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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

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

 

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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

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Aquaba coral reef

SPP 2299

Tropical climate variability & coral reefs

(funded by DFG)

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Current news

Showing 5-8 of 71 items.
Dr. Heather L. Jones examines tiny plankton fossils using a light microscope. Photo: MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen; M. Toyos Simón.

Oct 1, 2025

Small change, big impact

Climate change poses a major threat to the organisms such as plankton that form the base of the marine food web. A team of scientists from MARUM – Center ...

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