Biodiversity Monitoring in Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas: Scientific and Methodological Challenges DOI Creative Commons
Carlo Nike Bianchi, Annalisa Azzola, Silvia Cocito

et al.

Diversity, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(1), P. 43 - 43

Published: Jan. 10, 2022

Biodiversity is a portmanteau word to indicate the variety of life at all levels from genes ecosystems, but it often simplistically equated species richness; ecodiversity has thus been coined address habitat variety. represents core natural capital, and as such needs be quantified followed over time. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are major tool for biodiversity conservation sea. Monitoring both diversity in MPAs therefore mandatory must include inventory periodic surveillance activities. In case inventories, ideal would census habitats, while latter goal can within reach, former seems unattainable. Species should commeasured investigation effort, based on mapping. Both inventories may profit suitability spatial modelling. Periodic actions privilege conspicuous priority habitats. Efficient descriptor taxa ecological indices recommended evaluate environmental status. While obvious that activities carried out with regular recurrence, diachronic mapping rarely out. Time series prime importance detect marine ecosystem change even absence direct human impacts.

Language: Английский

Marine heatwaves drive recurrent mass mortalities in the Mediterranean Sea DOI Creative Commons
Joaquim Garrabou, Daniel Gómez‐Gras, Alba Medrano

et al.

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 28(19), P. 5708 - 5725

Published: July 18, 2022

Climate change is causing an increase in the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves (MHWs) mass mortality events (MMEs) organisms are one their main ecological impacts. Here, we show that during 2015-2019 period, Mediterranean Sea has experienced exceptional thermal conditions resulting onset five consecutive years widespread MMEs across basin. These affected thousands kilometers coastline from surface to 45 m, a range habitats taxa (50 8 phyla). Significant relationships were found between incidence heat exposure associated with MHWs observed both at depths. Our findings reveal experiencing acceleration impacts which poses unprecedented threat its ecosystems' health functioning. Overall, increasing resolution empirical observation critical enhancing our ability more effectively understand manage consequences climate change.

Language: Английский

Citations

303
The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Opportunities and challenges on the path towards biodiversity recovery DOI
Virgilio Hermoso, Sílvia B. Carvalho, Sylvaine Giakoumi

et al.

Environmental Science & Policy, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 127, P. 263 - 271

Published: Nov. 6, 2021

Language: Английский

Citations

150
Understanding the combined effects of multiple stressors: A new perspective on a longstanding challenge DOI Creative Commons
Enrico Pirotta, Len Thomas, Daniel P. Costa

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 821, P. 153322 - 153322

Published: Jan. 21, 2022

Wildlife populations and their habitats are exposed to an expanding diversity intensity of stressors caused by human activities, within the broader context natural processes increasing pressure from climate change. Estimating how these multiple affect individuals, populations, ecosystems is thus growing importance. However, combined effects often cannot be predicted reliably individual each stressor, we lack mechanistic understanding analytical tools predict joint outcomes. We review science present a conceptual framework that captures reconciles variety existing approaches for assessing effects. Specifically, show all lie along spectrum, reflecting assumptions about mechanisms regulate action single An emphasis on improves precision predictive power but could introduce bias if underlying incorrect. A purely empirical approach has less risk requires adequate data full range anticipated combinations stressor types magnitudes. illustrate this spectrum can formalised into specific methods, using example North Atlantic right whales feeding limited prey resources while simultaneously being affected entanglement in fishing gear. In practice, case-specific management needs availability will guide exploration interest selection suitable trade-off between bias. argue primary goal adaptive should identify most practical effective ways remove or reduce stressors, bringing adverse impacts below acceptable thresholds.

Language: Английский

Citations

141
Reviewing the ecological impacts of offshore wind farms DOI Creative Commons
Ibon Galparsoro, Iratxe Menchaca, Joxe Mikel Garmendia

et al.

npj Ocean Sustainability, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 1(1)

Published: Aug. 10, 2022

Abstract Offshore wind energy is widely regarded as one of the most credible sources for increasing renewable production towards a resilient and decarbonised supply. However, current expectations expansion from offshore may lead to significant environmental impacts. Assessing ecological risks marine ecosystems electricity both timely vital. It will support adoption management measures that minimize impacts sustainability sector.

Language: Английский

Citations

115
Marine litter and climate change: Inextricably connected threats to the world's oceans DOI Creative Commons
Susana Lincoln, Barnaby Andrews, Silvana N.R. Birchenough

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 837, P. 155709 - 155709

Published: May 4, 2022

Language: Английский

Citations

106
Bioinvasion impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human health in the Mediterranean Sea DOI Creative Commons
Konstantinos Tsirintanis, Ernesto Azzurro, Fabio Crocetta

et al.

