Our Shared Seas

The Natural Heritage of Marine

Ecosystems

HAROLD O. BUENVENIDA, PhD.

Director, ECC
 OUR SHARED SEAS

Natural Heritage

Natural features consisting of physical and

biological formations or groups of such
formations, which are of outstanding universal
value from an aesthetic or scientific point of
view;

Geological and physiographical formations and

precisely delineated areas which constitute the
habitat of threatened species of animals and
plants of outstanding universal value from the
point of view of science or conservation;

Natural sites or precisely delineated natural

areas of outstanding universal value from the
point of view of science, conservation or natural
beauty.

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The Seas

The sea,
the world
ocean or simply
the ocean is the
connected body of
salty water that
covers over 70%
of Earth's surface.

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The Seas as Natural Capital

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Natural Capital

• Greatest marine biodiversity

– Coral reefs
– Estuaries
– Deep-ocean floor

• Biodiversity is higher
– Near the coast than in the open sea
– In the bottom region of the ocean than the
surface region
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Marine Ecosystems

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Marine Conservation Funding

Corralite Structure

Polyp

Kingdom Animalia
Class Anthozoa
Order Scleractinia
Phylum Coelenterata 7
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Corals

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How Corals Reproduce

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How fast

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Importance of Corals

•Biological
•Geological
•Economic
•Aesthetic

Coral Reefs are

our Natural
Heritage
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Threats to Coral Reefs

Overturning
Blast Fishing

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Threats to Coral Reefs

Trawl Fishing Trampling

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Threats to Coral Reefs

Anchorage Crown of thorn Starfish

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Threats to Coral Reefs

Stranded vessels Plastic Pollution

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Threats to Coral Reefs

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Community Coral Restoration Using “Corals of Opportunity”

collectors

processors

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transplanters
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Nature does not need

humans;
But humans need
nature.

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 OUR SHARED SEAS

Madamo gid
nga Salamat!

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