Identifying community-driven priority questions in acoustic backscatter research

Frontiers in Remote Sensing, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5

Published: Jan. 7, 2025

Introduction Remotely-sensed acoustic backscatter is an indispensable tool for seabed mapping, among other disciplines. Almost a decade after the GeoHab Backscatter Working Group published its guidelines and recommendations report, new technologies, challenges questions have emerged. Given range of potential research avenues, it can be difficult to align programs with priorities community practice. Prioritization topics thus necessary establish roadmap efforts. Methods We asked international working submit their priority over 5- 10-year horizon. analyzed curated total 177 from 73 contributors, resulting 104 were grouped into eight broad recurring themes: “Technologies”, “Calibration”, “Data acquisition ground-truthing”, processing”, “Post-processing, quality control, data handling, curation”, analysis”, interpretation”, “Applications end uses”. A follow-up survey based on final list was distributed characterize identify key priorities. Results 120 responses originating 23 countries used analyses. Most respondents researchers (68%), while others technicians (25%) or department program managers (11%), roles. Affiliations included academia (43%), governmental agencies (37%), industry/private sector (18%). After scaling responses, most commonly selected theme followed by “Calibration” analysis”. Respondents consistently ranked several as The two that identified 25% “How we move towards absolute calibration different systems allow interregional comparisons?”, quantify seafloor develop standards similar what exists bathymetry?”. Discussion All themes are represented in top 10 questions, underscoring need contributions multiple perspectives advance field. ranking encourages collaboration within will serve next decade.

Language: Английский

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Empowering Regional Conservation: Genetic Diversity Assessments as a Tool for Eelgrass Management

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 12, 2025

To halt the loss of biodiversity, collaboration among scientists, managers and decision-makers is vital. Although biodiversity a global problem, management actions influencing diversity are often on local to regional scale. Our study an example conservation genomic assessment developed in between scientists managers. We used 2bRAD sequencing assess 18 eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows northwestern Sweden, area that has experienced large losses since 1980s. Genetic was comparable other assessed Atlantic, but order magnitude lower than Pacific. All one meadow showed high rates sexual reproduction. Almost all were divergent grouped into five genetic clusters. Four clusters correspond geographic regions can be define units. Meadows areas with decline 1980s 2020s more inbred increase eelgrass. Overall, our results indicate striving protect number within each cluster important for maintaining connectivity Sweden likely beneficial wider ecosystem. estimate current indicators essential variables discuss their challenges marine facultative clonal species. showcase how regional-scale assessments serve as foundation protection restoration priority

Language: Английский

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Restoring Halodule uninervis: evaluating planting methods and biodiversity

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 4, 2025

Seagrass provides a crucial habitat for numerous marine species and serves as vital food source endangered species, like dugongs. While extensive research on restoration has been conducted certain temperate slow‐growing climax seagrass limited attention given to tropical pioneer species. This study aimed assess compare two methods the Halodule uninervis evaluate their potential biodiversity recovery after planting. We field experiment at subtropical Inhaca Island, southern Mozambique, testing efficiency of planting (plugs single shoots) densities (~100 ~300 shoots/m 2 ). monitored shoot density in sites 16 months, benthic macrofauna 12 months. Results demonstrated that could grow all combinations both sites. Specifically, method high‐density treatment proved most effective, resulting approximately 1000 within year. Faunal densities, primarily dominated by polychaetes followed malacostraca, bivalves, gastropods, indicated rapid colonization planted areas, especially treatments. Our findings suggest restoring H. is feasible using tested methods. particularly significant because preferred dugong source, its decline due anthropogenic activities be reversed through efforts. Nonetheless, conserving existing should primary focus, approaches employed valuable tool managing coastal areas.

