Coastal and Marine Ecosystems: A Source of Food and Livelihood

Deserts are terrestrial ecosystems, while coral reefs, mangroves, and estuaries are coastal and marine ecosystems.

Phytoplankton are microscopic algae that form the base of the food web in coastal and marine ecosystems.

Tilapia is a freshwater fish, while tuna, salmon, and cod are marine fish.

Aquaculture is the practice of farming aquatic organisms, such as fish, shellfish, and algae, for food.

Deforestation is a threat to terrestrial ecosystems, while overfishing, pollution, and climate change are threats to coastal and marine ecosystems.

Runoff is the process by which water, along with nutrients and pollutants, flows from land into coastal and marine ecosystems.

Coral reefs, mangroves, and estuaries are all coastal and marine habitats that are important for biodiversity, while the open ocean is a vast and relatively uniform habitat.

Decomposition is the process by which marine organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, break down organic matter and release nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Fertilizer runoff is a type of agricultural pollution, while oil spills, plastic pollution, and sewage discharge are all types of coastal and marine pollution.

Carbon sequestration is the process by which coastal and marine ecosystems absorb and store carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change.

All of the options are types of coastal and marine protected areas.

Ecological restoration is the process by which coastal and marine ecosystems are restored to their natural state.

Pollination is a terrestrial ecosystem service, while food provision, water filtration, and climate regulation are all coastal and marine ecosystem services.

Resilience is the term for the process by which coastal and marine ecosystems adapt to changing environmental conditions.

The Sierra Club is a conservation organization that focuses on terrestrial ecosystems, while The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and Greenpeace all focus on coastal and marine ecosystems.