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Cure K, Barneche DR, Depczynski M, Fisher R, Warne DJ, McGree J, Underwood J, Weisenberger F, Evans-Illidge E, Ford B, Oades D, Howard A, McCarthy P, Pyke D, Edgar Z, Maher R, Sampi T, Dougal K, Bardi Jawi Traditional Owners. Incorporating uncertainty in Indigenous sea Country monitoring with Bayesian statistics: Towards more informed decision-making. Ambio 2024; 53:746-763. [PMID: 38355875 PMCID: PMC10992390 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-01980-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Partnerships in marine monitoring combining Traditional Ecological Knowledge and western science are developing globally to improve our understanding of temporal changes in ecological communities that better inform coastal management practices. A fuller communication between scientists and Indigenous partners about the limitations of monitoring results to identify change is essential to the impact of monitoring datasets on decision-making. Here we present a 5-year co-developed case study from a fish monitoring partnership in northwest Australia showing how uncertainty estimated by Bayesian models can be incorporated into monitoring management indicators. Our simulation approach revealed there was high uncertainty in detecting immediate change over the following monitoring year when translated to health performance indicators. Incorporating credibility estimates into health assessments added substantial information to monitoring trends, provided a deeper understanding of monitoring limitations and highlighted the importance of carefully selecting the way we evaluate management performance indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Cure
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, The University of Western Australia (MO96), Entrance 4, Fairway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Diego R Barneche
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, The University of Western Australia (MO96), Entrance 4, Fairway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Martial Depczynski
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, The University of Western Australia (MO96), Entrance 4, Fairway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Rebecca Fisher
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, The University of Western Australia (MO96), Entrance 4, Fairway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - David J Warne
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia
| | - James McGree
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia
| | - Jim Underwood
- Gondwana Link Ltd, 70-74 Frederick St, PO Box 5276, Albany, WA, 6332, Australia
| | - Frank Weisenberger
- Frank Weisenberger Consulting, 13A Jessie Street, Coburg, VIC, 3058, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Evans-Illidge
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1526 Cape Cleveland Road, Cape Cleveland, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - Brendan Ford
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1526 Cape Cleveland Road, Cape Cleveland, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - Daniel Oades
- Kimberley Land Council, 11 Gregory St, Broome, WA, 6725, Australia
| | - Azton Howard
- Bardi Jawi Rangers, Kimberley Land Council, Bardi Jawi Rangers Office, Lot 19-20 First Street, One Arm Point, Ardyaloon, WA, 6725, Australia
| | - Phillip McCarthy
- Bardi Jawi Rangers, Kimberley Land Council, Bardi Jawi Rangers Office, Lot 19-20 First Street, One Arm Point, Ardyaloon, WA, 6725, Australia
| | - Damon Pyke
- Bardi Jawi Rangers, Kimberley Land Council, Bardi Jawi Rangers Office, Lot 19-20 First Street, One Arm Point, Ardyaloon, WA, 6725, Australia
| | - Zac Edgar
- Bardi Jawi Rangers, Kimberley Land Council, Bardi Jawi Rangers Office, Lot 19-20 First Street, One Arm Point, Ardyaloon, WA, 6725, Australia
| | - Rodney Maher
- Bardi Jawi Rangers, Kimberley Land Council, Bardi Jawi Rangers Office, Lot 19-20 First Street, One Arm Point, Ardyaloon, WA, 6725, Australia
| | - Trevor Sampi
- Bardi Jawi Rangers, Kimberley Land Council, Bardi Jawi Rangers Office, Lot 19-20 First Street, One Arm Point, Ardyaloon, WA, 6725, Australia
| | - Kevin Dougal
- Bardi Jawi Rangers, Kimberley Land Council, Bardi Jawi Rangers Office, Lot 19-20 First Street, One Arm Point, Ardyaloon, WA, 6725, Australia
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Panigada V, Bodey TW, Friedlaender A, Druon JN, Huckstädt LA, Pierantonio N, Degollada E, Tort B, Panigada S. Targeting fin whale conservation in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea: insights on movements and behaviour from biologging and habitat modelling. R Soc Open Sci 2024; 11:231783. [PMID: 38455994 PMCID: PMC10915541 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Biologging and habitat modelling are key tools supporting the development of conservation measures and mitigating the effects of anthropogenic pressures on marine species. Here, we analysed satellite telemetry data and foraging habitat preferences in relation to chlorophyll-a productivity fronts to understand the movements and behaviour of endangered Mediterranean fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) during their spring-summer feeding aggregation in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea. Eleven individuals were equipped with Argos satellite transmitters across 3 years, with transmissions averaging 23.5 ± 11.3 days. Hidden Markov Models were used to identify foraging behaviour, revealing how individuals showed consistency in their use of seasonal core feeding grounds; this was supported by the distribution of potential foraging habitat. Importantly, tracked whales spent most of their time in areas with no explicit protected status within the study region. This highlights the need for enhanced time- and place-based conservation actions to mitigate the effects of anthropogenic impacts for this species, notably ship strike risk and noise disturbance in an area of exceptionally high maritime traffic levels. These findings strengthen the need to further assess critical habitats and Important Marine Mammal Areas that are crucial for focused conservation, management and mitigation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Panigada
- Tethys Research Institute, c/o Acquario Civico, Viale G.B. Gadio 2, 20121 Milano, Italy
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Thomas W. Bodey
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Ari Friedlaender
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Jean-Noël Druon
- Joint Research Centre, (JRC), European Commission, Ispra, Italy
| | - Luis A. Huckstädt
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
| | - Nino Pierantonio
- Tethys Research Institute, c/o Acquario Civico, Viale G.B. Gadio 2, 20121 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Beatriu Tort
