The silent majority: Pico- and nanoplankton as ecosystem health indicators for marine policy

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 159, P. 111650 - 111650

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

A healthy marine ecosystem is a fully functioning system, able to supply services whilst still maintaining resilience human-induced environmental change. Monitoring and managing the health of resilient ecosystems requires indicators that can assess their biodiversity state food web functioning. Plankton are crucial components pelagic habitats, occupying base web. Larger plankton have long been used monitor productivity due identification via traditional light microscopy. In contrast, regular monitoring pico- nanoplankton (<20 µm; hereafter called “tiny plankton”) only started with development flow cytometry techniques, which has limited inclusion as indicators. Four UK surveys sampled identified these tiny for up 14 years, providing an opportunity test suitability state. We investigated six groups plankton, including heterotrophic nanoeukaryotes, photosynthetic picoeukaryotes, Synechococcus cyanobacteria, two bacteria. Flow microscopy data from inshore Western English Channel station revealed 99.98 % abundance 71 biomass was derived cells too small be quantified accurately under microscope thus not adequately considered in assessments habitats. Different coastal regions showed consistency peak abundances plankton. novel wavelet coherence method identify time-based relationships between variables linked human pressures. Relationships were found nitrogenous nutrients all groups, most commonly at sub-annual annual time scales. Photosynthetic HNA-bacteria associated high sea surface temperatures. Given here established relationship variables, importance full assemblage, we recommend that, alongside existing microplankton lifeforms, either individually or combination, inform meet policy obligations EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), (Oslo-Paris Convention) OSPAR strategies, Strategy.

Language: Английский

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Mind the gap - The need to integrate novel plankton methods alongside ongoing long-term monitoring

Ocean & Coastal Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 107542 - 107542

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Divergent perspectives on the synergistic impacts of thermal-chemical stress on aquatic biota within the framework of climate change scenarios

Chemosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 355, P. 141810 - 141810

Published: March 28, 2024

Language: Английский

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The Western Channel Observatory Automated Plankton Imaging and Classification System

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

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Marine plankton are an important and diverse group of organisms that make up the lower trophic levels marine food web. They play several critical roles in ocean have direct or indirect societal benefits, including supporting security, oxygen production, carbon sequestration via biological pump. Plymouth Laboratory (PML) has been making weekly measurements zooplankton phytoplankton at Western Channel Observatory (WCO) Station L4 (50°15'N, 4°13'W) since 1988 1992, respectively, using traditional ship-based sampling light microscopy techniques. Thus, become one longest-running, continuous time series world a key biodiversity reference site for studies into both short- long-term environmental changes.

Language: Английский

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Decadal changes in phytoplankton functional composition in the Eastern English Channel: possible upcoming major effects of climate change

Ocean science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 21(2), P. 679 - 700

Published: March 20, 2025

Abstract. Global change is known to exert a considerable impact on marine and coastal ecosystems, affecting various parameters such as sea surface temperature (SST), runoff, circulation patterns the availability of limiting nutrients (like nitrogen, phosphorus silicon), with each influencing phytoplankton communities differently. This study based weekly fortnightly in vivo fine-spatial-resolution (∼ 1 km) observations along an nearshore–offshore gradient French waters Eastern English Channel Strait Dover. The functional composition was addressed by automated “pulse-shape recording” flow cytometry, coupled analysis environmental variables over last decade (2012–2022). method allows for characterization almost entire size range (from 0.1 800 µm width) determination abundance groups optical single-cell signals (fluorescence scatter). We explored seasonal, spatial decadal dynamics environment strongly influenced tides currents. Over past 11 years, SST has shown increasing trend at all stations, nearshore warming faster than offshore (+1.05 °C vs. +0.93 °C). Changes nutrient concentrations have led imbalances ratios (N:P:Si) relative reference ratios. However, return balanced been observed since 2019. total also increased aforementioned decade, higher contribution small-sized cells (picoeukaryotes picocyanobacteria) decrease microphytoplankton, particularly near coast. Based abundance, winters 2013–2014 2019–2020 were identified shifting periods this time series. These changes community, favoring smallest groups, could lead reduction productivity which could, turn, affect trophic levels food web.

Language: Английский

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A 45-year hydrological and planktonic time series in the South Bight of the North Sea

Earth system science data, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(3), P. 1173 - 1189

Published: March 20, 2025

Abstract. This article presents a 45-year data series (from 1978 to 2023) acquired under the IGA (Impact des Grands Aménagements in French, Impacts of Major Developments English) program conducted by IFREMER for EDF (Électricité de France, French multinational electricity utility company). The was established monitor ecological and environmental quality coastal area surrounding Gravelines Nuclear Power Plant (GNPP) located South Bight North Sea. main objective this is assess medium- long-term evolution providing means identify possible changes local marine habitats. Since 1978, has measured key parameters, including temperature, salinity, nutrient concentrations, oxygen levels, chlorophyll-a abundance phytoplankton zooplankton species. These measurements have been taken at different sampling stations around GNPP, Canal d'amenée station, which hydrological biological characteristics are considered representative broader paper provides an overview statistical time (available https://doi.org/10.17882/102656, Lefebvre et al., 2024), trends shift analysis. Despite importance length dataset, one longest available region, its application advancing knowledge processes surprisingly limited. aim make valuable dataset scientific community, stakeholders, society help decipher global influences anthropogenic activities world increasingly affected climate change. all statistics patterns still thanks our analysis, users should be able use these combine them with other sources (in situ, satellite, modeling) order dive into deeper analyses investigate new challenges more specific ones.

