A rapid assessment method to monitor the health status of habitat‐forming species in coastal benthic ecosystems

Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(3)

Published: Feb. 29, 2024

Abstract Marine habitat‐forming (MHF) species in the Mediterranean are among most threatened coastal by human activities. In recent decades, different stressors (e.g., warming‐induced marine heatwaves and algal blooms) have caused mass mortality events these key species. Overall, a common method to assess their health status at Sea scale is lacking. To fill this gap, aim of work present validate cost‐effective method, Mortality Rapid Assessment Method, that able MHF species, even through Citizen Science. The Method based on determining impact derived from metric percentage affected colonies or individuals. ability proposed status, it was compared more commonly used but time‐consuming expert‐required injured surface For validation, one extensive (>47,500 colonies) demographic datasets octocoral Paramuricea clavata conduct comprehensive comparison. results showed highly significant correlation between metrics both methods (ρ = 0.86), confirming provides reliable assessment gorgonian populations over broad spatial temporal scales. Bearing mind can be applied such as sponges, bryozoans calcareous algae, non‐scientific personnel (managers trained volunteers), its implementation contribute inform enhance effectiveness conservation management plans for Sea.

Language: Английский

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Recurrent extreme climatic events are driving gorgonian populations to local extinction: low adaptive potential to marine heatwaves

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 14, 2024

Abstract Extreme climatic events (ECEs), such as marine heatwaves (MHWs), are a major threat to biodiversity. Understanding the variability in ecological responses recurrent ECEs within species and underlying drivers arise key issue owing their implications for conservation restoration. Yet, our knowledge on is limited since it has been mostly gathered following “single-event approaches” focused one particular event. These approaches provide snapshots of but fall short capturing heterogeneity patterns that may occur among ECEs, questioning current predictions regarding biodiversity trends. Here, we adopt “multi-event” perspective characterize effects Paramuricea clavata , Mediterranean temperate coral threatened by MHWs. Through common-garden experiment repeated three consecutive years with same individuals from populations, assessed respective roles environmental (year effect), genetic (population effect) phenotypic ( population-by-environment interactions components response heat stress. The component (year) was main driver P. colonies across experiments. To build this result, showed that: i) were not related population (genetic isolation) individual (multilocus heterozygosity) make-up, ii) while all characterized high sensitivity genotype-by-environment interactions) likely driven in-situ summer thermal regime. We confront experimental results situ monitoring conducted 2022 two MHWs (2018, 2022). This confirms targeted populations harbor adaptive plastic capacities on-going might face unavoidable collapses shallow waters. Overall, suggest forecasts based “single event” experiments be overly optimistic underscore need consider recurrence assessing threats

Language: Английский

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Comparative population genetics of habitat-forming octocorals in two marine protected areas: eco-evolutionary and management implications

Conservation Genetics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 25(2), P. 319 - 334

Published: Sept. 30, 2023

Abstract Current efforts to halt the decline of biodiversity are based primarily on protecting species richness. This narrow focus overlooks key components biological diversity, particularly infra-species genetic which is critical consider with respect adaptation in changing environments. While comparative population genetics recognized as a relevant approach improve management, it still barely considered practice. Here, study was conducted two habitat-forming octocoral species, Corallium rubrum and Paramuricea clavata , contribute management Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) northwestern Mediterranean. Contrasting patterns diversity structure were observed although they share many common features live similar habitats. Differential drift effects induced by species-specific reproductive strategies demographic histories most likely explain these differences. The translation our results into supports definition four units. We identified coldspot genetically isolated populations, hotspot that has central role system’s connectivity. Interestingly, corresponded recent oldest protected areas, respectively. case shows how moving from “species pattern” perspective an “eco-evolutionary processes” can help assess effectiveness plans.

Language: Английский

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Comparative population genetics of habitat-forming octocorals in two marine protected areas: eco-evolutionary and management implications

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 6, 2023

Abstract Current efforts to halt the decline of biodiversity are based primarily on protecting species richness. This narrow focus overlooks key components biological diversity, particularly infra-species genetic which is critical consider with respect adaptation in changing environments. While comparative population genetics recognized as a relevant approach improve management, it still barely considered practice. Here, study was conducted two habitat-forming octocoral species, Corallium rubrum and Paramuricea clavata , contribute management Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) northwestern Mediterranean. Contrasting patterns diversity structure were observed although they share many common features live similar habitats. Differential drift effects induced by species-specific reproductive strategies demographic histories most likely explain these differences. The translation our results into supports definition four units. We identified coldspot genetically isolated populations, hotspot that has central role system’s connectivity. Interestingly, corresponded recent oldest protected areas, respectively. case shows how moving from a“species pattern” perspective an “eco-evolutionary processes” can help assess effectiveness plans.

Language: Английский

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Apicomplexans predict thermal stress mortality in the Mediterranean coralParamuricea clavata

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 23, 2022

Abstract The octocoral Paramuricea clavata is an ecosystem architect of the Mediterranean temperate reefs that currently threatened by episodic mass mortality events related to global warming. Local average thermal regimes nor recent history have been shown play a significant role in population thermotolerance this species. microbiome, however, may active stress susceptibility corals, potentially holding answer as why corals show differential sensitivity heat-stress. To investigate this, prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbiome P. collected from around was characterized before experimental heat-stress determine if its microbial composition influences response holobiont. We found community not informative predicting . On other hand, members clavata’s microeukaryotic were significantly correlated with sensitivity. Syndiniales Dino-Group I Clade 1 enriched thermally resistant while apicomplexan corallicolids susceptible corals. Corallicolids are associated 70% coral genera world, yet ecological general anthozoan symbiont has be determined. hypothesize following caused shift apparent commensalism parasitism corallicolid-coral host relationship driven added stress. Our results potential importance rest understanding provides useful tool guide conservation efforts future research into coral-associated microeukaryotes.

Language: Английский

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