Mapping the habitat refugia of Isidella elongata under climate change and trawling impacts to preserve Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in the Mediterranean

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

Published: March 15, 2024

Abstract The bamboo-coral Isidella elongata is a key habitat-forming species in the deep Mediterranean Sea. This alcyonacean listed as an indicator of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and Critically Endangered due to bottom trawling impacts. In this work, modeling approach was used predict map habitat suitability I. Sea under current environmental conditions. Occurrence data were modeled function parameters. Using climate change scenarios fishing effort data, risk fisheries impacts on estimated, refugia identified. A drastic loss predicted, suggest 60% suitable habitats by 2100. central Mediterranean, overlapped with active grounds. study represents first attempt identify hot spots for protection soft entire Sea, highlights areas most at from trawling. work relevant objectives EU Strategy Framework Maritime Spatial Planning Directives, Biodiversity 2030 regarding priority conservation.

Language: Английский

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Identifying priority areas for spatial management of mixed fisheries using ensemble of multi‐species distribution models

Fish and Fisheries, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 25(2), P. 187 - 204

Published: Nov. 15, 2023

Abstract Spatial fisheries management is widely used to reduce overfishing, rebuild stocks, and protect biodiversity. However, the effectiveness optimization of spatial measures depend on accurately identifying ecologically meaningful areas, which can be difficult in mixed fisheries. To apply a method generally range target species, we developed an ensemble species distribution models (e‐SDM) that combines general additive models, generalized linear random forest, gradient‐boosting machine methods training testing protocol. The e‐SDM was integrate density indices from two scientific bottom trawl surveys with geopositional data, relevant oceanographic variables three‐dimensional physical‐biogeochemical operational model, fishing effort vessel monitoring system. determined best distributions for juveniles adults are determine hot spots aggregation based single or multiple species. We applied juvenile adult stages 10 marine demersal representing 60% total landings central areas Mediterranean Sea. Using results, grounds potentially more selective were identified each group otter beam results confirm ecological appropriateness existing fishery restriction support identification locations new measures.

Language: Английский

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Vitality insights of fish escaping from a sorting grid installed on a bottom trawl net

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 2, 2025

Language: Английский

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Predicting Suitable Areas for Cold‐Water Scleractinian Corals in Southwestern Australian Submarine Canyons

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 8, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim The exploration of submarine canyons offshore southwestern Australia using remotely operated vehicles (ROV) has documented the occurrence cold‐water coral (CWC) ecosystems, predominantly along heads and slopes canyons. Representing first major ROV investigation in this region, information on CWC distribution area is still limited. Here we apply a habitat suitability model (HSM) to identify potential scleractinian habitats these canyon systems. We show that integration environmental geomorphological variables allows HSM key conditions favourable for region. Location Southwestern Australian canyons: Bremer system (BCS), Mount Gabi seamount Leeuwin Canyon Perth Canyon. Taxon Cold‐water corals Order Scleractinia. Methods High‐resolution maximum entropy (Maxent) was developed remote sensing indices derived from bathymetry. Scleractinian occurrences were obtained videos acquired by onboard RV Falkor during Schmidt Ocean Institute cruise FK200126. identified portions seafloor most suitable SW Results Modelling predicted over 27.2 km 2 (suitability index > 0.6), representing only ~0.254% total surface systems explored. Dissolved oxygen resulted as relevant factor, followed terrain ruggedness, slope bottom temperature, confirming their importance distribution. locations heads, features emerging continental shelf. Main Conclusion Our integrated approach combination data. high performance suggests data are valuable predictors estimate results our modelling not contribute increasing knowledge ecologically ecosystems poorly explored but also parameters limiting Such crucial establishing implementing targeted conservation actions effective natural resource management plans.

Language: Английский

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Scientific progress made towards bridging the knowledge gap in the biology of Mediterranean marine fishes

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(11), P. e0277383 - e0277383

Published: Nov. 10, 2022

The Mediterranean Sea is a renowned biodiversity hotspot influenced by multiple interacting ecological and human forces. A gap analysis on the biology of marine fishes was conducted in 2017, revealing most studied species biological characteristics, as well identifying knowledge gaps areas potential future research. Here, we updated this five years later reviewing literature containing information same eight namely length-weight relationships, growth, maximum age, mortality, spawning, maturity, fecundity diet, for 722 fish Sea. results revealed considerable 37% had no any while 13% only one characteristic. Out all smallest found relationships (studied 51% species, mainly eastern Mediterranean), least characteristic mortality 10% species). western were leading forces data collection exhibiting narrowest between current desired knowledge. across entire region highly commercial European hake ( Merluccius merluccius ), red mullet Mullus barbatus anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus pilchard Sardina pilchardus common pandora Pagellus erythrinus annular seabream Diplodus annularis ). has shrunk 6% during last years, with 40 new having at study their biology. Moreover, research slightly shifted towards that have been traditionally neglected, e.g., sharks, rays chimaeras (chondrichthyans). It recommended becomes less focused more targeted identified gaps, vulnerable (e.g., deep-sea chondrichthyans) could potentially pose threat non-indigenous species) to ecosystems everchanging

