Embracing Nature-based Solutions to promote resilient marine and coastal ecosystems

Nature-Based Solutions, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 3, P. 100044 - 100044

Published: Nov. 30, 2022

The world is struggling to limit greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the human footprint on nature. We therefore urgently need think about how achieve more with actions address mounting challenges for health wellbeing from biodiversity loss, climate change effects, unsustainable economic social development. Nature-based Solutions (NBS) have emerged as a systemic approach an important component of response these challenges. In marine coastal spaces, NBS can contribute improved environmental health, mitigation adaptation, sustainable blue economy, if implemented high standard. However, been largely studied terrestrial – particularly urban systems, limited uptake thus far in areas, despite abundance opportunities. Here, we provide explanations this lag propose following three research priorities advance NBS: (1) Improve understanding biodiversity-ecosystem services relationships support better designed rebuilding system resilience achieving desired ecological outcomes under change; (2) Provide scientific guidance where implement coordinate strategies projects facilitate their design, effectiveness, value through innovative synergistic actions; (3) Develop ways enhance communication, collaboration, ocean literacy stewardship raise awareness, co-create solutions stakeholders, boost public policy buy-in, potentially drive sustained investment. Research effort areas will help practitioners, policy-makers society embrace managing ecosystems tangible benefits people life.

Language: Английский

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Global climate change and the Baltic Sea ecosystem: direct and indirect effects on species, communities and ecosystem functioning

Earth System Dynamics, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(2), P. 711 - 747

Published: April 11, 2022

Abstract. Climate change has multiple effects on Baltic Sea species, communities and ecosystem functioning through changes in physical biogeochemical environmental characteristics of the sea. Associated indirect secondary species interactions, trophic dynamics function are expected to be significant. We review studies investigating species-, population- ecosystem-level abiotic factors that may due global climate change, such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, nutrient levels, more food web processes, primarily based peer-reviewed literature published since 2010. For phytoplankton, clear symptoms prolongation growing season, evident can explained by warming, but otherwise vary from area area. Several modelling project a decrease phytoplankton bloom spring an increase cyanobacteria blooms summer. The associated N:P ratio contribute maintaining “vicious circle eutrophication”. However, uncertainties remain because some field claim have not increased experimental show responses salinity pH species. An riverine dissolved organic matter (DOM) also primary production, relative importance this process different sea areas is well known. Bacteria growth favoured increasing temperature DOM, complex microbial probable. Warming seawater speeds up zooplankton shortens time lag between peaks, which lead decreasing spring. In summer, shift towards smaller-sized decline marine copepod been projected. deep benthic communities, continued eutrophication promotes high sedimentation maintains good conditions for zoobenthos. If abatement proceeds, improving oxygen will first zoobenthos biomass, subsequent sedimenting disrupt pelagic–benthic coupling decreased biomass. shallower photic systems, heatwaves produce eutrophication-like effects, e.g. overgrowth bladderwrack epiphytes, cascade. declines, bladderwrack, eelgrass blue mussel decline. Freshwater vascular plants they cannot replace macroalgae rocky substrates. Consequently invertebrates fish benefiting macroalgal belts suffer. Climate-induced environment favour establishment non-indigenous potentially affecting Sea. As fish, continuing hypoxia projected keep cod stocks low, whereas sprat certain coastal fish. Regime shifts cascading observed both pelagic systems result several climatic acting synergistically. Knowledge gaps include projecting future level, stratification potential rate internal loading, under forcings. This weakens our ability how productivity, populations future. 3D models, models 2D distribution would benefit integration, progress slowed down scale problems inability consider interactions Experimental work should better integrated into empirical get comprehensive view bacteria addition, understand biodiversity Sea, emphasis placed shallow environments. fate depend various intertwined development society. probably delay tend its “novel” state. conclude reductions stronger driver than change. Such highlight studying interlinked socio-ecological system.

