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Panneerselvam B, Charoenlerkthawin W, Ekkawatpanit C, Namsai M, Bidorn B, Saravanan S, Lu XX. Climate change influences on the streamflow and sediment supply to the Chao Phraya River basin, Thailand. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 251:118638. [PMID: 38462088 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of climate change on the sediment loads of the Ping and Wang River basins and their contribution to the sediment dynamics of the lower Chao Phraya River basin in Thailand. The various climate models under different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) scenarios are employed to project sediment loads in future. The findings indicate a significant increase in river flow approximately 20% in the Ping River (PR) and 35% in the Wang River (WR) by the mid-21st century and continuing into the distant future. Consequently, this is expected to result in sediment loads up to 0.33 × 106 t/y in the PR and 0.28 × 106 t/y in the WR. This escalation is particularly notable under the RCP 8.5 scenario, which assumes higher greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the research provides insights into the potential positive implications for the Chao Phraya Delta's coastal management. Without further damming in the Ping and Wang River basins, the anticipated rise in sediment supply could aid in mitigating the adverse effects of land subsidence and sea-level rise, which have historically caused extensive shoreline retreat in the delta region, particularly around Bangkok Metropolis. The paper concludes that proactive adaptation strategies are required to manage the expected changes in the hydrological and sediment regimes to protect vulnerable coastal zones and ensure the sustainable management of the Chao Phraya River Basin in the face of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balamurugan Panneerselvam
- Center of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Development, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Warit Charoenlerkthawin
- Center of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Development, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Department of Water Resources Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Chaiwat Ekkawatpanit
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, 10140, Thailand
| | - Matharit Namsai
- Department of Water Resources Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; The Royal Irrigation Department, Bangkok, 10300, Thailand
| | - Butsawan Bidorn
- Center of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Development, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Department of Water Resources Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
| | - Subbarayan Saravanan
- Department of Civil Engineering, National institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Xi Xi Lu
- Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, 119260, Singapore
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2
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Fong CR, Smith N, Catalan E, Caraveo BA, Barber PH, Fong P. Herbivorous sea urchins (Echinometra mathaei) support resilience on overfished and sedimented tropical reefs. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3829. [PMID: 38360981 PMCID: PMC10869737 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52222-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Human impacts are dramatically changing ecological communities, motivating research on resilience. Tropical reefs are increasingly undergoing transitions to short algal turf, a successional community that mediates either recovery to coral by allowing recruitment or transitions to longer turf/macroalgae. Intense herbivory limits turf height; subsequently, overfishing erodes resilience of the desirable coral-dominated reef state. Increased sedimentation also erodes resilience through smothering and herbivory suppression. In spite of this critical role, most herbivory studies on tropical reefs focus on fishes, and the contribution of urchins remains under-studied. To test how different herbivory and sedimentation scenarios impact turf resilience, we experimentally simulated, in situ, four future overfishing scenarios derived from patterns of fish and urchin loss in other reef systems and two future sedimentation regimes. We found urchins were critical to short turf resilience, maintaining this state even with reduced fish herbivory and increased sediment. Further, urchins cleared sediment, facilitating fish herbivory. This study articulates the likelihood of increased reliance on urchins on impacted reefs in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elijah Catalan
- Howard University, Washington DC, USA
- UCLA, Los Angeles, USA
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3
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Celis JE, Espejo W, Montes IY, Sandoval M, Specht AJ, Banegas-Medina A. First report of some rare earth elements and trace elements in sands from different islands located in the Marine Natural Monument Archipelago Cayos Cochinos, Caribbean Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 196:115648. [PMID: 37844481 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of chemicals widely used in emerging technologies today, and are often labeled as potential environmental contaminants. The Cayos Cochinos Archipelago is a protected area of Honduras, Central America, with intertidal and supratidal sands, making it a prime candidate for pollution research. In December 2022, sand samples from the Cayos Cochinos area was collected and analyzed by X-ray fluorescence to determine the levels of REEs and some less-studied trace elements (TEs). Based on the findings, REEs mean contents (μg g-1 d.w.) fluctuated between 2.96 for Y to 667.1 for Nd, while TEs ranged from 10.37 for Th to 3896.2 for Sr. Also, the results showed significantly higher levels of La, Pr, Y, Sr, Ba, and Th in the supratidal zone than in the intertidal zone. The data are useful as a basis for understanding the presence of chemical elements in near-shore marine areas and subsequently help identify sustainable practices that will reduce the impacts of these chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- José E Celis
- Department of Animal Science, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Winfred Espejo
- Department of Soils & Natural Resources, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile.
| | - Isis-Yelena Montes
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Sciences, Danlí Technological Campus, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Danlí, Honduras
| | - Marco Sandoval
- Department of Soils & Natural Resources, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Aaron J Specht
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Andy Banegas-Medina
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Sciences, Danlí Technological Campus, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Danlí, Honduras
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4
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Gove JM, Williams GJ, Lecky J, Brown E, Conklin E, Counsell C, Davis G, Donovan MK, Falinski K, Kramer L, Kozar K, Li N, Maynard JA, McCutcheon A, McKenna SA, Neilson BJ, Safaie A, Teague C, Whittier R, Asner GP. Coral reefs benefit from reduced land-sea impacts under ocean warming. Nature 2023; 621:536-542. [PMID: 37558870 PMCID: PMC10511326 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06394-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Coral reef ecosystems are being fundamentally restructured by local human impacts and climate-driven marine heatwaves that trigger mass coral bleaching and mortality1. Reducing local impacts can increase reef resistance to and recovery from bleaching2. However, resource managers lack clear advice on targeted actions that best support coral reefs under climate change3 and sector-based governance means most land- and sea-based management efforts remain siloed4. Here we combine surveys of reef change with a unique 20-year time series of land-sea human impacts that encompassed an unprecedented marine heatwave in Hawai'i. Reefs with increased herbivorous fish populations and reduced land-based impacts, such as wastewater pollution and urban runoff, had positive coral cover trajectories predisturbance. These reefs also experienced a modest reduction in coral mortality following severe heat stress compared to reefs with reduced fish populations and enhanced land-based impacts. Scenario modelling indicated that simultaneously reducing land-sea human impacts results in a three- to sixfold greater probability of a reef having high reef-builder cover four years postdisturbance than if either occurred in isolation. International efforts to protect 30% of Earth's land and ocean ecosystems by 2030 are underway5. Our results reveal that integrated land-sea management could help achieve coastal ocean conservation goals and provide coral reefs with the best opportunity to persist in our changing climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamison M Gove
- Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Honolulu, HI, USA.
| | - Gareth J Williams
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, UK.
