Collapse or rebuilding—prospects for marine ecosystems
Starts: March 19, 2010 at 3:30 PM
Location: McHugh Auditorium, Watermen's Hall
Contact: Rochelle Seitz, 804-684-7698, [[seitz]]
Summary
Science lecture by Associate Professor Boris Worm of Dalhousie University.
Full Description
Title
Collapse or rebuilding - prospects for marine ecosystems
Background
Dr. Worm is a marine ecologist and Associate Professor in Marine Conservation Biology at the Biology Department, Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He received his Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography from the University of Kiel. His research focuses on the causes and consequences of changes in marine biodiversity and its conservation on a global scale. Dr. Worm has published about 50 peer-reviewed papers, several of which have received significant public attention. He has a special interest in the rebuilding of marine resources and what is needed to prevent further loss of biodiversity worldwide.
Abstract
In this talk, Dr. Worm will present two contrasting views of marine ecosystems, one that examines the loss of biodiversity through fishing and other human impacts, and the other that emphasizes efforts to reduce exploitation rates and rebuild depleted stocks. He will attempt to unite aspects of both scenarios when discussing evidence-based solutions for restoring marine biodiversity now, and in the future. He will argue that marine management needs to adopt a unifying focus on restoration to overcome the significant challenges posed in this century.
Recent Publications
- Worm, B et al. (2009) Rebuilding global fisheries. Science 325:578-585
- Lotze, HK, Worm, B (2009) Historical baselines for large marine animals. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 24:254-262
- Heithaus MR, Frid, A, Wirsing, AJ, Worm, B (2008) Predicting ecological consequences of marine top predators declines. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 23:202-210
- Worm, B et al. (2006) Impacts of biodiversity loss on ocean ecosystem services. Science 314:787-790
