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Exploring Vulnerable Ecosystems & Marine Protected Areas
On 25 July 2024 we hosted a live webinar featuring guest speakers to explore the unique biodiversity of three marine ecosystems and the positive impacts of marine protection. In this webinar (recording below) guest speakers shared insight into their work in three distinct marine ecosystems:
The Ross Sea - Dr. Svenja Halfter (NIWA)
Fiordland Marine Area - Mr. Richard Kinsey (Department of Conservation)
Temperate Reefs - Dr. Nick Shears (University of Auckland)
Learn more about each of these via their engaging presentations and the Q&A which followed to get a glimpse into the marine protected areas of Antarctica, Fiordland and Northeastern New Zealand.
🔗 Click here to view the webinar recording on YouTube
The webinar and short summaries below cover:
- important roles of three different ocean ecosystems
- key/indicator species in these ecosystems
- MPAs in polar and temperate climates
Plus, you can find additional resources (more to be added soon) at the bottom of this page.
The Ross Sea
Introduction
The Ross Sea MPA is Earth's largest Marine Protected Area. Covering 1.55 million sq km, it is home to a huge diversity of life, it absorbs 90% of excess heat generated by greenhouse gases and is an important carbon sink! Researching zooplankton can tell us about climate change in Antarctica’s largest Marine Protected Area. Dr. Halfter’s work in the Ross Sea uses zooplankton to investigate changing ecosystems and the impacts of marine protection.
Current research in the Ross Sea
The Ross Sea MPA protects unique benthic habitats in one of the least impacted ecosystems on the planet. This allows for important scientific research on these ecosystems and the effectiveness of marine protection and contains a huge range of marine biodiversity. This ecosystem is supported by tiny zooplankton and phytoplankton, including a type of sea snail known pteropods. Dr. Halfter is studying the distribution of ice krill and Antarctic krill, which are important food items for Adélie penguins and whales. Pteropods act as an important indicator for ocean acidification and climate change, which is a large focus of Svenja’s current research.
Threats
While the Ross Sea may appear isolated from the rest of the world, it is still at risk to human activities. The MPA was established to protect the area’s unique ecosystems from overfishing and tourism, however, plastic pollution and climate change still pose major threats. This MPA has been set up for 35 years but can expire if no international consent is found to retain its protection. Therefore, the data collected now is really important to ensure we have what is needed to keep it protected.
Unique Diversity of Fiordland
Fiordland ecosystems
From outer fiord ecosystems dominated by kelp to inner fiords heavily influenced by ecosystems on land, the Fiordland Marine Area contains a wide variety of habitats and species. The biodiversity it encompasses includes everything from sponges to over 300+ year old black coral! The top layer of freshwater and tannins from nearby beach forests blocks light, providing the perfect environment for black coral usually found in deep water.
Protection and threats
The Fiordland Marine Guardians established a range of marine protection measures in Fiordland to protect marine ecosystems from overfishing. This plan included ten marine reserves, recreational fishing limits, ‘china shops’ (no-anchoring zones) and an ongoing monitoring program for key species. While the fiords are still under threat from invasive species and warming ocean temperatures, being able to effectively manage and protect these ecosystems helps make them as resilient as possible to environmental changes.
Temperate Reef Ecosystems