| | - Joey Lecky
- Pacific Islands Regional Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Eric Brown
- National Park of American Samoa, Pago Pago, American Samoa, USA
| | | | - Chelsie Counsell
- Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Gerald Davis
- Pacific Islands Regional Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Mary K Donovan
- Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science, Arizona State University, Hilo, HI, USA
- School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | | | | | - Kelly Kozar
- National Park Service, Pacific Island Network Inventory and Monitoring, Hawai'i National Park, HI, USA
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Ocean and Resources Engineering, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | | | - Amanda McCutcheon
- National Park Service, Pacific Island Network Inventory and Monitoring, Hawai'i National Park, HI, USA
| | - Sheila A McKenna
- National Park Service, Pacific Island Network Inventory and Monitoring, Hawai'i National Park, HI, USA
| | | | - Aryan Safaie
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI, USA
| | | | | | - Gregory P Asner
- Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science, Arizona State University, Hilo, HI, USA
- School of Ocean Futures, Arizona State University, Hilo, HI, USA
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A contemporary baseline of Madagascar's coral assemblages: Reefs with high coral diversity, abundance, and function associated with marine protected areas. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275017. [PMID: 36264983 PMCID: PMC9584525 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Madagascar is a major hotspot of biodiversity in the Western Indian Ocean, but, as in many other regions, coral reefs surrounding the island confront large-scale disturbances and human-induced local stressors. Conservation actions have been implemented with encouraging results for fisheries, though their benefit on coral assemblages has never been rigorously addressed. In this context, we analyzed the multiscale spatial variation of the composition, generic richness, abundance, life history strategies, and cover of coral assemblages among 18 stations placed at three regions around the island. The potential influences of marine protected areas (MPAs), algal cover, substrate rugosity, herbivorous fish biomass, and geographic location were also analyzed. Our results highlight the marked spatial variability, with variation at either or both regional and local scales for all coral descriptors. The northeast coastal region of Masoala was characterized by the high abundance of coral colonies, most notably of the competitive Acropora and Pocillopora genera and stress-tolerant taxa at several stations. The southwest station of Salary Nord was distinguished by lower abundances, with depauperate populations of competitive taxa. On the northwest coast, Nosy-Be was characterized by higher diversity and abundance as well as by high coral cover (~42-70%) recorded at unfished stations. Results clearly underline the positive effects of MPAs on all but one of the coral descriptors, particularly at Nosy-Be where the highest contrast between fished and unfished stations was observed. Biomass of herbivorous fishes, crustose coralline algae cover, and substrate rugosity were also positively related to several coral descriptors. The occurrence of reefs with high diversity, abundance, and cover of corals, including the competitive Acropora, is a major finding of this study. Our results strongly support the implementation of locally managed marine areas with strong involvement by primary users, particularly to assist in management in countries with reduced logistic and human resources such as Madagascar.
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Barbee BE, Lin MKR, Min IA, Takenami AM, Philson CS, Blumstein DT. Nutrient enrichment alters risk assessment in Giant clams. J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.13030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B. E. Barbee
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles CA USA
| | - M. K. R. Lin
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles CA USA
| | - I. A. Min
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles CA USA
| | - A. M. Takenami
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles CA USA
| | - C. S. Philson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles CA USA
| | - D. T. Blumstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles CA USA
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7
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Co-occurring anthropogenic stressors reduce the timeframe of environmental viability for the world's coral reefs. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001821. [PMID: 36219619 PMCID: PMC9553053 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic disturbances are posing unprecedented challenges to the persistence of ecosystems worldwide. The speed at which these disturbances reach an ecosystem's tolerance thresholds will determine the time available for adaptation and conservation. Here, we aim to calculate the year after which a given environmental stressor permanently exceeds the bounds of an ecosystem's tolerance. Ecosystem thresholds are here defined as limits in a given stressor beyond which ecosystems have showed considerable changes in community assembly and functioning, becoming remnants of what they once were, but not necessarily leading to species extirpation or extinction. Using the world's coral reefs as a case example, we show that the projected effects of marine heatwaves, ocean acidification, storms, land-based pollution, and local human stressors are being underestimated considerably by looking at disturbances independently. Given the spatial complementarity in which numerous disturbances impact the world's coral reefs, we show that the timelines of environmental suitability are halved when all disturbances are analyzed simultaneously, as opposed to independently. Under business-as-usual scenarios, the median year after which environmental conditions become unsuitable for the world's remaining coral reefs was, at worse, 2050 for any one disturbance alone (28 years left); but when analyzed concurrently, this date was shortened to 2035 (13 years left). When analyzed together, disturbances reduced the date of environmental suitability because areas that may remain suitable under one disturbance could become unsuitable by any of several other variables. The significance of co-occurring disturbances at reducing timeframes of environmental suitability was evident even under optimistic scenarios. The best-case scenario, characterized by strong mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and optimistic human development, resulted in 41% of global coral reefs with unsuitable conditions by 2100 under any one disturbance independently; yet when analyzed in combination up to 64% of the world's coral reefs could face unsuitable environmental conditions by one disturbance or another. Under the worst-case scenario, nearly all coral reef ecosystems worldwide (approximately 99%) will permanently face unsuitable conditions by 2055 in at least one of the disturbances analyzed. Prior studies have indicated the projected dire effects of climate change on coral reefs by mid-century; by analyzing a multitude of projected disturbances, our study reveals a much more severe prognosis for the world's coral reefs as they have significantly less time to adapt while highlighting the urgent need to tackle available solutions to human disturbances.
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8
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Bowden CL, Streit RP, Bellwood DR, Tebbett SB. A 3D perspective on sediment turnover and feeding selectivity in blennies. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 180:113799. [PMID: 35665616 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Sediments in algal turfs can modify a wide variety of key ecological processes on coral reefs. While some larger reef fishes can remove these turf-bound sediments, the role of small, yet abundant, cryptobenthic fishes is currently unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we explored the extent to which the blenny, Ecsenius stictus, can shape sediment dynamics on coral reefs by quantifying their sediment ingestion and space use. Per unit body mass, E. stictus process sediments at comparable rates to key parrotfish and surgeonfish species. However, in absolute terms, E. stictus has a negligible influence on net sediment dynamics, despite their abundance. Behavioural observations and 3D photogrammetry reveal that E. stictus preferentially feed and rest on elevated surfaces; potentially because of low sediment loads on these surfaces. Overall, E. stictus may be responding to sediment loads rather than manipulating them; it is a passenger rather than a driver in reef processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey L Bowden
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions, College of Science and Engineering and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.
