![]() A perusal of the abstracts indicated the topics prioritized for research in this region. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin (73 abstracts), Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin (22 abstracts) and Annamalai University (13 abstracts) are the major contributors. In all, 755 authors have contributed and the presenting authors are from 60 affiliations such as research institutions, universities and colleges. The Book of Abstracts contains all these 231 abstracts and in addition, three invited keynote addresses. The abstracts were categorized intoĥ six sessions viz., Ecosystem Services (44 abstracts), Management Strategies (51), Ecosystem Assessment (47), Opportunities (41), Ecosystem Health (33), and a special session on Climate Change (15 abstracts). A total of 231 abstracts were accepted for oral and poster presentations. The announcement of MECOS 09 attracted abstracts from scientists, researchers and teachers from India and a few Middle East countries. It has conducted nine symposia and seminars. It has a membership of over 600 scientists, researchers and teachers. The MBAI, established in 1958, has completed 50 years of service for the cause of research on marine biology. To address these concerns, and to discuss about the possibilities of converting the challenges into opportunities, the (MBAI) is conducting the International Symposium Marine Ecosystems Challenges and Opportunities (MECOS 09) during February 9 12, 2009 at Cochin. Raising seawater, sea level, salinity and acidity would seriously affect the distribution and abundance of plants and animals in the oceans. Climate change exacerbates this situation. Despite the importance of marine ecosystems, increased human activities such as overfishing, coastal development, pollution and urbanization have caused immense damage and pose serious threat to marine biodiversity. Mangroves, reefs and sea grass beds provide protection to coastlines by reducing wave action, and helping to prevent erosion, while areas such as salt marshes and estuaries act as sediment sinks, filtering runoff from the land. These habitats provide us with a rich source of food, medicine and income, and support species that serve as animal feed, fertilizers, food additives and cosmetics. Nevertheless, the diversity and productivity of marine ecosystems are important to human survival and well-being. This is in comparison to about 1.5 million terrestrial plants and animals. Scientists of Census of Marine Life have recorded about 235,000 species of marine organisms. However, only 15% of the world s recorded species inhabit the sea. ![]() Marine ecosystems cover over 70% of the earth s surface, and harbour 32 of the 33 known animal phyla. Consequently, the marine ecosystems are more vulnerable to large-scale environmental changes because they do not have the internal adaptability inherent in the terrestrial systems. In contrast, in the marine ecosystems, the physical variability is small and extends over very long time scales due to the large thermal capacity of the oceans and the long periods of exchange between deep and near shore waters. The terrestrial organisms and ecosystems have developed internal mechanisms to cope up with variabilities. In the terrestrial ecosystems, the physical boundaries are well marked and environmental variabilities are rather wide. These elements provide the essential materials required for the synthesis of all the basic nourishments of the body including the skeletal support of marine animals. This wide range of substances dissolved in seawater has placed the marine organisms in a more advantageous position than their freshwater counterparts. It is perhaps true that the remaining 9 elements are also present, but in concentrations too small to be detected. Of the 89 elements occurring in nature, the presence of 80 has been confirmed in seawater. Vivekanandan et al), Marine Biological Association of India, February 9-12, 2009, Cochin, pĤ FOREWORD Marine ecosystems contain several unique qualities that set them apart from other ecosystems. In: Marine Ecosystems Challenges and Opportunities, Book of Abstracts (Ed. Brander, Impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and fisheries. Afsal Printed at M/S Paico, Cochin Citation Example K. Vinod, CMFRI, Cochin Secretarial Assistance Ms M.S. Harikrishnan, CUSAT, Cochin Cover page design Dr N.K. Jayachandran, College of Fisheries, Panangad, Cochin Dr M. Pillai Convenor, MECOS 09 for and on behalf of the Editors Dr. 2 Marine Ecosystems Challenges and Opportunities (MECOS 09) BOOK OF ABSTRACTS Organised by MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF INDIA COCHIN February 9-12, 2009 Cochin, Indiaģ Marine Ecosystems Challenges and Opportunities (MECOS 09) Book of Abstracts, February 9-12, 2009, Cochin, India Printed and Published by Dr.
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