Activity 9

The balance of nature

Read the Wikipedia article on "the balance of nature". (There is also an entire book about the concept.)

Imagine that you have been given the job of drawing the management plan for an estuary. Consider this task from two points of view: a world in which the "balance of nature" applies; and a world (which is probably the one we inhabit) where it does not apply.

• What information about the system do you need in each case?
• How would your thinking about managing the estuary change if you thought that the "balance of nature" did, or did not, apply?
• Does the validity of the concept of the "balance of nature" affect how you think climate change should be managed? (Think in terms of "your" estuary.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

• Key features of the marine environment
• Difference between marine and terrestrial/aquatic systems

Stress

• Stresses in marine environments
• Organism responses to stress

Disturbance

• Disturbance in marine environments
• Community responses to disturbance

Climate Change

• Change in frequency and intensity of disturbance
• Sea level rise

Activities

• Activity 8
• Activity 8 Answers
• Activity 9
• Activity 10

Assessment

• Please complete this assessment item by the end of week 13. It accounts for 35% of your unit grade.