Language: Английский

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A metric‐based framework for climate‐smart conservation planning

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(4)

Published: March 22, 2023

Abstract Climate change is already having profound effects on biodiversity, but climate adaptation has yet to be fully incorporated into area‐based management tools used conserve such as protected areas. One main obstacle the lack of consensus regarding how impacts can included in spatial conservation plans. We propose a climate‐smart framework that prioritizes protection refugia—areas low exposure and high biodiversity retention—using metrics. explore four aspects planning: (1) model ensembles; (2) multiple emission scenarios; (3) metrics; (4) approaches identifying refugia. illustrate this Western Pacific Ocean, it equally applicable terrestrial systems. found all planning considered affected configuration The choice metrics refugia have large resulting plans, whereas models scenarios smaller effects. As plans depended used, plan based single measure (e.g., warming) will not necessarily robust against other measures ocean acidification). therefore recommend using most relevant for region or drivers. To include uncertainty associated with different futures, we (i.e., an ensemble) scenarios. Finally, show identify feature trade‐offs between: degree which they are climate‐smart, their efficiency meeting targets. Hence, approach depend relative value stakeholders place adaptation. By framework, areas designed improved longevity thus safeguard current future change. hope proposed helps transition toward approaches.

Language: Английский

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Key components of sustainable climate-smart ocean planning

npj Ocean Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(1)

Published: March 12, 2024

Abstract Planning of marine areas has spread widely over the past two decades to support sustainable ocean management and governance. However, succeed in a changing ocean, spatial planning (MSP) must be ‘climate-smart’— integrating climate-related knowledge, being flexible conditions, supporting climate actions. While need for climate-smart MSP been globally recognized, at practical level, managers planners require further guidance on how put it into action. Here, we suggest ten key components that, if well-integrated, would promote development implementation sustainable, equitable, initiatives around globe.

Language: Английский

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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

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Bright spots as climate‐smart marine spatial planning tools for conservation and blue growth

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 27(21), P. 5514 - 5531

Published: Sept. 6, 2021

Marine spatial planning that addresses ocean climate-driven change ('climate-smart MSP') is a global aspiration to support economic growth, food security and ecosystem sustainability. Ocean climate ('CC') modelling may become key decision-support tool for MSP, but traditional analysis communication challenges prevent their broad uptake. We employed MSP-specific analyses inform real-life MSP process; addressing how nature conservation fisheries could be adapted CC. found the currently planned distribution of these activities unsustainable during policy's implementation due CC, leading shortfall in its sustainability blue growth targets. Significant, ecosystem-level shifts components underpinning designated sites fishing activity were estimated, reflecting different magnitudes benthic versus pelagic, inshore offshore habitats. Supporting adaptation, we then identified: CC refugia (areas where remains within boundaries present state); hotspots (where drives towards new state, inconsistent with each sectors' use distribution); first time, identified bright spots oceanographic processes drive range expansion opportunities sustainable medium term). thus create means to: identify sector-relevant attributable CC; incorporate resilient delivery management aims into MSP; harness they exist. Capturing alongside protected areas important meet targets while helping sector changing climate. By capitalizing on natural resilience ecosystems, such climate-adaptive strategies seen as nature-based solutions limit impact ecosystems dependent economy sectors, paving way climate-smart MSP.

Language: Английский

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Incorporating climate-readiness into fisheries management strategies

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 918, P. 170684 - 170684

Published: Feb. 4, 2024

Tropical oceans are among the first places to exhibit climate change signals, affecting habitat distribution and abundance of marine fish. These changes stocks, subsequent impacts on fisheries production, may have considerable implications for coastal communities dependent food security livelihoods. Understanding tropical is therefore an important step towards developing sustainable, climate-ready management measures. We apply established method spatial meta-analysis assess species modelling datasets key targeted by Philippines capture fisheries. analysed under two global emissions scenarios (RCP4.5 RCP8.5) varying degrees fishing pressure quantify potential vulnerability target community. found widespread responses in pelagic particular, with abundances projected decline across much case study area, highlighting challenges maintaining face a rapidly changing climate. argue that sustainable can only be achieved through strategies allow mitigation of, adaptation to, pressures already locked into system near term. Our analysis support this, providing managers means identify hotspots, bright spots refugia, thereby supporting development plans.

