Modelling marine ecosystems

Speaker: Richard Law (Department of Biology, University of York)

Abstract

This talk will outline three current research areas in the dynamics of marine ecosystems, and potential directions for such research in the future. 

1. Dynamics of marine size spectra.  These describe the biomass transfer from phytoplankton to large marine animals.  Knowledge of these dynamics is needed in a period of changing physical environments and changing patterns of exploitation. 
2. Minimalistic dynamics of exploited open-access resources.  This is an attempt to achieve a dynamical coupling of ecology, economics and social interactions.  The work is motivated by the need to think across traditional subject boundaries to tackle the problems raised by human activities in natural ecosystems. 
3. Selection pressures and genetic change caused by exploitation.  If we are to pass on healthy marine ecosystems for the future, the longer-term effects fisheries-induced evolution need to be understood and properly managed.