- Associació EDMAKTUB, 08393 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Simone Panigada
- Tethys Research Institute, c/o Acquario Civico, Viale G.B. Gadio 2, 20121 Milano, Italy
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Mancuso FP, Sarà G, Mannino AM. Conserving Marine Forests: Assessing the Effectiveness of a Marine Protected Area for Cystoseira sensu lato Populations in the Central Mediterranean Sea. Plants (Basel) 2024; 13:162. [PMID: 38256716 PMCID: PMC10819874 DOI: 10.3390/plants13020162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are vital for biodiversity conservation, yet their effectiveness in preserving foundation seaweeds remains understudied. This study investigates the diversity and distribution of Cystoseira sensu lato (including Cystoseira, Ericaria, and Gongolaria, hereafter referred to as Cystoseira s.l.) populations in an MPA located in the central Mediterranean Sea, comparing them with those in two unprotected sites. We hypothesized MPA Cystoseira s.l. populations would display higher diversity and structure compared to outside unprotected sites. Results revealed a total of 19 Cystoseira s.l. species at depths of 0-20 m, with the MPA exhibiting a higher diversity than unprotected sites. Thus, MPAs can play a crucial role in fostering the diversity of Cystoseira s.l. populations. However, no significant differences were observed among the MPA's protection zones, raising questions about the zoning effectiveness. Additionally, our survey uncovered a substantial presence of non-indigenous seaweeds within the MPA. In conclusions, while MPAs improved Cystoseira s.l. diversity compared to unprotected sites, the varying efficacy of protection within MPA zones suggested a necessity for site-specific conservation strategies. The presence of non-indigenous seaweeds emphasizes ongoing challenges. This study provides a baseline for understanding Cystoseira s.l. population dynamics, crucial for future monitoring and conservation efforts in the face of global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Paolo Mancuso
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
- NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Gianluca Sarà
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
- NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Anna Maria Mannino
- NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy
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Alomar C, Rios-Fuster B, Cefalì ME, Fagiano V, Deudero S. Monitoring microplastics in coastal waters of a biosphere reserve: a case study in Menorca (Spain). Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2024; 31:882-894. [PMID: 38032531 PMCID: PMC10789676 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31061-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
This study provides with evidence of the presence of sea surface microplastics in a UNESCO marine biosphere reserve: the island of Menorca in the north-western Mediterranean Sea. From a total of 90 samples, in 100% of the samples, microplastics were observed with a mean value of 0.18 ± 0.01 items/m2. According to data, no significant differences were observed for sampling period with very similar values between 2021 (0.17 ± 0.02 items/m2) and 2022 (0.18 ± 0.02 items/m2). However, significant differences were observed regarding sampling area (both site and locality) suggesting that sea surface plastics in the study area might be more dependent of the spatial scale rather than on the temporal scale. Fibre type microplastics predominated over fragments, films, pellets, and foams, but in the commercial Port de Maó, almost 50% of the identified items were foams which could be related to the transportation of packed goods to this port. Results from the model applied to study the relation between waste management indicators and microplastic abundance indicate that when considering all marine litter categories, the explanatory variables are plastic waste generated by residents population (tonnes/year/km2) and waste collection rate (%), whereas if only plastics are considered, the indicator regarding waste per capita (kg/hab/year) is also included. Data in this study is obtained through a harmonized protocol which can be used to define baseline and threshold values to evaluate good environmental status regarding descriptor 10 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Alomar
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente S/N, 07015, Palma, Mallorca, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Rios-Fuster
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente S/N, 07015, Palma, Mallorca, Spain
| | - Maria Elena Cefalì
- Estació d'Investigació Jaume Ferrer, La Mola, Centro Oceanogràfico de Baleares, IEO-CSIC, PO Box 502, 07701, Mao, Menorca, Spain
| | - Valentina Fagiano
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente S/N, 07015, Palma, Mallorca, Spain
| | - Salud Deudero
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente S/N, 07015, Palma, Mallorca, Spain
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Asante F, Bento M, Broszeit S, Bandeira S, Chitará-Nhandimo S, Amoné-Mabuto M, Correia AM. Marine macroinvertebrate ecosystem services under changing conditions of seagrasses and mangroves. Mar Environ Res 2023; 189:106026. [PMID: 37295308 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the impact of changing environmental conditions on MMI ES in seagrasses and mangroves. We used data from satellite and biodiversity platforms combined with field data to explore the links between ecosystem pressures (habitat conversion, overexploitation, climate change), conditions (environmental quality, ecosystem attributes), and MMI ES (provisioning, regulation, cultural). Both seagrass and mangrove extents increased significantly since 2016. While sea surface temperature showed no significant annual variation, sea surface partial pressure CO2, height above sea level and pH presented significant changes. Among the environmental quality variables only silicate, PO4 and phytoplankton showed significant annual varying trends. The MMI food provisioning increased significantly, indicating overexploitation that needs urgent attention. MMI regulation and cultural ES did not show significant trends overtime. Our results show that MMI ES are affected by multiple factors and their interactions can be complex and non-linear. We identified key research gaps and suggested future directions for research. We also provided relevant data that can support future ES assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Asante
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal; MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal; Université Libre de Bruxelles, Department of Biology of Organisms (DBO), Av. Franklin Roosevelt 50, 1050, Bruxelles, Belgium.
