Ocean+ Library will be retired in 2025. To learn more about these changes, please read our
frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
A collection of all of the resources on Ocean+ Library will remain available on the
UNEP-WCMC Resources
page.
For the latest authoritative information on the status and conservation of the world's coastal habitats, please visit
Ocean+ Habitats,
which will remain online and continue to be updated.
Dive into marine data
Ocean+ Library connects to the latest data and online resources on ocean biodiversity.
With technological advances, access to ocean data has increased dramatically, including information on the state of the ocean and its resources. Through Ocean+ Library, identify the online data and information you need to make decisions about what matters to you.
Marine and coastal data can be used to support a variety of activities and purposes. These have been grouped into five themes and examples for each are provided in the sections below.
Marine Spatial Planning
Marine spatial planning involves allocating space to different marine and coastal activities to ensure balanced and sustainable use of the marine environment. Marine and coastal biodiversity data can be used to identify priority areas for management or conservation and to guide spatial planning processes.
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) examine the anticipated environmental effects of proposed projects and begin at the design stage. Suitable data are required to support the prediction and assessment of potential impacts an activity may have on the marine environment.
Marine and coastal datasets can help users understand biological, ecological and oceanographic characteristics of a feature of interest. Relevant data are essential to assess and respond to changes in condition.
Natural capital and ecosystem services underpin our economy and society, and are therefore directly relevant to policy and business decision-making. Improved data enables the development of ecosystem valuation indicators that can be incorporated into the management of government and business.
Changes to Ocean+ Library