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Out of sight, out of mind: threats to the marine biodiversity of the Canary Islands (NE Atlantic Ocean)
Citation
Riera, R and Becerro, MA and Stuart-Smith, RD and Delgado, JD and Edgar, GJ, Out of sight, out of mind: threats to the marine biodiversity of the Canary Islands (NE Atlantic Ocean), Marine Pollution Bulletin, 86, (1-2) pp. 9-18. ISSN 0025-326X (2014) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.07.014
Abstract
Lack of knowledge of the marine realm may bias our perception of the current status and threats to
marine biodiversity. Less than 10% of all ecological literature is related to the ocean, and the information
we have on marine species that are threatened or on the verge of extinction is scarce. This lack of information
is particularly critical for isolated areas such as oceanic archipelagos. Here we review published and grey
literature on the current status of marine organisms in the Canary Islands as a case description of the consequences
that current out-of-sight out-of-mind attitudes may have on this unique environment. Global
change, as represented by coastal development, pollution, exotic species and climate change, are currently
affecting the distribution and abundance of Canarian marine organisms, and pose multiple threats
to local species and communities. Environmental risks are significant at community and species levels,
particularly for threatened species. Failure to address these trends will result in shifts in local biodiversity
with important ecological, social, and economic consequences. Scientists, policy makers, educators, and
relevant societal groups need to collaborate to reverse deleterious coastal biodiversity trends.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | conservation, extinction, threatened species, pollution, oceanic island, Atlantic Ocean |
Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Ecology |
Research Field: | Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Marine systems and management |
Objective Field: | Marine biodiversity |
UTAS Author: | Stuart-Smith, RD (Dr Rick Stuart-Smith) |
UTAS Author: | Edgar, GJ (Professor Graham Edgar) |
ID Code: | 93862 |
Year Published: | 2014 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 25 |
Deposited By: | Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration |
Deposited On: | 2014-08-19 |
Last Modified: | 2017-11-01 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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