Long‐term declines and recovery of meadow area across the world’s seagrass bioregions

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 27(17), P. 4096 - 4109

Published: May 16, 2021

Abstract As human impacts increase in coastal regions, there is concern that critical habitats provide the foundation of entire ecosystems are decline. Seagrass meadows face growing threats such as poor water quality and development. To determine status seagrass over time, we reconstructed time series meadow area from 175 studies surveyed 547 sites around world. We found an overall trajectory decline all seven bioregions with a global net loss 5602 km 2 (19.1% area) occurring since 1880. Declines have typically been non‐linear, rapid historical losses observed several bioregions. The greatest occurred four (Tropical Atlantic, Temperate North Atlantic East, Southern Oceans Tropical Indo‐Pacific), declining trends being slowest most consistent latter two In some bioregions, recently stabilised or reversed. Losses, however, still outweigh gains. Despite declines, show high variability trajectories, within across highlighting importance local context. Studies identified 12 different drivers change, development commonly cited. Overall, attributions were primarily descriptive only 10% used inferential attributions. Although ours comprehensive dataset to date, it represents one‐tenth known extent, conspicuous geographic biases sampling. It therefore remains unclear whether bioregional patterns change documented here reflect changes world's unmonitored meadows. attribution numerous drivers, suggest urgently need improve understanding causes if local‐scale management.

Language: Английский

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Drivers of global mangrove loss and gain in social-ecological systems

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Oct. 26, 2022

Abstract Mangrove forests store high amounts of carbon, protect communities from storms, and support fisheries. Mangroves exist in complex social-ecological systems, hence identifying socioeconomic conditions associated with decreasing losses increasing gains remains challenging albeit important. The impact national governance conservation policies on mangrove at the landscape-scale has not been assessed to date, nor have interactions local economic pressures biophysical drivers. Here, we assess relationship between variables change across coastal geomorphic units worldwide 1996 2016. Globally, find that drivers loss can also be gain, changed over 20 years. association growth appears reversed, shifting negatively impacting mangroves first decade enabling expansion second decade. Importantly, community forestry is promoting expansion, whereas conversion agriculture aquaculture, often occurring protected areas, results loss. Sustainable development, forestry, co-management areas are promising strategies reverse losses, capacity human-livelihoods combat climate change.

Language: Английский

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Global kelp forest restoration: past lessons, present status, and future directions

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 97(4), P. 1449 - 1475

Published: March 7, 2022

Kelp forest ecosystems and their associated ecosystem services are declining around the world. In response, marine managers working to restore counteract these declines. restoration first started in 1700s Japan since then has spread across globe. Restoration efforts, however, have been largely disconnected, with varying methodologies trialled by different actors countries. Moreover, a small subset of efforts 'afforestation', which focuses on creating new kelp habitat, as opposed restoring where it previously existed. To distil lessons learned over last 300 years restoration, we review history (including afforestation) world synthesise results 259 documented attempts spanning from 1957 2020, 16 countries, five languages, multiple user groups. Our show that projects increased frequency, employed 10 targeted 17 genera. Of projects, majority led academics (62%), conducted at sizes less than 1 ha (80%) took place time spans 2 years. We most successful when they located near existing forests. Further, disturbance events such sea-urchin grazing identified regular causes project failure. Costs for historically high, averaging hundreds thousands dollars per hectare, therefore explore avenues reduce costs suggest financial legal pathways scaling up future efforts. One key suggestion is creation living database serves platform recording showcasing and/or re-analysing data, providing updated information. work establishes groundwork provide adaptive relevant recommendations best practices today into future.

Language: Английский

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Measuring habitat complexity and spatial heterogeneity in ecology

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(10), P. 2269 - 2288

Published: Aug. 17, 2022

Abstract Habitat complexity has been considered a key driver of biodiversity and other ecological phenomena for nearly century. However, there is still no consensus over the definition or how to measure it. Up‐to‐date clear guidance on measuring urgently needed, particularly given rise remote sensing advent technologies that allow environments be scanned at unprecedented spatial extents resolutions. Here we review measured in ecology. We provide framework metrics habitat complexity, related concept heterogeneity. focus two most commonly used ecology: fractal dimension rugosity. discuss pros cons these using practical examples from our own empirical data simulations. Fractal widely used, critical examination it drawing research scientific fields. also informational their potential benefits. chart path forward by presenting, as guide, sets essential desirable criteria metric should possess. Lastly, applied significance review.

