Ocean Biosciences Program

In order to combat inconsistent claims to the sea, spreading pollution, competing demands for living marine organisms, tension between nations for resources, and the increasing push for seabed mineral extraction, UNCLOS was created (United Nations 2013). The primary purpose of UNCLOS is to support the efficient use of marine resources, the conservation of living resources, and the protection/preservation of the marine environment (Wang 2004). One of the main benefits of UNCLOS is that it increases the ability for coastal nations to be able to create their own marine protected areas (MPAs) (Craig 2005). In general, MPAs are considered to be the most effective way to preserve and increase marine biodiversity and create sustainable fisheries (Craig 2005; Metcalfe et al. 2013). Even though it has been proven that they are extremely beneficial, only 1.17% of the ocean’s surface is considered to belong to a MPA. In comparison, about 12.7% of the terrestrial environment is considered to belong to a protected region, even though we impact the terrestrial environment less detrimentally than the marine environment (Metcalfe et al. 2013).

An entire new world, different from our own exists beneath the surface of our oceans. This life is full of color, shapes, sizes, wonder, and even darkness. Much of this life has yet to be explored but we still know that beneath the waves exist the most beautiful creatures and the most bizarre. Magical areas such as the coral reef and mysterious areas such as the depths of the ocean are homes to over 700,000 species that live in the ocean. This includes the eighty percent of the ocean that has yet to be explored. Even though there may be separate oceans on this planet, they are still interconnected by a body of salt water. No area of the ocean is the same, which brings us to the wonderful fact that so many different species are able to flourish

Habitat fragmentation, loss and degradation - fragmentation, loss, and degradation of natural habitats, and has also contributed to habitat and species isolation.

The Ocean is 70 percent of the earth surface, humans have explored less than five percent of the ocean, and is home to innumerable amount of living organisms. One of its oldest inhabitants is the Cheloniidae dates back to the Triassic era, roughly 250 million years ago, (Wang et al.,

<b>Introduction</b><br>Think of a world which existed 290 million years ago. As you look out over the terane in front of you, you think that you are on an alien planet. You see volcanoes spewing ash and lava. Beside them is the ocean which is swarming with many different species of echinoderms, bryozoans and brachiopods. As you look down onto the sea floor you are amazed at the countless number of starfish and urchins. Some animals leave you can't even describe and you have no idea even what phylum they belong to. This is a world at its height in diversity of oceanic species. Millions of wonderous species existed at this time in the ocean and most of them will never appear again in earth's history. In the geologic time scale, a million

In 2009, Dr. Sylvia Earle wrote The World is Blue to educate and alert the reader about human impacts on marine ecosystems. Through this book she conveys her passion and methodical arguments concerning the importance of the conservation of the ocean, which encompasses approximately 80 percent of the earth’s surface. Dr. Earle states “the ocean touches you with every breath you take, every drop of water you drink, every bite you consume” (17). This statement emphasizes the significance of the ocean, not only for marine life, but all life forms on earth. The book implies that currently in today’s world, the conservation of the ocean requires a global effort to reduce human damage from the past generations. Using facts gleaned from credible scientific resources, she defines the problems of overfishing, bycatch, and pollution. By analyzing human impacts on marine ecosystems, Dr. Earle determines successful and unsuccessful solutions to these problems and suggests various ways individuals can change their lifestyles to reduce impact on the environment as a whole.

It is especially important to study and understand the characteristics of these oceanographic profiles, as it is this primary production that will have large impacts on species diversity and marine food web assemblages.

Perhaps one of the greatest features of marine life is that, compared to land, there is more biodiversity found in the ocean. This is directly due to the intricate and specialized genetic composition that make up the DNA of marine organisms. Comprehensively, over 20,000 organic compounds have been collected from marine organisms (National Research Council, 2007). Of the 36 phyla found on the planet, 94% of them are found in the ocean. In comparison to the 47% found on land, this diversity is arguably the main reason why the ocean holds so much biomedical potential and promise (Targett et al., 2002). In fact, jellyfish and corals are organisms that are not found anywhere else but in the ocean (Marris, 2006). Furthermore, according to the National

Thousands of climbers have reached the highest point on Earth, hundreds have left our planet 2 and ventured into space, but only two people have descended to the deepest point in the ocean. 3 Scientists are looking to discover water on other planets without fully knowing what is in our 4 own oceans. Bearing in mind the planet is over 70% water, no more than 5% of that has been 5 explored. I want to study Marine Biology because I want to understand the most fundamental 6 feature of our existence.

