Coastal resources versus habitat degradation - a special session

• Marine resources are considered to be declining in many of the Caribbean countries. Coincidentally, coastal marine habitats (i.e. coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves) have also been showing increasing signs of decline, especially since the second part of the last century. This session will focus on the decline of these resources and their effects on associated ecosystems. More specifically, the questions addressed by this session will be:

• 1. 1. In what way and to what extent does habitat degradation affect the resources? and
  2. 2. What impact may have the over-exploitation of the resources on the stability of coastal habitats?

• With respect to the first topic, the session will focus on how natural and/or anthropogenic forces affect individuals or populations relative to reduction in the quality of the habitats as shelter, food resources, breeding areas, and nurseries. Fishing, and especially over-fishing, of key species may result in alteration of the function of the coastal ecosystems, which may lead to their degradation. These problems will form the basis of the second topic. All papers encompassing these themes will be welcomed. Manuscripts presented in this session will be considered for publication in the peer-reviewed journal Aquatic Living Resources.

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