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

---

Innovative and practical tools for monitoring and assessing biodiversity status and impacts of multiple human pressures in marine systems

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 196(8)

Published: July 4, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Towards sustainable marine spatial planning of aquaculture

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 154, P. 110542 - 110542

Published: June 30, 2023

An efficient and adaptive strategy within the EU Marine Spatial Planning Directive has to manage existing increasing conflicts between human uses habitat conservation in coastal-marine areas. Among different activities developed along coasts, aquaculture occupies a primary role. In this context, aims of research have been: (1) propose conceptual model suitable for marine spatial planning; (2) collect integrate indicators useful characterization study area terms socio-ecological-economic sensitivities pressures; (3) identify map most areas development new fish shellfish farms. The is Apulia Region (Southern Italy) with coastline about 1,000 km, Adriatic Ionian Seas, characterized by several economic high value natural context. evaluation area's suitability farms been carried out through ecological coastal areas, identification socio-economic, ecological, cultural, legal-military constraints estimate "Suitability Index" that, Weighted Linear Combination, integrates environmental variables allows classify as "Highly Suitable", "Suitable" or "Unsuitable". "highly areas" are mainly located northernmost Southern Sea Gargano coast Gulf Manfredonia, whilst concerning Northern they at mean distance 5 Km from shoreline. maps shown that line their but, surprisingly, seemed not be true This can explained fact these traditionally present some (e.g., Taranto Seas), currently strongly impacted activities. highlighted despite generally conceived an impacting activity, it could also other and/or anthropic stressors (i.e., industrial ports, sewage discharges). Considering all elements, addresses decision-makers, providing information tools necessary plan more aware way, stakeholders interested investing sector, who benefit proposed sustainable sector.

Language: Английский

---

Assessing Impacts of Offshore Wind Development: An Analysis of the Minimization of Economic Exposure of the Scallop Fishery Through the Regulatory Process

Fisheries Oceanography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 14, 2025

ABSTRACT Offshore wind energy has expanded as a source of clean in the United States since first US offshore farm began operations off coast Rhode Island 2016. The emergence increased need to manage ocean use across multiple stakeholder groups, difficult and contentious process. We 15 years scallop ( Placopecten magellanicus ) fishery data describe how may expose one most valuable commercial fisheries economic risks. Our analysis shows that current configuration approved lease areas northeastern is expected result relatively small exposure for fishery. also illustrate measured development process, which includes ample opportunity input, mitigated through minimization or avoidance by characterizing change impacted activity two case studies. find moderate strong levels mitigation our three fleet métiers within Central Atlantic (CA) region. In contrast, was more variable New York Bight (NYB) region suggesting methods NYB are not effective CA. open process allowed early engagement largely potential risk on industry approving siting less utilized productive scalloping areas.

Language: Английский

---

Quantitative approach for assessing risks and benefits to the supply of ecosystem services in response to human activities

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 979, P. 179504 - 179504

Published: April 27, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Environmental implications of future offshore renewable energy development in Aotearoa New Zealand

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 34

Published: Oct. 24, 2024

Global climate mitigation efforts seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions require more renewable energy generation and utilisation. In Aotearoa New Zealand there are initiatives underway develop offshore wind, or in the future, arrays of tidal turbines wave converters, as a new resource. Here we synthesise available knowledge from international developments windfarm installations discuss local context. Aspects described include habitat modification, consequences physical water column changes, effects on benthic organisms, fish fisheries, seabirds marine mammals. Importantly, is need adhere Te Tiriti o Waitangi which defines Māori sovereign rights expectations terms guardianship resources (kaitiakitanga). Based recent regulatory applications spatial planning, where have been subject precautionary principle for environmental impacts, comprehensive information will be critical obtaining approval proceed. The present synthesis identifies pressure-points, footprints, gaps, such Zealand-specific seabird mammal behaviour discusses potential opportunities leverage positive impacts developments.

Language: Английский

---

Monetized (socio-)environmental handprint and footprint of an offshore windfarm in the Belgian Continental Shelf: An assessment of local, regional and global impacts

Applied Energy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 353, P. 122123 - 122123

Published: Oct. 21, 2023

Renewable offshore wind electricity is as one of the major renewable energy sources on our path towards carbon neutrality. As for all technologies, farms (OWFs) will have both local and global negative positive impacts. Understanding quantifying these burdens benefits requires a holistic sustainability assessment. This study tests applies novel (socio-) environmental impact assessment framework to quantify monetized footprint handprint an farm located in Belgian Continental Shelf. consists combination two ways integrating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Ecosystem Services (ESA) site-specific site-generic impacts ecosystem services (ESs) over lifetime human intervention. For operation maintenance stage OWF, three ESs were quantified, i.e. provisioning, nursery habitat aesthetic value, while other life cycle stages multiple calculated. A comprehensive list data was inventoried conduct LCA ESA studies. The results then aggregated at level areas protection, health well-being, natural resources quality. show that OWF has net +€85,196, mainly due production, absolute (−€4039) largely associated supply chain materials manufacture windfarm. Furthermore, this compares performance with nuclear energy, which used benchmark because its high importance Belgium. first step valuable contribution understanding multi-scale can support decision- policy-making.