Aquatic Invasions, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(3), P. 308 - 352

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Biological invasions have become a defining feature of marine Mediterranean ecosystems with significant impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human health.We systematically reviewed the current knowledge biological in Sea.We screened relevant literature applied standardised framework that classifies mechanisms magnitude type evidence.Overall, 103 alien cryptogenic species were analysed, 59 which associated both negative positive impacts, 17 to only negative, 13 positive; no found for 14 species.Evidence most reported (52%) was medium strength, but 32% impact reports evidence weak, based solely expert judgement.Only 16% experimental studies.Our assessment allowed us create an inventory 88 from 16 different phyla moderate high impacts.The ten worst invasive terms biodiversity include six algae, two fishes, molluscs, green alga Caulerpa cylindracea ranking first.Negative prevailed over ones.Competition resources, creation novel habitat through engineering, predation primary effects.Most cases combined referred community-level modifications.Overall, more than this varied depending service.For health, recorded.Substantial variation among ecoregions taxonomic identity impacting species.There increases residence time.Holistic approaches research constitute way forward better understanding managing invasions.

Language: Английский

Citations

105
Human impacts and their interactions in the Baltic Sea region DOI Creative Commons

Marcus Reckermann,

Anders Omstedt,

Tarmo Soomere

et al.

Earth System Dynamics, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1), P. 1 - 80

Published: Jan. 3, 2022

Abstract. Coastal environments, in particular heavily populated semi-enclosed marginal seas and coasts like the Baltic Sea region, are strongly affected by human activities. A multitude of impacts, including climate change, affect different compartments environment, these effects interact with each other. As part Earth Assessment Reports (BEAR), we present an inventory discussion human-induced factors processes affecting environment their interrelations. Some naturally occurring modified activities (i.e. coastal processes, hypoxia, acidification, submarine groundwater discharges, marine ecosystems, non-indigenous species, land use cover), some completely agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, river regulations, offshore wind farms, shipping, chemical contamination, dumped warfare agents, litter microplastics, tourism, management), they all interrelated to degrees. We a general description analysis state knowledge on Our main insight is that change has overarching, integrating impact other can be interpreted as background effect, which implications for factors. Impacts sphere roughly allocated anthropogenic drivers such food production, energy transport, industry economy. The findings from this available information interactions region largely transferred comparable world.

Language: Английский

Citations

74
Addressing the cumulative impacts of multiple human pressures in marine systems, for the sustainable use of the seas DOI Creative Commons
Ángel Borja, Michael Elliott, Heliana Teixeira

et al.

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

Citations

17
An Assessment of Seasonal Water Quality in Phewa Lake, Nepal, by Integrating Geochemical Indices and Statistical Techniques: A Sustainable Approach DOI Open Access

Ramji Timalsina,

Surendra Kumar Acharya, Bojan Đurin

et al.

Water, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(2), P. 238 - 238

Published: Jan. 16, 2025

Lakes are vital freshwater ecosystems that sustain biodiversity, support livelihoods, and drive socio-economic growth globally. However, they face escalating threats from anthropogenic activities, including urbanization, agricultural runoff, pollution, which exacerbated by climate change. Phewa Lake in Nepal was selected for this study due to its increasing rates of nutrient enrichment, sedimentation, pollution. This evaluated seasonal spatial water quality variations within the lake analyzing samples 30 sites during pre-monsoon post-monsoon seasons. Twenty physicochemical parameters, potential hydrogen (pH), dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), major ions, e.g., calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), bicarbonate (HCO3−), chloride (Cl−), sulfate (SO42−), nitrate (NO3−), phosphate (PO43−), ammonium (NH4+), were measured. The average pH ranged 8.06 (pre-monsoon) 8.24 (post-monsoon), reflecting dilution monsoon rains increased carbonate runoff. Furthermore, DO levels averaged 7.46 mg/L 8.62 with higher values observed rainfall-driven oxygenation. Nutrient concentrations shown be elevated, concentration reaching 2.31 period, peaking at 0.15 particularly near runoff zones. dominant cations lake’s hydrochemistry Ca2+ Mg2+, while HCO3− primary anion, influence weathering. Cluster analysis identified outlet as a high-pollution zone, total solids (TDS) 108–135 mg/L. Additionally, Principal component revealed sewage effluents main pollution sources. Seasonal dynamics highlighted monsoon-induced peaks. These findings underscore need targeted control eutrophication management. By aligning sustainable development goals (SDGs) relevant clean action, research provides replicable framework management is applicable worldwide.

Language: Английский

Citations

7
Reviving shellfish reef socio-ecological histories for modern management and restoration DOI Creative Commons
B. Martin, Charlie Huveneers, Simon Reeves

et al.

Ocean & Coastal Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 261, P. 107540 - 107540

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

2