| | - Marta Bento
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal; MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Stefanie Broszeit
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, United Kingdom
| | - Salomão Bandeira
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, CP 257, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Sadia Chitará-Nhandimo
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, CP 257, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Manuela Amoné-Mabuto
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, CP 257, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Alexandra Marçal Correia
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal; MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal.
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6
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Votsi NE. Pathways to protect marine biodiversity: Could Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) be benefited by landscape ecology? Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 191:114942. [PMID: 37087825 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The marine environment faces multiple threats, many of which are still undiscovered. Anthropogenic noise is considered a representative indicator of the human footprint. The aim of this short communication is to protect marine biodiversity by exploiting basic principles of Landscape and Soundscape Ecology and borrowing methods and tools to identify and map the human induced noise of the marine environment and thus create, based on this information layer, a connectivity pathway among all Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Today it is of vital importance to take urgent action towards protecting the marine environment. Could we be inspired by effective and practical solutions of biodiversity conservation, already successfully implemented in the terrestrial environment, taking into account the special and diverse characteristics of the marine environment to protect marine biodiversity?
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Affiliation(s)
- Nefta Eleftheria Votsi
- Institute for Environmental Research & Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, I. Metaxa & Vas. Pavlou, P. Penteli (Lofos Koufou), 15236 Athens, Greece.
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Bernardi G, Toy JA, Escalona M, Marimuthu MPA, Sahasrabudhe R, Nguyen O, Sacco S, Beraut E, Toffelmier E, Miller C, Shaffer HB. Reference Genome of the Black Surfperch, Embiotoca jacksoni (Embiotocidae, Perciformes), a California Kelp Forest Fish That Lacks a Pelagic Larval Stage. J Hered 2022; 113:657-664. [PMID: 35809222 PMCID: PMC9709976 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esac034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Surfperches (Family Embiotocidae) are viviparous temperate reef fishes that brood their young. This life history trait translates into limited dispersal, strong population structure, and an unusually strong potential for local adaptation in a marine fish. As part of the California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP), we sequenced the genome of the Black Surfperch, Embiotoca jacksoni, to establish a genomic model for understanding phylogeographic patterns of marine organisms in California. These patterns, in turn, may inform the design of marine protected areas using dispersal models based on genomic data. The genome of E. jacksoni is typical of marine fishes at less than 1Gb (genome size = 635 Mb), and our assembly is near-chromosome level (contig N50 = 6.5Mb, scaffold N50 = 15.5 Mb, BUSCO = 98.1%). Within the context of the CCGP, the genome will be used as a reference for future whole genome resequencing projects aimed at enhancing our knowledge of the population structure of the species, and efficacy of Marine Protected Areas across the state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Bernardi
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California–Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Jason A Toy
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California–Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Merly Escalona
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California–Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Mohan P A Marimuthu
- DNA Technologies and Expression Analysis Core Laboratory, Genome Center, University of California–Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Ruta Sahasrabudhe
- DNA Technologies and Expression Analysis Core Laboratory, Genome Center, University of California–Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Oanh Nguyen
- DNA Technologies and Expression Analysis Core Laboratory, Genome Center, University of California–Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Samuel Sacco
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California–Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Eric Beraut
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California–Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Erin Toffelmier
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California–Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Courtney Miller
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California–Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - H Bradley Shaffer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California–Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California–Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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8
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Norton M. Making a network of patches, gaps, and spaces: marine and coastal governance in Stilbaai, South Africa. Marit Stud 2022; 21:553-567. [PMID: 36193112 PMCID: PMC9520962 DOI: 10.1007/s40152-022-00283-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Based on research conducted by myself and colleagues as part of the Southern Cape Interdisciplinary Fisheries Research Project, I present an overview of residents' perspectives on the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area, located on the Southern Cape coast of South Africa. Currently, South Africa's marine governance sector is often fraught with politicking, inefficiencies, and other effects that strain the social-ecological system. This research shows that despite some fragmentation of governance, there are opportunities, and a general willingness, to engage in activities that take care of the local environment on the behalf of residents, that serve to educate about ocean-positive behaviours and engage visitors more meaningfully on the benefits and value of the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area. Problems that residents perceive to be associated with the Marine Protected Area are noted, and suggestions are made to enhance a sense of caretaking, or sorgskap, within the community to fill the gaps of certain governance or regulation inadequacies. Indeed, I argue that in lieu of efficient formal governance structures and collaborations, it is the informal characteristic of caretaking activities by the community that renders these activities more sustainable, long term, and effective in building a "culture" of caretaking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke Norton
- Department of Biological Sciences and Marine and Antarctic Research Centre for Innovation and Sustainability, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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9
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Compa M, Alomar C, Morató M, Álvarez E, Deudero S. Spatial distribution of macro- and micro-litter items along rocky and sandy beaches of a Marine Protected Area in the western Mediterranean Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 178:113520. [PMID: 35339063 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the spatial distribution and physical characteristics of beach macro- and micro-litter within the Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park (Cabrera MPA), in the Balearic Islands have been analysed. For macro-litter items, a mean concentration of 1.9 ± 2.4 items/m2 weighing a total of 13 kg was quantified. In terms of beach composition, cobble beaches with deposited seagrass had almost twice as much marine litter as other beaches. For beach micro-litter items, white and transparent microplastics within the size class of 1-2 mm were the most abundant on all the beaches, and the most common polymer types were polyethylene (64%) and polypropylene (17.2%). Overall, for both macro- and micro-litter items, plastic was the most dominant material (90%) identified on all beaches surveyed within Cabrera MPA, indicating areas of low anthropogenic pressures are increasingly becoming sinks for marine litter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Compa
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, Mallorca 07015, Spain.
