Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2012

Publication Title

Spineless: Status and Trends of the World's Invertebrates

Pages

34-44

Abstract

Marine invertebrates are key components of all marine ecosystems, and play critical roles in essential ecological processes, food provision for humans, and diverse and productive food webs. Despite their importance, the vast majority of marine invertebrates are very poorly known. Research has tended to focus on the larger, more conspicuous and economically important species. Humans have long exploited the margins of pelagic ecosystems, but over the past five decades, rapid technological advancement has allowed more routine access to deeper waters [1]. Increasing exploration into the oceans that cover 70% of the world's surface has led to rapid advancement of species discovery and a greater appreciation of the marine system, but also greater risk to its occupants as human exploration increased in extent and severity.

Rights

© 2012 Zoological Society of London. All rights reserved.

Included with the kind written permission of the copyright holder.

Original Publication Citation

Kemp, R., Peters, H., Allcock, L., Carpenter, K., Obura, D., Polidoro, B., Richman, N., Collen, B., Böhm, M., & Baillie, J. (2012). Marine invertebrate life. In B. Collen, M. Böhrn, R. Kemp, & J. E. M. Baillie (Eds.), Spineless: status and trends of the world’s invertebrates (pp. 34-44). Zoological Society of London. https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2012-064.pdf#page=35

ORCID

0000-0003-3618-1811 (Carpenter)

Share

 
COinS