Impacts of Biodiversity Loss on Ocean Ecosystem Services (S 17)

This article focuses on the correlation between biodiversity and ecosystem preservation and restoration. The author outlines many studies that were done on the major aquatic ecosystems worldwide. The studies showed a positive relationship between ecosystem biodiversity and ecosystem function. The author discusses some of the aquatic ecosystems that have been restored and identifies the connection this has to biodiversity. Lastly, the author outlines some of the things we as humans can and must do to help preserve ecosystem biodiversity in our oceans.

Collapsed fisheries recover better in high diversity ecosystems for many reasons. The first reason is that with increased biodiversity; aquatic animals have options for food and don’t have to rely on one specific species. The second reason is that increased biodiversity allows fishers to fish the species with the highest population. This helps species with lower populations regenerate rather then go extinct. The bigger the food web, the less the animals have to rely on a specific link (of the web) and therefor can function at a much higher capacity and allow weak links to rebuild. 

Below is a link to the World Ocean Review website that further outlines the importance of biodiversity in our oceanic ecosystems.  The website reviews the many important reasons a large diversity of species positively benefits aquatic ecosystems.

http://worldoceanreview.com/en/wor-1/marine-ecosystem/biodiversity/