Addressing the cumulative impacts of multiple human pressures in marine systems, for the sustainable use of the seas

Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 1

Published: Jan. 4, 2024

Human activities at sea have increased, causing subsequent degradation of ocean health and affecting ecosystem services societal goods benefits. Climate change further exacerbates the cumulative effects these their associated pressures. Hence, effective management multiple is imperative to ensure sustainable use ocean. In response challenges, we developed a comprehensive conceptual framework model within an ecosystem-based approach. This encompasses versatile toolbox designed assess pressures environmental status under European Marine Strategy Framework Directive, in compliance with Birds Habitats Directives requirements need secure maintenance provision Although examples current discussion, consider that there are similar challenges many seas worldwide so recommendations here widely applicable. Our aim facilitate validation, harmonization, demonstration this across regional several countries, different scales, from local regional, including overseas territories. approach aims foster comparability assessments. We anticipate proposed methodologies will serve as foundational benchmark against which progress can be assessed line expectations policy requirements. Additionally, work prepares groundwork for forthcoming evaluation suitability, robustness, applicability solutions tools, thereby assisting managers achieving Good Environmental Status (GES), both wider global contexts, address common worldwide.

Language: Английский

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Vulnerability of benthic trait diversity across the Mediterranean Sea following mass mortality events

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

Abstract Unraveling the functional future of marine ecosystems amid global change poses a pressing challenge. This is particularly critical in Mediterranean Sea, which highly impacted by and local drivers. Utilizing extensive mass mortality events (MMEs) datasets spanning from 1986 to 2020 across we investigated trait vulnerability benthic species that suffered MMEs induced nine distinct By analyzing changes ten ecological traits 389 species—constituting an compendium date—we identified 228 entities (FEs), defined as groups sharing same values. Our findings indicate these 55 FEs were MMEs, accentuating heightened within specific categories. Notably, more than half records showed severe impacts on calcifying larger with slower growth mostly account for tree-like massive forms. Altogether, highlight 29 extreme mortality, leading maximum increase 19.1% volume over 35 years. We also reveal 10.8% may have been temporarily lost last five years, emphasizing risk rapid transformation Sea.

Language: Английский

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Marine invasive alien species in Europe: 9 years after the IAS Regulation

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: Oct. 11, 2023

Biological invasions, resulting from human activities, exert substantial impacts on ecosystems worldwide. This review focuses marine invasive alien species (IAS) in Europe, examining the current state, proposing strategies to address problem, and offering recommendations for enhanced management. Effective management of biological invasions relies accessible, accurate data inform decision-making. Information systems such as European Alien Species Network (EASIN), Aquatic Non-Indigenous Cryptogenic (AquaNIS), World Register Introduced Marine (WriMS) provide comprehensive databases IAS, but their sustainability requires long-term maintenance, continuous updates, support. Most countries lack specific monitoring programs standardization improvement methods are needed. Port plays a vital role early detection new arrivals, recent advancements molecular techniques show promise effective IAS monitoring. Risk screening tools commonly employed rank taxa based invasiveness potential regions, variations protocols can yield inconsistent results. impact assessments highlight resource competition, novel habitat creation, predation primary mechanisms negative biodiversity, while creation habitats represents key mechanism positive impacts. Preventing introductions is critical, measures ballast water treatment implemented reduce likelihood introductions. However, understanding introduction pathways remains uncertain many IAS. Eradication control efforts have limited success, emphasizing need biosecurity measures. Climate change, especially ocean warming, intensify native ecosystems. In climate change hotspots, some tropical aliens may, however, compensate loss thermally sensitive natives with similar traits. Therefore, it imperative consider interactions between developing conservation strategies. Enhancing Europe entails i) securing adequate funding, ii) expanding list Union Concern adequately cover iii) learning successful practices, iv) sustaining information systems, v) improving warning innovative technologies, vi) enhancing prediction models, vii) conducting integrated mapping cumulative impacts, considering benefits ecosystem functioning services.

Language: Английский

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Marine ecosystem health and biological pollution: Reconsidering the paradigm

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 200, P. 116054 - 116054

Published: Feb. 2, 2024

Language: Английский

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Systematic and persistent bias against introduced species

BioScience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 74(1), P. 44 - 53

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Critics of invasion biology have argued that conservation science is biased against introduced species. We reviewed 300 randomly selected articles described the ecological effects species and assessed whether they were framed negatively, neutrally, or positively. then asked their framing was related to harms as defined by community; knowledge about species, using species’ taxonomy, habitat, region proxies; journal’s focus prestige author's country affiliation. also analyzed differed across space time. If unbiased, one would expect negative be more common for associated with harm. found negatively in two thirds articles. Introduced regardless attributed taxonomies, journals, globe, Our results support are persistently regarded harmful, a bias raises questions validity claims made them.

