Ocean Online

The coasts, seas and oceans are home to millions of marine creatures – the key “providers” for the ecosystem services of these habitats. They generate oxygen for breathing and produce that food that more than a third of humanity depends on. If species are severely depleted or become extinct and thus cannot perform their ecological functions, this can have serious consequences.

The ocean regulates our climate and slows down global warming by absorbing a large proportion of the heat generated by human-made greenhouse gas emissions. However, this causes sea levels and water temperatures to rise and ocean acidification – all of which have consequences for marine life and humans alike.

Fish and other marine life are an essential food resource for humans. However, the ocean is also used to extract various raw materials for energy production and as shipping lanes. In addition, more and more people are seeking relaxation on cruises and going to the seaside for holidays. Many of these activities and often conflicting uses put pressure on marine ecosystems.

Increasing pollution from waste and other harmful substances greatly strains the ocean. Floods of plastic waste on the beaches or oily seabirds after a tanker accident are prevalent images of marine pollution. Most environmental problems are not as visible; instead they occur far from the coast and are hidden beneath the sea surface.

Borders and delineations also exist in the ocean, where different zones are managed according to who claims ownership here. This, in turn, affects how resources are regulated in a specific zone. However, ocean currents don’t care about those boundaries and transport water masses, living creatures, pollutants and waste across them and into remote areas. Successful marine management, therefore, requires collaborative solutions to protect and sustainably use coasts, seas and ocean.

Researchers and technicians from various disciplines work hand in hand to better understand the coasts, seas and oceans. On board the German research vessels, precise measuring instruments and sophisticated technologies are used to improve our understanding of the past, present and future of the oceans.