| | - Robert P Streit
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions, College of Science and Engineering and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - David R Bellwood
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions, College of Science and Engineering and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Sterling B Tebbett
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions, College of Science and Engineering and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
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Herrán N, Narayan GR, Doo SS, Klicpera A, Freiwald A, Westphal H. High‐resolution imaging sheds new light on a multi‐tier symbiotic partnership between a “walking” solitary coral, a sipunculan, and a bivalve from East Africa. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8633. [PMID: 35342582 PMCID: PMC8928893 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine symbioses are integral to the persistence of ecosystem functioning in coral reefs. Solitary corals of the species Heteropsammia cochlea and Heterocyathus aequicostatus have been observed to live in symbiosis with the sipunculan worm Aspidosiphon muelleri muelleri, which inhabits a cavity within the coral, in Zanzibar (Tanzania). The symbiosis of these photosymbiotic corals enables the coral holobiont to move, in fine to coarse unconsolidated substrata, a process termed as “walking.” This allows the coral to escape sediment cover in turbid conditions which is crucial for these light‐dependent species. An additional commensalistic symbiosis of this coral‐worm holobiont is found between the Aspidosiphon worm and the cryptoendolithic bivalve Jousseaumiella sp., which resides within the cavity of the coral skeleton. To understand the morphological alterations caused by these symbioses, interspecific relationships, with respect to the carbonate structures between these three organisms, are documented using high‐resolution imaging techniques (scanning electron microscopy and µCT scanning). Documenting multi‐layered symbioses can shed light on how morphological plasticity interacts with environmental conditions to contribute to species persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Herrán
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT) Bremen Germany
- Department of Geosciences (FB5) University of Bremen Bremen Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde Warnemünde Germany
| | - Gita R. Narayan
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT) Bremen Germany
| | - Steve S. Doo
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT) Bremen Germany
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia
| | - André Klicpera
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT) Bremen Germany
- Microtrac Retsch GmbH Bitterfeld Germany
| | - André Freiwald
- Department of Geosciences (FB5) University of Bremen Bremen Germany
- Senckenberg am Meer (SaM) Wilhelmshaven Germany
| | - Hildegard Westphal
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT) Bremen Germany
- Department of Geosciences (FB5) University of Bremen Bremen Germany
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia
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10
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Andrello M, Darling ES, Wenger A, Suárez‐Castro AF, Gelfand S, Ahmadia GN. A global map of human pressures on tropical coral reefs. Conserv Lett 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Andrello
- Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment National Research Council, CNR‐IAS Rome Italy
- MARBEC Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Emily S. Darling
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Program Bronx New York USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Amelia Wenger
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Marine Program Bronx New York USA
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - Andrés F. Suárez‐Castro
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt Distrito Capital Bogotá Colombia
| | | | - Gabby N. Ahmadia
- Oceans Conservation World Wildlife Fund District of Colombia Washington USA
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11
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Bernos TA, Travouck C, Ramasinoro N, Fraser DJ, Mathevon B. What can be learned from fishers' perceptions for fishery management planning? Case study insights from Sainte-Marie, Madagascar. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259792. [PMID: 34780489 PMCID: PMC8592436 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Local support is critical to the success and longevity of fishery management initiatives. Previous research suggests that how resource users perceive ecological changes, explain them, and cope with them, influences local support. The objectives of this study were two-fold. First, we collated local fishers' knowledge to characterize the long-term socio-ecological dynamics of the small-scale fishery of Sainte-Marie Island, in Madagascar. Second, we empirically assessed the individual- and site-level factors influencing support for fishery restrictions. Our results indicate that fishers observed a decline in fish abundance and catch sizes, especially in nearshore areas; many also perceived a reduction in fish sizes and the local disappearance of species. To maintain their catches, most fishers adapted by fishing harder and further offshore. Accordingly, fishers identified increased fishing effort (number of fishers and gear evolution) as the main cause of fishery changes. Collectively, our results highlight that the transition from a subsistence to commercial fishery, and resulting changes in the relationship between people and the fisheries, was an underlying driver of fishery changes. Additionally, we found that gender, membership to local associations, coping mechanisms, and perceptions of ecological health, were all interlinked and significantly associated with conservation-oriented attitudes. Conservation-oriented attitudes, however, were not associated with fishers' willingness to decrease fishing. In the short-term, area-based restrictions could contribute to building support for conservation. In the long-term, addressing the underlying causes of the decline will necessitate collaborations among the various groups involved to progressively build livelihood flexibility. Collectively, our study provides additional insights on the individual- and site-level factors influencing support for fishery restrictions. It also highlights the importance of dialoguing with fishers to ensure that fishery management plans are adapted to the local context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaïs A. Bernos
- Natural Resources Management Program, Gret Professionals for Fair Development, Soavimbahoaka, Madagascar
| | - Clodio Travouck
- Natural Resources Management Program, Gret Professionals for Fair Development, Soavimbahoaka, Madagascar
| | - Naly Ramasinoro
- Natural Resources Management Program, Gret Professionals for Fair Development, Soavimbahoaka, Madagascar
| | - Dylan J. Fraser
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Barbara Mathevon
- Natural Resources Management Program, Gret Professionals for Fair Development, Nogent sur Marne Cedex, France
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12
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Bollati E, Rosenberg Y, Simon-Blecher N, Tamir R, Levy O, Huang D. Untangling the molecular basis of coral response to sedimentation. Mol Ecol 2021; 31:884-901. [PMID: 34738686 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Urbanized coral reefs are often chronically affected by sedimentation and reduced light levels, yet many species of corals appear to be able to thrive under these highly disturbed conditions. Recently, these marginal ecosystems have gained attention as potential climate change refugia due to the shading effect of suspended sediment, as well as potential reservoirs for stress-tolerant species. However, little research exists on the impact of sedimentation on coral physiology, particularly at the molecular level. Here, we investigated the transcriptomic response to sediment stress in corals of the family Merulinidae from a chronically turbid reef (one genet each of Goniastrea pectinata and Mycedium elephantotus from Singapore) and a clear-water reef (multiple genets of G. pectinata from the Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat). In two ex-situ experiments, we exposed corals to either natural sediment or artificial sediment enriched with organic matter and used whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA sequencing) to quantify gene expression. Analysis revealed a shared basis for the coral transcriptomic response to sediment stress, which involves the expression of genes broadly related to energy metabolism and immune response. In particular, sediment exposure induced upregulation of anaerobic glycolysis and glyoxylate bypass enzymes, as well as genes involved in hydrogen sulphide metabolism and in pathogen pattern recognition. Our results point towards hypoxia as a probable driver of this transcriptomic response, providing a molecular basis to previous work that identified hypoxia as a primary cause of tissue necrosis in sediment-stressed corals. Potential metabolic and immunity trade-offs of corals living under chronic sedimentation should be considered in future studies on the ecology and conservation of turbid reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bollati
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biology, Marine Biology Section, University of Copenhagen, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Yaeli Rosenberg
- Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Noa Simon-Blecher
- Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Raz Tamir
- School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat, Eilat, Israel
| | - Oren Levy
- Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat, Eilat, Israel
| | - Danwei Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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13
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Suárez-Castro AF, Beyer HL, Kuempel CD, Linke S, Borrelli P, Hoegh-Guldberg O. Global forest restoration opportunities to foster coral reef conservation. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:5238-5252. [PMID: 34350684 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Sediment runoff from disturbed coastal catchments is a major threat to marine ecosystems. Understanding where sediments are produced and where they are delivered enables managers to design more effective strategies for improving water quality. A management strategy is targeted restoration of degraded terrestrial areas, as it provides opportunities to reduce land-based runoff from coastal areas and consequently foster coral reef conservation. To do this strategically, a systematic approach is needed to identify watersheds where restoration actions will provide the highest conservation benefits for coral reefs. Here, we develop a systematic approach for identifying global forest restoration opportunities that would also result in large decreases in the flux of sediments to coral reefs. We estimate how land-use change affects sediment runoff globally using high-resolution spatial data and determine the subsequent risk of sediment exposure on coral reefs using a diffusion-based ocean transport model. Our results reveal that sediment export is a major issue affecting 41% of coral reefs globally. The main coastal watersheds with the highest sediment export are predominantly located in Southeast Asian countries, with Indonesia and the Philippines accounting for 52% of the sediment export in coastal areas near coral reefs. We show how restoring forest across multiple watersheds could help to reduce sediment export to 63,000 km2 of coral reefs. Although reforestation opportunities in areas that discharge onto coral reefs are relatively small across watersheds, it is possible to achieve large sediment reduction benefits by strategically targeting watersheds located in regions with a high density of corals near to the coast. Thus, reforestation benefits on coral reefs do not necessarily come from the watersheds that produce the highest sediment export. These analyses are key for generating informed action to support both international conservation policy and national restoration activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés F Suárez-Castro
