As demands on oceans grow, it is important to ensure that their resources are being conserved and carefully managed worldwide. A new study led by The Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund (published in BioScience) — Marine Ecoregions of the World — takes an important step toward that goal by presenting the first-ever classification system of the world’s coastal waters.

This new set of classifications will help conservation scientists recognize gaps in protection and set priorities for action, such as establishing marine protected areas. More than 12 percent of terrestrial areas are protected compared to less than one percent of marine habitats.

You can read an interview with the report’s lead author Mark Spalding, a senior marine scientist at The Nature Conservancy, here

Check out more information on the Marine Ecoregions of the World study—including interactive maps—here

Rick Wilson