Biodiversity

discovering & preserving

Marine biodiversity encompasses the diversity of life in the oceans and seas, from tiny microorganisms to large marine mammals. It includes the genetic diversity within species, the diversity of species themselves and the diversity of habitats, such as coral reefs, deep-sea trenches and mangroves. This biodiversity is crucial for the functioning of ecosystems, oxygen production and climate regulation. It also provides livelihoods for millions of people, for example through fishing and tourism. The threats to marine biodiversity are numerous, including overfishing, pollution, climate change and habitat loss. The protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity is therefore crucial to ensure the health of the oceans and the quality of life on Earth.

Typical questions are:

What will the future of biodiversity be like in a changing world?
What is the role of deep-sea communities in regulating biochemical fluxes on the sea floor?
Will the ecological services provided by the ocean remain under a warmer climate?

Cold-water corals off Ireland at a water depth of 750 meters, photographed with the diving robot MARUM-CHEROKEE, Photo: MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen

Selection of current research projects

Colourful coral diversity in the Red Sea. Photo: Anna Roik, annaroik.org

AGELESS

New concept for the protection of marine biodiversity

Research in the Arctic. Photo: MARUM – Centre for Marine Environmental Sciences; University of Bremen, V. Diekamp

SEA-Quester

SEA-Quester is investigating marine carbon cycling in novel ecosystems in the polar seas that are emerging due to climate change

SPP 2299

Tropical climate variability & coral reefs

(funded by DFG)

Current news

Showing 45-48 of 71 items.

The international working group used the exchange at a scientific symposium in Bremen to promote joint work. Photo: MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen; R. Morard

Feb 9, 2023

GeoGenetics Symposium in Bremen

Genetics, geology, and archaeology are the topics of more than 80 researchers who met in Bremen this week. In addition to scientists from the GeoGenetics ...

Foraminifera under the microscope, taken during an expedition with the research vessel SONNE. Photo: MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen

Dec 22, 2022

Colonization of microorganisms from the ocean floor into the water column

Planktonic foraminifera are key to understanding and deciphering past climate. They live and lived in the water column, but their origins are unclear. In a ...

On Wednesday evening, the so-called Icebreaker took place in the MARUM foyer, where participants exchanged ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. Photo: MARUM/Prange

Nov 9, 2022

Annual Meeting of the TMS at MARUM

MARUM will host the annual meeting of the Micropaleontological Society (TMS) between November 9 and 11. The venue is MARUM - Center for Marine ...

Planktonic foraminifera are microorganisms that live in the uppermost water layers of all oceans. When they die, their small calcareous shells sink to the bottom of the ocean and remain there in the sediment. Such fossil foraminifera document the state of

Oct 11, 2022

The future of marine biodiversity under global warming

Human-induced climate change has already had a major impact on Earth's biodiversity. The habitat of many species – including those in the oceans – Is ...