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Hawthorne L Beyer
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | - Caitlin D Kuempel
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | - Simon Linke
- Australian Rivers Institute - Coast and Estuaries, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia
| | - Pasquale Borrelli
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
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14
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Spalding C, Hull PM. Towards quantifying the mass extinction debt of the Anthropocene. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20202332. [PMID: 33906410 PMCID: PMC8080006 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To make sense of our present biodiversity crises, the modern rate of species extinctions is commonly compared to a benchmark, or 'background,' rate derived from the fossil record. These estimates are critical for bounding the scale of modern diversity loss, but are yet to fully account for the fundamental structure of extinction rates through time. Namely, a substantial fraction of extinctions within the fossil record occurs within relatively short-lived extinction pulses, and not during intervals characterized by background rates of extinction. Accordingly, it is more appropriate to compare the modern event to these pulses than to the long-term average rate. Unfortunately, neither the duration of extinction pulses in the geological record nor the ultimate magnitude of the extinction pulse today is resolved, making assessments of their relative sizes difficult. In addition, the common metric used to compare current and past extinction rates does not correct for large differences in observation duration. Here, we propose a new predictive metric that may be used to ascertain the ultimate extent of the ongoing extinction threat, building on the observation that extinction magnitude in the marine fossil record is correlated to the magnitude of sedimentary turnover. Thus, we propose that the ultimate number of species destined for extinction today can be predicted by way of a quantitative appraisal of humanity's modification of ecosystems as recorded in sediments-that is, by comparing our future rock record with that of the past. The ubiquity of habitat disruption worldwide suggests that a profound mass extinction debt exists today, but one that might yet be averted by preserving and restoring ecosystems and their geological traces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Spalding
- Department of Astronomy, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Pincelli M. Hull
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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15
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Camaclang AE, Currie J, Giles E, Forbes GJ, Edge CB, Monk WA, Nocera JJ, Stewart‐Robertson G, Browne C, O'Malley ZG, Snider J, Martin TG. Prioritizing threat management across terrestrial and freshwater realms for species conservation and recovery. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Abbey E. Camaclang
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | | | | | | | - Christopher B. Edge
- Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service Fredericton New Brunswick Canada
| | - Wendy A. Monk
- Environment and Climate Change Canada at Canadian Rivers Institute University of New Brunswick Fredericton New Brunswick Canada
| | | | | | | | - Zoe G. O'Malley
- University of New Brunswick Fredericton New Brunswick Canada
| | | | - Tara G. Martin
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
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16
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Maviza A, Ahmed F. Climate change/variability and hydrological modelling studies in Zimbabwe: a review of progress and knowledge gaps. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2021; 3:549. [PMID: 33870091 PMCID: PMC8041020 DOI: 10.1007/s42452-021-04512-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper reviews developments in climate science and hydrological modelling studies in Zimbabwe over the past 29 years in an effort to expose knowledge gaps within this research domain. We initially give a global and regional overview and then follow a systematic thematic approach in reviewing specifically online published, peer-reviewed journal articles on climate change/variability and hydrological modelling in Zimbabwe. The state and progress towards advanced integrated climate and hydrological modelling research are assessed, tracking benchmarks in the research methodologies (tools and techniques) used therein including geographic information systems and remote sensing. We present descriptive summaries of key findings, highlighting the main study themes (categories) and general conclusions arising from these studies while examining their implications for future climate and hydrological modelling research in Zimbabwe. Challenges associated with climate and hydrological modelling research in Zimbabwe are also briefly discussed and the main knowledge gaps in terms of research scope and methodologies employed in the reviewed studies also exposed. We conclude by presenting plausible potential areas of focus in updating and advancing scientific knowledge to better understand the climate-land use-hydrology nexus in Zimbabwe. While this paper is primarily relevant for researchers, the general findings are also important for policy-makers since it exposes potential areas for policy intervention or agenda setting in as far as climate and hydrology science research is concerned so as to effectively address pertinent questions in this domain in Zimbabwe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auther Maviza
- Department of Environmental Science and Health, Faculty of Applied Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Corner Cecil Avenue and Gwanda Road, Ascot, Bulawayo Zimbabwe
- School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Fethi Ahmed
- School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
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17
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Fong CR, Gaynus CJ, Carpenter RC. Complex interactions among stressors evolve over time to drive shifts from short turfs to macroalgae on tropical reefs. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin R. Fong
- Department of Biology California State University Northridge Northridge California USA
| | - Camille J. Gaynus
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
| | - Robert C. Carpenter
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
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18
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França FM, Benkwitt CE, Peralta G, Robinson JPW, Graham NAJ, Tylianakis JM, Berenguer E, Lees AC, Ferreira J, Louzada J, Barlow J. Climatic and local stressor interactions threaten tropical forests and coral reefs. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190116. [PMID: 31983328 PMCID: PMC7017775 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tropical forests and coral reefs host a disproportionately large share of global biodiversity and provide ecosystem functions and services used by millions of people. Yet, ongoing climate change is leading to an increase in frequency and magnitude of extreme climatic events in the tropics, which, in combination with other local human disturbances, is leading to unprecedented negative ecological consequences for tropical forests and coral reefs. Here, we provide an overview of how and where climate extremes are affecting the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth and summarize how interactions between global, regional and local stressors are affecting tropical forest and coral reef systems through impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. We also discuss some key challenges and opportunities to promote mitigation and adaptation to a changing climate at local and global scales. This article is part of the theme issue 'Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe M. França
- Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Trav. Dr. Enéas Pinheiro, s/n, CP 48, 66095-100 Belém, PA, Brazil
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | | | - Guadalupe Peralta
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Jason M. Tylianakis
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Erika Berenguer
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
- Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
| | - Alexander C. Lees
- School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Joice Ferreira
- Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Trav. Dr. Enéas Pinheiro, s/n, CP 48, 66095-100 Belém, PA, Brazil
- Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal do Pará, 66075-110 Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Júlio Louzada
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, MG, Brazil
| | - Jos Barlow
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, MG, Brazil
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19
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Fong CR, Gaynus CJ, Carpenter RC. Extreme rainfall events pulse substantial nutrients and sediments from terrestrial to nearshore coastal communities: a case study from French Polynesia. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2955. [PMID: 32076043 PMCID: PMC7031339 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59807-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Rainfall mobilizes and transports anthropogenic sources of sediments and nutrients from terrestrial to coastal marine ecosystems, and episodic but extreme rainfall may drive high fluxes to marine communities. Between January 13th and January 22nd, 2017, the South Pacific Island of Moorea, French Polynesia experienced an extreme rainfall event. ~57 cm of rain was delivered over a 10-day storm. We quantified pulsed sediments and nutrients transported to nearshore reefs. We determined the spatial and temporal extent of the sediment pulse with estimates of water transparency. We quantified pulsed nutrients at multiple spatial and temporal scales. To determine if terrestrial nutrients were incorporated into the benthic community, we collected macroalgae over 10 days following the storm and measured tissue nutrient concentrations and δN15. Pulsed sediments impacted water clarity for 6 days following the storm, with greatest impacts closest to the river mouth. Nitrite +nitrate concentrations were >100 times the average while phosphate was >25 times average. Macroalgal tissue nutrients were elevated, and δN15 implicates sewage as the source, demonstrating transported nutrients were transferred to producer communities. Future climate change predictions suggest extreme rainfall will become more common in this system, necessitating research on these pulses and their ramifications on marine communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin R Fong
- California State University Northridge, Department of Biology, Los Angeles, USA.
