Principal Ecological Question Addressed

Given limited resources and the divergent goals of multiple stakeholders, how to design a marine reserve to best preserve marine resources?

What Happens

Students are provided with information about a hypothetical island state, named Udubia, including a detailed map with infrastructure, bathymetry, currents, and a standardized grid.  Data on fisheries, biodiversity, and marine mammal and endangered species populations are also provided, and are referenced to the map’s grid.  A table (natural_history.doc) that summarizes the natural history of the species is also provided and can either be provided to the students or kept for instructor reference.  Each student will choose a character representing a stakeholder in the placement and design of the marine reserve. Groups of stakeholders propose marine reserves and debate the proposals.

Experiment Objectives

By the end of this exercise, students should be able to:

• Place the principles of conservation biology and marine ecology into an interdisciplinary context
• Defend a conservation position using data and research
• Interpret geographic data and information
• Demonstrate the compromises needed to create a conservation plan given conflicting motivations of different stakeholders
• Orally communicate their ideas in front of an audience

Equipment/Logistics Required

Little equipment is required for this simulation, beyond paper and a printer.  Ideally, a plotter will be available to produce larger maps, especially for students with disabilities.

Summary of What is Due

• A brief description of a stakeholder character and position (can be ungraded)
• Spatially-specific reserve design developed by a group, using data and research
• Reserve design presented to class and defended in a structured debate format
• Individual position essays based on unique stakeholder motivations, provided data, and research
• A reference list submitted prior to the debate to provide an opportunity for feedback

Keyword Descriptors

Ecological Topic Keywords:

Biodiversity, community ecology, conservation biology, dispersal, endangered species, fisheries management, marine ecology, oceans, overfishing, Shannon Diversity Index, Marine reserves, marine protected areas (MPA)

Science Methodological Skills Developed:

Data analysis, graphing data, library research, oral presentation, use of primary literature, use of spreadsheets, Collaboration, conflict resolution, use of geographical data

Pedagogical Methods Keywords:

Citizen's argument, cooperative learning, formal group work, role playing