for billions of terrestrial as well as other marine organisms.

Environmental condition indicators in all theme reports are relevant indicators for ecological services provided by the ocean, because it is the overall health of all spheres of the environment that collectively maintains and is maintained by the ocean’s capacity to contribute to these services.

Specific additional indicators for these contributions have therefore not been suggested.

Related issues

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