Language: Английский

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Diel Vertical Migration Shapes North Atlantic Copepod Bioregions

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 24, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim Assessing the influence of diel vertical migration (DVM) on biogeographic patterns to improve macroecological characterisation structure and function zooplankton communities. Location North Atlantic Ocean adjacent seas. Taxon Marine copepod species. Methods We base our bioregionalisation Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) data species abundances from 1966 2021. separate day night samples using solar elevation corresponding civil twilight. For each condition, we interpolate onto a grid adapted irregular sampling effort. then generate bipartite network (geographical cells—species) which apply Map Equation clustering algorithm delineate bioregions identify their underlying use canonical correspondence analyses characterise resulting in terms environmental forcings, composition community‐weighted mean traits. Results four for both partitions, with dynamic transitions changes spatial as well community between night. While forcings seem transcend variations, ecological features show day/night discrepancies: higher diversity at is driven by mediated migration. Main Conclusions highlight how variations highly migratory shape composition. uncover distinct levels functional across bioregions, suggesting different responses communities changes. Transition zones emerge crucial markers pelagic bioregion connectivity, emphasising nature. Embracing partitioning approach that better captures these dynamics essential understanding ecosystems will evolve response climate

Language: Английский

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Marine organic aerosol at Mace Head: effects from phytoplankton and source region variability

Atmospheric chemistry and physics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 25(7), P. 4107 - 4129

Published: April 10, 2025

Abstract. Organic aerosol (OA) is recognized as a significant component of particulate matter (PM), yet their specific composition and sources, especially over remote areas, remain elusive due to the overall scarcity high-resolution online data. In this study, positive matrix factorization was performed on organic mass spectra obtained from time-of-flight spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) measurements resolve sources contributing coastal PM. The focus summertime period marked by enhanced biological productivity with prevailing pristine maritime conditions. Four OA factors were deconvolved source apportionment model. analysis revealed primary marine (PMOA) predominant submicron at Mace Head during summertime, accounting for 42 % total resolved mass. This trailed more oxidized oxygenated (MO-OOA) 32 %, methanesulfonic acid (MSA-OA) 17 locally emitted peat-derived (peat-OA) 9 Elemental ratios (O:C–H:C) derived each these factors: PMOA (0.66–1.16), MO-OOA (0.78–1.39), MSA-OA (0.66–1.39), peat-OA (0.43–1.34). O:C–H:C range hints aliphatic lignin-like compounds formation. concentrations secondary equal almost exclusively present in boundary layer, agreement previous findings. study reveals that not only reflects atmospheric chemistry meteorology – evidenced ageing polar air masses North Atlantic, driven ozonolysis under Greenland anticyclonic conditions but also serves an indicator ecosystems. evident being notably associated stress enzyme markers showing typical makeup largely abacterial phytoplankton extracellular metabolic processes. distinct regions within Atlantic factors. primarily Iceland Basin, rapid production following coccolithophore blooms (lag 1–2 d), while diatoms contribute slower formation process reflecting oceanic contrast, sourced variable ecoregions, including southern Celtic Sea, western European Newfoundland additional contributions chlorophytes cyanobacteria southerly latitudes. Overall, findings emphasize need longer-term investigations further map influence taxa variability broader impacts aerosol–climate interactions.

Language: Английский

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Shifting sands of marine eutrophication assessments: building a future approach for UK marine waters

Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 3

Published: May 16, 2025

The assessment of water quality, and in particular, eutrophication, has been a core activity to establish, disseminate, communicate the impact anthropogenic influences on coastal marine waters United Kingdom (UK) globally. To date, UK assessments eutrophication have focused heavily indicators, either singularly or combination, associated with numerical threshold, supporting science concentrating defining relevant thresholds relating exceedances management actions. However, as our understanding complexity estuarine zone processes terms variability, time lags, ecological interactions climate resilience evolved, so too must structure quality assessments. This paper presents review existing assessments, identifying what worked where gaps still exist, particularly ecosystems face rapid changes. From gap analysis, we present series recommendations for future assessing feasibility implementing those through consideration effort, costs. work set headline activities offering renewed revised approach that will progress complex data flows, achieve enhanced alignment between directives, embed new greater ecosystem impacts shifting baseline.

Language: Английский

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Management of jellyfish outbreaks to achieve good environmental status

Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2

Published: Sept. 25, 2024

Jellyfish and gelatinous zooplankton (GZ) in general, fulfill important ecological roles with significant impacts, although they are often oversimplified or misunderstood. This paper reviews the pressures, monitoring methods current management strategies for various GZ groups. It also introduces potentially applicable indicators their assessment ecosystem-based approaches, such as European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). multi-faceted review is primarily envisioned to serve a state-of-the-art document scientists policymakers foster holistic of across regional seas. The systematic on global impacts shows notable increase number studies since early 2000s. Stings were main cause human health impacts. Mechanisms that impact biodiversity included direct predation, modification trophic flows competition resources. Several taxa may be beneficial acting biological regulators provide societal ecosystem services food provision medical applications. techniques outlined variety methods, nets (the most common technique), continuous plankton recorder (CPR), polyp jelly-fall monitoring, acoustic remote aerial underwater imaging, molecular citizen science. Furthermore, several currently employed enumerated, including use anti-jelly nets, bubble curtains, chemical compounds, introduction predators. study highlights pressing need enhanced GZ-dedicated assessment, anticipatory populations address future crises more effectively cost-efficiently. Moreover, exploring unveils opportunities harness marine resources while mitigating adverse effects, thereby supporting sustainable blue economies.

Language: Английский

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