| | - Carme Alomar
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, Mallorca 07015, Spain
| | - Mercè Morató
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, Mallorca 07015, Spain
| | - Elvira Álvarez
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, Mallorca 07015, Spain
| | - Salud Deudero
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, Mallorca 07015, Spain
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Tamburello L, Chiarore A, Fabbrizzi E, Colletti A, Franzitta G, Grech D, Rindi F, Rizzo L, Savinelli B, Fraschetti S. Can we preserve and restore overlooked macroalgal forests? Sci Total Environ 2022; 806:150855. [PMID: 34678362 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Habitat degradation and loss are severely affecting macroalgal forests worldwide, and their successful mitigation depends on the identification of the drivers of loss and the implementation of effective conservation and restoration actions. We made an extensive literature review 1- to document the historical (1789-1999) and recent (2000-2020) occurrence of the genus Cystoseira, Ericaria and Gongolaria reported in the literature along the 8000 km of the coasts of Italy, 2- to assess their decline and patterns of extinction, 3- to ascertain the drivers responsible for these changes, 4- to highlight the existence of success stories in their conservation and natural recovery. In the last twenty years, overall information on the distribution of Cystoseira s.l. exponentially increased, although research focused almost exclusively on intertidal reefs. Despite the lack of systematic monitoring programs, the local extinction of 371 populations of 19 different species of Cystoseira s.l. was documented across several regions, since 2000. Coastal engineering and poor quality of waters due to urban, agricultural or industrial activities were often documented as leading causes of habitat loss. However, the drivers of extinction were actually unknown for the majority of the populations and cause-effects relationships are scarcely documented. Although the proportion of protected populations increased to 77.8%, Marine Protected Areas are unlikely to guarantee adequate conservation efficacy, possibly also for the widespread lack of management and monitoring plans dealing specifically with Cystoseira s.l. species, and few evidences of natural recovery were observed. Our review shows the dramatic lack of baseline information for macroalgal forests, highlighting the urgent need for the monitoring of less accessible habitats, the collection of long-term data to unveil drivers of loss, and an updated reporting about the conservation status of the species of interest to plan future interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tamburello
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Ischia Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Punta San Pietro, Ischia, NA, Italy.
| | - Antonia Chiarore
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Erika Fabbrizzi
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Ischia Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Punta San Pietro, Ischia, NA, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Colletti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulio Franzitta
- Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources (RIMAR), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniele Grech
- IMC - International Marine Centre, Loc. Sa Mardini, Torre Grande, 09170 Oristano, Italy
| | - Fabio Rindi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Lucia Rizzo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Ischia Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Punta San Pietro, Ischia, NA, Italy
| | | | - Simonetta Fraschetti
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Ischia Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Punta San Pietro, Ischia, NA, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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11
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Anderson AB, Fiuza TMJ, Araujo GS, Canterle AM, Canto LMC, Freitas RHA, Gadig OBF, Floeter SR. A safe haven for potential reproductive aggregations of the critically endangered Brazilian guitarfish (Pseudobatos horkelii). J Fish Biol 2021; 99:2030-2034. [PMID: 34402530 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Brazilian endemic batoid elasmobranch populations have declined dramatically in the past 40 years due to anthropic activities (e.g., overfishing). The Brazilian guitarfish, Pseudobatos horkelii, included in the IUCN red list of endangered species [Critically Endangered (CR)], has been captured as by-catch by trawling fishing boats to the edge of extinction. Despite governmental conservation initiatives, the species is still caught and commercialized along the Brazilian coast. In this study, the authors report three rare aggregation events for the Brazilian coast of P. horkelii, inside the only nearshore no-entry Brazilian marine protected area. Strategies for its protection are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antônio B Anderson
- Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Oceanography, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Thiago M J Fiuza
- Marine Macroecology and Biogeography Laboratory, Department of Ecology and Zoology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Gabriel S Araujo
- Marine Macroecology and Biogeography Laboratory, Department of Ecology and Zoology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade, NUPEM/UFRJ, Avenida São José Barreto, Macaé, Brazil
| | - Angela M Canterle
- Marine Macroecology and Biogeography Laboratory, Department of Ecology and Zoology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Luiza M C Canto
