Aquatic connectivity: challenges and solutions in a changing climate

Journal of Fish Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 105(2), P. 392 - 411

Published: April 7, 2024

The challenge of managing aquatic connectivity in a changing climate is exacerbated the presence additional anthropogenic stressors, social factors, and economic drivers. Here we discuss these issues context structural functional for biodiversity, specifically fish, both freshwater marine realms. We posit that adaptive management strategies consider shifting baselines socio-ecological implications change will be required to achieve objectives. role renewable energy expansion, particularly hydropower, critically examined its impact on connectivity. advocate strategic spatial planning incorporates nature-positive solutions, ensuring mitigation efforts are harmonized with biodiversity conservation. underscore urgency integrating robust scientific modelling stakeholder values define clear, Finally, call innovative monitoring predictive decision-making tools navigate uncertainties inherent climate, goal resilience sustainability ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Cryptic diversity and spatial genetic variation in the coral Acropora tenuis and its endosymbionts across the Great Barrier Reef

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 16(2), P. 293 - 310

Published: June 20, 2022

Genomic studies are uncovering extensive cryptic diversity within reef-building corals, suggesting that evolutionarily and ecologically relevant is highly underestimated in the very organisms structure coral reefs. Furthermore, endosymbiotic algae host species can confer adaptive responses to environmental stress may represent additional axes of genetic variation not constrained by taxonomic divergence cnidarian host. Here, we examine a common widespread, coral, Acropora tenuis, its associated along entire expanse Great Barrier Reef (GBR). We use SNPs derived from genome-wide sequencing characterize organelles zooxanthellate endosymbionts (genus Cladocopium). discover three distinct sympatric clusters hosts, whose distributions appear with latitude inshore-offshore reef position. Demographic modelling suggests history taxa ranges 0.5 1.5 million years ago, preceding GBR's formation, has been characterized low-to-moderate ongoing inter-taxon gene flow, consistent occasional hybridization introgression typifying evolution. Despite this differentiation host, A. tenuis share symbiont pool, dominated genus Cladocopium (Clade C). plastid strongly identity but varies location relative shore: inshore colonies contain lower on average have greater differences between as compared communities offshore colonies. Spatial patterns could reflect local selective pressures maintaining holobiont across an gradient. The strong influence environment (but identity) community composition supports notion responds habitat assist adaptation corals future change.

Language: Английский

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Management approaches to conserve Australia’s marine ecosystem under climate change

Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 381(6658), P. 631 - 636

Published: Aug. 10, 2023

Australia's coastal marine ecosystems have a deep cultural significance to Indigenous Australians, include multiple World Heritage sites, and support the nation's rapidly growing blue economy. Yet, increasing local pressures global climate change are expected undermine biological, social, cultural, economic value of these within human generation. Mitigating causes is most urgent action secure their future; however, conventional new management actions will play roles in preserving ecosystem function until that achieved. This includes strategies codeveloped with Australians guided by traditional ecological knowledge modeling decision framework. We provide examples developments at one iconic ecosystems, Great Barrier Reef, where recent, large block funding supports research, governance, engagement accelerate development tools for under change.

Language: Английский

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Some reef-building corals only disperse metres per generation

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2027)

Published: July 1, 2024

Understanding the dispersal potential of different species is essential for predicting recovery trajectories following local disturbances and adaptive loci to spread populations facing extreme environmental changes. However, distances have been notoriously difficult estimate scleractinian corals, where sexually (as gametes or larvae) asexually fragments derived propagules disperse through vast oceans. Here, we demonstrate that generational produced can be indirectly inferred corals using individual-based isolation-by-distance (IbD) analyses by combining reduced-representation genomic sequencing with photogrammetric spatial mapping. Colonies from genus Agaricia were densely sampled across plots at four locations three depths in Curaçao. Seven cryptic taxa found among nominal ( agaricites , humilis lamarcki ), showing within metres (two A. two ). no signals IbD thus these probably relatively longer distances. The short estimated here imply are reliant on highly localized replenishment need quantitatively more coral species.

