This module develops the connections between ecological theory and management of marine communities and ecosystems. It aims to give a rounded overview of the current understanding of vulnerability of marine taxa to human activities and climate change, and enable students to evaluate consequences of loss of species on ecosystem structure and functioning, as well as on human wellbeing.

(LO1) Students will understand the major drivers of species loss in marine ecosystems, and be able to evaluate how this is measured.

(LO2) Students will understand how changes in species diversity relate to changes in ecosystem functioning and will be able to evaluate consequences of the loss of different marine taxa on ecosystem functions and services.

(LO3) Students will understand the role of climate change in marine species vulnerability and will be able to evaluate adaptation and mitigation measures that may help to lessen possible species loss due to this.

(LO4) Students will understand how to compare threats from different human activities to marine taxa, and will be able to suggest where different management approaches may or may not be useful to reduce these threats

(S1) Problem solving skills

(S2) Group work skills

1. Threatened species:
Extinction risk in marine species;
Methods for characterising extinction risk/vulnerability;
Research and discuss vulnerability to extinction, threats from human activities and environmental change and conservation approaches.

2. Species diversity changes and ecosystem function:
The relationship between species diversity and ecosystem function;
Functional redundancy and the consequences of species loss;
How does the nature of species loss affect functional consequences?

3. Climate change and marine species vulnerability:
Threat from climate change and how this varies across taxa;
Adaptation and mitigation – how and what are the limits;
Which management measures might help in minimising consequences of climate change for marine taxa?

4. Managing (non-climate) threats to marine ecosystems:
Threat Assessment: Part 1, Concepts;
Threat Assessment: Part 2, Application;
How can we reduce threats from human activities to marine taxa?

Teaching Method 1
Description: lectures (asynchronous, online)
Attendance Recorded: no

Teaching Method 2
Description: synchronous discussions, Q & A and workshops
Attendance Recorded: Yes