FROM mangrove swamps to the darkest depths of
the ocean, the marine ecosystem supports an overwhelming array of plants and
animals which are crucial to the survival of humanity.
Key marine ecosystems
CORAL
reefs provide home to many marine species. They also protect coastlines from
storm surges, support productive fishery industries and provide the main source
of protein and income for billions of coastal families around the world. Coral
reef-dependent species also have scientific, pharmaceutical and educational
value, and are extremely valuable as tourist destinations.
Seagrasses
form the basis of a complex coastal ecosystem, supporting both threatened and
economically important fishery species. Their leaves harbor animals like sea
squirts, which serve as the base of food sources for a hierarchy of larger
animals such as fish, sea birds, crabs, lobsters, dugongs and sea turtles.
Their foliage also slows down water currents and traps sediments, thus,
improving near-shore water clarity.
With
massive root systems, mangrove forests serve as buffer zones in coastal areas.
These ecosystems regulate the impact of strong storm surges to coastal
communities by absorbing the energy of strong waves and wind. As forests,
mangroves serve as carbon sinks that mitigate pollution; as carbon dioxide
stores that improve the fertility of the land; and as soil-erosion checks that
capture and accumulate rich sediments in its roots. These same roots attract marine
species that may be harvested, sold or consumed by local inhabitants.
IDB 2012
THIS
rich tapestry of life was highlighted on May 22 as the world celebrates the
International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB 2012). The United Nations
proclaimed May 22 of each year as IDB to increase understanding and awareness
of biodiversity issues. For 2012 the theme is Marine and Coastal Biodiversity.
“The
survival of marine and coastal ecosystems and biodiversity is essential to the
nutritional, spiritual, societal and religious well-being of many coastal
communities. But even for the many millions of people who may not think that
they have any strong reliance on the ocean, marine ecosystems and wildlife
provide all kinds of benefits,” said Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, executive
secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
According
to the global biodiversity chief, “Fisheries provide over 15 percent of the
dietary intake of animal protein. Many coastal environments provide protection
for those farther inland from the ravages of the sea. Substances derived from
seaweeds stabilize and thicken creams, sauces and pastes. They are mixed into
paint and used to make paper and even in skin lotion and toothpaste.
“Many
marine plants and animals contain a multitude of substances being used, or
identified as being of potential use, in medicines. Tiny marine plants called
phytoplankton release half of all oxygen in the atmosphere.”
“The
protection of marine ecosystems, therefore, is crucial to human well-being,” de
Souza Diaz added.
As part
of its Jakarta Mandate on marine and coastal biodiversity, the CBD is committed
to a series of specific goals that will, among others, develop, encourage,
enhance and implement wide-ranging integrated marine and coastal-area
management, and includes a broad suite of measures at all levels of society.
Marine biodiversity in the Asean region
THE
area occupied by the 10 Asean member-states houses a third of the world’s coral
reefs, mangroves and seagrass areas. The region is home to 30 percent of coral
reefs, 35 percent of mangroves, and at least 33 percent of all seagrass
environs on earth, according to the Asean Biodiversity Outlook published by the
Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) in 2010. Nine out of 10 Asean member-states
are endowed with extensive coastlines, providing an aggregate total of some
173,000 kilometers of shore.
“These
ecosystems support the highest biodiversity of coastal and marine fauna and
flora in the planet. An estimated 600 million people depend directly on these
resources for food and income, which also forms the economic base for the
fishing and tourism industries of the region,” said Rodrigo U. Fuentes,
executive director of ACB.
“Unfortunately,”
Fuentes added, “the challenges facing these riches are unprecedented. Marine
biodiversity is under serious threat.”
Although
Southeast Asia hosts the largest coral-reef areas in the world, it also has the
highest rate of loss, which today stands at 40 percent. Uncontrolled
human-population growth has been one of the major factors of pressure buildup
in coastal areas in the last 40 years.
In the
case of seagrasses, the Asean Biodiversity Outlook states that bottom-trawling,
extensive coastline destruction and modification, decline in coastal-water
quality and human-induced development are the main culprits for their
destruction. Mangroves, which occupy an area of over 60,000 sq km in the Asean
region, have suffered significant levels of deforestation in the last few
decades.
“There
is urgency in taking action that will better protect these ecosystems,” Fuentes
said.
Actions
“A
NUMBER of groups and individuals are contributing their share in curbing the
depletion of marine resources. We are celebrating these actions during IDB
2012,” Fuentes said.
·
Philippines
ON May
15 Nissan Motor Philippines Inc., ACB, GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit), the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources-Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, the Batangas government
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, the provincial government
of Batangas, the municipal government of Calagatan and Pilipinas Shell
Petroleum Corp. led the planting of 200 mangrove propagules at Ang Pulo.
The
multisector event dubbed “Conserve Marine Biodiversity, Conserve Life” formed
part of the events organized for IDB 2012 and the National Oceans Month.
Journalists
from Brunei, the Philippines and Thailand also participated in the media forum
at the mangrove site to highlight the importance of conserving marine habitats
and species.
Experts
from the participating organizations briefed media representatives on the
status of mangroves and marine biodiversity in the Philippines and the Asean
region. The impact of climate change on marine biodiversity, as well as actions
of people’s organizations to conserve mangroves, was also discussed.
“Through
this event, we were able to go the extra mile in conserving biodiversity to
complement our environment philosophy of achieving a symbiosis of people,
vehicles and nature,” NMPI President and CEO Allen Chen said.
·
Indonesia
AFTER
witnessing the severe damage to the coastal areas near their school, members of
youth group Green Community decided to involve themselves in the management of
coastal ecosystems in areas near their university. Their initiative uses a
three-pronged approach which includes conducting research, promoting community
awareness and planting mangroves.
The
biology students study the socioeconomic conditions of communities living in
the coastal areas and how their activities affect the coastal ecosystems in
those places. Regular educational activities are also held to inform the locals
about the extent of damage suffered by the bodies of water near their
communities and the species they contain.
After
this, the student lecturers highlight the many services offered by coastal
ecosystems to communities such as food and livelihood in hopes of inspiring
locals to protect their “source of life.”
Green
Community also plants mangroves with a number of partners, such as the Go Green
Movement and the Prenjak Youth Group. Young people are encouraged to
participate in mangrove-reforestation activities.
·
Malaysia
INITIATED
in 2009, the Adopt-A-Stream (AAS) Team is composed of Grade 7 students from the
International School of Kuala Lumpur. Under the program, students monitor water
quality, habitat diversity, macroinvertebrate biodiversity and stream ecosystem
health in areas adjacent to their school community.
The
project contributes to conservation through data collection and data sharing.
AAS team members believes that by using data they collect to educate their
peers and local community, they can inspire local communities to advocate
stream biodiversity conservation in Malaysia.
“The
field experience in their local stream has made the students aware of
biodiversity in the stream and the importance of knowing more about stream
ecology, biodiversity and conservation.
They
have plans to continue their stream sampling and implement an online database
to share data with future students and concerned citizens, which will also
hopefully attract the attention of policy-makers and land developers in
Malaysia,” Harold L. Harbert, director for outreach and education of the
Georgia Environmental Protection Division, said.
LESLIE ANN JOSE-CASTILLO
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