The Global 200 : a representation Approach to Conserving the Earth’s Distinctive Ecoregions
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North Temperate Indo-PacificY ellow Sea [203] – China, North Korea, South Korea Geographic Location: Western Pacific Ocean near the temperate coast of Eurasia Biodiversity Features: The semi-enclosed Yellow (Huanghai) Sea is located between China and Korea and is one of the largest shallow areas of continental shelf in the world. The Yellow Sea depression has depths in the range of 70 – 80 m and provides the major overwintering ground for numerous species of fish and invertebrates. regional center of endemism for invertebrates and fishes Selected Species: Dugong (Dugong dugon), Trepang (Apostychopus japonicus), Abaloni (Haliotis sp.) Dall’s (Phocoenoides dalli), Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles. Among the numerous species of fish found here are pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), as well as the newly discovered species, Pleurosicya sp. (Family, Gobiidae), are present here. General Threats: The heavily populated countries of this ecoregion impact inshore habitats through industrial pollution, domestic sewage and agricultural runoff. Coastal waters are polluted by a wide range of contaminants, ranging from chemicals such as PCBs and DDT, to tar balls and heavy metals. Such contaminants degrade very slowly and may enter the human food chain through seafood. Semi-enclosed areas have been described as the most polluted, reflected in the poor health of the region’s inhabitants. Major dam and water abstraction projects threaten sediment flux in the inshore waters of this ecoregion. O khotsk Sea [204] – Japan, Russia Geographic Location: Northwestern Pacific Ocean Biodiversity Features: The Sea of Okhotsk is by far the richest of the Russian seas in terms of seabird numbers, with well over three million pairs. The cool but fertile waters of the region support enormous fisheries that provide food for numerous birds. One of the richest north Temperate marine ecosystems in the world and the Pacific Basin Selected Species: Golden king crab (Lithodes aequispina), Steller’s sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), Dall’s porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), ribbon seals (Phoca fasciata), Steller’s sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), common and thick-billed murre (Uria aalge and U. lomvia), as well as tufted and horned puffin (Fratercula cirrhata and F. corniculata) are found in this region. General Threats: Industrial and domestic pollution, oil exploration and overfishing are the most relevant threats. Southern OceanP atagonian Southwest Atlantic [205] – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay Geographic Location: Southeast coast of South America Biodiversity Features: This area provides important breeding habitat for marine seabirds and mammals along the East Coast of Argentina. Specifically, Peninsula Valdés, a well-known international tourist destination, harbors the only continental breeding colony of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina). The gulf waters of Peninsula Valdés provide breeding and calving grounds for southern right whales (Eubalaena australis). Punta Tombo represents the largest breeding colony of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus), containing approximately 1,000,000 individuals. Early this century, fur seals and sea lions (Family, Otariidae) were heavily exploited for their fur and oil, resulting in a dramatic decline of local populations, especially of fur seals. This ecoregion supports a very important fishery, especially for hake (Merluccius hubbsi), common squid (Loligo spp.), and shortfin squid (Illex argentinus). One of the most productive marine ecosystems of the southern Atlantic Ocean with abundant marine mammal and seabird populations Selected Species: Southern sea lion (Otaria byronia), southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis), southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) humpback whale (Megaperta novaengliae), and Commerson’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) are among the numerous mammal species found here. Marine birds include Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus), imperial cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps) and pale-faced sheathbill (Chionis alba). General Threats: Fisheries in the Southwest Atlantic have dramatically increased in the last decade, due to increased fishing activities and bycatch. Presently, the management and control of fisheries are linked more to political interests than to proper technical management of the marine resources. The Patagonian region supports intense oil activities and ecosystems have suffered from major oil spills as well as release of contaminated ballast water. Penguins have been particularly affected by oil contamination during their migratory movements along the Patagonian coast. In the vicinity of cities, sewage, industrial and harbor pollution are other causes for concern. Tourism is increasing in this area, and could pose a threat to local wildlife, particularly to southern right whales during their breeding and calving activities. In general, the area suffers from a lack of a proper coastal development and management plan. S outhern Australian Marine [206] – Australia Geographic Location: Coastal marine ecosystems of southern Australia Biodiversity Features: This area contains one of the world’s largest marine floras, including about 25 percent of the world’s red algae, of which 75 percent are endemic. This ecoregion displays globally outstanding levels of endemism in marine invertebrates and is an important area for southern ocean marine mammals Selected Species: Wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans), black-browed albatross (D. melanophris), northern giant petrel (Macronectes halli), flesh-footed shearwater (Puffinus carneipes), short-tailed shearwater (P. tenuirostris), Australasian gannet (Sula serrator), rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), and little penguin (Eudyptula minor) are among the numerous seabirds found in this area. Other marine species include the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), southern right whale (Eubalaena australis), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), green (Chelonia mydas) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles, great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus)and southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). General Threats: Marine pollution, coastal development, overfishing, and long-line fishing, which is associated with high levels of bycatch (e.g., albatross), are threats to the species found here. N ew Zealand Marine [207] – New Zealand Geographic Location: Marine ecosystems around New Zealand in the southern Pacific Ocean Biodiversity Features: These marine systems support a rich diversity of aquatic plants, fish, bivalves, seabirds, and marine mammals, including sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and a diverse community of dolphins, porpoises, and smaller whales. One of the most diverse and productive Pacific south temperate and subpolar ecosystems Selected Species: The endemic erect-crested and yellow-eyed penguins (Eudyptes sclateri and Megadyptes antipodes) are found here. Several other penguins can be seen in these waters: snares penguin (Eudyptes robustus), little penguin (Eudyptula minor), and Fiordland crested penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus), Shy albatross (Diomedea cauta), royal albatross (D. epomophora), northern giant petrel (Macronectes halli), southern giant petrel (M. giganteus), and Australasian gannet (Sula serrator) are but a few of the other birds. Marine mammals include southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri), Hooker’s sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri), dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus), Hector’s dolphin (Cephalorynchus hectori), sperm whale (Physeter catodon), and southern right whale (Eubalaena australis). General Threats: Overfishing is the primary threat. In the more populated coastal areas, prominent problems are over-exploitation of living resources and environmental degradation. Sewage discharge, industrial contaminants, agricultural runoff, habitat clearance for construction (residential and tourist), mining residues, oil exploitation and associated pollution, inappropriate coastal development, and solid waste disposal are relevant threats. In some areas, introduced cats and rats have destroyed colonies of native shorebird species (e.g., Kermadec petrel, Pterodroma neglecta). 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