Page 4 - Ocean Artist Society Winter2015r1
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Finding The
Changes in bio-diversity have been a constant since life on earth began. Plant and animal life have adapted at a steady pace to ensure healthy, productive ecosystems. But the well- balanced species communities that were the staple of life on earth have become increasingly unstable. With the rise of industry in the 19th century, diversity in the oceans has declined at an unprecedented pace. Overfishing, pollution and changing climate threaten the future of many animals that were once considered immune to environmental changes. The numbers of apex predators like sharks have plummeted in the face of industrial fishing; changes in habitat have driven ancient creatures like the manatee to the brink of extinction. Changing
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Balance
