Pollution, habitat destruction and overexploitation are severe problems in the global ocean, but they tend to be overlooked by many conservationists who are more concerned with terrestrial habitats. With well-written discussions on the various marine ecosystems, and national and international law, this book calls attention to the great diversity of life in the marine environment and the need for its protection.
Is marine biological diversity threatened?; how science defineds biological diversity; marine ecosystems - coastal; marine ecosystems - oceanic; conservation of marine biological diversity; national programs and laws; international conventions and programmes; conserving marine biodiversity in the future.