1 / 14

Ecosystem Balance: Minke Whales, Krill, & Human Impact

Dive into the intricate food web dynamics of minke whales, krill, and human interference in aquatic ecosystems. Analyzing the equilibrium principle, impacts of krill fisheries, and Norway's Minke whaling policy reveal crucial insights. Learn about models, effects on species like Antarctic Fur Seals and Adelie Penguins, and the ethical arguments against Norway's practices. Understand the delicate balance of the ecosystem and the choices we must make to preserve it.

bozica
Download Presentation

Ecosystem Balance: Minke Whales, Krill, & Human Impact

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Minke Whales and Krill: An Ecosystem Approach By Alice Chen

  2. Opening Remarks • Explanation of food web • Complexity • All ecosystems tends towards equilibrium

  3. The Equilibrium Principle • There is never a surplus of one species • More prey = more energy • The human factor

  4. Two Arguments • First, krill fisheries damage the marine ecosystem. • Model • Antarctic Fur Seals • Second, does the Minke whaling quota set by Norway ultimately benefit the surrounding aquatic ecosystem • Models • Adelie Penguins • Murphy’s Model

  5. Krill Fisheries • Background • Expansion in the Antarctic • Numbers • CCAMLR sets a catch limit • Fishing operations overlap with feeding grounds • Ultimately, detrimental to aquatic ecosystems.

  6. Thomson, Butterworth, Boyd, & Coxall (2000) • Antarctic Fur Seals in South Georgia • Seal pup survival rates decreased • Less food • Forage • Less energy • Overcrowding

  7. Population Size Predator Survival Rate

  8. Norway’s Minke whaling policy • Background • IWC moratorium • Norway sets quota based on IWC’s method • Highest obtainable yield from a stock, but at the same time not endangering that species • Positive impact

  9. Ainley, Ballard, & Duggar (2006) • Adelie Penguins • Diet’s changed when there was an influx in whales • Foraging distance increased • When, Minke populations shrunk, penguin once again ate krill

  10. Murphy (1995) • 1st model • Krill population increased by almost 50% • 2nd model • Antarctic Fur seals and Adelie Penguins reached carrying capacity

  11. Arguments against Norway • Iron depletion • Taking away natural resources • Moral and ethical issues • When is enough, enough? • However, Norway keeps an eye on these issues

  12. Recap • Equilibrium • Krill fisheries • Depleting resources • Norway’s Policy • Allowing krill to thrive

  13. Closing Remarks • We are part of this ecosystem equilibrium • Most intelligent species • We have a choice to make • Choose not to act • We attempt to take what we think is a responsible approach

More Related