Benthic habitat mapping: A review of three decades of mapping biological patterns on the seafloor

Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 296, P. 108599 - 108599

Published: Dec. 12, 2023

What is benthic habitat mapping, how it accomplished, and has that changed over time? We query the published literature to answer these questions synthesize results quantitatively provide a comprehensive review of field past three decades. Categories maps are differentiated unambiguously by response variable (i.e., subject being mapped) rather than approaches used produce map. Additional terminology in clarified defined based on provenance, statistical criteria, common usage. Mapping approaches, models, data sets, technologies, range other attributes reviewed their application, we document changes ways components have been integrated map habitats time. found use acoustic remote sensing surpassed optical methods for obtaining environmental data. Although wide variety employed ground truth maps, underwater imagery become most validation tool – surpassing physical sampling. The empirical machine learning models process increased dramatically 10 years, superseded expert manual interpretation. discuss products derived from address ecological emerging seascape ecology, technologies survey logistics pose different challenges this research across ecosystems intertidal shallow sublittoral regions deep ocean. Outstanding identified discussed context with trajectory field.

Language: Английский

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Influence of offshore oil and gas structures on seascape ecological connectivity

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 28(11), P. 3515 - 3536

Published: March 16, 2022

Offshore platforms, subsea pipelines, wells and related fixed structures supporting the oil gas (O&G) industry are prevalent in oceans across globe, with many approaching end of their operational life requiring decommissioning. Although can possess high ecological diversity productivity, information on how they interact broader processes remains unclear. Here, we review current state knowledge role O&G infrastructure maintaining, altering or enhancing connectivity natural marine habitats. There is a paucity studies subject only 33 papers specifically targeting structures, although other provide important information. Evidence for facilitating vertical horizontal seascape exists larvae mobile adult invertebrates, fish megafauna; including threatened commercially species. The degree to which these represent beneficial detrimental net impact unclear, complex ultimately needs more research determine extent networks conserved, enhanced disrupted. We discuss potential impacts different decommissioning approaches identify, through expert elicitation, critical gaps that, if addressed, may further inform decision making cycle infrastructure, relevance industries (e.g. renewables). most highly ranked gap was need understand modify influence movement patterns species dispersal stages sessile Understanding options affect survival also ranked, as understanding contribute extending distributions by providing rest stops, foraging habitat, stepping stones. These questions could be addressed dedicated animal relation using telemetry, molecular techniques models. Our priority roadmap advancing needed support evidence-based infrastructure.

Language: Английский

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Estimating enhanced fish production on restored shellfish reefs using automated data collection from underwater videos

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 61(4), P. 633 - 646

Published: March 6, 2024

Abstract Shellfish reefs across the world have been heavily degraded by mechanical harvesting, disease and declining water quality. In southern Australia, where substantial losses occurred, government non‐government efforts to restore functioning are now underway with a strong focus on enhancing fish productivity. However, capacity of these restored enhance production remains unknown, hampering estimates return investment. We quantify density differences newly recruited juvenile other nekton reefs, relative those unrestored, unstructured habitat. Fish were surveyed at three paired reef‐unstructured locations using 169 unbaited stereo video deployments during periods over 12 months (2022–2023). used automation software, FishID, automatically identify, size count in videos. subsequently applied known growth mortality parameters model enhancement Sixteen species occurred as new recruits, all but two found higher densities than Enhancement from subtidal shellfish single year's cohort is estimated be, average, 6186 kg ha −1 year (SD 1802) after enough time has elapsed for matured. Species harvested commercially or recreationally contributed 98% that (6083 , SD 1797). varied greatly among locations, ranging 12,738 2894), which highest yet recorded anywhere, 1.4 0.9). The lack location lowest might be explained impact overfishing recruitment key an abundance alternative habitat fish. Synthesis applications . combination underwater videos automated data extraction provides reliable, cost‐effective method surveying oyster reefs. By quantifying enhanced productivity we provide will underpin calculations ecological, social financial benefits, supporting business case scaling‐up restoration efforts.

Language: Английский

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Identifying community-driven priority questions in acoustic backscatter research

Frontiers in Remote Sensing, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5

Published: Jan. 7, 2025

Introduction Remotely-sensed acoustic backscatter is an indispensable tool for seabed mapping, among other disciplines. Almost a decade after the GeoHab Backscatter Working Group published its guidelines and recommendations report, new technologies, challenges questions have emerged. Given range of potential research avenues, it can be difficult to align programs with priorities community practice. Prioritization topics thus necessary establish roadmap efforts. Methods We asked international working submit their priority over 5- 10-year horizon. analyzed curated total 177 from 73 contributors, resulting 104 were grouped into eight broad recurring themes: “Technologies”, “Calibration”, “Data acquisition ground-truthing”, processing”, “Post-processing, quality control, data handling, curation”, analysis”, interpretation”, “Applications end uses”. A follow-up survey based on final list was distributed characterize identify key priorities. Results 120 responses originating 23 countries used analyses. Most respondents researchers (68%), while others technicians (25%) or department program managers (11%), roles. Affiliations included academia (43%), governmental agencies (37%), industry/private sector (18%). After scaling responses, most commonly selected theme followed by “Calibration” analysis”. Respondents consistently ranked several as The two that identified 25% “How we move towards absolute calibration different systems allow interregional comparisons?”, quantify seafloor develop standards similar what exists bathymetry?”. Discussion All themes are represented in top 10 questions, underscoring need contributions multiple perspectives advance field. ranking encourages collaboration within will serve next decade.