Overall Marine Biology is important because today the possibilities for ocean exploration are endless. So far, in spite of advanced technology it has been concluded that only 5% of the ocean has actually been explored. We may also face great risks not only to the environment but to our own human health as well. The public has been aware of these dangerous risks and are now taking action and are encouraging other agencies to help take action and promote research.

Although this process of drug discovery holds enormous potential to supply life changing drugs to counter rapidly developing diseases, critics still point out flaws in the process. For example, many contend that bioprospecting furthers oceanic environmental degradation by introducing unnecessary pollutants and disrupting organismal life. Ocean bioprospecting may in fact harm the environment, but the damage is too negligible to have a sizable impact. According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, bioprospecting has a minimal impact on the environment due to its small sample extraction size (Slobodian). The sample size of the extracted compounds needed for analysis is extremely insignificant, making this process relatively safe. Ocean life and the ecosystem will continue to be preserved, as they will remain undisturbed throughout the entire process. Furthermore, many ecosystems are resilient, able to handle small changes in their composition- the ocean floor is no exception. With such minimal extracted qualities, regrowth and regeneration of removed compounds should occur with rapid pace and simplicity. Furthermore, even if oceanic bioprospecting leads to sea floor ecosystem disruption, the advantages of drug development far outweigh the trivial consequences- protecting the lives of dying humans is more important than protecting sediment on the sea floor, especially when it will soon return to its original configuration. Though environmentalists may be irked by bioprospecting, their fears are based on unsounded facts and

fantastic resource for ocean information) remarks that perhaps one fourth of all species living in

The most obvious example of habitat destruction is the loss of forests. While there used to be eight hundred million acres of forestland in the United States, today, due to deforestation, this number has gone down to one million. This is problem becomes even worse with rainforests, which overflow with biodiversity. Every day over one hundred animal and insect species are lost due to rainforest destruction. Moreover, ninety-fice percent of nutrients in the rainforest are in the canopies, which means when they are cut down revival is impossible. Thus, this combined with common overuse and climate change lead to desertification of the once productive land. Also due to climate change, are fires and general heat, stress, and lack of water, which

Oceans are such so vast that people underestimate the impact their actions —seeming so insignificant— have on them. Humans have by and large taken the oceans for granted; not considering how important a healthy ocean is to our survival. A popular mind-set is that the oceans are a bottomless supply of fish, natural resources, and an infinite waste dump. There are myriad reasons why the oceans should be saved and the most obvious one is marine life. With 71% of the Earth being covered by water, it is obvious that sea creatures are predominant form of life, making up 80% of the species of life on Earth. However, as important as marine life is, that is not the only reason why saving the oceans is crucial. The ocean floor provides natural

Biodiversity loss is becoming an unpleasant pattern in today's world. Additionally, there are three levels of biodiversity; species diversity, ecosystem diversity, and genetic diversity. Firstly, species diversity is categorized as the volume of all living things. Secondly, ecosystem diversity is the region/habitat in which the species thrive. Lastly, genetic diversity is the variety of genes in a species, which allow the species to adapt and evolve to better suit their environment. Currently, the world is witnessing a profound loss of biodiversity. According to The National Wildlife Federation, the greatest species diversity is found among the invertebrates, including insects, crustaceans, sponges, and scorpions. In addition, The National Wildlife Federation conclude that “scientists know the least about the diversity of microscopic organisms such as bacteria and protozoa” (TNWF). Although, Microorganisms may be tiny, but they are vital, forming the base of the food chain ecosystems. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment estimated that “8700 did per year or approximately 24 species per day” (Fred Pierce). Ever since Cuvier discovery of extinction became a concept in France, biodiversity rates have been on a steady decline (Kolbert 2015). The current declining biodiversity rates are comparable to mass extinction events in the past. This is significant because many animals depend on each other to maintain their lifestyle or play a vital role for the environment. These species