- Biology of Teleosts and Elasmobranchs Laboratory (LABITEL), Department of Ecology and Zoology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Renato H A Freitas
- Biology of Teleosts and Elasmobranchs Laboratory (LABITEL), Department of Ecology and Zoology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Otto B F Gadig
- Elasmobranch Research Laboratory, São Paulo State University, Campus do Litoral Paulista, Pça. Infante Dom Henrique, São Vicente, Brazil
| | - Sergio R Floeter
- Marine Macroecology and Biogeography Laboratory, Department of Ecology and Zoology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
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12
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Lorenzi L, Reginato BC, Mayer DG, Gentil E, Pezzin APT, Silveira VF, Dantas DV. Spatio-seasonal microplastics distribution along a shallow coastal lagoon ecocline within a marine conservation unit. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 170:112644. [PMID: 34175697 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The aim of our study is to estimate the abundance and sources of floating microplastics (MPs) along a coastal lagoon ecocline in a marine conservation unit (MCU) for implementing effective prevention and mitigation actions in South Brazil. MPs were sampled monthly, and the abundance and size were determined for hard solids, soft plastic, plastic filaments, and paint fragments. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) analysis was performed, and the MPs were classified as polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, polybutadiene, and polystyrene. Downstream areas (outside of the MCU) showed high levels of MPs, during the winter, due to low precipitation and the predominance of S/SE winds. During summer, precipitation increases, and MPs are exported with surface runoff, resulting in lower level of MPs. Outside MCU areas, a high concentration of tourism houses, commercials, and artisanal fisheries were observed, which could contribute to all types of plastic debris found in our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Lorenzi
- Grupo de Estudos de Organismos Bentônicos de Fundos Inconsolidados Vegetados e não Vegetados, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas - Biologia Marinha, Universidade da Região de Joinville (UNIVILLE), Rodovia Duque de Caxias, 6 365 São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Meio Ambiente PPGSMA - UNIVILLE, Brazil
| | - Bruna C Reginato
- Grupo de Estudos de Organismos Bentônicos de Fundos Inconsolidados Vegetados e não Vegetados, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas - Biologia Marinha, Universidade da Região de Joinville (UNIVILLE), Rodovia Duque de Caxias, 6 365 São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Devon G Mayer
- Grupo de Estudos de Organismos Bentônicos de Fundos Inconsolidados Vegetados e não Vegetados, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas - Biologia Marinha, Universidade da Região de Joinville (UNIVILLE), Rodovia Duque de Caxias, 6 365 São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Gentil
- Grupo de Gestão, Ecologia e Tecnologia Marinha (GTMar), Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca e Ciências Biológicas, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), R. Cel. Fernandes Martins, 270 Laguna, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Planejamento Territorial e Desenvolvimento Socioambiental (PPGPLAN)/FAED/UDESC, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Testa Pezzin
- Grupo de Materiais Poliméricos, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Processos (PPGEP - UNIVILLE), Brazil
| | - Victória Fonseca Silveira
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas - Biologia Marinha, Universidade da Região de Joinville (UNIVILLE), Rodovia Duque de Caxias, 6 365 São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - David V Dantas
- Grupo de Gestão, Ecologia e Tecnologia Marinha (GTMar), Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca e Ciências Biológicas, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), R. Cel. Fernandes Martins, 270 Laguna, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Planejamento Territorial e Desenvolvimento Socioambiental (PPGPLAN)/FAED/UDESC, Brazil.
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13
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Sevwandi Dharmadasa WLS, Andrady AL, Kumara PBTP, Maes T, Gangabadage CS. Microplastic pollution in Marine Protected Areas of Southern Sri Lanka. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 168:112462. [PMID: 33993039 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in marine environment. The prevalence of MPs in coastal and lagoon sediments, and water were studied in two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); Bundala National Park (BNP) and Hikkaduwa Marine National Park (HNP) in Sri Lanka. Both areas are important for turtles, birds and coral ecosystems, all of which are particularly threatened by MPs. Abundance of MPs was generally higher in both coastal sediments and waters in HNP (111±29 MPs/m2 for sediments and 0.515±0.054 MPs/m3 for water) than in the BNP (102±16 MPs/m2 for sediments and 0.276±0.077 MPs/m3 for water). The most common shape and polymer type of MPs were fragments and Polyethylene respectively. This research is the first to survey MPs in MPAs in Sri Lanka and provides a baseline of MPs pollution in these environments for future research and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- W L S Sevwandi Dharmadasa
- Department of Oceanography and Marine Geology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka.