Language: Английский

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Operationalizing marketable blue carbon

One Earth, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 5(5), P. 485 - 492

Published: May 1, 2022

The global carbon sequestration and avoided emissions potentially achieved via blue is high (∼3% of annual greenhouse gas emissions); however, it limited by multidisciplinary interacting uncertainties spanning the social, governance, financial, technological dimensions. We compiled a transdisciplinary team experts to elucidate these challenges identify way forward. Key actions enhance as natural climate solution include improving policy legal arrangements ensure equitable sharing benefits; stewardship incorporating indigenous knowledge values; clarifying property rights; financial approaches accounting tools incorporate co-benefits; developing solutions for measuring at low cost; resolving gaps regarding cycles. Implementing operationalizing will achieve measurable changes atmospheric concentrations, provide multiple co-benefits, address national obligations associated with international agreements.

Language: Английский

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Tackling the mangrove restoration challenge

PLoS Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 20(10), P. e3001836 - e3001836

Published: Oct. 17, 2022

Mangroves have been converted and degraded for decades. Rates of loss declined over the past decades, but achieving resilient coastlines requires both conservation restoration. Here, we outline challenges global restoration mangroves what actions could enhance Ambitious targets mangrove restoration, if successful, deliver benefits carbon sequestration, fisheries production, biodiversity, coastal protection. However, large-scale planting efforts often failed, smaller projects may not landscape-scale benefits, even though they are more suited to community management. Solutions include reducing risks large increasing uptake effectiveness projects. Sustainable investment in capacity building communities institutions, mechanisms match opportunities with prospective supporters investors. Global reporting standards will support adaptive management help fully understand monitor

Language: Английский

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A systematic review of artificial reefs as platforms for coral reef research and conservation

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(1), P. e0261964 - e0261964

Published: Jan. 21, 2022

Artificial reefs (ARs) have been used on coral for ecological research, conservation, and socio-cultural purposes since the 1980s. We examined spatio-temporal patterns in AR deployment tropical subtropical (up to 35° latitude) evaluated their efficacy meeting conservation objectives, using a systematic review of scientific literature. Most deployments (136 studies) were North Atlantic Central Indo-Pacific 1980s – 2000s, with pronounced shift Western 2010s. Use ARs reef restoration or stressor mitigation increased markedly response accelerating decline over last 2 decades. Studies that success objectives (n = 51) commonly reported increasing fish abundance (55%), enhancing habitat quantity (31%) cover (27%), conserving target species (24%). Other included (22%), provision nursery (14%) source populations (2%) addressing economic values (16%). Fish (55% (53%) most monitored taxa. Success achieving was 33 studies. rates highest (each 71%). Increasing quantity, mitigating environmental impacts, attaining moderately successful (60–64%); least (42%). Failure attributed poor design disruption by large-scale bleaching events. The scale generally too small (m –10s m ) address regional losses cover, study duration short (< 5 years) adequately assess ecologically relevant trends community composition. are mostly likely aid providing recruitment substrate corals other organisms. Promoting local also has potential global impact awareness decline, if prioritized properly monitored.

Language: Английский

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Artificial intelligence and automated monitoring for assisting conservation of marine ecosystems: A perspective

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: July 28, 2022

Conservation of marine ecosystems has been highlighted as a priority to ensure sustainable future. Effective management requires data collection over large spatio-temporal scales, readily accessible and integrated information from monitoring, tools support decision-making. However, there are many roadblocks achieving adequate timely on both the effectiveness, long-term success conservation efforts, including limited funding, inadequate sampling, processing bottlenecks. These factors can result in ineffective, or even detrimental, decisions already impacted ecosystems. An automated approach facilitated by artificial intelligence (AI) provides managers with toolkit that help alleviate number these issues reducing monitoring bottlenecks costs monitoring. Automating collection, transfer, access greater information, thereby facilitating effective management. Incorporating automation big availability into decision system user-friendly interface also enables adaptive We summarise current state techniques used science use examples other disciplines identify existing potentially transferable methods enable improve predictive modelling capabilities making. discuss emerging technologies likely be useful research computer associated continues develop become more accessible. Our perspective highlights potential AI analytics for supporting decision-making, but points important knowledge gaps multiple areas processes. challenges should prioritised move toward implementing informed understanding successful outcomes managers. conclude emphasis assisted several scientific may mean future is improved implementation automation.