| | - Camille J Gaynus
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Robert C Carpenter
- California State University Northridge, Department of Biology, Los Angeles, USA
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20
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Abstract
In the basin of the Amur River in the Russian Far East, the influence of watershed areas covered by forests on the river basin has a complex nature, and no strict functional dependency has been established yet between these two factors. A study of the Amur River watershed in the current conditions, between 2000 and 2016 (climate, forest coverage, fires, and felling), has been conducted using the ground and satellite observations. The purpose of the study was to identify their influence on the river behaviour (flow, flooding, and levels of water). The study of hydrological regime of rivers was conducted in conjunction with the analysis of the dynamics of forest and burns areas over the synchronised periods of time. A special attention was given to the changing nature of the species composition of the forests (coniferous and deciduous forests separately) from 2000 to 2016, and climatic parameters over thirty years (atmospheric temperature, dew point, precipitation). New facts have been obtained, which provide an explanation of the reasons for predominant prolonged trends in the dynamics of the summer streamflow. In the view of the general tendency toward increased forest coverage combining all species of forest stand, the trend in the dynamics of the coniferous species areas is negative. Therefore, a conclusion can be made, that one of the major factors in the increase of the river flood flow (alongside the atmospheric precipitation), is deforestation of primary coniferous forests on the watershed areas, in contrast with the deciduous forests, where the trend is positive. Practicability of such conclusions can be justified, as different types of forests have different root systems, which mellow the ground and facilitate partial loss of the atmospheric precipitation and its transformation into the groundwater flow. Besides, coniferous forests attract more frequent and intensive fires, more subjected to felling, have longer regeneration period, and also, use larger volumes of ground waters for growing and functioning. Consequently, with their disappearance, an increase in streamflow should be expected. No changes in surface temperature and humidity of the forest cover in the watersheds during 1980-2016 despite global warming. Therefore, annual variability of forested areas of watersheds is greatly influenced by fires and felling. There are reasons to assume, that because of the tendency for decreasing areas of coniferous forests, the conditions contributing to the increases in rivers’ flood flow and flood risks during monsoon and frontal cyclonic rainfalls will remain.
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21
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Delevaux JMS, Stamoulis KA, Whittier R, Jupiter SD, Bremer LL, Friedlander A, Kurashima N, Giddens J, Winter KB, Blaich-Vaughan M, Burnett KM, Geslani C, Ticktin T. Place-based management can reduce human impacts on coral reefs in a changing climate. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 29:e01891. [PMID: 31021497 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Declining natural resources have contributed to a cultural renaissance across the Pacific that seeks to revive customary ridge-to-reef management approaches to protect freshwater and restore abundant coral reef fisheries. We applied a linked land-sea modeling framework based on remote sensing and empirical data, which couples groundwater nutrient export and coral reef models at fine spatial resolution. This spatially explicit (60 × 60 m) framework simultaneously tracks changes in multiple benthic and fish indicators as a function of community-led marine closures, land-use and climate change scenarios. We applied this framework in Hā'ena and Ka'ūpūlehu, located at opposite ends of the Hawaiian Archipelago to investigate the effects of coastal development and marine closures on coral reefs in the face of climate change. Our results indicated that projected coastal development and bleaching can result in a significant decrease in benthic habitat quality and community-led marine closures can result in a significant increase in fish biomass. In general, Ka'ūpūlehu is more vulnerable to land-based nutrients and coral bleaching than Hā'ena due to high coral cover and limited dilution and mixing from low rainfall and wave power, except for the shallow and wave-sheltered back-reef areas of Hā'ena, which support high coral cover and act as nursery habitat for fishes. By coupling spatially explicit land-sea models with scenario planning, we identified priority areas on land where upgrading cesspools can reduce human impacts on coral reefs in the face of projected climate change impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade M S Delevaux
- Department of Botany, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
| | - Kostantinos A Stamoulis
- Fisheries Ecology Research Lab, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
- Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia, 6102, Australia
| | - Robert Whittier
- Hawai'i Department of Health, 1250 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813, USA
| | - Stacy D Jupiter
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Melanesia Program, 11 Ma'afu Street, Suva, Fiji
| | - Leah L Bremer
- University of Hawai'i Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
- University of Hawai'i Economic Research Organization, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
| | - Alan Friedlander
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
- Fisheries Ecology Research Lab, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
- National Geographic Society, 1145 17th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20090, USA
| | - Natalie Kurashima
- Kamehameha Schools Natural and Cultural Resources, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740, USA
| | - Jonatha Giddens
- Fisheries Ecology Research Lab, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
- National Geographic Society, 1145 17th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20090, USA
| | - Kawika B Winter
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kaneohe, Hawaii, 96744, USA
- Limahuli Garden and Preserve, National Tropical Botanical Garden, Hā'ena, Hawaii, 96714, USA
| | - Mehana Blaich-Vaughan
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
- Sea Grant College Program & Hui 'Āina Momona, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
| | - Kimberly M Burnett
- University of Hawai'i Economic Research Organization, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
| | - Cheryl Geslani
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
| | - Tamara Ticktin
- Department of Botany, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
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22
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Abstract
In order to achieve the objectives of resource conservation, it is important to recognize that habitats are connected by material and energy flows, and that humans often play a central role, directly or indirectly. Hence, ecological research should be designed that treats all interlinked habitats, including human populations, as one ecosystem. Examples would be coastal habitats that are impacted by effluent from the upland, which in turn can be generated by deforestation and harmful agricultural practices. All of these aspects, including the river systems that deliver run-off, should be included in the investigation. This approach entails a carefully articulated hypothesis or set of hypotheses drawing on the natural as well as social sciences, and an appropriate sampling and statistical design. It clearly imposes high demands on resources, financial and otherwise. But the continued compartmentalization of efforts along disciplines and specializations will likely slow down progress in environmental conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen T Yap
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines
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23
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Marlow J, Davy SK, Haris A, Bell JJ. Photoacclimation to light-limitation in a clionaid sponge; implications for understanding sponge bioerosion on turbid reefs. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 135:466-474. [PMID: 30301060 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.07.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Watershed-based pollution is a common form of coral reef degradation. Affected reefs are often highly turbid, where light-limitation confines the distribution of photosynthetic benthic taxa and the capacity for photoacclimation is important for survival. We investigated low light photoacclimation in a Symbiodinium-hosting bioeroding sponge using in situ PAM fluorometry. Cliona aff. viridis was artificially shaded (70 & 95% ambient light reduction) on a low turbidity Indonesian reef for 25 days, with a subsequent 14-day recovery period. Significant changes in rETRmax, and qP, and a non-significant but observable decline in Ek, demonstrated that C. aff. viridis is able to photoacclimate to conditions of extreme light reduction and recover within a relatively short period of time. The sponge is therefore unlikely to be light limited on even the most turbid reefs. However, other aspects of watershed-pollution such as sedimentation may still limit their distribution in affected coastal waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Marlow
- Victoria University of Wellington, School of Biological Sciences, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand.
