meriluonnon

Meriluonto, or marine nature, refers to the living and non-living components of the sea and coastal environments. It includes oceans and seas, their seabed and water column, coastal zones, estuaries, and the organisms and habitats they support. As a field of study, meriluonto covers marine ecology, biodiversity, biogeochemical cycles, and the interactions between marine life and physical processes such as currents, temperature, and salinity.

Marine ecosystems encompass a range of habitats, including open-water areas, kelp forests and seagrass meadows in shallow regions, rocky and sandy seabeds, and complex coral or sponge communities in suitable conditions. These habitats host a variety of organisms, from microscopic plankton to large mammals and seabirds, forming interconnected food webs that sustain fisheries, coastal protection, and nutrient cycling.

The health of meriluonto is vital for ecosystem services such as food production, climate regulation through carbon storage in marine sediments and vegetation, water purification, and recreational and cultural value. Marine environments also play a key role in regional economies, especially through fisheries, tourism, and transportation.

Threats to meriluonto include overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, eutrophication, and the impacts of climate change such as warming, acidification, and changing ocean chemistry. Invasive species and shipping traffic can disrupt native communities and sensitive habitats, especially in semi-enclosed seas.

Conservation and management efforts focus on protecting critical habitats, reducing pollution and nutrient inputs, sustainable fisheries, and monitoring of ecosystem health. International cooperation, marine protected areas, and regional frameworks—such as those guiding the Baltic Sea and other coastal regions—aim to maintain or restore a healthy meriluonto for future generations.