| | - A L Andrady
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
| | - P B Terney Pradeep Kumara
- Department of Oceanography and Marine Geology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka; Marine Environment Protection Authority, No.177, Nawala Road, Narahenpita, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka
| | - T Maes
- Grid-Arendal, Teaterplassen 3, 4836 Arendal, Norway
| | - C S Gangabadage
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka
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14
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Fabri-Ruiz S, Danis B, Navarro N, Koubbi P, Laffont R, Saucède T. Benthic ecoregionalization based on echinoid fauna of the Southern Ocean supports current proposals of Antarctic Marine Protected Areas under IPCC scenarios of climate change. Glob Chang Biol 2020; 26:2161-2180. [PMID: 31919925 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The Southern Ocean (SO) is among the regions on Earth that are undergoing regionally the fastest environmental changes. The unique ecological features of its marine life make it particularly vulnerable to the multiple effects of climate change. A network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has started to be implemented in the SO to protect marine ecosystems. However, considering future predictions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the relevance of current, static, MPAs may be questioned under future scenarios. In this context, the ecoregionalization approach can prove promising in identifying well-delimited regions of common species composition and environmental settings. These so-called ecoregions are expected to show similar biotic responses to environmental changes and can be used to define priority areas for the designation of new MPAs and the update of their current delimitation. In the present work, a benthic ecoregionalization of the entire SO is proposed for the first time based on abiotic environmental parameters and the distribution of echinoid fauna, a diversified and common member of Antarctic benthic ecosystems. A novel two-step approach was developed combining species distribution modeling with Random Forest and Gaussian Mixture modeling from species probabilities to define current ecoregions and predict future ecoregions under IPCC scenarios RCP 4.5 and 8.5. The ecological representativity of current and proposed MPAs of the SO is discussed with regard to the modeled benthic ecoregions. In all, 12 benthic ecoregions were determined under present conditions, they are representative of major biogeographic patterns already described. Our results show that the most dramatic changes can be expected along the Antarctic Peninsula, in East Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands under both IPCC scenarios. Our results advocate for a dynamic definition of MPAs, they also argue for improving the representativity of Antarctic ecoregions in proposed MPAs and support current proposals of Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources for the creation of Antarctic MPAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salomé Fabri-Ruiz
- Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS/EPHE 6282, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
- Laboratoire de Biologie Marine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bruno Danis
- Laboratoire de Biologie Marine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Navarro
- Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS/EPHE 6282, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
- EPHE, PSL University, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Koubbi
- UFR 918 Terre Environnement et Biodiversité, Sorbonne Université, Paris Cedex 05, France
- IFREMER, Centre Manche mer du Nord. Laboratoire Halieutique de Manche-Mer du Nord, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
| | - Rémi Laffont
- Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS/EPHE 6282, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Thomas Saucède
- Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS/EPHE 6282, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
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15
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Merder J, Browne P, Freund JA, Fullbrook L, Graham C, Johnson MP, Wieczorek A, Power AM. Density-dependent growth in 'catch-and-wait' fisheries has implications for fisheries management and Marine Protected Areas. Ambio 2020; 49:107-117. [PMID: 30852778 PMCID: PMC6889112 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01158-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Stock enhancement activities provide an opportunity to examine density-dependent suppression of population biomass which is a fundamental issue for resource management and design of no-take-zones. We document 'catch-and-wait' fisheries enhancement where all but the largest lobsters are thrown back, recapturing them later after they have grown to a larger size. The residency, rate of return, and potential negative density-dependent effects of this activity are described using a combination of tagging and v-notching and by relating spatial growth patterns to population density defined with Catch Per Unit Effort. The results successfully demonstrated the concept of catch-and-wait practices. However, a density-dependent suppression of growth (in body size) was observed in male lobsters. This demonstrates a mechanism to explain differences in lobster sizes previously observed across EU fishing grounds with different stock densities. This negative effect of density could also affect individual biomass production in marine reserve or no-take zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Merder
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Lower Saxony Germany
| | - Patricia Browne
- Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Jan A. Freund
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Lower Saxony Germany
| | - Liam Fullbrook
- Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Conor Graham
- Marine & Freshwater Research Centre, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Mark P. Johnson
- Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Alina Wieczorek
- Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Anne Marie Power
- Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
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16
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Noble MM, Harasti D, Pittock J, Doran B. Understanding the spatial diversity of social uses, dynamics, and conflicts in marine spatial planning. J Environ Manage 2019; 246:929-940. [PMID: 31351276 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.06.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Marine coastal environments are often socially complex public areas that need equitable spatial planning approaches. Understanding the extent of extractive and non-extractive uses and the social dynamics that may be driving patterns of use is essential if the spatial plan is to support the social resilience of a marine area. In this study, a combination of fuzzy-set multi-criteria GIS modelling and negative tie social network analysis were used to explore social uses and conflicts based on sketch-mapping interviews with five key stakeholder groups (ecotourism, Aboriginal Traditional Owners, commercial and recreational fishing, and water sports) within a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Most of the areas within the MPA were regularly used by the stakeholders, with non-extractive and extractive stakeholders occupying similar spatial extents, with each stakeholder group having a different pattern of use. However, stakeholder groups had different levels of perceived priority to access these areas and support of the current spatial management plan, especially within the ecotourism and Aboriginal Traditional Owner groups. The investigation of social conflicts in shaping patterns of use revealed that most stakeholder conflicts do not necessarily occur in areas of overlaps, but generally in areas of high biodiversity and easy access through marine infrastructure. Ecotourism groups had the most perceived conflicts over marine space, which shaped their use towards certain no-take zones that protected high biodiversity and would also provide protection from other conflicting stakeholder uses (e.g., boating, fishing). Overall, the method outlined in this paper presents a way for marine spatial management to consider not only the extent and diversity of social uses in a marine environment but also the spatial-social dynamics that may determine the success of the spatial plan in supporting long-term social resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mae M Noble