| | - Simon K Davy
- Victoria University of Wellington, School of Biological Sciences, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
| | - Abdul Haris
- Research and Development Centre on Marine, Coastal and Small Islands, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - James J Bell
- Victoria University of Wellington, School of Biological Sciences, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
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24
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Zinke J, Gilmour JP, Fisher R, Puotinen M, Maina J, Darling E, Stat M, Richards ZT, McClanahan TR, Beger M, Moore C, Graham NAJ, Feng M, Hobbs JPA, Evans SN, Field S, Shedrawi G, Babcock RC, Wilson SK. Gradients of disturbance and environmental conditions shape coral community structure for south-eastern Indian Ocean reefs. DIVERS DISTRIB 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jens Zinke
- Section Paleontology; Freie Universität Berlin; Berlin Germany
- UWA Oceans Institute; Australian Institute of Marine Science; Crawley WA Australia
- Department of Environment and Agriculture; Curtin University of Technology; Bentley WA Australia
- UWA Oceans Institute; University of Western Australia; Crawley WA Australia
| | - James P. Gilmour
- UWA Oceans Institute; Australian Institute of Marine Science; Crawley WA Australia
- UWA Oceans Institute; University of Western Australia; Crawley WA Australia
| | - Rebecca Fisher
- UWA Oceans Institute; Australian Institute of Marine Science; Crawley WA Australia
- UWA Oceans Institute; University of Western Australia; Crawley WA Australia
| | - Marji Puotinen
- UWA Oceans Institute; Australian Institute of Marine Science; Crawley WA Australia
- UWA Oceans Institute; University of Western Australia; Crawley WA Australia
| | - Joseph Maina
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions; School of Biological Sciences; The University of Queensland; Brisbane Qld Australia
- Department of Environmental Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Emily Darling
- Wildlife Conservation Society; Marine Programs; Bronx NY USA
- Department of Biology; The University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill NC USA
| | - Michael Stat
- Department of Environment and Agriculture; Curtin University of Technology; Bentley WA Australia
| | - Zoe T. Richards
- Department of Environment and Agriculture; Curtin University of Technology; Bentley WA Australia
- Department of Aquatic Zoology; Western Australian Museum; Welshpool WA Australia
| | | | - Maria Beger
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions; School of Biological Sciences; The University of Queensland; Brisbane Qld Australia
- School of Biology; Faculty of Biological Sciences; University of Leeds; Leeds UK
| | - Cordelia Moore
- UWA Oceans Institute; Australian Institute of Marine Science; Crawley WA Australia
- Department of Environment and Agriculture; Curtin University of Technology; Bentley WA Australia
| | - Nicholas A. J. Graham
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies; James Cook University; Townsville Qld Australia
- Lancaster Environment Centre; Lancaster University; Lancaster UK
| | - Ming Feng
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere; Floreat WA Australia
| | - Jean-Paul A. Hobbs
- Department of Environment and Agriculture; Curtin University of Technology; Bentley WA Australia
| | - Scott N. Evans
- Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories; Department of Fisheries; Government of Western Australia; North Beach WA Australia
| | - Stuart Field
- Section Paleontology; Freie Universität Berlin; Berlin Germany
- Department of Parks and Wildlife; Perth WA Australia
| | | | | | - Shaun K. Wilson
- UWA Oceans Institute; University of Western Australia; Crawley WA Australia
- Department of Parks and Wildlife; Perth WA Australia
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25
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Roberts M, Hanley N, Cresswell W. User fees across ecosystem boundaries: Are SCUBA divers willing to pay for terrestrial biodiversity conservation? JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2017; 200:53-59. [PMID: 28558306 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.05.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
While ecological links between ecosystems have been long recognised, management rarely crosses ecosystem boundaries. Coral reefs are susceptible to damage through terrestrial run-off, and failing to account for this within management threatens reef protection. In order to quantify the extent to that coral reef users are willing to support management actions to improve ecosystem quality, we conducted a choice experiment with SCUBA divers on the island of Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands. Specifically, we estimated their willingness to pay to reduce terrestrial overgrazing as a means to improve reef health. Willingness to pay was estimated using the multinomial, random parameter and latent class logit models. Willingness to pay for improvements to reef quality was positive for the majority of respondents. Estimates from the latent class model determined willingness to pay for reef improvements of between $31.17 - $413.18/year, dependent on class membership. This represents a significant source of funding for terrestrial conservation, and illustrates the potential for user fees to be applied across ecosystem boundaries. We argue that such across-ecosystem-boundary funding mechanisms are an important avenue for future investigation in many connected systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Roberts
- School of Geography and Geosciences, Irvine Building, University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK.
| | - Nick Hanley
- School of Geography and Geosciences, Irvine Building, University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK
| | - Will Cresswell
- School of Biology, Harold Mitchell Building, University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK
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Bamford AJ, Razafindrajao F, Young RP, Hilton GM. Profound and pervasive degradation of Madagascar's freshwater wetlands and links with biodiversity. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182673. [PMID: 28792516 PMCID: PMC5549726 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Reflecting a global trend, freshwater wetlands in Madagascar have received little conservation or research attention. Madagascar is a global conservation priority due to its high level of species endemism but most work has focused on protecting forests. For the first time, we investigated the state of wetlands across the country to determine the effects of human disturbance. We conducted a rapid survey of 37 wetlands, using waterbirds and benthic invertebrates as ecological indicators. We recorded nine variables relating to human disturbance, revealing widespread wetland destruction. Principal Components Analysis reduced the nine variables to a single Principal Component (PC) that explained 50% of the dataset variance, demonstrating that different forms of human disturbance are ubiquitous and inseparable. The disturbance PC provides an index of how pristine a lake is and in Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) was significantly inversely related to the number of waterbird species present and the density of Chironomidae. The disturbance PC was estimated for every wetland in a GIS-derived dataset of wetland locations in Madagascar, giving a country-wide frequency distribution of disturbance. To validate the estimated PC values, we used the GLMs to predict the number of endemic bird species at an independent sample of 22 lakes. The predicted values correlated with the observed number of species, demonstrating that our procedure can identify lakes with high biodiversity value. The disturbance PC provides a convenient method for ranking sites, and a country-wide ranking demonstrates that the only near-pristine lakes in Madagascar are small sites that have been preserved by remoteness from human activity and not conservation management. The strategy of conserving high biodiversity remnants is insufficient because existing remnants suffer some degree of degradation and only support small populations of threatened species. Large-scale restoration of degraded wetlands is required for the long-term conservation of Madagascar’s freshwater biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Bamford
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Richard P. Young
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey, United Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Geoff M. Hilton
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
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Fallati L, Savini A, Sterlacchini S, Galli P. Land use and land cover (LULC) of the Republic of the Maldives: first national map and LULC change analysis using remote-sensing data. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2017; 189:417. [PMID: 28748428 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-6120-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The Maldives islands in recent decades have experienced dramatic land-use change. Uninhabited islands were turned into new resort islands; evergreen tropical forests were cut, to be replaced by fields and new built-up areas. All these changes happened without a proper monitoring and urban planning strategy from the Maldivian government due to the lack of national land-use and land-cover (LULC) data. This study aimed to realize the first land-use map of the entire Maldives archipelago and to detect land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) using high-resolution satellite images and socioeconomic data. Due to the peculiar geographic and environmental features of the archipelago, the land-use map was obtained by visual interpretation and manual digitization of land-use patches. The images used, dated 2011, were obtained from Digital Globe's WorldView 1 and WorldView 2 satellites. Nine land-use classes and 18 subclasses were identified and mapped. During a field survey, ground control points were collected to test the geographic and thematic accuracy of the land-use map. The final product's overall accuracy was 85%. Once the accuracy of the map had been checked, LULCC maps were created using images from the early 2000s derived from Google Earth historical imagery. Post-classification comparison of the classified maps showed that growth of built-up and agricultural areas resulted in decreases in forest land and shrubland. The LULCC maps also revealed an increase in land reclamation inside lagoons near inhabited islands, resulting in environmental impacts on fragile reef habitat. The LULC map of the Republic of the Maldives produced in this study can be used by government authorities to make sustainable land-use planning decisions and to provide better management of land use and land cover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Fallati
- MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Maldives.
