Spatial and temporal changes in cumulative human impacts on the world’s ocean

Benjamin S. Halpern (), Melanie Frazier, John Potapenko, Kenneth S. Casey, Kellee Koenig, Catherine Longo, Julia Stewart Lowndes, R. Cotton Rockwood, Elizabeth R. Selig, Kimberly A. Selkoe and Shaun Walbridge
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Benjamin S. Halpern: Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California
Melanie Frazier: National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis
John Potapenko: University of California
Kenneth S. Casey: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Kellee Koenig: Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science and Oceans, Conservation International
Catherine Longo: National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis
Julia Stewart Lowndes: National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis
R. Cotton Rockwood: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California
Elizabeth R. Selig: Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science and Oceans, Conservation International
Kimberly A. Selkoe: National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis
Shaun Walbridge: ESRI, Boston Office

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Human pressures on the ocean are thought to be increasing globally, yet we know little about their patterns of cumulative change, which pressures are most responsible for change, and which places are experiencing the greatest increases. Managers and policymakers require such information to make strategic decisions and monitor progress towards management objectives. Here we calculate and map recent change over 5 years in cumulative impacts to marine ecosystems globally from fishing, climate change, and ocean- and land-based stressors. Nearly 66% of the ocean and 77% of national jurisdictions show increased human impact, driven mostly by climate change pressures. Five percent of the ocean is heavily impacted with increasing pressures, requiring management attention. Ten percent has very low impact with decreasing pressures. Our results provide large-scale guidance about where to prioritize management efforts and affirm the importance of addressing climate change to maintain and improve the condition of marine ecosystems.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8615

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