Language: Английский

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4D marine conservation networks: Combining 3D prioritization of present and future biodiversity with climatic refugia

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 28(15), P. 4577 - 4588

Published: May 18, 2022

Given the accelerating rate of biodiversity loss, need to prioritize marine areas for protection represents a major conservation challenge. The three-dimensionality life and ecosystems is an inherent element complexity setting spatial plans. Yet, confidence any recommendation largely depends on shifting climate, which triggers global redistribution biodiversity, suggesting inclusion time as fourth dimension. Here, we developed depth-specific prioritization analysis inform design protected areas, further including metrics climate-driven changes in ocean. Climate change was captured this by considering projected future distribution >2000 benthic pelagic species inhabiting Mediterranean Sea, combined with climatic stability heterogeneity seascape. We identified important based both biological criteria, where focus should be given priority when designing three-dimensional, climate-smart area network. detected spatially concise, distributed around basin, that almost equally across all depth zones. Our approach highlights importance deep sea zones meet targets while schemes, static two-dimensional data, might fail englobe vertical properties distributions fine larger-scale impacts associated climate change.

Language: Английский

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Identifying and protecting macroalgae detritus sinks toward climate change mitigation

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 33(3)

Published: Dec. 11, 2022

Harnessing natural solutions to mitigate climate change requires an understanding of carbon fixation, flux, and sequestration across ocean habitats. Recent studies have suggested that exported seaweed particulate organic is stored within soft-sediment systems. However, very little known about how detritus disperses from coastlines, or where it may enter seabed stores, could become the target conservation efforts. Here, focusing on regionally dominant species, we surveyed environmental DNA (eDNA) coastal sediments, studied their connectivity habitats using a particle tracking model parameterized reproduce dispersal behavior based laboratory observations fragment degradation sinking. Experiments showed density changed over time, differently species. This, in turn, modified distances traveled by released fragments until they reached for first during simulations. Dispersal pathways connected shore open but, importantly, also this was reflected field eDNA evidence. Dispersion were affected hydrodynamic conditions, varying space time. Both properties timing detritus, individual each macroalgal population, short-term near-seabed medium-term water-column transport pathways, are thus seemingly important determining between potential sedimentary sinks. Studies such as one, supported further verification rates source partitioning, still needed help quantify role cycle. Such will provide vital evidence inform need develop blue mechanisms, beyond wetlands.

Language: Английский

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Practical Marine Spatial Management of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas: Emerging Lessons From Evidence-Based Planning and Implementation in a Developing-World Context

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: March 3, 2022

Identifying key sites of marine biodiversity value and implementing the required practical spatial management measures is critical for safeguarding maintaining essential ecological processes, especially in face accelerating global change expanding ocean economies. Delineating Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) has been catalytic progressing toward this aim. However, Benguela Current Large Ecosystem (BCLME; comprising three developing countries: Angola, Namibia, South Africa) one few places where action to secure EBSAs followed their description. We aim document process moving from priority areas implemented conservation actions, distil broadly applicable emerging lessons. BCLME were reviewed using a systematic planning approach, supplemented with expert input. In data- knowledge-driven process, boundaries descriptions existing refined, gaps filled new EBSAs. The status 29 was assessed by determining condition, ecosystem threat status, protection level constituent types. Also, current human uses respective impacts systematically per EBSA. Management recommendations proposed dividing into zones associated multi-sector sea-use guidelines. Throughout facilitated regional cooperation project, there stakeholder engagement, national, regional, international review. States are currently enhanced EBSA protected area noting that different but valid outcomes securing each country. Further, approach allowed cross-border alignment priorities between countries, as well pooled expertise, technical support, capacity development. Although full implementation still underway, lessons date highlight some factors successful could guide similar initiatives elsewhere.

Language: Английский

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