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan - Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2-20126, Milan, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Savini
- MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Maldives
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan - Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2-20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Sterlacchini
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for the Dynamic of Environmental Processes, Piazza della Scienza, 1-20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Galli
- MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Maldives
- Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, University of Milan - Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2-20126, Milan, Italy
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Asner GP, Sousan S, Knapp DE, Selmants PC, Martin RE, Hughes RF, Giardina CP. Rapid forest carbon assessments of oceanic islands: a case study of the Hawaiian archipelago. CARBON BALANCE AND MANAGEMENT 2016; 11:1. [PMID: 26793270 PMCID: PMC4705141 DOI: 10.1186/s13021-015-0043-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spatially explicit forest carbon (C) monitoring aids conservation and climate change mitigation efforts, yet few approaches have been developed specifically for the highly heterogeneous landscapes of oceanic island chains that continue to undergo rapid and extensive forest C change. We developed an approach for rapid mapping of aboveground C density (ACD; units = Mg or metric tons C ha-1) on islands at a spatial resolution of 30 m (0.09 ha) using a combination of cost-effective airborne LiDAR data and full-coverage satellite data. We used the approach to map forest ACD across the main Hawaiian Islands, comparing C stocks within and among islands, in protected and unprotected areas, and among forests dominated by native and invasive species. RESULTS Total forest aboveground C stock of the Hawaiian Islands was 36 Tg, and ACD distributions were extremely heterogeneous both within and across islands. Remotely sensed ACD was validated against U.S. Forest Service FIA plot inventory data (R2 = 0.67; RMSE = 30.4 Mg C ha-1). Geospatial analyses indicated the critical importance of forest type and canopy cover as predictors of mapped ACD patterns. Protection status was a strong determinant of forest C stock and density, but we found complex environmentally mediated responses of forest ACD to alien plant invasion. CONCLUSIONS A combination of one-time airborne LiDAR data acquisition and satellite monitoring provides effective forest C mapping in the highly heterogeneous landscapes of the Hawaiian Islands. Our statistical approach yielded key insights into the drivers of ACD variation, and also makes possible future assessments of C storage change, derived on a repeat basis from free satellite data, without the need for additional LiDAR data. Changes in C stocks and densities of oceanic islands can thus be continually assessed in the face of rapid environmental changes such as biological invasions, drought, fire and land use. Such forest monitoring information can be used to promote sustainable forest use and conservation on islands in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory P. Asner
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, 260 Panama St, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - Sinan Sousan
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, 260 Panama St, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - David E. Knapp
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, 260 Panama St, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - Paul C. Selmants
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1910 East–West Rd., Honolulu, HI 96822 USA
| | - Roberta E. Martin
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, 260 Panama St, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - R. Flint Hughes
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, 60 Nowelo Street, Hilo, HI 96720 USA
| | - Christian P. Giardina
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, 60 Nowelo Street, Hilo, HI 96720 USA
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Gordon SE, Goatley CHR, Bellwood DR. Composition and temporal stability of turf sediments on inner-shelf coral reefs. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2016; 111:178-183. [PMID: 27427199 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Elevated sediment loads within the epilithic algal matrix (EAM) of coral reefs can increase coral mortality and inhibit herbivory. Yet the composition, distribution and temporal variability of EAM sediment loads are poorly known, especially on inshore reefs. This study quantified EAM sediment loads (including organic particulates) and algal length across the reef profile of two bays at Orpheus Island (inner-shelf Great Barrier Reef) over a six month period. We examined the total sediment mass, organic load, carbonate and silicate content, and the particle sizes of EAM sediments. Throughout the study period, all EAM sediment variables exhibited marked variation among reef zones. However, EAM sediment loads and algal length were consistent between bays and over time, despite major seasonal variation in climate including a severe tropical cyclone. This study provides a comprehensive description of EAM sediments on inshore reefs and highlights the exceptional temporal stability of EAM sediments on coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie E Gordon
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.
| | - Christopher H R Goatley
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.
| | - David R Bellwood
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
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Ateweberhan M, McClanahan TR. Partitioning scleractinian coral diversity across reef sites and regions in the Western Indian Ocean. Ecosphere 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mebrahtu Ateweberhan
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Warwick CoventryCV4 7AL UK
- Marine Programs Wildlife Conservation Society BronxNew York 10460 USA
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Wenger AS, Williamson DH, da Silva ET, Ceccarelli DM, Browne NK, Petus C, Devlin MJ. Effects of reduced water quality on coral reefs in and out of no-take marine reserves. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2016; 30:142-53. [PMID: 26132810 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Near-shore marine environments are increasingly subjected to reduced water quality, and their ability to withstand it is critical to their persistence. The potential role marine reserves may play in mitigating the effects of reduced water quality has received little attention. We investigated the spatial and temporal variability in live coral and macro-algal cover and water quality during moderate and major flooding events of the Fitzroy River within the Keppel Bay region of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park from 2007 to 2013. We used 7 years of remote sensing data on water quality and data from long-term monitoring of coral reefs to quantify exposure of coral reefs to flood plumes. We used a distance linear model to partition the contribution of abiotic and biotic factors, including zoning, as drivers of the observed changes in coral and macro-algae cover. Moderate flood plumes from 2007 to 2009 did not affect coral cover on reefs in the Keppel Islands, suggesting the reef has intrinsic resistance against short-term exposure to reduced water quality. However, from 2009 to 2013, live coral cover declined by ∼ 50% following several weeks of exposure to turbid, low salinity water from major flood plume events in 2011 and subsequent moderate events in 2012 and 2013. Although the flooding events in 2012 and 2013 were smaller than the flooding events between 2007 to 2009, the ability of the reefs to withstand these moderate floods was lost, as evidenced by a ∼ 20% decline in coral cover between 2011 to 2013. Although zoning (no-take reserve or fished) was identified a significant driver of coral cover, we recorded consistently lower coral cover on reserve reefs than on fished reefs throughout the study period and significantly lower cover in 2011. Our findings suggest that even reefs with an inherent resistance to reduced water quality are not able to withstand repeated disturbance events. The limitations of reserves in mitigating the effects of reduced water quality on near-shore coral reefs underscores the importance of integrated management approaches that combine effective land-based management with networks of no-take reserves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia S Wenger
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - David H Williamson
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | | | - Daniela M Ceccarelli
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Nicola K Browne
- Department of Environment and Agriculture, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Bentley Campus, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Caroline Petus
- TropWater, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
