Effects of ocean sprawl on ecological connectivity: impacts and solutions

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 492, P. 7 - 30

Published: Feb. 14, 2017

The growing number of artificial structures in estuarine, coastal and marine environments is causing "ocean sprawl". Artificial do not only modify ecosystems at the sites their placement, but may also produce larger-scale impacts through alteration ecological connectivity - movement organisms, materials energy between habitat units within seascapes. Despite awareness capacity ocean sprawl to influence connectivity, we lack a comprehensive understanding how near- off-shore environments, when where effects on are greatest. We review mechanisms by which including trophic associated with flow nutrients resources. demonstrated, inferred likely such changes scales from genes ecosystems, potential strategies management for mitigating these effects. Ocean alter by: (1) creating barriers some organisms resources adding physical or modifying fragmenting habitats; (2) introducing new structural material that acts as conduit other across landscape; (3) altering connectivity. Changes may, turn, genetic structure size populations, distribution species, community functioning. Two main approaches assessment have been taken: measurement configuration landscape patches dynamics; functional response particles landscape. Our reveals paucity studies directly addressing environment, particularly large spatial temporal scales. With ongoing development estuarine there pressing need additional quantify Understanding essential if planning eco-engineering be effectively utilised minimise impacts.

Language: Английский

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The role of dispersal in river network metacommunities: Patterns, processes, and pathways

Freshwater Biology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 63(1), P. 141 - 163

Published: Oct. 9, 2017

Abstract River networks are hierarchical dendritic habitats embedded within the terrestrial landscape, with varying connectivity between sites depending on their positions along network. This physical organisation influences dispersal of organisms, which ultimately affects metacommunity dynamics and biodiversity patterns. We provide a conceptual synthesis role river in structuring metacommunities relation to processes riverine ecosystems. explore where network best explains observed structure compared other measurements connectivity. mostly focus invertebrates, but also consider taxonomic groups, including microbes, fishes, plants, amphibians. Synthesising studies that multiple spatial distance metrics, we found importance itself explaining patterns depended variety factors, mode (aquatic versus aerial terrestrial) landscape type (arid mesic), as well location‐specific such connectivity, land use, topographic heterogeneity, biotic interactions. The appears be less important for strong dispersers insects arid systems than groups biomes, there is considerable variability. Borrowing from literature, particularly genetics, developed model predicts explanatory power peaks mesic obligate aquatic dispersers. propose directions future avenues research, use manipulative field laboratory experiments test theory networks. While have own benefits drawbacks (e.g. reality, control, cost), both powerful approaches understanding mechanisms metacommunities, by teasing apart niche‐related factors. Finally, improving our knowledge will benefit expanding breadth cost‐distance modelling better infer observational data; an improved life‐history strategies rather relying independent traits; exploring individual‐level variation through detailed genetic studies; fine‐scale environmental daily hydrology) organismal spatiotemporal variability; synthesising comparative, experimental, theoretical work. Expanding these areas help push current state science largely pattern‐detection into new phase more mechanistically driven research.

Language: Английский

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Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: An Integrated Systems Framework

JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 54(2), P. 298 - 322

Published: March 1, 2018

Interest in connectivity has increased the aquatic sciences, partly because of its relevance to Clean Water Act. This paper two objectives: (1) provide a framework understand hydrological, chemical, and biological connectivity, focusing on how headwater streams wetlands connect contribute rivers; (2) review methods quantify hydrological chemical connectivity. Streams affect river structure function by altering material fluxes river; this depends factors: functions within that fluxes; (or isolation) from rivers allows prevents) transport between systems. Connectivity can be described terms frequency, magnitude, duration, timing, rate change. It results physical characteristics system, e.g., climate, soils, geology, topography, spatial distribution components. Biological is also affected traits behavior biota. altered human impacts, often complex ways. Because variability these factors, not constant but varies over time space. quantified with field-based methods, modeling, remote sensing. Further studies using are needed classify ecosystems impacts

Language: Английский

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The conservation impacts of ecological disturbance: Time‐bound estimates of population loss and recovery for fauna affected by the 2019–2020 Australian megafires

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 31(10), P. 2085 - 2104

Published: March 1, 2022

Abstract Aim After environmental disasters, species with large population losses may need urgent protection to prevent extinction and support recovery. Following the 2019–2020 Australian megafires, we estimated recovery in fire‐affected fauna, inform conservation status assessments management. Location Temperate subtropical Australia. Time period 2019–2030 beyond. Major taxa terrestrial freshwater vertebrates; one invertebrate group. Methods From > 1,050 taxa, selected 173 whose distributions substantially overlapped fire extent. We proportion of each taxon’s distribution affected by fires, using severity aquatic impact mapping, new mapping. Using expert elicitation informed evidence responses previous wildfires, local fires varying severity. combined spatial data estimate overall loss trajectories, thus indicate potential eligibility for listing as threatened, or uplisting, under legislation. Results that megafires caused, contributed to, declines make 70–82 eligible threatened; another 21–27 uplisting. If so‐listed, this represents a 22–26% increase statutory lists threatened vertebrates spiny crayfish, uplisting 8–10% taxa. Such changes would cause an abrupt worsening underlying trajectories vertebrates, measured Red List Indices. predict 54–88% assessed will not recover pre‐fire size within 10 years/three generations. Main conclusions suggest have worsened prospects many species. Of 91 recommended listing/uplisting consideration, 84 are now formal review through national processes. Improving predictions about taxon vulnerability empirical on responses, reducing likelihood future catastrophic events mitigating their impacts biodiversity, critical.

