Vulnerability of benthic trait diversity across the Mediterranean Sea following mass mortality events

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

Abstract Unraveling the functional future of marine ecosystems amid global change poses a pressing challenge. This is particularly critical in Mediterranean Sea, which highly impacted by and local drivers. Utilizing extensive mass mortality events (MMEs) datasets spanning from 1986 to 2020 across we investigated trait vulnerability benthic species that suffered MMEs induced nine distinct By analyzing changes ten ecological traits 389 species—constituting an compendium date—we identified 228 entities (FEs), defined as groups sharing same values. Our findings indicate these 55 FEs were MMEs, accentuating heightened within specific categories. Notably, more than half records showed severe impacts on calcifying larger with slower growth mostly account for tree-like massive forms. Altogether, highlight 29 extreme mortality, leading maximum increase 19.1% volume over 35 years. We also reveal 10.8% may have been temporarily lost last five years, emphasizing risk rapid transformation Sea.

Language: Английский

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Climate change extinctions

Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 386(6726), P. 1123 - 1128

Published: Dec. 5, 2024

Climate change is expected to cause irreversible changes biodiversity, but predicting those risks remains uncertain. I synthesized 485 studies and more than 5 million projections produce a quantitative global assessment of climate extinctions. With increased certainty, this meta-analysis suggests that extinctions will accelerate rapidly if temperatures exceed 1.5°C. The highest-emission scenario would threaten approximately one-third species, globally. Amphibians; species from mountain, island, freshwater ecosystems; inhabiting South America, Australia, New Zealand face the greatest threats. In line with predictions, has contributed an increasing proportion observed since 1970. Besides limiting greenhouse gases, pinpointing which protect first be critical for preserving biodiversity until anthropogenic halted reversed.

Language: Английский

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Statistically downscaled CMIP6 ocean variables for European waters

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Jan. 12, 2024

Climate change impact studies need climate projections for different scenarios and at scales relevant to planning management, preferably a variety of models realizations capture the uncertainty in these models. To address current gaps, we statistically downscaled (SD) 3-7 CMIP6 five key indicators marine habitat conditions: temperature, salinity, pH, oxygen, chlorophyll across European waters three SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP5-8.5. Results provide ensemble averages estimates that can serve as input data projecting potential success range Nature-based Solutions, including restoration habitat-forming species such seagrass Mediterranean kelp coastal areas Portugal Norway. Evaluation with observations from four regions (North Sea, Baltic Bay Biscay, Sea) indicates SD realistically climatological conditions historical period 1993-2020. Model skill (Liu-mean efficiency, Pearson correlation) clearly improves both surface temperature oxygen all respect original ESMs demonstrating higher compared oxygen. Warming is evident large differences among fully emerge background uncertainties related internal variability model second half century. Scenario-specific acidification significantly leading distinct trajectories pH starting before mid-century (in some cases present day). Deoxygenation also domains, but signal was weaker other two when variability, greenhouse gas less distinct. The substantial regional local heterogeneity abiotic underscores highly spatially resolved physical biogeochemical understand how may ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Top predator status and trends: ecological implications, monitoring and mitigation strategies to promote ecosystem-based management

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: May 13, 2024

The conservation and management of marine ecosystems hinge on a comprehensive understanding the status trends top predators. This review delves into ecological significance predators, examining their roles in maintaining ecosystem stability functioning through an integrated analysis current scientific literature. We first assess efficacy various monitoring methods, ranging from traditional field observations to cutting-edge technologies like satellite tracking environmental DNA (eDNA) evaluating strengths limitations terms accuracy, spatial coverage, cost-effectiveness, providing resource managers with essential insights for informed decision-making. Then, by synthesizing data diverse ecosystems, this study offers overview affecting predator populations worldwide. explore multifaceted impacts human activities, climate change, habitat degradation abundance distribution these key species. In doing so, we shed light broader implications declining populations, such as trophic cascades altered community structures. Following thorough assessment successful strategies reversing decline compilation recommendations is presented, encompassing effective governance interventions. A crucial aspect ecosystem-based implementation robust strategies. Mitigation measures are imperative reverse adverse present array mitigation options based case studies. These include establishment protected areas, enforcement fisheries regulations, promotion sustainable fishing practices. deepen synergies between potential mitigate human-induced stressors safeguard pivotal role structure function. By predators’ significance, analyzing population trends, discussing techniques, outlining strategies, provide researchers, policymakers, stakeholders engaged fostering approaches. conclude that integrating frameworks will be both predators environment future generations.

