Reflections on the Parts and the Whole

Abstract

The marine environment is in peril, largely as a consequence of human action—and inaction. Over-fishing, habitat alteration, pollution, and global climate change lead the long list of human-induced impacts to delicate marine ecosystems worldwide, many of which we have discussed here. The implications of these impacts, for the global ecosystem and therefore for humanity as well, are considerable. They include the loss of biological diversity, increased susceptibility to further disruptions, and ultimately a decline in species directly exploited for human uses. This book has been about modeling and marine conservation. We could have easily called it Dynamic Modeling for Marine Preservation, for preservation of the natural world has its obvious merits and is deserving of a book all its own.

Mokita: the truth that everyone knows, but which no one speaks.