Language: Английский

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Conserving seagrass ecosystems to meet global biodiversity and climate goals

Published: Feb. 28, 2025

Language: Английский

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Gibberellic acid and light effects on seed germination in the seagrass Zostera marina

Physiologia Plantarum, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 177(2)

Published: March 1, 2025

Seagrass meadows have been heavily affected by human activities, with Zostera marina L. (Zosteraceae) being one of the most impacted species. Seed-based methods are currently preferred approach for their restoration, yet low germination rates and poor seedling establishment remain significant challenges. This study explored combined effects light spectra (white, red, darkness), photoperiod, gibberellic acid (GA3-0, 50, 500, 1000 mg L-1) on Z. seed using a fully crossed incubation experiment. Penalised logistic regression Cox proportional hazards analysis were chosen to account events analyse temporal dynamics germination. We found that conditions, particularly red darkness, when GA3, significantly enhanced probability. Furthermore, mid (50 high (500 GA3 concentrations reduced time-to-germination. Morphometric cotyledonary leaf tissue development indicates no adverse treatments development. Our findings suggest effectively improve success reduce dormancy in seeds. Seed can mitigate stress- or manipulation-induced represent viable strategy on-demand germination, such as context seed-based restoration efforts.

Language: Английский

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The road to seagrass restoration at scale using engineering

Ecological Engineering, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 215, P. 107607 - 107607

Published: March 23, 2025

Language: Английский

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The effect of Zostera noltei recolonization on N and P fluxes at the sediment/water interface

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 215, P. 117901 - 117901

Published: March 31, 2025

Within the scope of an ongoing seagrass active restoration program at Ria de Aveiro, Portugal, present work aimed evaluating recovery Zostera noltei meadow nutrient regulation ecosystem function, by mediating Nitrogen and Phosphorus biogeochemical processes, translated on fluxes (PO4-P, NOx-N NH4-N) sediment/water interface. This plant-mediated process was evaluated seasonally three sites (Bare bottom, Transplant Natural meadow) two tidal conditions which required distinctive methodologies: (a) low tide pools during ebb, (b) flux chambers high tide. Sediments were collected in situ physicochemical parameters determined. At transplanted areas, processes found to reduce (both NH4-N PO4-P) interface, its significance varied along cycle. Furthermore, for both vegetated (Transplant Natural) similar, showcasing that N P function re-established no later than a year after transplantation.

Language: Английский

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Management approach matters: meeting seagrass recovery and carbon mitigation goals

npj Ocean Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 4(1)

Published: May 3, 2025

Language: Английский

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Subtidal seagrass and blue carbon mapping at the regional scale: a cloud-native multi-temporal Earth Observation approach

GIScience & Remote Sensing, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 62(1)

Published: Dec. 16, 2024

The seagrass ecosystems are among the most important organic carbon sinks on Earth, having a key role as climate change buffers. Among all seagrasses, Posidonia oceanica, an endemic species in Mediterranean Sea, has been observed to feature highest stock and sequestration rate seagrasses. We developed satellite-based workflow complement situ monitoring efforts Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean), reducing field expenses while covering regional spatial scales. Our synoptic tool uses Sentinel-2 A/B satellite imagery at 10 m resolution generate multi-temporal composite (2016–2022) of Islands' coastal waters within Google Earth Engine cloud computing platform, optimizing image processing highlighting importance high-resolution bathymetric dataset increase mapping accuracies. Machine learning algorithms have applied perform detection, obtaining cartography up 30 depth, estimating 505.6 km2 habitat extent. Using existing soil (Cstock) data, we estimated mean Cstock value 12.27 ± 2.1 million megagram (Mg) Corg, total annual C fixation (Cfix) (Cseq) rates P. oceanica 1,116.3 Mg Corg 227 according depth. methodology highlights using large archive optical optimized bathymetry better map account blue across showing integrate this Observation approach ensure ecosystem This information aims support development strategies with time- cost-efficient Sea.

Language: Английский

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Societal value of seagrass from historical to contemporary perspectives

AMBIO, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 24, 2025

Seagrasses have been entwined with human culture for millennia, constituting a natural resource that has supported humanity throughout this history. Understanding the societal value of seagrass fosters appreciation these ecosystems, encouraging conservation and restoration actions to counteract historic predicted losses. This study overviews plethora use in history, ranging from spiritual ceremonial roles, direct indirect food resources, medicines raw materials, dating back more than 180 000 years. While many past uses abandoned modern societies, others persisted or are being rediscovered, new applications emerging. As seagrasses depend on harvesting, we also underscore need sustainable practices (re)generate positive interactions between society. Our review contributes revalue ecosystem services, highlighting ancient recent relationships incentivize actions.

Language: Английский

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