The marine ecosystem provides many resources that humans rely on for food, medicine, and construction materials. However, pollution from industrial and household chemicals and waste like plastic are threatening the health of the marine ecosystem. Chemical pollution can alter the normal functions of organisms and reduce their ability to reproduce. Plastic waste in particular kills many marine animals if ingested. To restore the marine ecosystem, humans must limit overusing resources and work to keep the balance between living and nonliving things in the ocean. Simple individual actions like using natural cleaners, reusable bags, and biodegradable plastics can help protect the marine environment.

2. • As the largest ecosystem on the earth, the marine ecosystem provides most of the
resources that people need.
• Ex: corals in the open-ocean zone serve as home to a large number of species of fish.
Most of the fish that people eat reproduce and develop in the corals. Crabs, mussels,
and clams found in the intertidal zone are also part of the human diet.
• Marine ecosystem also a source of medicine. One of the main source of materials
form medicine called ARA-C. It is taken from the extracts of sponge. ARA-C is used
for cancer treatment to inhibit spread of cancer in the body,
• Also it provides resources such as sand, stones, and rocks that is used for
construction materials.
• Mangroves provides wood suitable in making charcoals for heating.
• It is a need to protect and conserve marine ecosystem so that people and their
future generations can continue to benefit from the ecosystem.

3. PRESENT CONDITION OF THE
MARINE ECOSYSTEM
• The ecosystem is facing threats because of pollutions caused by
industrialization and other activities.
– introduction of harmful substances into the environment.
• Marine ecosystem is polluted by chemicals coming from the factories and
households that spill their chemical wastes into the bodies of water and
waterways. When they are washed off by rain, the chemicals find their way into
the marine ecosystem.
• Chemicals are harmful on organisms. When ingested by animals, it can alter the
normal functions of their bodies.
• Ex: University of Exeter in the UK (2010) found evidence of long-term exposure
of fish to certain chemicals can reduce their ability to reproduce and lay eggs.

4. • Aside from chemicals, trashes can also affect the marine ecosystem.
• Trash like plastic, can be eaten by marine inhabitants when thrown into the
water. Since plastic cannot be digested, it can cause abnormalities in the
organism’s stomach that can lead to the death of the animal. Most victims
are whales. When whales gets near to the beach means it is about to die.
Many beached whales were opened to know the cause of death and
scientists found out their stomachs were filled with undigested plastic bags.

5. RESTORING MARINE ECOSYSTEM
• People tend to overuse and/or destroy resources, humans do not limit their
use of the resources from the marine ecosystem, and it may lead to a run out
of these resources. Humans shares the planet with other living things, and
they should keep in mind everyone has a role in keeping the balance among
living and nonliving things.

6. SIMPLE THINGS TO PROTECT THE
MARINE ECOSYSTEM:
1. Encourage your parents to lessen the use of chemicals such as those from
cleaners. Instead use natural cleaners like vinegar, lemon, and kalamansi to
clean stains.
2. Encourage your friends and classmates to use reusable canvasses or paper
bags instead of plastics.
3. Try to use biodegradable plastics, or plastics that can decompose (safe
plastics)
4. Give importance to what you learn in school especially those related to
saving the earth.
Your decisions not only geared to self-gain but most importantly they can
protect resources such as marine ecosystem.