Marine Economics and Environmental Impact

The lecture explores the diverse services provided by marine ecosystems, including provisioning of food and materials, regulation of nutrients and sediments, coastal protection, and carbon sequestration. It highlights the economic value of these services and the challenges in quantifying them. The importance of ecosystem integrity for tourism and the intrinsic value of marine life are also discussed, emphasizing the need for conservation and ethical considerations.

What is the estimated annual revenue generated by world fisheries?

• $100 billion

• $250 billion

• $1 trillion

• $500 billion

Which sector is experiencing fast-growing revenues by cultivating fish and crustaceans in captivity?

• Aquaculture

• Mariculture

• Agriculture

• Forestry

What unconventional material is sourced from coral reefs for building purposes?

• Sand

• Coral rubble

• Seaweed

• Wood

How do coastal plants help in reducing nutrient pollution?

• By increasing water temperature

• By providing shade to marine life

• By releasing oxygen into the water

• By absorbing nutrients into their biomass

What is the estimated economic value of nutrient retention by macrophyte beds per hectare per year?

• $50,000

• $10,000

• $5,000

• $20,000

What process in the open ocean helps in removing carbon from the atmosphere?

• Photosynthesis

• Biological carbon pump

• Sedimentation

• Evaporation

What percentage of excess anthropogenic carbon is absorbed by the oceans?

• 10%

• 40%

• 20%

• 30%

What is the role of sea grass beds in carbon sequestration?

• They release carbon into the atmosphere

• They bury carbon into marine sediment

• They convert carbon into oxygen

• They prevent carbon absorption

Which industry generates more revenue in Europe compared to fisheries?

• Forestry

• Mining

• Tourism

• Agriculture

What is the intrinsic value of marine life emphasized in the lecture?

• Aesthetic beauty

• Economic benefits

• Philosophical and ethical significance

• Recreational opportunities