Topic Guide
The living diversity that keeps ocean ecosystems resilient and productive
Marine biodiversity spans genes, species, and ecosystems—from deep-sea vents to coral reefs and polar seas. Diverse systems recover faster from shocks, support more stable fisheries, and provide services humans depend on every day.
Habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive species, pollution, and climate change are eroding that diversity. Protecting connected habitats and reducing cumulative pressures are the foundations of biodiversity conservation at sea.
Coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and kelp forests concentrate species and serve as nurseries for commercially important fish.
Abyssal plains and polar seas host unique life adapted to extremes—often with slow recovery if disturbed by mining, fishing, or warming.
Well-designed, connected marine protected areas allow populations to rebuild and spill over into fishing grounds.
Addressing noise, invasives, pollution, and IUU fishing protects biodiversity beyond park boundaries.
We treat Marine Biodiversity as a cross-cutting priority—linking science, community action, and durable policy so progress in one place can inform work worldwide.
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