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Have you ever wondered how changes in the ocean's biodiversity impact people's lives—not just in terms of food or climate, but in the deeper ways we relate to the marine world? Our recent research set out to explore exactly this question, looking beyond the obvious to examine what marine biodiversity truly means for communities living near the sea.
The article was published in npj Ocean Sustainability:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s44183-025-00148-z
The article was published in npj Ocean Sustainability:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s44183-025-00148-z
Beyond fish & food: The hidden impacts of biodiversity change
When we hear "biodiversity change," we often think of shrinking fish stocks or coral bleaching. But the ocean provides so much more than just food or raw materials. It offers us recreation, inspiration, learning, cultural identity—and even a sense of belonging or stewardship. These connections are often described as "relational values", yet they're essential to our well-being.
Our study, focusing on the Wadden Sea (North Sea coastlines of Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands) and Algoa Bay (South Africa), surveyed marine biodiversity experts on how changes in different groups of marine life—like birds, fish, and plankton—affect what are known as Nature’s Contributions to People (NCPs). We compared the groups of regulating NCPs (e.g. Oysters regulating the water quality), material NCPs (e.g. Herring contributing to our food) and non-material NCPs (e.g. Seagulls supporting cultural indentities through their iconic calls).
Our study, focusing on the Wadden Sea (North Sea coastlines of Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands) and Algoa Bay (South Africa), surveyed marine biodiversity experts on how changes in different groups of marine life—like birds, fish, and plankton—affect what are known as Nature’s Contributions to People (NCPs). We compared the groups of regulating NCPs (e.g. Oysters regulating the water quality), material NCPs (e.g. Herring contributing to our food) and non-material NCPs (e.g. Seagulls supporting cultural indentities through their iconic calls).
Key findings: relational values are most affected
- Non-material NCPs are heavily affected: Experts consistently rated the impact of marine biodiversity change on non-material or relational values—such as recreation, cultural inspiration, and social identity—higher than impacts on material or regulating benefits (like food or climate regulation).
- Policy priorities don't match community needs: While conservation efforts tend to focus on tangible benefits (material & regulating, like fish harvests or carbon storage), our research found that people’s sense of place, cultural heritage, and well-being are often most at risk from biodiversity change.
- Important contributions include: Healing and recreation, aesthetic enjoyment, learning and inspiration, and supporting community identities. Examples include seabirds that inspire cultural identity and community stories, fish species whose presence supports recreational fishing and local traditions, and the diverse array of plankton, seafloor invertebrates or even marine mammals that contribute to the aesthetic beauty and spiritual sense of place experienced in coastal environments. Marine biodiversity deeply shapes human experiences such as recreation, inspiration, learning, and connection to the marine world.
Why does this gap exist?
Measuring the "cultural value" of biodiversity is complex, and traditionally, policy and science have used economic or ecological metrics, leaving non-material benefits overlooked. Our work highlights the need to integrate these relational values—with their focus on human-nature relationships—into both research and policy.
Towards more inclusive conservation
How can we make conservation more meaningful and just?
- Engage a range of voices: Conservation should include input from coastal communities, Indigenous groups, and local stakeholders—those who experience ocean changes first-hand.
- Focus on partnership, not just participation: True "knowledge co-production" means building partnerships that respect local values, traditions, and even the right not to participate.
- Embrace diverse knowledge: Social sciences and the arts can reveal the emotional and spiritual importance of nature, guiding more effective and inclusive policies.
Takeaways for living in harmony with Nature
The story isn’t just about declining fish or vanishing birds. It’s about how changes in marine life ripple out to affect our sense of identity, inspiration, and community. By recognizing and protecting these non-material connections, we can create conservation strategies that are necessary for living in harmony with Nature.
Picture "Algal Buffet" by Jan-Claas Dajka