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Sheridan C, Baele JM, Kushmaro A, Fréjaville Y, Eeckhaut I. Terrestrial runoff influences white syndrome prevalence in SW Madagascar. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2014; 101:44-51. [PMID: 25218232 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial runoff and sedimentation have been implicated in a variety of impacts on scleractinian corals. However, despite accumulating evidence, little work has been done to investigate their influence on coral disease development. This study examined the role that river runoff and the associated sedimentation could play in affecting the prevalence of the coral disease "white syndrome" in SW Madagascar. Corals from reefs affected by river discharge and terrestrial sediments were more affected by white syndrome than reefs located far from any source of terrestrial runoff. Terrestrial runoff-affected reefs also displayed a wider diversity of coral species affected by this disease. While much evidence has been pointing in the direction of indirect effects of such runoff on coral disease development, our data corroborates earlier suggestions that pathogens are present within the sediments. As such, sediments released on reefs through river discharge could act as reservoirs of coral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sheridan
- Biology of Marine Organisms and Biomimetics Lab, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Avenue du champ de Mars 6, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
| | - J M Baele
- Department of Geology and Applied Geology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Mons, Rue de Houdain 9, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - A Kushmaro
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering and National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Y Fréjaville
- Blue Ventures, Level 2 Annex, Omnibus Business Centre, 39-41 North Road, London N7 9DP, UK
| | - I Eeckhaut
- Biology of Marine Organisms and Biomimetics Lab, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Avenue du champ de Mars 6, 7000 Mons, Belgium; Polyaquaculture Research Unit, IH.SM, Tuléar, Madagascar
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33
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Tingley MW, Darling ES, Wilcove DS. Fine- and coarse-filter conservation strategies in a time of climate change. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2014; 1322:92-109. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily S. Darling
- Biology Department; University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill North Carolina
| | - David S. Wilcove
- Woodrow Wilson School; Princeton University; Princeton New Jersey
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Princeton University; Princeton New Jersey
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The effectiveness of coral reefs for coastal hazard risk reduction and adaptation. Nat Commun 2014; 5:3794. [PMID: 24825660 PMCID: PMC4354160 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2013] [Accepted: 04/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The world’s coastal zones are experiencing rapid development and an increase in storms and flooding. These hazards put coastal communities at heightened risk, which may increase with habitat loss. Here we analyse globally the role and cost effectiveness of coral reefs in risk reduction. Meta-analyses reveal that coral reefs provide substantial protection against natural hazards by reducing wave energy by an average of 97%. Reef crests alone dissipate most of this energy (86%). There are 100 million or more people who may receive risk reduction benefits from reefs or bear hazard mitigation and adaptation costs if reefs are degraded. We show that coral reefs can provide comparable wave attenuation benefits to artificial defences such as breakwaters, and reef defences can be enhanced cost effectively. Reefs face growing threats yet there is opportunity to guide adaptation and hazard mitigation investments towards reef restoration to strengthen this first line of coastal defence. The risks of flooding to coastal communities are increasing due to coastal development and climate change. Here, the authors use meta-analyses to quantitatively show that coral reefs can significantly reduce risks from natural hazards, and that reef defences can be enhanced cost effectively.
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35
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Stender Y, Jokiel PL, Rodgers KS. Thirty years of coral reef change in relation to coastal construction and increased sedimentation at Pelekane Bay, Hawai'i. PeerJ 2014; 2:e300. [PMID: 24688875 PMCID: PMC3961130 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs are being critically impacted by anthropogenic processes throughout the world. Long term monitoring is essential to the understanding of coral reef response to human impacts and the effectiveness of corrective management efforts. Here we reevaluated a valuable coral reef baseline established in Pelekane Bay, Hawai'i during 1976 and subsequently resurveyed in 1996. During this time interval substantial impacts occurred followed by extensive corrective measures. Coral and fish communities showed dramatic declines from 1977 to 1996 due to massive harbor construction and suboptimal land management practices on the watershed. More recently, corrective measures in the form of watershed stabilization and fishing regulations have been implemented. Consequently our 2012 survey reveals that coral cover since 1996 has increased slightly accompanied by a significant increase in fish abundance, diversity, and evenness. This improvement can be attributed to lower fishing pressure since 1996 due to reduced shoreline access, tighter fishing regulations and increased monitoring of legal and illegal fishing activities. Stabilization of the coral community can be attributed partially to reduced sedimentation resulting from watershed restoration that included installation of sediment check dams, control of feral ungulates, controlled grazing and replanting of native vegetation. Insights into the mechanism that removes sediment from reefs was provided by a major storm event and a tsunami that remobilized and flushed out sediment deposits. The increase in herbivorous fishes probably played a role in reducing algal competition in favor of corals. The data suggest that the precipitous reef decline in this area has been arrested and offers support for the corrective actions previously undertaken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Stender
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i , Kaneohe, Hawai'i , USA ; Department of Geography, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa , Honolulu , USA
| | - Paul L Jokiel
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i , Kaneohe, Hawai'i , USA
| | - Kuʻulei S Rodgers
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i , Kaneohe, Hawai'i , USA
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36
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D’agata S, Mouillot D, Kulbicki M, Andréfouët S, Bellwood D, Cinner J, Cowman P, Kronen M, Pinca S, Vigliola L. Human-Mediated Loss of Phylogenetic and Functional Diversity in Coral Reef Fishes. Curr Biol 2014; 24:555-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.01.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Bartley R, Bainbridge ZT, Lewis SE, Kroon FJ, Wilkinson SN, Brodie JE, Silburn DM. Relating sediment impacts on coral reefs to watershed sources, processes and management: a review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 468-469:1138-1153. [PMID: 24121565 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2013] [Revised: 08/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Modification of terrestrial sediment fluxes can result in increased sedimentation and turbidity in receiving waters, with detrimental impacts on coral reef ecosystems. Preventing anthropogenic sediment reaching coral reefs requires a better understanding of the specific characteristics, sources and processes generating the anthropogenic sediment, so that effective watershed management strategies can be implemented. Here, we review and synthesise research on measured runoff, sediment erosion and sediment delivery from watersheds to near-shore marine areas, with a strong focus on the Burdekin watershed in the Great Barrier Reef region, Australia. We first investigate the characteristics of sediment that pose the greatest risk to coral reef ecosystems. Next we track this sediment back from the marine system into the watershed to determine the storage zones, source areas and processes responsible for sediment generation and run-off. The review determined that only a small proportion of the sediment that has been eroded from the watershed makes it to the mid and outer reefs. The sediment transported >1 km offshore is generally the clay to fine silt (<4-16 μm) fraction, yet there is considerable potential for other terrestrially derived sediment fractions (<63 μm) to be stored in the near-shore zone and remobilised during wind and tide driven re-suspension. The specific source of the fine clay sediments is still under investigation; however, the Bowen, Upper Burdekin and Lower Burdekin sub-watersheds appear to be the dominant source of the clay and fine silt fractions. Sub-surface erosion is the dominant process responsible for the fine sediment exported from these watersheds in recent times, although further work on the particle size of this material is required. Maintaining average minimum ground cover >75% will likely be required to reduce runoff and prevent sub-soil erosion; however, it is not known whether ground cover management alone will reduce sediment supply to ecologically acceptable levels.
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