Pervasive human-driven decline of life on Earth points to the need for transformative change

Science, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 366(6471)

Published: Dec. 13, 2019

The human impact on life Earth has increased sharply since the 1970s, driven by demands of a growing population with rising average per capita income. Nature is currently supplying more materials than ever before, but this come at high cost unprecedented global declines in extent and integrity ecosystems, distinctness local ecological communities, abundance number wild species, domesticated varieties. Such changes reduce vital benefits that people receive from nature threaten quality future generations. Both an expanding economy costs reducing nature's are unequally distributed. fabric which we all depend-nature its contributions to people-is unravelling rapidly. Despite severity threats lack enough progress tackling them date, opportunities exist change trajectories through transformative action. action must begin immediately, however, address root economic, social, technological causes deterioration.

Language: Английский

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The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats

Nature, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 565(7738), P. 222 - 225

Published: Dec. 19, 2018

Language: Английский

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Seaweed production: overview of the global state of exploitation, farming and emerging research activity

European Journal of Phycology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 52(4), P. 391 - 406

Published: Oct. 2, 2017

The use of seaweeds has a long history, as does the cultivation select and relatively small group species. This review presents several aspects seaweed production, such an update on volumes produced globally by both extraction from natural beds cultivation. We discuss uses, production trends economic analysis. also focus what is viewed huge potential for growing industrial-scale to provide sufficient, sustainable biomass be processed into multitude products benefit humankind. biorefinery approach proposed strategy achieve this goal. There are many different technologies available produce seaweed, but optimization more efficient developments still required. conclude that there some fundamental very significant hurdles yet overcome in order contributions may world. critical aspects, improving value biomass, along with proper consideration ecosystem services farming can provide, e.g. reduction coastal nutrient loads. Additional considerations environmental risks associated climate change, pathogens, epibionts grazers, well preservation genetic diversity cultivated seaweeds. Importantly, we outline future needs anticipation phycologists around world will rise challenge, derived becomes reality.

Language: Английский

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Current Status of the Algae Production Industry in Europe: An Emerging Sector of the Blue Bioeconomy

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 7

Published: Jan. 27, 2021

The EU Bioeconomy Strategy aims to support the sustainable growth and development of bio-based sectors while creating jobs, innovation services. Despite recognized potential algae biomass value chain, significant knowledge gaps still exist regarding dimension, capability, organization structure production in Europe. This study presents analyses results a comprehensive mapping detailed characterization at European scale, encompassing macroalgae, microalgae, cyanobacteria Spirulina. work mapped 447 Spirulina units spread between 23 countries, which represents an important addition reported number producing countries. More than 50% these companies produce microalgae and/or Macroalgae is depending on harvesting from wild stocks (68% macroalgae units) but aquaculture (land-based sea) developing several countries Europe currently representing 32% units. France, Ireland, Spain are top 3 Germany, Spain, Italy stand for microalgae. producers predominantly located Italy, Spain. Algae directed primarily food food-related applications including extraction high-value products supplements nutraceuticals. remains limited by series technological, regulatory market-related barriers. Yet, this emphasize that sector has considerable as long acknowledged economic, social environmental challenges addressed.

Language: Английский

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Underestimating the Challenges of Avoiding a Ghastly Future

Frontiers in Conservation Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 1

Published: Jan. 13, 2021

We report three major and confronting environmental issues that have received little attention require urgent action. First, we review the evidence future conditions will be far more dangerous than currently believed. The scale of threats to biosphere all its lifeforms — including humanity is in fact so great it difficult grasp for even well-informed experts. Second, ask what political or economic system, leadership, prepared handle predicted disasters, capable such Third, this dire situation places an extraordinary responsibility on scientists speak out candidly accurately when engaging with government, business, public. especially draw lack appreciation enormous challenges creating a sustainable future. added stresses human health, wealth, well-being perversely diminish our capacity mitigate erosion ecosystem services which society depends. science underlying these strong, but awareness weak. Without fully appreciating broadcasting problems enormity solutions required, fail achieve modest sustainability goals.

Language: Английский

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Rise of Turfs: A New Battlefront for Globally Declining Kelp Forests

BioScience, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 68(2), P. 64 - 76

Published: Nov. 19, 2017

Kelp forests are structurally complex habitats, which provide valuable services along 25% of the world's coastlines. Globally, many kelp have disappeared and been replaced by turf algae over last decade. Evidence that environmental conditions becoming less favorable for kelps, combined with a lack observed recovery, raises concern these changes represent persistent regime shifts. Here, we show human activities mediate transitions through geographically disparate abiotic (warming eutrophication) biotic (herbivory epiphytism) drivers loss. suggests pushed beyond tipping points where new, stabilizing feedback systems (sedimentation, competition, Allee effects) reinforce dominance. Although new locks on degraded ecosystems strong, mechanistic understanding interactions between global local loss will expose processes easier to control. This should management solutions curb pervasive trend flattening globally.

Language: Английский

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The land-to-ocean loops of the global carbon cycle

Nature, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 603(7901), P. 401 - 410

Published: March 16, 2022

Language: Английский

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Impacts of ocean warming on kelp forest ecosystems

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 225(4), P. 1447 - 1454

Published: Aug. 10, 2019

Kelp forests represent some of the most diverse and productive habitats on Earth, provide a range ecosystem goods services which human populations depend. As distribution ecophysiology kelp species is strongly influenced by temperature, recent warming trends in many regions have been linked with concurrent changes populations, communities ecosystems. Over past decade, number reports ocean impacts has risen sharply. Here, I synthesise studies to highlight general patterns trends. While responses climate change vary greatly between basins, species, there compelling evidence show that poses an unequivocal threat persistence integrity forest ecosystems coming decades.

Language: Английский

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Status and Trends for the World’s Kelp Forests

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 57 - 78

Published: Sept. 21, 2018

Language: Английский

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Essential ocean variables for global sustained observations of biodiversity and ecosystem changes

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 24(6), P. 2416 - 2433

Published: April 5, 2018

Abstract Sustained observations of marine biodiversity and ecosystems focused on specific conservation management problems are needed around the world to effectively mitigate or manage changes resulting from anthropogenic pressures. These observations, while complex expensive, required by international scientific, governance policy communities provide baselines against which effects human pressures climate change may be measured reported, resources allocated implement solutions. To identify biological ecological essential ocean variables ( EOV s) for implementation within a global observing system that is relevant science, informs society, technologically feasible, we used driver‐pressure‐state‐impact‐response DPSIR ) model. We (1) examined agreements societal drivers ecosystems, (2) evaluated temporal spatial scales 100+ programs, (3) analysed impact scalability these how they contribute address scientific issues. s were related status ecosystem components (phytoplankton zooplankton biomass diversity, abundance distribution fish, turtles, birds mammals), extent health (cover composition hard coral, seagrass, mangrove macroalgal canopy). Benthic invertebrate microbe diversity identified as emerging developed based requirements new technologies. The scale at any shifts in systems will detected vary across s, properties being monitored length existing time‐series. Global deliver useful products require collaboration sectors significant commitment improve infrastructure capacity globe, including development new, more automated technologies, encouraging application standards best practices.

Language: Английский

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