Ecosystems play an essential role in the life of humankind, as climate formation largely depends on them. Oceans are found on 71% of the surface, so marine ecosystems make up most of the Earth. Climate features in specific areas affect the appearance of multi-species organisms. This paper includes examples of National Marine Sanctuaries and the Smithson Institution protecting continental shelf ecosystems and the reason for investing in them.
Marine animals can regenerate in protected habitats, so the United States reserves preserve natural and cultural values while allowing people to use and enjoy the ocean. The U.S. National Marine Sanctuary system, managed by NOAA, protects the Nation’s most treasured biological and socioeconomic resources. (Uhrin et al., 2020). The Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, adjacent to the Farallones Bay Sanctuary, expands to 3,330 square kilometers. The surrounding ocean conditions create a rich and productive marine community. What is more, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary on Lake Huron protects the region’s unique aquatic history, and public support allowed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to expand the protected area in 2014 to ten times. Thus, national marine sanctuaries do everything possible to protect the marine ecosystem.
The Smithsonian Institution also contributes to the protection of the marine ecosystem. Firstly, after the oil spill in 2010, which caused severe damage to the Gulf of Mexico, scientists began to study the problem and look for solutions to fix it actively. Moreover, researchers are studying discarded shark scales to reconstruct their travel paths for a detailed study and further protection of these species. In addition, Smithsonian scientists study the harm from plastics and ways to prevent adverse effects on the marine ecosystem. Smithsonian MarineGeo launched the first Global Seagrass Study to provide data on seagrass supporting marine ecosystems. In this way, Smithsonian scientists make many discoveries that help to preserve the life of the marine ecosystem.
To sum up, with their research and protection, National Marine Sanctuaries and Smithsonian Institution ensure the vital activity and safety of the marine ecosystem. These actions not only preserve the life of the marine ecology but also save the existence of all people on the planet because climate change depends on the marine ecosystem. It explains why investing in these supporting marine ecosystem organizations is worth it.
Reference
Uhrin, A. V., Lippiatt, S., Herring, C. E., Dettloff, K., Bimrose, K., & Butler-Minor, C. (2020). Temporal trends and potential drivers of stranded marine debris on beaches within two US national marine sanctuaries using citizen science data. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8. Web.