<i>Terrestrial links to ocean health</i>

This guest editorial examines the critical but often overlooked relationship between terrestrial activities and ocean health. Swanson argues that while marine environments face numerous ecological challenges, most originate from land‐based practices, including agricultural runoff, industrial pollution, and carbon emissions. Using the Baltic Sea as a case study, she demonstrates how industrial agriculture has transformed marine ecosystems, creating dead zones and threatening hundreds of species. The author critiques approaches that maintain land‐sea dichotomies and calls for more integrated research across disciplinary boundaries. Drawing on anthropological methods, Swanson advocates for holistic approaches that recognize the interconnectedness of terrestrial and marine systems, incorporate Indigenous knowledge practices, and address the systemic transformations needed in political economy and ecology to effectively care for ocean environments.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Anthropology Today
Published
2025-05-31
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8322.12964
Primary Topic
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Terrestrial links to ocean health

Heidi H. Swanson
Anthropology Today
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
article

Terrestrial links to ocean health

Heidi H. Swanson
article en

Abstract

This guest editorial examines the critical but often overlooked relationship between terrestrial activities and ocean health. Swanson argues that while marine environments face numerous ecological challenges, most originate from land‐based practices, including agricultural runoff, industrial pollution, and carbon emissions. Using the Baltic Sea as a case study, she demonstrates how industrial agriculture has transformed marine ecosystems, creating dead zones and threatening hundreds of species. The author critiques approaches that maintain land‐sea dichotomies and calls for more integrated research across disciplinary boundaries. Drawing on anthropological methods, Swanson advocates for holistic approaches that recognize the interconnectedness of terrestrial and marine systems, incorporate Indigenous knowledge practices, and address the systemic transformations needed in political economy and ecology to effectively care for ocean environments.

Anthropology TodayVol. 41(3)
Openalex Percentile: Top 91%
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
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