Publications

Brochures

KDM information sheets

World Ocean Review

Brochures

Measuring the Atlantic circulation

A publication of the Strategy Group Ocean Circulation and Climate (2021)

In this 36-page brochure, KDM and the German Climate Consortium (DKK) provide a comprehensible overview of the measurement of the Atlantic circulation. It shows how important these long-term measurements are for understanding the climate role of the ocean. Furthermore, the measurement results set the standard for checking and improving the climate models and thus also the forecasts for the 21st century. This brochure follows on from the previously published volumes "Future of Gulf Stream Circulation" (2016) and "Future of Sea Levels" (2019) (see below), which also incorporated results from the long-term observation systems.

KDM Position Paper "Coastal Seas in Transition

A publication of the SG Coast | Research Needs of German Coastal and Marginal Sea Research

Coasts are extraordinarily dynamic spaces. They are exposed to strongly fluctuating, often extreme influences from the sea, atmosphere and land. Against the backdrop of global change, coastal research is faced with the task of recognising at an early stage which factors control what happens on our coasts. It must also assess which countermeasures may be necessary and feasible. In the brochure "Coastal Seas in Transition", the German Marine Research Consortium outlines development trends on German coasts and formulates future research needs.

Marine Biodiversity Research in Germany

A White Paper of the KDM Marine Biodiversity Research Strategy Group | 2017

KDM established a Marine Biodiversity Research Strategy Group in March 2014 as a forum to discuss current and future issues in biodiversity research and to catalyse integrative research activities in this field. These activities start with a systematic survey of the national research landscape in marine biodiversity research, which more than other marine research fields enjoys the participation of many university research groups beyond the established marine research institutes. The aim of this white paper is to present the state of development of marine biodiversity research, to identify future challenges and to derive desiderata for biodiversity research.

Future of the Gulf Stream circulation

A publication of the SG Ocean Circulation and Climate

This brochure provides a comprehensible overview of the state of scientific knowledge on the Gulf Stream circulation. Researchers from the joint strategy group of KDM and the German Climate Consortium (DKK) classify confusing and often contradictory information that is being discussed in public. The brochure offers orientation on plausible future scenarios and relevant research questions.

The future of sea levels

A publication of the Strategy Group Ocean Circulation and Climate

All over the world, people live in close contact with the ocean, major cities by the sea are growing and coastal space is used intensively - that is why the ever faster rising sea levels are a threatening consequence of climate change. The brochure of the German Climate Consortium and the German Marine Research Consortium explains the scientific basics and helps to better assess the risks.

INFOBLETTERS (from 2022)

KDM info sheet 03

Spring 2023

KDM info sheet 02

Autumn/Winter 2022-23

KDM info sheet 01

Autumn 2022

World Ocean Review

The World Ocean Review is a unique publication on the state of our oceans and reflects the current state of science. It is the result of cooperation between various partners, including KDM.

The ocean – a climate champion? How to boost marine carbon dioxide uptake

8th edition (2023)

How can mankind effectively limit climate change? The top priority is certainly to take measures to avoid greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is now also a fact that we will have to remove a lot of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the coming decades and store it safely. Can or even must the ocean help us with this task? The new "World Ocean Review" (WOR No. 8) explains this question based on the role of the ocean in the Earth's carbon cycle and presents the benefits, risks and gaps in knowledge of the most important ocean-based processes for carbon dioxide removal.

The Ocean, Guarantor of Life – Sustainable Use, Effective Protection

7th edition (2021)

The focus of the seventh edition of the World Ocean Review is on the impacts of climate change on the physics of the ocean and on its biotic communities; the consequences of fishing, shipping, resource extraction, energy generation and marine pollution; and the questions of how active substances from the ocean can be used and how the ocean can be managed in the future in such a way that both its protection and the participation of as many people as possible in its services and goods are guaranteed. The new WOR presents comprehensive solutions for sustainable use of the oceans in all thematic areas, describes best practice examples and refers to a large number of international marine protection agreements that are important instruments, but whose implementation has not been successful in many places to date.

The Arctic and Antarctic – Extreme, Climatically Crucial and In Crisis

6th edition (2019)

The sixth edition of the World Ocean Review (WOR) is dedicated to the Arctic and Antarctic, these two extreme and markedly contrasting regions of the Earth. With in-depth information on the history of their formation and discovery, WOR 6 offers a deep understanding of the importance of the poles for life on Earth. It also shows the changes that can be observed in the animal and plant world and analyses the sometimes already dramatic consequences that climate change is causing in these extremely endangered regions.

Coasts – A Vital Habitat Under Pressure

5th edition (2017)

The fifth issue of the World Ocean Review (WOR) focuses on the coastal habitat and the many expectations placed on it. WOR 5 provides an insight into millions of years of history, explains the theory of continental drift and discusses how the face of the coasts has changed. It shows how the diverse ecosystem services of the coasts are coming under increasing pressure and presents measures that will be necessary in the future to cope with the threats posed by climate change and natural disasters.

Sustainable management of our oceans: from idea to strategy

4th edition (2015)

The fourth edition of the World Ocean Review (WOR) focuses on the idea of sustainability and how it can be implemented in the management of our oceans. The WOR explains the most important ecosystem services that the oceans provide us with and highlights what puts them most at risk. It clearly illustrates how marine policy works today at regional and supra-regional level, but also provides an outlook on how the oceans can be used sustainably and protected at the same time in the future.

Raw materials from the sea: opportunities and risks

3rd edition (2014)

The third edition of the "World Ocean Review" is dedicated to the metallic and energetic resources of the sea and their use. It provides facts about the exploitation of known oil and gas deposits below the seabed and highlights the impact on flora and fauna. It explains the formation and potentials of gas hydrate deposits on the continental margins and provides detailed information on the opportunities and risks of exploiting mineral resources: manganese nodules, cobalt crusts and massive sulphides.

The future of fish: the fishery of the future

2nd edition (2013)

The 2nd issue is dedicated to the future of fish and their use by humans. Since time immemorial, fish has been considered one of the most important sources of life for mankind. Not only as food, which is still an essential part of the daily meal in most regions of the world. Fishing also provides the basis for entire coastal regions and is still of great importance as an economic force. But all this is being put to the test. Fish stocks are declining worldwide, entire marine regions are considered overfished, and some species are on the Red List of endangered species.

Living with the seas

1st edition (2010)

The World Ocean Review was published for the first time in 2010. The result is a comprehensive and profound report that shows the state of the world's oceans and the interrelationships between the ocean and ecological, economic and socio-political conditions. The scientifically validated findings are intended to serve all those who wish to participate actively and in a well-founded manner in the current discussions surrounding ocean research.