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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Connectivity modelling identifies sources and sinks of coral recruitment within reef clusters

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: June 12, 2024

Abstract Connectivity aids the recovery of populations following disturbances, such as coral bleaching and tropical cyclones. Coral larval connectivity is a function physical behaviour. In this study, we used OceanParcels, particle tracking simulator, with 2D 3D velocity outputs from high resolution hydrodynamic-biogeochemical marine model (RECOM) to simulate dispersal settlement larvae broadcast spawning Acropora corals in Moore Reef cluster, northern Great Barrier Reef, annual events 2015, 2016 2017. simulations showed 19.40–68.80% more links sinks than those simulations. Although patterns among sites vary over days years, consistently dispersed east west cluster domain, some acting sources or for local recruitment. Results can inform reef intervention plans climate change, design protected areas deployment proposed interventions within clusters. For example, wider benefits (e.g., heat adapted corals) may be optimised when deployed at locations that are source others comparable habitats across cluster.

Language: Английский

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Connectivity modelling identifies sources and sinks of coral recruitment within reef clusters

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 1, 2024

Connectivity aids the recovery of populations following disturbances, such as coral bleaching and tropical cyclones. Coral larval connectivity is a function physical behaviour. In this study, we used OceanParcels, particle tracking simulator, with 2D 3D velocity outputs from high resolution hydrodynamic-biogeochemical marine model (RECOM) to simulate dispersal settlement larvae broadcast spawning Acropora corals in Moore Reef cluster, northern Great Barrier Reef, annual events 2015, 2016 2017. simulations showed 19.40-68.80% more links sinks than those simulations. Although patterns among sites vary over days years, consistently dispersed east west cluster domain, some acting sources or for local recruitment. Results can inform reef intervention plans through climate change, design protected areas deployment proposed interventions within clusters. For example, wider benefits (e.g., heat adapted corals) may be optimised when deployed at locations that are source others comparable habitats across cluster.

Language: Английский

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Moving beyond heritability in the search for coral adaptive potential

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(14), P. 3869 - 3882

Published: April 15, 2023

Global environmental change is happening at unprecedented rates. Coral reefs are among the ecosystems most threatened by global change. For wild populations to persist, they must adapt. Knowledge shortfalls about corals' complex ecological and evolutionary dynamics, however, stymie predictions potential adaptation future conditions. Here, we review through lens of quantitative genetics. We argue that coral studies can benefit greatly from "wild" genetic methods, where traits studied in undergoing natural selection, genomic relationship matrices replace breeding experiments, analyses be extended examine constraints traits. In addition, individuals with advantageous genotypes for anticipated conditions identified. Finally, genotyping supports simultaneous consideration how diversity arrayed across geographic distances, providing greater context phenotypic evolution a metapopulation scale.

Language: Английский

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Connectivity and population structure in a marginal sea – a review

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

Published: Nov. 12, 2024

Abstract The current biodiversity crisis calls for conservation measures that limit the negative human impact on important habitats and sensitive wild populations. To effectively protect at all levels, including intraspecific diversity, should be aligned with connectivity genetic structure of In this review, we synthesise scientific literature population marine species in Skagerrak – a marginal sea northeast Atlantic Ocean. We discuss results relation to management practices region, as well general transferability our findings. is one most intensively studied regions within research field, findings show overall adjacent seas high, but asymmetric, species. Simultaneously, have populations distinct from both each other, those seas. Most associated convoluted coastline common among coastal between offshore many mobile species, multiple are temporally sympatric certain areas, retain their divergence through natal homing or other barriers gene flow. presence despite high challenge area-based protection measures, flexible also monitors diversity timescales.

Language: Английский

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Benefits of genetic data for spatial conservation planning in coastal habitats

Cambridge Prisms Coastal Futures, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 38

Published: May 11, 2023

Coastal marine environments are subject to a variety of anthropogenic pressures that can negatively impact habitats and the biodiversity they harbor. Conservation actions such as protected areas, reserves, other effective area-based conservation measures, pivotal tools for protecting coastal biodiversity. However, be effective, area networks must planned through systematic planning (SCP) approach. Recently, approaches have begun orient their goals toward different facets integrate types data. In this review, we illustrate how genetic data molecular techniques bring useful knowledge SCP both more comprehensive (sampling full range biodiversity) adequate (ensuring long-term persistence biodiversity). With an emphasis on organisms habitats, focus phylogenetic analysis, estimation neutral adaptive intraspecific diversity at spatial levels (alpha, beta, gamma), study connectivity dispersal, information obtainable from environmental DNA techniques. For each these applications, discuss benefits its integration into systems, strengths weaknesses, aspects yet developed.

Language: Английский

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