The Importance of Marine Biodiversity

The study of marine biodiversity is timely and fundamental for a number of reasons (CBD, Global Biodiversity Outlook 3, 2010). Marine biodiversity plays a key role through ecosystem services (provisioning and regulation, amongst others). They provide economic wealth and resources that range from active ingredients for pharmaceuticals and medicine to products from fisheries and aquaculture, as well as contributing to cultural well-being and supplying relevant “biological models” for both basic and applied research. The role and dynamics of biodiversity are central themes when addressing climate change, earth and universe sciences or sustainable use of natural resources. Thus the issues of application involve policy, regulations and ways to globally manage energy and food security.