Interdisciplinary Seminar: Erika Neave

An Interdisciplinary seminar from UNC Marine Sciences graduate student, Erika Neave. Presented by the UNC-CH Department of Marine Sciences and UNC’s Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS). The main location of this event will be in seminar room G201 on the ground floor of Murray Hall on UNC-CH campus in Chapel Hill, NC. The seminar will be streamed live to room 222 at IMS in Morehead City, NC. This event will be held on Monday, April 16th at 12:20pm.

Seminar Title: Conservation, Culture, & Climate Change: Are Marine Protected Areas a Cure-all?

Abstract: Marine protected areas (MPAs) are flexible management strategies that aim to conserve the ecological integrity of marine ecosystems. These ecosystems are valued for resources such as food, and services such as coastal protection. In some cases, MPAs are zoned as “no-take” meaning that fishing is prohibited in efforts to manage resources and services for future generations. Critics question the efficacy of MPAs. They argue that conventional fisheries management, which takes a species-specific approach, warrants better results and is more equitable for stakeholders. On the other hand, proponents of MPAs warn that successful management should not only be concerned with biological preservation, but also that of cultural heritage. Furthermore, scientists posit that MPAs could provide necessary buffer time for species to adapt to the changing climate. So, are MPAs a cure-all? The United Nations Convention for Biological Diversity calls for 10% of the ocean to be zoned as MPAs by 2020. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recognizes four main variables whose changes affect marine systems: pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and primary production. Bioclimatic envelope models show that if projected greenhouse gas concentrations follow “business-as-usual” trends (RCP 8.5), the majority of the ocean will be subject to synergistic effects of these variables by 2030. Promising empirical studies and management reports explore key attributes that contribute to MPA success.