Marine biodiversity of the South-Western Atlantic Ocean and main environmental problems of the region

BASTIDA R, D RODRIGUEZ, N SCARLATTO & M FAVERO

Makind and the Oceans

United Nations University Press

Lugar: New York; Año: 2005; p. 172 - 207

During this Convention, the concept of fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the utilisation of genetic resources and the transfer of appropriate technologies emerged, thus recognising the important fact that many human activities affect marine life. We will refer now to the biodiversity and environmental problems affecting a vast oceanic region of the Southern Hemisphere: the South Western Atlantic Ocean (SWAO). An updated overview of the oceanographic characteristics of the SWAO will be included in this paper, since they condition the main biogeographic areas of the region, which in turn show particular characteristics in their biodiversity patterns. Finally, the main environmental impact factors identified in the region and their incidence in biodiversity and environmental quality will be analysed.