Aquatic systems as natural capital
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Flip to reveal answersWhat does “natural capital” mean in the context of aquatic systems?
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Question
What does “natural capital” mean in the context of aquatic systems?
Answer
Natural capital is the stock of natural resources (living and non-living) that provides ecosystem services and economic benefits (for example oceans, lakes, rivers).
💡 Hint
Stock that provides services.
Question
Aquatic systems as natural capital: give two example benefits.
Answer
They provide food (fish/seafood) and regulate climate (heat and carbon storage), among other services like water purification and tourism.
💡 Hint
Food + regulation.
Question
List the four main categories of ecosystem services aquatic systems provide.
Answer
Provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural ecosystem services.
💡 Hint
PRSC.
Question
What does MSY stand for?
Answer
MSY stands for maximum sustainable yield.
💡 Hint
Acronym.
Question
Give one example of a provisioning service from aquatic systems.
Answer
Provisioning services include fish and shellfish for food, seaweed, and freshwater supply.
💡 Hint
Food and materials.
Question
Define MSY in one sentence.
Answer
Maximum sustainable yield is the largest catch that can be taken indefinitely without causing long-term population decline.
💡 Hint
Largest long-term catch.
Question
What happens if harvesting exceeds MSY?
Answer
Fish stocks decline over time and may collapse if the breeding population becomes too small to recover.
💡 Hint
Catch too high.
Question
Why are fish stocks considered “renewable natural capital”?
Answer
Because fish populations can regenerate naturally through reproduction if harvesting remains at or below the regeneration rate.
💡 Hint
Can regrow if managed.
Question
Why does “renewable” not mean “unlimited” for fish stocks?
Answer
If fish are harvested faster than they reproduce, populations can fall below a recovery threshold and collapse, making the resource effectively non-renewable.
💡 Hint
Overharvest = collapse.
Question
In one phrase: renewable does not equal…?
Answer
Renewable does not equal infinite.
💡 Hint
Remember this.
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Topic 4.3 hub
Aquatic food production systems
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