Reintroduction of self-facilitating feedbacks could advance subtidal eelgrass (Zostera marina) restoration in the Dutch Wadden Sea

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: May 28, 2024

Extensive subtidal eelgrass ( Zostera marina ) meadows (~150 km 2 once grew in the Dutch Wadden Sea, supporting diverse species communities, but disappeared 1930s and have been absent ever since. Identifying most critical bottlenecks for survival is a crucial first step reintroduction through active restoration measures. Seagrasses are ecosystem engineers, inducing self-facilitating feedbacks that ameliorate stressful conditions. Consequently, seagrass, including its feedbacks, lost, can be challenging. Therefore, we aimed to test whether 1) sediment stabilization 2) hydrodynamic stress relief would facilitate field experiment replicated at two sites Sea. We induced using biodegradable root-mimicking structures (BESE-elements) sandbag barriers. Root mimics had significant positive effect, increasing chances of short-term by +67% compared controls. Contrary our expectations, barriers decreased probabilities -26%, likely due turbulence created barrier edges, leading high erosion rates (-14 cm). Site selection proved as was entirely negated on one study after five weeks floating epiphytic macroalgae loads. No long-term occurred, plants died other site later. Overall, found promising, whereas manipulating forces adverse effects. A mechanistic understanding transplant failures required before attempting large-scale restoration. Our indicates seagrass should carefully consider tools, donor population choice transplantation timing, 3) based local biotic abiotic Optimizing these facets might lower additive degree allows survival.

Language: Английский

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European Native Oyster Reef Ecosystems Are Universally Collapsed

Conservation Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 4, 2024

ABSTRACT Oyster reefs are often referred to as the temperate functional equivalent of coral reefs. Yet evidence for this analogy was lacking European native species Ostrea edulis . Historical data provide a unique opportunity develop robust definition ecosystem type, confirm that O. large‐scale biogenic reef builders, and assess its current conservation status. Today, occur scattered individuals or, rarely, dense clumps over few m 2 historically, ecosystems persisted at large scales (several km ), with individual within present scale several hectares. Using IUCN Red List Ecosystems Framework, we conclude oyster type is collapsed under three five criteria (A: reduction in geographic distribution, B: restricted range, D: disruption biotic processes interactions). Criterion C (environmental degradation) deficient, E (quantitative risk analysis) not completed already deemed collapsed. Our assessment has important implications policy action, highlighting habitat definitions on which policies currently based reflect highly shifted baseline, restoration efforts falls far short what necessary recovery.

Language: Английский

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Blue Carbon Potential in Germany: Status and Future Development

Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 109354 - 109354

Published: May 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Setting the stones to restore and monitor European flat oyster reefs in the German North Sea

Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(7), P. 661 - 677

Published: April 18, 2023

Abstract Ecological restoration includes specific technical phases over the course of an ecosystem recovery process. In marine environment and for oyster reef restoration, installation implementation pilot reefs close gap between feasibility studies with small‐scale experiments designated upscaling conservation measures. Against this background, study presents design, planning first in offshore sublittoral regions North Sea. The work was conducted as part protected area management Natura 2000 site Borkum Reef Ground German Bight, historical grounds. It logistical considerations, material selection, methodology base construction deployment European flat oysters Ostrea edulis spat‐on‐shell, young adult single seed oysters, spat‐on‐reef, well development efficient monitoring approach reef‐associated biodiversity. Native Oyster Restoration Alliance methodologies, such underwater visual census seabed images were selected, tested successfully adapted site. evaluation optimization are presented here, biodiversity metrics put into perspective data from recent studies. Results show a few mobile fauna species (e.g., fish decapods) colonizers after construction. One year later, increased due to larger number invertebrate species. However, community still represents early recolonization stage, lower than records. This proof concept indicates stages Strategies optimize complement reef‐monitoring challenging environments discussed, emphasizing additional molecular functional analyses future assessments.

Language: Английский

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European native oyster reef ecosystems are universally Collapsed

Published: Dec. 23, 2023

Oyster reefs are often referred to as the temperate functional equivalent of coral reefs. Yet evidence for this analogy is lacking European native species Ostrea edulis and its biogenic habitat. Recently assembled historical data provide a unique opportunity develop robust definition ecosystem type, confirm that O. reef builders, assess current conservation status. Today, typically occur scattered individuals or, in few locations, dense clumps over m2, however, historically ecosystems persisted at large scales. A key finding should therefore be assessed >ha scale.Using IUCN Red list Ecosystems Framework, we conclude oyster type Collapsed under three five criteria (A: reduction geographic distribution, B: restricted range, D: disruption biotic processes interactions). Criterion C (environmental degradation) was deficient E (quantitative risk analysis) not completed already deemed collapsed. Our assessment has far reaching implications policy action, shows scale restoration efforts fall short what necessary recovery.

