LZ lecture 2

Question 1

Why conservation?

Answer 1

• Moral reasons: nature has an intrinsic value
• Uitilitarian reasons: nature provides ecosystem services (benefits) to
  humans, now and in the future (sustainability)

Question 2

Conservation of what?

Answer 2

• Species
• Habitat
• Ecosystems

Question 3

Protection from what?

Answer 3

• Exctinction
• Functional extinction
• From stopping to provide humans with ecosystem services

Question 4

How many species are threatened with extinction?

Answer 4

40 000 (28% of all species)

Question 5

What is The Living Planet Index (LPI)

Answer 5

• Measure of the state of global biodiversity
• Based on population trends of vertebrates

In the picture:
- LPI: 1970 - 2018
- relative abundance of 31 821 populations, representing 5230 species, declined by 69%
- white line: index values
- shaded areas: statistical certainty

Question 6

LPI overview

Answer 6

Question 7

Population index

Answer 7

Question 8

Biodiversity threats

Answer 8

• Habitat loss and fragmentation
• Alien species
• Fisheries
• Illegal fishing
• Pollution
• Climate change
• Other human activities

Question 9

What is Sustainable Development Goal 14 of the United Nations?

Answer 9

“conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”

Question 10

Global pressures on marine life

(Fig. 1 of article: ‘Rebuilding marine life’ by C. Duarte et al.)

Answer 10

Question 11

Global growth of restoration interventions

(Fig. 2a and 2b of article: ‘Rebuilding marine life’ by C. Duarte et al.)

Answer 11

Distribution and growth of MPAs (a) and ecosystem restoration projects for coral and oyster reefs (b)

Question 12

Global growth of restoration interventions

(Fig. 2c and 2d of article: ‘Rebuilding marine life’ by C. Duarte et al.)

Answer 12

Distribution and growth of saltmarshes and mangroves (c), and kelps and seagrasses (d)

Question 13

Global growth of restoration interventions

(Fig. 2e and 2f of article: ‘Rebuilding marine life’ by C. Duarte et al.)

Answer 13

Growth of MPAs as per cent of the total ocean area (e) and reported restoration projects (f) over time

Question 14

Recovery trends of marine populations

(Fig. 3a and 3b of article: ‘Rebuilding marine life’ by C. Duarte et al.)

Answer 14

a, Current population trends in scientifically assessed fish stocks based on the ratio of the annual biomass B relative to the biomass that produces the maximum sustainable yield (BMSY).

b, Percentage of assessed marine mammal populations that showed increasing or decreasing population trends or showed no change

Question 15

Recovery trends of marine populations

(Fig. 3c of article: ‘Rebuilding marine life’ by C. Duarte et al)

Answer 15

c, Sample trajectories of recovering species and habitats from different parts of the world. Units were adjusted to a common scale by multiplying or dividing as indicated in the legend (n×), numbers at the end of the legends indicate the initial count at the beginning of time series.

Question 16

Recovery trends of marine populations

(Fig. 3d of article: ‘Rebuilding marine life’ by C. Duarte et al.)

Answer 16

d, Range of recovery times for marine populations and habitats, and mean ± 95% confidence limits recovery times for marine ecosystems. Lines indicate the reported range; where extending to 60 years, the maximum recovery time is 60 years or longer

Question 17

Scenarios conducive to achieving the best aspirational outcomes towards rebuilding marine life

(Table 1 of article: ‘Rebuilding marine life’ by C. Duarte et al.)

Answer 17