Language: Английский

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Inter- and intraspecific diversity in bacterial communities associated with two crustose coralline algae from the NW Mediterranean Sea

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 3, 2025

Language: Английский

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Borehole heat exchangers in coastal areas may reduce heatwave seagrass loss

Geoscience Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Jan. 27, 2025

Language: Английский

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Vulnerability of Grey Seal Pups (Halichoerus grypus) to Storm Disturbances in the Context of Climate Change: A British Isles Case Study

Oceans, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(2), P. 19 - 19

Published: April 8, 2025

Marine mammals may be particularly vulnerable to climate change. While some climate-change-induced impacts on these species have been recognised, the potential consequences of storminess less well-defined, and understanding its significance largely relies anecdotal evidence. To quantify relationship between possible grey seal pups (Halichoerus grypus), data from marine wildlife rescue databases hospitalisation records (2015–2024) within British Isles were examined (n = 20,686). Daily mean windspeed was used as a proxy for storminess. Significant relationships found presenting with malnourishment, head trauma, flipper injury, other wounds, infections. This study provides first empirical evidence explicit pup health, all conditions increasing higher rates call-outs admissions centres following stormy weather also recorded. Given predicted increase in storm severity, findings will aid rehabilitation planning by helping predict when rescuers can anticipate increased injuries that experience storms. The long-term conservation is highlighted.

Language: Английский

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Experimental nest cooling reveals dramatic effects of heatwaves on reproduction in a Mediterranean bird of prey

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(19), P. 5552 - 5567

Published: July 19, 2023

Future climatic scenarios forecast increases in average temperatures as well the frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme events, such heatwaves. Whereas behavioral adjustments can buffer direct physiological fitness costs exposure to excessive temperature wild animals, these may prove more difficult during specific life stages when vagility is reduced (e.g., early developmental stages). By means a nest cooling experiment, we tested effects on different reproduction cavity-nesting Mediterranean bird prey, lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), facing recent increase frequency heatwaves its breeding season. Nest group boxes placed roof terraces was by shading them from sunlight 2 consecutive years (2021 2022). We then compared hatching failure, mortality, nestling morphology between shaded non-shaded (control) boxes. control 3.9°C higher than ones heatwaves, that is, spells air (>37°C for ≥2 days) which hit study area nestling-rearing phase both years. Hatching failure markedly increased with increasing temperature, rising above 50% maximum exceeded 44°C. Nestlings showed mortality (55% vs. 10% boxes) those survived further impaired morphological growth (body mass skeletal size). Hence, occurring period have strong lethal sublethal impacts components avian reproduction, egg growth. More broadly, findings suggest projected future summer heatwave basin elsewhere temperate areas threaten local persistence even relatively warm-adapted species.

Language: Английский

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Valuation and mapping of the recreational diving ecosystem service of the Aegean Sea

Ecosystem Services, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 64, P. 101569 - 101569

Published: Oct. 24, 2023

Language: Английский

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A Beacon in the Dark: Grey Literature Data Mining and Machine Learning Enlightening Historical Plankton Seasonality Dynamics in the Ligurian Sea

Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(3), P. 189 - 189

Published: March 21, 2024

The Mediterranean Sea, as one of the world’s most climate-sensitive regions, faces significant environmental changes due to rising temperatures. Zooplankton communities, particularly copepods, play a vital role in marine ecosystems, yet their distribution dynamics remain poorly understood, especially Ligurian Sea. Leveraging open-source software and data, this study adapted methodology model copepod distributions from 1985 1986 Portofino Promontory ecosystem using Random Forest machine learning algorithm produce first abundance maps area. Five genera were studied across different trophic guilds, revealing habitat preferences ecological fluctuations throughout seasons. assessment accuracy through symmetric mean absolute percentage error (sMAPE) highlighted variability influenced by factors. While certain exhibited higher predictive during specific seasons, others posed challenges complexities. This underscores importance species-specific responses modeling. Moreover, represents attempt shedding light on niches historical spatial dynamics. adhered FAIR principles, repurposing data generate three-dimensional maps, enhancing our understanding biodiversity. Future studies will focus developing models artificial intelligence predict standing crop Sea with greater precision. integrated approach advances knowledge ecology sets precedent for integrating contemporary methodologies elucidate

Language: Английский

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