Language: Английский

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Transects in the deep: Opportunities with tele-operated resident seafloor robots

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

Published: Aug. 29, 2022

Scientific, industrial and societal needs call urgently for the development establishment of intelligent, cost-effective ecologically sustainable monitoring protocols robotic platforms continuous exploration marine ecosystems. Internet Operated Vehicles (IOVs) such as crawlers, provide a versatile alternative to conventional observing sampling tools, being tele-operated, (semi-) permanent mobile capable operating on deep coastal seafloor. Here we present outstanding observations made by crawler “Wally” in last decade at Barkley Canyon (BC, Canada, NE Pacific) methane hydrates site, part NEPTUNE cabled observatory. The followed evolution microhabitats formed around biotic and/or abiotic structural features site (e.g., field egg towers buccinid snails, colonized boulder). Furthermore, episodic events fresh biomass input were observed (i.e., mass transport large gelatinous particles, scavenging dead jellyfish arrival macroalgae from shallower depths). Moreover, report numerous faunal behaviors sablefish rheo- phototaxis, behavioral reactions swimming or resting patterns further fish species, encounters with octopuses various crab intra- interspecific interactions). We animal both natural artificial stimuli crawler’s movement light systems). These diverse showcase different capabilities modern platform science offshore industry. Its long deployments mobility enable its efficiency combining repeatability long-term studies versatility opportunistically observe rarely seen incidents when they occur, highlighted here. Finally, critically assess empirically recorded ecological footprint potential impacts operations benthic ecosystem together solutions mitigate them into future.

Language: Английский

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Tar pollution event (2021) at the Southeastern Levantine oligotrophic basin, short-term impacts and operational oceanography perspectives

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 198, P. 115892 - 115892

Published: Dec. 11, 2023

Language: Английский

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Cold-tolerant traits that favour northwards movement and establishment of Mediterranean and Ponto-Caspian alien aquatic invertebrates

Aquatic Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 84(4)

Published: July 26, 2022

Language: Английский

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Sedimentary organic matter accumulation provinces in the Santos Basin, SW Atlantic: insights from multiple bulk proxies

Ocean and Coastal Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 71(suppl 3)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

The organic matter (OM) of surface sediments (0–2 cm) from the Santos Basin was characterized by employing elemental (C, N, P), isotopic (δ 13C and δ 15N), biochemical (total carbohydrates, proteins, lipids), pigment (chlorophyll-a phaeopigments) proxies, as part Project – Regional Environmental Characterization (PCR-BS) coordinated PETROBRAS. Samples were collected in a regional scale throughout entire basin, including 11 isobaths eight cross-margin transects ranging 25 to 2,400 m water depths, 12 additional samples obtained São Paulo Plateau. aims this study two-fold, namely, identify major oceanographic depositional processes driving OM transport accumulation provide information on origin availability benthic secondary producers. multiple employed proxies use machine learning allowed categorize distinct provinces displaying two features: shallow (< 50-m isobaths) are OM-poor (TOC < 2.0 mg g -1) but available amount is readily hydrolysable, mid-shelf deposits (75-m 100-m basin present muddy OM-rich 7.0 14.0 g-1) seemingly heterotrophs. Similarly, relatively found at depths 700 1,300-m their composition nutritional value (as suggested indicators) not related deposits. general overview provided herein validated selected geochemical for ecology studies shelf deep ocean sectors studied region.

Language: Английский

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Towards a global strategy for the conservation of deep-sea active hydrothermal vents

npj Ocean Sustainability, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 2(1)

Published: Nov. 27, 2023

Abstract Deep-sea active hydrothermal vents are globally diverse, vulnerable, rare, remote, and isolated habitats, yet they face increasing threats from human activities, including deep-sea mining. To address the conservation challenges surrounding these we present a global assessment of status vents. Our findings reveal that while 25% known deep currently under interventions, only 8% benefit full protection. These consisting area-based regulation-based management measures, implemented by 17 Sovereign States, three Regional Fisheries Management Organizations one international treaty through 30 discrete interventions. However, our comparison specific measures for 155 managed current remain fragmented discordant across jurisdictions biogeographical provinces, resulting in overall insufficient protection, especially Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. Seizing momentum ocean conservation, it is crucial to harmonize protection worldwide, taking into account their biogeographic context spatial distribution. This requires aligning initiatives could improve baseline policies

Language: Английский

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