Language: Английский

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New biostratigraphic and paleoecologic data on the Pliocene-Pleistocene paleogeographic evolution of the northeastern coastal area of the central Tyrrhenian sea (Italy)

Quaternary International, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 692, P. 1 - 20

Published: April 4, 2024

In this work, we present new biostratigraphic and paleoecological data from the Mignone River valley, located in central sector of Tyrrhenian Sea margin part wider Tarquinia basin, cores area Rome. By combining paleontological information with a review extant literature, re-examine stratigraphic architecture Pliocene succession northwestern margin, spanning Zanclean (MPl1; 5.33–5.08 Ma) through early Piacenzian (MPl4b; 3.57–3.31 Ma), following Pleistocene transgressive-regressive sequence, comprising Gelasian (MPl6; 2.59–1.81 Santernian 1.81–1.5 Ma). We propose revision paleogeographic evolution basins throughout Pliocene-Lower interval, by coherently framing it within chronology volcanic phases that occurred region. particular, our reconstruction points toward presence single Transgressive-Regressive (T-R) sequence starting reflooding Mediterranean after Messinian Salinity Crisis ending Piacenzian, as opposed to previously proposed occurrence two depositional T-R sequences separated an erosional phase affecting Globorotalia puncticulata biozone.

Language: Английский

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Filtration Behaviour of Ostrea edulis: Diurnal Rhythmicity Influenced by Light Cycles, Body Size and Water Temperature

Estuaries and Coasts, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 48(1)

Published: Nov. 15, 2024

Abstract Despite the existing studies on oyster physiology, it is a concern that, by ignoring diurnal rhythmicity of feeding activities, current knowledge filtration might be unrepresentative their real capacity. In present study, and nocturnal fluctuations Ostrea edulis clearance rate were investigated for first time under laboratory conditions, also considering combined effects water temperature size. A positive correlation was found between mean (CR m ) body size both length wet weight, with an average 0.5 L h −1 0.1 filtered large small adult oysters respectively during 24-h experiment. significant only oysters, suggesting further utilising ranges closer to O. thermal optimum are required clarify influence activities across different classes. The results this study showed discontinuous ingestion food throughout intervals, higher values observed hours darkness at most temperatures This suggests photoperiod may have potential filtration. Providing better understanding behaviour, these findings implications ecological restoration, aquaculture, comparative bioenergetics direct applications development predictive models assessment ecosystem services provided habitat.

Language: Английский

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Habitat mapping for native oyster restoration using hydrodynamic modelling and experimental mortality data

Published: Aug. 6, 2024

Ostrea edulis has been harvested in Galway Bay, Ireland, for centuries, but the oyster aquaculture bay is facing multiple threats One major concern farmers recurrence of heavy-rainfall, high-runoff, low-salinity events. In this work, a high-resolution hydrodynamic coastal model Bay used together with experimental data on mortality to identify suitable areas native restoration. Here, new circulation presented, and its performance evaluated against in-situ temperature salinity observations. Oysters were exposed at varying conditions laboratory cumulative curves determined. These experiments develop an that, predictions from model, determines total over given period. A Habitat Suitability Index proposed, based distribution mortality.

Language: Английский

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Stone Aggregations or Reefs? Knowledge Politics Around a Transboundary Seabed Complex

Ocean and Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2

Published: Dec. 5, 2024

This study analyses marine governance and knowledge politics of sediments in the Borkum Reef Ground from a historical German perspective, as well context litigation against gas production transboundary Dutch fields. The authors analysed interview transcripts, project documents, environmental media campaigns, notes originating participant observation stakeholder engagement. employs science technology sociology ignorance approaches. It asks which implications for biodiversity protection ocean derive administrative fragmentation by diverse set actors. National divisions prioritised led to shift perception area seabed habitat two distinct national areas resulted fragmented Schutzgebietskulisse including protected areas, restoration zones, unprotected zones. illustrates how prioritisation mapping may backfire on gain potential industrial zones overall protection.

Language: Английский

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