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
| | - David Harasti
- Fisheries Research, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Nelson Bay, NSW, 2315, Australia
| | - Jamie Pittock
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Bruce Doran
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
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17
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Freitas MO, Previero M, Leite JR, Francini-Filho RB, Minte-Vera CV, Moura RL. Age, growth, reproduction and management of Southwestern Atlantic's largest and endangered herbivorous reef fish, Scarus trispinosus Valenciennes, 1840. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7459. [PMID: 31531268 PMCID: PMC6718160 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Brazilian-endemic greenbeack parrotfish, Scarus trispinosus Valenciennes, 1840, is the largest herbivorous reef fish in the South Atlantic. Following the sharp decline of large carnivorous reef fishes, parrotfishes (Labridae: Scarinae) were progressively targeted by commercial fisheries in Brazil, resulting in a global population decline of 50% for S. trispinosus. Most of its remnant population is concentrated in the Abrolhos Bank, where the present study was conducted. We present novel information on age, growth and the reproductive cycle of S. trispinosus, based on 814 individuals obtained from commercial fisheries’ landings and scientific collections, between 2010 and 2013. Sex ratio was biased toward females (1:8), and spawning occurred year-round with discrete peaks in February-March and June-December. Increment analysis indicated annual deposition of growth rings in otoliths, which presented 1–22 rings. The asymptotic length at which growth is zero (L∞) was estimated from a Bayesian logistic regression at 85.28 cm, growth rate (K) at 0.14 year−1, and the theoretical age at zero size (t0) at 0.16. Subregional demographic structuring was detected, with predominance of slower-growing individuals in shallower inshore reefs and predominance of faster-growing and older individuals in deeper offshore sites. We demonstrate that S. trispinosus is highly vulnerable to over-exploitation due to its large size, long live and slow-growth, and review the management measures proposed since its Red List assessment in 2012.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus O Freitas
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Marília Previero
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia e Aquicultura, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Jonas R Leite
- Instituto de Biologia and SAGE/COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo B Francini-Filho
- Departamento de Engenharia e Meio Ambiente, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Rio Tinto, Paraiba, Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo L Moura
- Instituto de Biologia and SAGE/COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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18
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Jenkins C, Eggleton J, Barry J, O'Connor J. Advances in assessing Sabellaria spinulosa reefs for ongoing monitoring. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:7673-7687. [PMID: 30151181 PMCID: PMC6106184 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Standardized and repeatable data acquisition and analyses are required to enable the mapping and condition monitoring of reefs within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Changes in habitat condition must be reliably identified and reported to best support evidence-based management. Biogenic reefs in temperate waters, that is, hard matter created by living organisms and raised above the seabed, provide food and shelter for many plant and animal species. This article explores the feasibility of habitat mapping, using remote sensing datasets, as well as metrics for repeatable and suitable assessment of areas of Sabellaria spinulosa for their status as biogenic reef. Data were gathered within the North Norfolk Sandbanks and Saturn Reef candidate Special Area of Conservation/Site of Community Importance in the southern North Sea. Six study areas were identified as potential locations of biogenic reef using previously acquired data, and these were targeted for further investigation using a combination of high resolution multibeam echosounder and sidescan sonar. Where potential S. spinulosa was identified from the acoustic data, a drop-down camera system was employed for visual verification. Areas of known and potential S. spinulosa reef were mapped successfully at two of the six study areas, although future approaches should take careful consideration of the seabed morphology and predominant habitat backdrop to successfully interpret such data. Camera tows from S. spinulosa reef areas were broken up into 5-s segments, with each segment scored for (a) average tube elevation; (b) average percentage cover; and (c) for the presence or absence of S. spinulosa. These metrics were utilized to create summary statistics, including a value of patchiness derived from presence/absence data, that is recommended for application as part of future monitoring programs. The application of this methodology could benefit wider assessments of similar threated or declining habitats such as intertidal Mytilus edulis beds on mixed and sandy sediments, Maerl beds, Modioulus modiolus beds, Ostrea edulis beds, and Zostera beds where patchiness may also be considered of environmental importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Jenkins
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)LowestoftUK
| | - Jacqueline Eggleton
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)LowestoftUK
| | - Jon Barry
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)LowestoftUK
| | - Joey O'Connor
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)PeterboroughUK
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19
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Wangensteen OS, Cebrian E, Palacín C, Turon X. Under the canopy: Community-wide effects of invasive algae in Marine Protected Areas revealed by metabarcoding. Mar Pollut Bull 2018; 127:54-66. [PMID: 29475694 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We analysed with multigene (18S and COI) metabarcoding the effects of the proliferation of invasive seaweeds on rocky littoral communities in two Spanish Marine Protected Areas. The invasive algae studied were Caulerpa cylindracea, Lophocladia lallemandii and Asparagopsis armata. They are canopy-forming, landscape-dominant seaweeds, and we were interested in their effects on the underlying communities of meiobenthos and macrobenthos, separated in two size fractions through sieving. A new semiquantitative treatment of metabarcoding data is introduced. The results for both markers showed that the presence of the invasive seaweed had a significant effect on the understory communities for Lophocladia lallemandii and Asparagopsis armata but not for Caulerpa cylindracea. Likewise, changes in MOTU richness and diversity with invasion status varied in magnitude and direction depending on the alga considered. Our results showed that metabarcoding allows monitoring of the less conspicuous, but not least important, effects of the presence of dominant invasive seaweeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen S Wangensteen
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Emma Cebrian
- Aquatic Ecology Institute, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona, Spain
| | - Creu Palacín
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Turon
- Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Blanes (Girona), Spain.
