Why aquatic scientists should use sulfur stable isotope ratios (ẟ34S) more often

Chemosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 355, P. 141816 - 141816

Published: March 29, 2024

Over the last few decades, measurements of light stable isotope ratios have been increasingly used to answer questions across physiology, biology, ecology, and archaeology. The vast majority analyse carbon (δ13C) nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes as 'default' isotopes, omitting sulfur (δ34S) due time, cost, or perceived lack benefits instrumentation capabilities. Using just isotopic can produce results that are inconclusive, uncertain, in worst cases, even misleading, especially for scientists new use interpretation data. values more regularly has potential mitigate these issues, given recent advancements lowered measurement barriers. Here we provide a review documenting case studies with real-world data, re-analysing different biological topics (i.e. niche, diet, movement bioarchaeology) without highlight various strengths this applications. Each study demonstrates how exclusion comes at detriment results, often leading very outputs, missing valuable discoveries entirely. We also include preliminary meta-analysis trophic discrimination factor (TDF) which suggest small (mean −0.4 ± 1.7 ‰ SD) but taxa-dependent mean discrimination. Given relying on currently underpin most our understanding ecological processes, concerning implications. Collectively, examples strongly researchers planning their research should incorporate where possible, systems now be carbon, nitrogen, sulfur.

Language: Английский

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A decision support tool to help identify blue carbon sites for restoration

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 367, P. 122006 - 122006

Published: Aug. 1, 2024

Blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs), such as mangroves, saltmarshes, and seagrasses, are important nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation adaptation but threatened by degradation. Effective BCE restoration requires strategic planning site selection to optimise outcomes. We developed a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based multi-criteria decision support tool identify suitable areas along the 2512 km-long coastline of Victoria, Australia. High-resolution spatial data on distribution, coastal geomorphology, hydrodynamics, land tenure were integrated into flexible model that distinguishes between passive active suitability. The was applied high-priority locations mangrove, saltmarsh, seagrass across different scenarios. Results indicate substantial potential in with 33,253 ha area identified, mostly (>97%) public land, which aligned criteria used tool. Restoration opportunities concentrated bays estuaries where historical losses have been significant. mapped outputs provide decision-support framework regional planning, while itself can be adapted other geographies. By integrating multiple distinguishing restoration, our approach offers new method targeting informing resource allocation. identified will also require collaboration managers communities, consideration socio-economic factors. With further refinements, incorporating analysis techniques, GIS-based tools help catalyse blue investments contribute goals at scales. This study highlights value identification provides transferable regions.

Language: Английский

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Predicting ecotopes from hydrodynamic model data: Towards an ecological assessment of nature-based solutions

Nature-Based Solutions, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6, P. 100145 - 100145

Published: June 26, 2024

Estuaries worldwide are of substantial ecological value due to the presence various gradients, such as salinity. Preserving natural estuaries is vital for meeting climate stabilization goals Paris Agreement. Recognizing nature a stakeholder imperative, given surpassing ecosystem services over global gross domestic product. Quantifying current state and future shifts faces challenges, including variable dependencies, spatial-temporal disparities, limitations in available information. This study introduces EMMA (Ecotope-Map Maker Abiotics), method quantifying effects human interventions or change scenarios on estuarine ecosystems by linking abiotic characteristics derived from hydrodynamic model ecotopes. The Western Scheldt, an estuary connecting Scheldt river North Sea Netherlands, serves case study. successfully reproduced existing ecotope-map, which dependent real-time data aerial photographs. developed not only proves applicable assessing hypothetical but also demonstrates utility predicting situations, providing valuable insights decision-makers management contributing environmental preservation goals.

Language: Английский

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Abundance and movement of gastropods in response to vegetation and cover in a southeastern Australian saltmarsh

Austral Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 49(8)

Published: Aug. 1, 2024

Abstract Southeast Australian saltmarshes are endangered ecological communities under threat from various anthropogenic factors including climate change. As change drives sea‐level rise mangrove encroachment and squeezed at their landward edge, our lack of knowledge the interactions any associations between saltmarsh vegetation fauna becomes concerning, especially given importance for fisheries as a blue carbon habitat. This study investigated association abundance movement gastropods in typical coastal Patonga, New South Wales, Australia. Densities Phallomedusa solida, Ophicardelus spp. Littoraria luteola were significant vegetated Salicornia quinqueflora least unvegetated areas where mangroves had encroached. Experiments that translocated manipulated cover revealed these patterns actively maintained by spp., which dispersed up to 40 cm 1.4 m after 3 24 h, respectively, away mangroves. The results this suggest both habitat influence gastropod dynamics southeastern saltmarsh. Given future anticipated loss, further investigations needed on unknown functional role ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Sub-lethal effects of metal(loid) contamination on the halophyte Sarcocornia quinqueflora with links to plant photosynthetic performance and biomass – A field study

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 205, P. 116569 - 116569

Published: June 17, 2024

Two saltmarsh locations within Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia were selected to investigate the uptake and partitioning of metal(loid)s Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd Pb in Australian halophyte, Sarcocornia quinqueflora associated sub-lethal effects on plant health, including photosynthetic performance, biomass, productivity. Metal(loid)s primarily accumulated roots (BCF > 1). Barriers transport observed at root non-photosynthetic stem transition (TF < 1) for all metal(loid)s, suggesting this species is suitable phytostabilisation. Sediment tissue metal(loid) concentrations significantly correlated with performance biomass. As such, action sediment subsequent effect biomass S.quinqueflora appear be targets molecular analyses further elucidate mechanisms responsible adverse development outcome pathways.

Language: Английский

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Upscaling marine and coastal restoration through legal and governance solutions: Lessons from global bright spots

Environmental Science & Policy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 163, P. 103962 - 103962

Published: Nov. 30, 2024

Language: Английский

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