ENVS 205- Module 5b Learning Activity

pdf

School

University of Waterloo *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

205

Subject

Geography

Date

Oct 30, 2023

Type

pdf

Pages

Uploaded by MegaQuail292

5b. Learning Activity: Reading Guide Notes (graded, required) 1. What are the most biologically productive areas of the ocean? Estuaries, coral reefs, and coastal upwelling zones are the ocean's most biologically productive regions. High amounts of nutrients and sunlight in these areas promote the development of varying habitats and phytoplankton. 2. Given an example of a positive feedback loop related to global climate change and the oceans. Are there any negative feedback loops? The melting of Arctic Sea ice is a positive feedback loop involving global climate change and the oceans. The higher consumption of carbon dioxide by the oceans represents a negative feedback loop. 3. What is the relationship between fishing and poverty? Provide one example. Fishing provides coastal communities with a source of revenue and food security. However, excessive fishing and non-sustainable practices can reduce the amount of fish available, creating a financial burden. For example, overfishing can exacerbate poverty in some regions in the local fishing community by reducing the availability of fish. 4. Explain the concepts of shifting baselines, serial depletion, and fishing down the food chain. Shifting baselines: Scientists have no choice but to use the present condition as their point of reference, even if it is far from the ideal or historically abundant state. Serial depletion: The reduction of one species results in the focusing on other species, triggering a decrease in biodiversity. Fishing down the food chain: Beginning with the pursuit of larger fish and subsequently transitioning to smaller species disrupts the equilibrium of the ecosystem. 5. What is driving the trend shown in figure 9.8 (size-at-age over the past four decades)? What implications does this trend have for modern fisheries management? This diagram demonstrates a notable decrease in the size of fish being caught, in stark contrast to the trends observed over the last 40 years. It evaluates the causes of the smaller fish size (such as fishermen pursuing bigger fish to preserve stock levels) and any possible effects (such as potentially impeding stock growth) that result from this change in fishing methods. 6. Give an example of the destructive effects of bottom trawling.

Bottom trawling harms habitats on the ocean floor like coral reefs and seagrass beds, which has a negative impact on marine ecosystems and it causes bycatch and affects the ecosystem's balance. 7. What are the two main forms of chemical pollutants in the oceans, and what are their main effects? The two main forms of chemical pollutants in the oceans are oil and marine debris. Oil pollution can harm marine life through toxicity and habitat degradation, while marine debris, particularly plastics, poses risks to marine animals through ingestion and entanglement 8. Discuss the principal reasons behind the collapse of the Atlantic groundfish stocks and some of the lessons to be learned form this experience. Inadequate fisheries management, overfishing, degradation of habitat, and other issues all contributed to the decline of Atlantic groundfish stocks. The main lessons learned from this experience stress the significance of implementing sustainable practices, establishing appropriate catch limits, safeguarding habitats, involving stakeholders, and encouraging cooperative decision-making. 9. List the three main principles underlying Canada's Oceans Strategy? Canada's Oceans Strategy is guided by three principles which are sustainable development, integrated management, and a precautionary approach 10. Discuss the positive and negative aspects of aquaculture production. Positive aspects are increased food production, economic benefits, and reduced pressure on wild fisheries whereas negative aspects are water pollution and habitat alteration. 11. What are the main interactions between global climate change and the oceans? Oceans and global climate change are linked in a number of ways, including coral bleaching caused by warming ocean waters and changes in marine ecosystems, coastal areas and their ecosystems being threatened by rising sea levels, ocean acidification affecting marine life that rely on calcium carbonate, and changes in ocean circulation affecting climate patterns and biodiversity in the oceans. 12. Define the following terms: ● Acidification (including its cause) ○ Marine species and ecosystems are negatively impacted by the decrease in ocean pH levels brought on by the greater absorption of carbon dioxide as a result of human-caused events like the burning of fossil fuels. ● Coral bleaching

○ the bleaching of coral reefs is brought on by stressors like pollution and higher water temperatures, which cause corals to throw off their symbiotic algae. ● Bycatch ○ the unintended catch of non-target species during fishing operations ● Shifting baseline ○ No choice but to use the present condition as their point of reference, even if it is far from the ideal or historically abundant state. ● Fishing down the food chain ○ Beginning with the pursuit of larger fish and subsequently transitioning to smaller species disrupts the equilibrium of the ecosystem. ● Bottom trawling ○ a type of fishing that involves dragging large nets across the ocean floor, frequently destroying habitat and capturing unintended non-target animals in the process. ● Endocrine disruption ○ the disruption of the endocrine system's normal functioning is frequently brought on by being exposed to particular substances. ● Aquaculture ○ aquaculture is the regulated production of aquatic organisms like fish, shellfish, and plants. It's a method of cultivating food that can increase the availability of seafood around the world. ● Ecotourism ○ Exploring areas of nature with the intention of recognizing and protecting the ecosystem, while assisting those who live there and promoting environmentally friendly methods, is referred to as ecotourism. ● Total allowable catch ○ The greatest number of fish or additional marine organisms that can be lawfully caught in a given time frame, as determined by scientific evaluations of the stock's sustainability.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version