Language: Английский

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Biotic homogenisation and differentiation as directional change in beta diversity: synthesising driver–response relationships to develop conceptual models across ecosystems

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 98(4), P. 1388 - 1423

Published: April 18, 2023

ABSTRACT Biotic homogenisation is defined as decreasing dissimilarity among ecological assemblages sampled within a given spatial area over time. differentiation, in turn, increasing Overall, changes the dissimilarities (termed ‘beta diversity’) an increasingly recognised feature of broader biodiversity change Anthropocene. Empirical evidence biotic and differentiation remains scattered across different ecosystems. Most meta‐analyses quantify prevalence direction beta diversity, rather than attempting to identify underlying drivers such changes. By conceptualising mechanisms that contribute or composition space, environmental managers conservation practitioners can make informed decisions about what interventions may be required sustain predict potential outcomes future disturbances. We systematically reviewed synthesised published empirical for terrestrial, marine, freshwater realms derive conceptual models explain diversity. pursued five key themes our review: ( i ) temporal change; ii disturbance regime; iii connectivity alteration species redistribution; iv habitat v trophic interactions. Our first model highlights how occur function local (alpha) diversity regional (gamma) independently invasions losses due occurrence assemblages. Second, magnitude depends on interaction between variation (patchiness) (synchronicity) events. Third, context redistribution, divergent have dispersal characteristics, associated with also strongly alpha gamma prior invasion. Fourth, positively linked variability, when heterogeneity decreases increases, respectively. Fifth, interactions influence via modification, disease, consumption (trophic dynamics), competition, by altering ecosystem productivity. synthesis multitude cause more less spatially similar (taxonomically, functionally, phylogenetically) through consider studies should aim enhance collective understanding systems clarifying driving focusing only reporting per se .

Language: Английский

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A moving target—incorporating knowledge of the spatial ecology of fish into the assessment and management of freshwater fish populations

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 188(4)

Published: March 22, 2016

Language: Английский

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Selective fragmentation and the management of fish movement across anthropogenic barriers

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 28(8), P. 2066 - 2081

Published: Aug. 31, 2018

Abstract Disruption of movement patterns due to alterations in habitat connectivity is a pervasive effect humans on animal populations. In many terrestrial and aquatic systems, there increasing tension between the need simultaneously allow passage some species while blocking other species. We explore ecological basis for selective fragmentation riverine systems where restrict movements invasive conflicts with commercial, recreational, or conservation concern. develop trait‐based framework fish based understanding types displayed by fishes role filters determining spatial distributions fishes. then synthesize information mechanisms involved these create multidimensional niche space attributes such as physical capabilities, body morphology, sensory behavior, phenology. Following this, we review how have been applied achieve across anthropogenic barriers. To date, trap‐and‐sort capture‐translocation efforts provide best options that are completely selective, but methods hampered continual, high cost manual sorting. Other less effective risk collateral damage form lower higher than desired levels passage. Fruitful areas future work include using combinations behavioral traits passively segregate species; taxon‐specific chemical auditory cues direct unwanted away from passageways into traps attracting desirable passageways; developing automated sorting recognition systems. The approach proposed could serve template

Language: Английский

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Toward a better understanding of freshwater fish responses to an increasingly drought-stricken world

Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 29(1), P. 71 - 92

Published: Jan. 8, 2019

Language: Английский

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River network connectivity and fish diversity

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 689, P. 21 - 30

Published: June 24, 2019

Language: Английский

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The Landscape Ecology of Rivers: from Patch-Based to Spatial Network Analyses

Current Landscape Ecology Reports, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 4(4), P. 103 - 112

Published: Nov. 16, 2019

Abstract Purpose of Review We synthesize recent methodological and conceptual advances in the field riverscape ecology, emphasizing areas synergy with current research landscape ecology. Recent Findings ecology highlight need for spatially explicit examinations how network structure influences ecological pattern process, instead simple linear (upstream-downstream) view. Developments GIS, remote sensing, computer technologies already offer powerful tools application patch- gradient-based models characterizing abiotic biotic heterogeneity across a range spatial temporal scales. Along graph-based analyses statistical stream (i.e., geostatistical modelling), these approaches improved capabilities quantifying connectivity relationships, thereby allowing rigorous high-resolution pattern, scale relationships. Summary Spatially are able to quantify predict biogeochemical, hydromorphological, patterns processes more precisely than based on longitudinal or lateral riverine gradients alone. Currently, local habitat characteristics appear be important effects determining population community dynamics, but this conclusion may change direct quantification movement materials, energy, organisms along channels ecosystem boundaries—a key improving Coupling optimization will improve land protection water management efforts, help resolve sharing vs. sparing debate.

Language: Английский

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