Language: Английский

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Marine protected areas can benefit biodiversity even when bycatch species only partially overlap fisheries

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 61(4), P. 621 - 632

Published: Feb. 4, 2024

Abstract Marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly relied upon to preserve biodiversity and ensure fisheries sustainability. Although recent analyses have shown that MPAs can provide overall benefits even when they only redistribute fishing effort, these did not account for refuges outside of grounds non‐target species. It has been argued such could render obsolete where their chief benefit is species persistence. Here, we modelled the outcomes associated with placing within a seascape species' ranges extend beyond grounds. In scenarios no explicit fishing‐induced habitat damage, found provided net so long as there was at least an approximately 60% overlap between ranges. damage species, instead benefitted all overlaps, but this reduced if target abundances also declined damage. Additionally, identified counterintuitive mechanisms by which either help or harm same depending on location changing effort distribution patterns. However, always increase total required reach catch target. Policy implications : Our results showed still deliver in otherwise well‐regulated fully overlap, particularly sensitive habitats were present. Well‐placed should thus be considered settings. less likely useful range overlaps low resulted higher maintain catches.

Language: Английский

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Structure of Non-Indigenous Fouling Assemblages and Biocontamination Levels in Portuguese Recreational Marinas Under Different Salinity Conditions

Diversity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(4), P. 245 - 245

Published: March 29, 2025

The number of recreational marinas has increased in recent years due to the growing demand for leisure boating. Recreational are key points introduction non-indigenous species (NIS), which considered a source biocontamination. However, there is scarce knowledge on influence environmental features NIS fouling assemblages, especially regarding different salinity conditions. aim this study explore effect structure assemblages and biocontamination levels. Therefore, associated with floating pontoons were studied located fully marine brackish habitats Northern Portuguese coast. Twenty-four found, arthropods bryozoans represented most abundant taxa. Except abundance, univariate multivariate analyses showed that assemblage was shaped by Thus, richness ratio between total significantly higher than habitats. Similarly, consistently levels found habitats, compromising their ecological status. Quantitative data provided here will be useful development management strategies. Portugal, efforts should focused under conditions because they harbor greater and, consequently, worse

Language: Английский

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New kid in town: Pinna rudis spreads in the eastern Mediterranean

Mediterranean Marine Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 24(3), P. 709 - 721

Published: Dec. 19, 2023

In the Mediterranean Sea, genus Pinna encompasses two large fan-shaped bivalve species, nobilis and rudis. Historically, both species coexisted in western until a mass mortality event (MME) brought P. to brink of extinction. Notably, rudis remained unaffected by MME, its recent successful recruitment further spread have been hypothesized be linked local extinction nobilis. Although has sparsely recorded eastern Sea (with some these records being doubtful), reports emerging summer 2023 from researchers citizens unveiled sudden region. This study documents presence within Greek waters through dedicated survey molecularly confirmation distinct molecular methods. Information derived citizen science initiative, following photo-identification was also included. Furthermore, an updated review distribution integrating data literature online repositories is provided. research confirms Crete, Ionian Cyprus (first verified regions), marine areas where become extinct, strengthening hypothesis that benefited collapse populations.

Language: Английский

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Gauging the threat of invasive species to UNESCO World Heritage Sites relative to other anthropogenic threats.

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

Published: June 17, 2024

There are 230 UNESCO World Heritage Sites that were designated based on their important natural features. These represent some of the most iconic and places Earth, with immense value for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem service supply cultural well-being. Many these sites degraded by anthropogenic drivers, including socioeconomic factors (population growth, poverty tourism), extractive activities (logging, mining, hunting), external threats (fire, climate change, land-use pollution), biological (disease invasive species). Of these, species remain one problematic management, once introduced, populations can grow exponentially spread to other locations even when actively managed. Given economic environmental imposed species, we asked how they compare threats. We reviewed primary literature each Site scored prevalence 12 different drivers. found rank as frequently identified pose greatest degree concern compared all threats, par threat from pollution greater than logging, change change. our scoring, review literature, IUCN monitoring reports. Although there was general agreement between two assessments, provided information 55 not included in further examine examined articles perceived impacts biodiversity, habitat, rare function, tourism, impacts. It is well monitored managed WHSs reduce meet policy mandated targets conservation goals.

Language: Английский

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Gauging the threat of invasive species to UNESCO world heritage sites relative to other anthropogenic threats

Biological Invasions, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 26(11), P. 3959 - 3973

Published: Sept. 3, 2024

Language: Английский

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