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20
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Suchley A, McField MD, Alvarez-Filip L. Rapidly increasing macroalgal cover not related to herbivorous fishes on Mesoamerican reefs. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2084. [PMID: 27280075 PMCID: PMC4893329 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term phase shifts from coral to macroalgal dominated reef systems are well documented in the Caribbean. Although the impact of coral diseases, climate change and other factors is acknowledged, major herbivore loss through disease and overfishing is often assigned a primary role. However, direct evidence for the link between herbivore abundance, macroalgal and coral cover is sparse, particularly over broad spatial scales. In this study we use a database of coral reef surveys performed at 85 sites along the Mesoamerican Reef of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, to examine potential ecological links by tracking site trajectories over the period 2005–2014. Despite the long-term reduction of herbivory capacity reported across the Caribbean, the Mesoamerican Reef region displayed relatively low macroalgal cover at the onset of the study. Subsequently, increasing fleshy macroalgal cover was pervasive. Herbivorous fish populations were not responsible for this trend as fleshy macroalgal cover change was not correlated with initial herbivorous fish biomass or change, and the majority of sites experienced increases in macroalgae browser biomass. This contrasts the coral reef top-down herbivore control paradigm and suggests the role of external factors in making environmental conditions more favourable for algae. Increasing macroalgal cover typically suppresses ecosystem services and leads to degraded reef systems. Consequently, policy makers and local coral reef managers should reassess the focus on herbivorous fish protection and consider complementary measures such as watershed management in order to arrest this trend.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Suchley
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México; Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
| | - Melanie D McField
- Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative, Smithsonian Institution , Ft Lauderdale, Florida , USA
| | - Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo , México
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Widmann M, Kato A, Raymond B, Angelier F, Arthur B, Chastel O, Pellé M, Raclot T, Ropert-Coudert Y. Habitat use and sex-specific foraging behaviour of Adélie penguins throughout the breeding season in Adélie Land, East Antarctica. Mov Ecol 2015; 3:30. [PMID: 26392864 PMCID: PMC4576371 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-015-0052-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Marine predators are ecosystem sentinels because their foraging behaviour and reproductive success reflect the variability occurring in the lower trophic levels of the ecosystem. In an era of environmental change, monitoring top predators species can provide valuable insights into the zones of ecological importance that need to be protected. In this context, we monitored the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) as a bio-indicator near Dumont d'Urville, an area of the East Antarctic sector currently being considered for the establishment of a Marine Protected Area (MPA), using GPS-based tracking tags during the 2012/13 austral summer breeding season. RESULTS The habitat use and foraging areas of the penguins differed by breeding stage and sex and were strongly associated with patterns in bathymetry and sea-ice distribution. The first trips, undertaken during the incubation phase, were longer than those during the guard phase and were associated with the northern limit of the sea-ice extent. During the guard phase, birds strongly depended on access to a polynya, a key feature in Antarctic marine ecosystem, in the vicinity of the colony. The opening of the ice-free area was synchronous with the hatching of chicks. Moreover, a sex-specific use of foraging habitat observed only after hatching suggests sex-specific differences in the diet in response to intra-specific competition. CONCLUSIONS Sea-ice features that could be affected by the climate change were important factors for the use of foraging habitat by the Adélie penguins. The extent of the foraging area observed in this study is congruent with the area of the proposed MPA. However, both penguin behavior and their environment should be monitored carefully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Widmann
- />Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, 46 allée d’Italie, 96364, Lyon, Cedex 07 France
- />CNRS, UMR7178, 67037 Strasbourg, France
| | - Akiko Kato
- />CNRS, UMR7178, 67037 Strasbourg, France
- />Université de Strasbourg, IPHC, 23 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg, France
- />Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UPR 1934, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Ben Raymond
- />Australian Antarctic Division, Department of the Environment, Australian Government, Channel Highway, Kingston, 7050 Australia
- />Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Frédéric Angelier
- />Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UPR 1934, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Benjamin Arthur
- />Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Olivier Chastel
- />Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UPR 1934, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | | | - Thierry Raclot
- />CNRS, UMR7178, 67037 Strasbourg, France
- />Université de Strasbourg, IPHC, 23 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Yan Ropert-Coudert
- />CNRS, UMR7178, 67037 Strasbourg, France
- />Université de Strasbourg, IPHC, 23 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg, France
- />Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UPR 1934, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
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