Language: Английский

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It's time to broaden what we consider a ‘blue carbon ecosystem’

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(5)

Published: May 1, 2024

Abstract Photoautotrophic marine ecosystems can lock up organic carbon in their biomass and the associated sediments they trap over millennia are thus regarded as blue ecosystems. Because of ability to for millennia, is receiving much attention within United Nations' 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development a nature‐based solution (NBS) climate change, but classically still focuses on seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, tidal marshes. However, other coastal could also be important storage, remain largely neglected both cycling budgets NBS strategic planning. Using meta‐analysis 253 research publications, we identify ecosystems—including mud flats, fjords, coralline algal (rhodolith) beds, some components or coral reef systems—with strong capacity act sinks certain situations. Features that promote burial these ‘non‐classical’ included: (1) balancing release by calcification via uptake at individual ecosystem levels; (2) high rates allochthonous supply because particle trapping capacity; (3) preservation low remineralization rates; (4) location depositional environments. Some features context‐dependent, meaning were locations, not others. Therefore, provide universal framework evaluate likelihood given behave sink context. Overall, this paper seeks encourage consideration non‐classical strategies, allowing more complete accounting.

Language: Английский

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Coral restoration can drive rapid reef carbonate budget recovery

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(6), P. 1341 - 1348.e3

Published: March 1, 2024

Restoration is increasingly seen as a necessary tool to reverse ecological decline across terrestrial and marine ecosystems.1Gann G.D. McDonald T. Walder B. Aronson J. Nelson C.R. Jonson Hallett J.G. Eisenberg C. Guariguata M.R. Liu et al.International principles standards for the practice of restoration.Restor. Ecol. 2019; 27 (Second edition): S1-S46https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13035Crossref Scopus (750) Google Scholar,2Duarte C.M. Agusti S. Barbier E. Britten G.L. Castilla J.C. Gattuso J.-P. Fulweiler R.W. Hughes T.P. Knowlton N. Lovelock C.E. al.Rebuilding life.Nature. 2020; 580: 39-51Crossref PubMed (490) Scholar Considering unprecedented loss coral cover associated reef ecosystem services, active restoration gaining traction in local management strategies has recently major increases scale. However, extent which may restore key functions poorly understood.3Boström-Einarsson L. Babcock R.C. Bayraktarov Ceccarelli D. Cook Ferse S.C.A. Hancock Harrison P. Hein M. Shaver al.Coral restoration–A systematic review current methods, successes, failures future directions.PLoS One. 15e0226631Crossref (278) Scholar,4Hein M.Y. Vardi E.C. Pioch Boström-Einarsson Ahmed Grimsditch G. McLeod I.M. Perspectives on use strategy support improve services.Front. Mar. Sci. 2021; 8: 299Crossref (34) Carbonate budgets, defined balance between calcium carbonate production erosion, influence reef's ability provide important geo-ecological including structural complexity, framework production, vertical accretion.5Perry C.T. Alvarez-Filip Changing reefs Anthropocene.Funct. 33: 976-988Crossref (115) Here we present first assessment budget trajectories at sites. The study was conducted one world's largest programs, transplants healthy fragments onto hexagonal metal frames consolidate degraded rubble fields.6Smith D.J. Mars F. Williams Van Oostrum Mcardle A. Rapi Jompa Janetski Indonesia: mars assisted system.in: Vaughan Active Coral Restoration: Techniques Planet. Ross Publishing), 2021: 463-482Google Within 4 years, fast growth supports rapid recovery (from 17% ± 2% 56% 4%), substrate rugosity 1.3 0.1 1.7 0.1) 7.2 1.6 20.7 2.2 kg m−2 yr−1). Four years after transplantation, net budgets have tripled are indistinguishable from control sites (19.1 3.1 18.7 yr−1, respectively). taxa-level contributions differ restored due preferential branching corals transplantation. While longer observation times observe any self-organization (natural recruitment, resilience thermal stress), demonstrate potential large-scale, well-managed projects recover within only years.

Language: Английский

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