Language: Английский

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Rapid Site Selection to Prioritize Coastal Seascapes for Nature-Based Solutions With Multiple Benefits

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

Published: April 29, 2022

Coastal seascapes are productive and diverse land-sea systems that provide many valuable benefits yet increasingly threatened by human activity. Scaling up of nature-based solutions (NbS) to effectively protect, sustainably manage, restore coastal is urgently required for mitigation climate change biodiversity loss while also providing socio-economic benefits. Evidence-based site selection an important first step improve the outcomes avoid negative impacts when prioritizing NbS investments at national level. We developed a spatially explicit, integrative culturally relevant ecosystem-based process identify portfolio consideration in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The primary goal was rank planning units based on potential action, positive impact people. multi-criteria site-selection framework provided rapid, transparent, repeatable scalable tool. highest weightings were assigned blue carbon storage value, conservation features, local stakeholder preferred areas. Spatial proxies people represented population density accessibility seascapes, relative tourism recreation potential, importance fish habitat fishing grounds food security. Participatory mapping knowledge review existing data ensured both qualitative quantitative criteria reliable, up-to-date locally relevant. Two distinct clusters high suitability identified Abu Dhabi region four along north-western coast UAE. Most sites located outside marine protected Alternative spatial scenarios without bias underscored through participatory highlighted additional priority future scaling-up NbS. A corridor medium across offers designing well-connected accelerate boost synergistic increase resilience. provides rapid tool integrates global open access range scales with great transferability other regions worldwide.

Language: Английский

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Cross-cutting research themes for future mangrove forest research

Nature Plants, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 8(10), P. 1131 - 1135

Published: Oct. 14, 2022

Language: Английский

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Research priorities for the sustainability of coral-rich western Pacific seascapes

Regional Environmental Change, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 23(2)

Published: April 21, 2023

Nearly a billion people depend on tropical seascapes. The need to ensure sustainable use of these vital areas is recognised, as one 17 policy commitments made by world leaders, in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 ('Life below Water') the United Nations. SDG seeks secure marine sustainability 2030. In time increasing social-ecological unpredictability and risk, scientists policymakers working towards Asia-Pacific region know: (1) How are seascapes changing? (2) What can global society do about changes? (3) science together achieve seascape futures? Through horizon scan, we identified nine emerging research priorities that clarify potential contributions locations with high coral reef abundance. They include geological biological evolution adaptation; elucidating drivers mechanisms change; understanding how functions services produced, them; costs, benefits, trade-offs changing seascapes; improving technologies practices; learning govern manage for all; use, justice, human well-being; bridging communities epistemologies innovative, equitable, scale-crossing solutions; informing resilient futures through modelling synthesis. Researchers contribute co-developing transdisciplinary understandings ecosystems, emphasising importance equity knowledge key cross-scale cross-level processes, feedbacks, thresholds.

Language: Английский

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Benefits and barriers for researcher-practitioner collaboration on marine and coastal management issues

Environmental Science & Policy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 155, P. 103713 - 103713

Published: March 11, 2024

Language: Английский

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Bringing seascape ecology to the deep seabed: A review and framework for its application

Limnology and Oceanography, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 67(1), P. 66 - 88

Published: Nov. 15, 2021

Abstract Seascape ecology is an emerging pattern‐oriented and integrative science conceptually linked to landscape ecology. It aims quantify multidimensional spatial structure in the sea reveal its ecological consequences. The seascape approach has made important advances shallow coastal environments, increasing exploration mapping of deep seabed provides opportunities for application ocean. We argue that ecology, with multiscale perspective, can generate new scientific insights at temporal scales relevant ecosystem‐based management. a conceptual operational framework integrates builds on existing benthic habitat research by providing additional concepts, tools techniques (1) complex patterns across multiple scales; (2) link biodiversity processes; (3) provide ecologically meaningful information operationally This review introduces deep‐seabed environments. Research areas are highlighted where advance understanding

Language: Английский

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Modelling the Mediterranean Sea ecosystem at high spatial resolution to inform the ecosystem-based management in the region

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Nov. 16, 2022

Cumulative pressures are rapidly expanding in the Mediterranean Sea with consequences for marine biodiversity and resources, services they provide. Policy makers urge a ecosystem assessment of region space time. This study evaluates how whole food web may have responded to historical changes climate, environment fisheries, through use an modelling over long time span (decades) at high spatial resolution (8 × 8 km), inform regional sub-regional management. Results indicate coastal shelf areas be sites highest resources biomass, which decrease towards south-eastern regions. High levels total catches discards predicted concentrated Western sub-basin Adriatic Sea. Mean spatial-temporal commercial biomass show increases offshore waters region, while indicators marginal changes. Total increase greatly Eastern sub-basins. Spatial patterns temporal mean biodiversity, community biomasses trophic indices, assessed this study, aim identifying components that signs deterioration overall goal assisting policy designing implementing management actions region.

Language: Английский

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