Language: Английский

---

Cumulative effects of offshore renewables: From pragmatic policies to holistic marine spatial planning tools

Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 101, P. 107153 - 107153

Published: May 23, 2023

To alleviate climate change consequences, the UK government is pioneering offshore renewable energy developments at an ever-increasing pace. The North Sea a dynamic ecosystem with strong bottom-up/top-down natural and anthropogenic drivers facing rapid impacts. ensure compatibility of such large-scale nature conservation obligations, regulatory processes set out that all effects need to be evaluated through cumulative impact assessments (CIA). However, by excluding impacts bottom-up developments, CIA lacks spatio-temporal baselines linking oceanic indicators population dynamics, leading uncertain predictions levels. currently required in Europe under Strategic Environmental Assessment Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), suggesting these two policy areas should more closely aligned. This study presents overview current framework, enabling ecosystem-based approach lower components top-predator populations using as case study. At level, requirements mirror EU ones Coastal Access Act, Policy Statement, National Statement. Firstly, we show how MSFD are integrated into licensing maritime planning frameworks. Secondly, provide pathways embedding baseline for CIAs European regulations. Thirdly, propose framework encompassing shared monitoring effort, modelling connected existing online databases supported funds from Contracts Difference. will enable holistic pragmatic accurate methods producing developments.

Language: Английский

---

DAPSI(W)R(M) put into practice for a nature-based solution: Framework applied to the coastbusters approach

Nature-Based Solutions, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6, P. 100147 - 100147

Published: June 27, 2024

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can be applied to alleviate negative human impacts on ecosystems and promote the general health or well-being of environment. Human-induced activities, including installation NbS, are governed by legislative requirements (e.g. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)), especially when such activities occur in Marine Protected Areas (MPA's). A correct thorough description framework governing application development NbS is therefore essential. The Drivers-Activities-Pressures-State change-Impacts (on Welfare)-Responses (using Measures) DAPSI(W)R(M) valuable environmental assessment procedures include a as well policy industry require guidance for practical concept. In this study, we Coastbusters approach, which mussel beds (Mytilus edulis) tubeworm aggregations (Lanice conchilega) installed Belgian part North Sea with aim improving coastal resilience maritime infrastructure works. Within context various elements were elucidated. Coastal defense driver, integration aquaculture practices. Pressures related these benthic habitats described using MarESA sensitivity approach. State change assessments performed based marine regulations Strategy Framework Directive, Habitat Water Directive) together outline precise set criteria indicators designed assess sustainability ecosystems. present study provides detailed evaluation seaward from state changes welfare. Three quantitative estimations ecosystem service (coastal protection, carbon retention water quality (N) regulation) used, quantified in-situ measurements data literature. Subsequently, 10-tenets approach taking measures use biodegradable material, local species, etc.) was used develop responses that facilitate optimal implementation NbS. outlined guide stakeholders they move through processes required successful Our results underscore importance favorable institutional environment suggest public acceptance stakeholder involvement play crucial role implementation. This contributes understanding operationalization management.

Language: Английский

---

Fit-for-Purpose Information for Offshore Wind Farming Applications—Part-II: Gap Analysis and Recommendations

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11(9), P. 1817 - 1817

Published: Sept. 18, 2023

Offshore wind energy installations in coastal areas have grown massively over the last decade. This development comes with a large number of technological, environmental, economic, and scientific challenges, which need to be addressed make use offshore sustainable. One important component these optimization activities is suitable information from observations numerical models. The purpose this study analyze gaps that exist present monitoring systems their respective integration paper second part two manuscripts uses results first about requirements for different application fields. solutions provide measurements required products are described several European countries growing operations. then identified discussed contexts, like technology evolution, trans-European modeling initiatives, legal aspects, cooperation between industry science. further quantified terms missing observed quantities, spatial coverage, accuracy, continuity. Strategies fill discussed, recommendations provided. shows there significant deficiencies ensure economical environmentally friendly growth farm sector. It was also found many related insufficient connectivities, e.g., concerning interactions farms or coupling physical biological processes.

Language: Английский

---