Sediment water interface is an important transition zone and is classically characterized by a well define oxic horizon with geochemical gradients. In reality, in coastal sediments, fauna activity and patchy distribution of organic matter introduce another level of complexity and initiate a heterogenic pattern of microzones. Thus the investigation of benthic processes and exchange rates needs to resolve temporal and spatial variations on different scales and requires the use of innovative...

Indonesian Archipelago is characterized with long coastline and thousands small islands and high marine biodiversity. These resources are amongst attractions to be offered as Indonesia targets tourism as one of country's main economic sector. Marine ecotourism in Indonesia is developing and becoming more popular for travellers, and marine protected areas are amongst places being more visited as ecotourism sites. Indonesia established marine protected areas throughout the country; many are...

During the 9th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, a set of criteria were approved to assist in the identification of ‘Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas' (EBSAs; Annex I of CBD Decision IX/20). These criteria were later consolidated during the Expert Workshop on EBSAs held in the Azores, in October 2007. OBIS and OBIS SEAMAP data have obvious relevance to several of the criteria.

Broadhaven Bay (c.70km2) in northwest Ireland has, since 2002, been the focus of a marine mammal monitoring programme surrounding a gas pipeline development. The bay's Special Area of Conservation designation is due to the presence of habitats listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. Communities of high species richness and rare marine invertebrate species have been recorded in the bay's cave and reef habitats.

 Polar environments are unique habitats which feature year round low temperatures and extreme seasonality. Both the Arctic Ocean and the Southern ocean feature a high level of isolation and this combined with the environmental challenges this has given rise to a high degree of specialisation and endemism of benthic flora and fauna.  
This study reviews the comparative diversity of bryozoans in the Polar Regions and assesses patterns in endemism, distribution and morphology.