Environmental protection, involving the preservation and restoration of natural resources and ecosystems, is foundational to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It directly influences SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), which all stress the urgent need to mitigate environmental degradation, conserve biodiversity, and foster sustainable use of our natural resources. Furthermore, environmental protection is intrinsically linked to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), as a healthy environment reduces risks from pollution and disease vectors. It also contributes to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by promoting clean water resources and renewable energy. Additionally, it is integral to achieving SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), emphasizing the need for sustainable consumption and production patterns that limit environmental harm.
Advances in Chemical Pollution, Environmental Management and Protection, Volume 6, 2020, Pages 1-31
Ocean health is critical for human well-being but is threatened by multiple stressors. Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity agreed to protect 10% of their waters by 2020. The scientific evidence supporting the use of marine protected areas (MPAs) to conserve biodiversity stems primarily from knowledge on fully protected areas, but most of what is being established is partially protected. Here, we assess the protection levels of the 1,062 Mediterranean MPAs.
Bivalve habitats were once a dominant ecosystem in temperate and subtropical estuaries worldwide. While bivalve habitats are greatly reduced from their former abundance, remnant, and restored populations have been shown to provide a suite of important ecosystems services including improving water quality, coastal protection, and providing fisheries nursery habitat, in addition to providing a direct food value.
