University of British Columbia
Extractive human systems are driving unprecedented biodiversity loss and exacerbating social inequity. The magnitude of the intertwined climate, biodiversity, and social inequity crises has prompted the development of interdisciplinary research approaches to address these complex problems. One such approach, social-ecological systems (SES), aims to understand the relationships between coupled human and ecological systems. This thesis applies an SES lens to understand the science of human impacts on and relationships with marine ecosystems and inform characterizations of system vulnerability. First, I examined the sensitivity of marine ectothermic animals to climate change by conducting a meta-analysis of the effects of ocean acidification and warming. My synthesis of nearly five hundred factorial studies demonstrates the negative effects of these two drivers, identifies specific taxonomic groups (molluscs), life- history traits (adults, sessile), and latitudes (tropical and temperate) that are more sensitive, and refutes two common assumptions about the drivers’ interactive effects. Next, I tested whether populations of a marine snail vary in their vulnerability to ocean warming based on thermal sensitivity and local rates of ocean warming. Using coupled lab and field experiments with snails from two regions in the middle of their range that differ in thermal characteristics, I found that snails from the warmer Salish Sea, an urban sea, showed greater vulnerability to ocean warming than those from the cooler central coast of British Columbia, Canada. Finally, to inform how humans can mitigate our impacts while sustaining complex relationships with the ocean, I partnered with the Sḵwx̲wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and regional stewardship organizations on a marine spatial planning project in the Salish Sea. I employed a mixed- methods community-based participatory mapping approach to characterize place-based values and outline opportunities to decolonize research and mapping processes. The results contribute important social data about place-based values, reveal value interactions, reflect knowledge system plurality, and identify avenues to advance reconciliation. Overall, this thesis highlights the vulnerability of marine life, particularly life within urban seas, to climate change and provides a roadmap for researchers and decision-makers to meaningfully steward the health and well-being of coastal social-ecological systems.
Implementation Context
This study is provided by the University of British Columbia (Faculty of graduate and postdoctoral studies in zoology). The thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Aspects / Objectives
The objective of the study is to study the impacts of ocean warming on ecosystems, as well as the inclusion of local communities in research processes.
Method
The author examined the sensitivity of marine ectothermic animals to climate change by conducting a meta-analysis of the effects of ocean acidification and warming. She also employed a community-based participatory mapping approach to characterise place-based values and include local communities in research processes.
Main Outputs / Results
The study refines the understanding of organismal traits and environmental contexts that increase ecological vulnerability to climate change. The partnership with local and Indigenous groups generates place-based knowledge about human relationships with the ocean and enabled the inclusion of social and qualitative data in maps and marine spatial planning decision-support tools.
Transferability
The work is transferable as it deals with the impacts of ocean acidification and warming on ecosystems, as well as the inclusion of local communities in research processes.
Responsible Entity
Faculty of graduate and postdoctoral studies - University of British Columbia
Costs / Funding Source
Faculty of graduate and postdoctoral studies in zoology - University of British Columbia
Contact person
Beaty Fiona, University of British Columbia