Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability 1

CobiaHogfishKelpCarrageenPacific sailfishMorayBatfishYellow jackRed snapperRed algaeStriped drumAngelfishBladder kelpSea lettuceOrange roughyChinook salmonDevilfishGreat barracudaPorcupine fishLaminariaSockeye salmonGrouperDulseChilean sea bassFigure 13-2 Natural capital: marine biodiversity. Some oceaninhabitants.gae, sea anemones (Figure 8-10b, p. 155), sponges, andmollusks have antibiotic and anticancer properties.Anticancer chemicals have also been extracted fromporcupine fish, puffer fish, and shark liver. We usechemicals from seaweeds and octopuses to treat hypertensionand coral material to reconstruct our bones.These are only a few of many examples.Freshwater systems also provide important ecologicaland economic services (Figure 7-15, p. 138). Althoughlakes, rivers, and wetlands occupy only 1% ofthe earth’s surface, they provide ecological and economicservices worth trillions of dollars per year.13-2 HUMAN IMPACTS ON AQUATICBIODIVERSITYHow Has Habitat Loss and DegradationAffected Marine Biodiversity? Our LargeAquatic FootprintsHuman activities have destroyed or degraded a largeproportion of the world’s coastal wetlands, coral reefs,mangroves, and ocean bottom.The greatest threat to the biodiversity of the world’soceans is loss and degradation of habitats. Here are fourhttp://biology.brookscole.com/miller14253