Large Marine Ecosystems

Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs)—a socio-biological term—are large (≥200,000 km²) regions of the world's oceans tied to coastal areas and related to “Exclusive Economic Zones” (EEZs). LMEs include the river basins and estuaries that feed into a coastal area and extend out to the continental shelf and beyond, to the edges of deep open water. Ninety-five percent of the biomass yields from oceans are produced within or near EEZs. To keep our oceans healthy, it is important to manage and conserve these areas of our planet properly. This book is arranged in three parts with the first representing case studies of five LME studies over several decades. The second part discusses impacts to marine organisms and the third part discusses LME management. One of the editors of this book, Barry D. Gold, is currently an environmental director for one of the largest grant-making foundations in the U.S.