Innovation and technology in marine science: AIMS' North West Shoals to Shore Research Program – an update

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 679
Author(s):  
Miles J.G. Parsons ◽  
Karen J. Miller ◽  
Michele Thums ◽  
James P. Gilmour ◽  
Luciana C. Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Habitat Model ◽  
Marine Science ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
North West ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
Adaptive Monitoring

In 2017, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and its partners commenced the North West Shoals to Shore Research Program. The program is designed to address significant scientific and environmental knowledge gaps pertinent to the management of the offshore petroleum industry, a key stakeholder in this ecologically and commercially important region of Australia. The program comprises four themes. 1. Marine noise monitoring and impacts: includes two seismic source (2600 cubic inch air-gun array) exposure experiments have been conducted to investigate selected responses by demersal fishes and pearl oysters across different spatial and temporal scales. 2. Seabed habitats and demersal biodiversity: seeks to understand the physical and biological characteristics of the ancient coastline key ecological feature around the 125 m depth contour and pearl oyster habitats offshore from Eighty Mile Beach. The work examines the ecological processes that maintain benthic communities on both ancient and contemporary coastlines 3. Protected and iconic species movement, distribution and threats: uses innovative sampling techniques to confirm biologically important areas for pygmy blue whales, hawksbill and green turtles. This will assist the quantification and mitigation of the risks vessel movements, industrial infrastructure and activities pose to marine megafauna on the Northwest Shelf. 4. Spatial dynamics of isolated coral reef atolls: develops a habitat model and adaptive monitoring program that informs the future condition of these remote coral reef atolls. Significant progress has been made by the program in 2018, including the development of innovative and technical approaches to sampling.

Innovation and technology in marine science: AIMS' North West Shoals to Shore Research Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miles J. G. Parsons ◽  
Mark G. Meekan ◽  
Karen J. Miller ◽  
Michele Thums ◽  
James P. Gilmour
Keyword(s):  
Research Program ◽  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Genetic Connectivity ◽  
Scientific Uncertainty ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
North West ◽  
Adaptive Monitoring

The North West Shoals to Shore Research Program began in July 2017 and encompasses four themes, each of which addresses major gaps in scientific knowledge relevant to the environmental management of the offshore petroleum industry in north-west Australia. The themes are: 1. Marine Noise Monitoring and Impacts: investigate selected potential impacts of exposure to a seismic survey on demersal fishes and infauna across different spatial and temporal scales. 2. Benthic Habitats and Demersal Biodiversity: understand physical and biological characteristics of the Ancient Coastline Key Ecological Feature (125 m) and the ecological processes that maintain benthic communities from the ancient to contemporary coastlines, focusing on the distribution and genetic connectivity of pearl oysters. 3. Protected and Iconic Species Movement, Distribution and Threats: determine biologically important areas for pygmy blue whales and hawksbill and green turtles. This will lead to better quantification and mitigation of the risks to megafauna posed by vessel movements, industrial infrastructure and activities. 4. Spatial Dynamics of Isolated Coral Reef Atolls: developing a bio-physical model for benthic and fish communities at the Rowley Shoals and an adaptive monitoring program that quantifies and predicts their spatial dynamics. In this talk, we will discuss planning and progress of the program achieved to date, including innovative and technological approaches used to address scientific uncertainty currently faced by industry.

Adoption Decision and Sustainable Utilization of Soil Conservation Technologies: Empirical Evidence from North West Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1853-1863
Author(s):  
Kassaye Gurebiyaw Legese ◽  
Taye Melese ◽  
Tadie Mire ◽  
Abebe Birara ◽  
Kefale Eniyew
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Soil Conservation ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Severe Problem ◽  
North West ◽  
Household Heads ◽  
North Gondar Zone

Soil is a crucial and precious natural resource that govern numerous ecological processes. However, in Ethiopia particularly in north Gondar zone, soil erosion is a severe problem and a major cause of the decline of agricultural productivity. The adoption and diffusion of soil and water conservation practices (SWC), as a way to tackle this challenge, has become an important issue in the development policy agenda in the zone. Therefore, this study was to identify factors affecting Soil conservation investments in the North Gondar zone. Data was collected through interviewed schedule, filed observation and focus group discussion. The multistage sampling technique was employed to select 206 sample households.  Both descriptive and econometrics model was used to analyze the collected data. A multivariate profit (MPV) model was used to analyze the effect of demographic, socioeconomic, market, institutional and biophysical related factors on the interdependent investment decisions of SWC practices using household survey. The MPV model analysis indicates that farmers invest a combination of practices at parcel level by considering substitution and complementarity effects of the practices. The results also revealed that age of household heads, literacy status of household heads, off-farm activity, distance of farmlands from homesteads, tropical livestock unit, and access to training were influence farmers’ investments in SWC practices. The overall results indicate that the identified physical, socioeconomic, and institutional factors influence promote or hinder investments in SWC practice so, policymakers should take into consideration these various factors in designing and implementing SWC policies and Programmers.

Prominence of environmental and anthropogenic agents on the occurrence of coral reef bleaching syndrome and coral diseases

2024 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 6139-2024
Author(s):  
MICHAŁ SCHULZ ◽  
ALEKSANDRA ŁOŚ ◽  
PATRYCJA SKOWRONEK ◽  
ANETA STRACHECKA
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Coral Diseases ◽  
Rapid Changes ◽  
Anthropogenic Threats ◽  
Negative Factors ◽  
Main Relationship

Coral reefs are the most productive ecosystems on Earth. They ensure the conservation of biodiversity and are a live habitat for 25% of all marine organisms. The main relationship on the coral reef is the symbiosis between corals and algae from the genus Symbiodinium (commonly called zooxanthellae). The authors of this publication have characterized and described the factors limiting the occurrence of coral reefs, including: water temperature, salinity, access to sunlight, contamination, physicochemical and hydromechanical parameters of water. Moreover anthropogenic threats to coral reefs have been specified, including diving tourism, ecological disasters (e.g. oil spills) and the development of marine aquaristics. Rapid changes in the basic living conditions are dangerous for corals and their symbionts and may cause the unsuitability of the new environment resulting in diseases such as coral bleaching. Corals bleaching is a disease associated with the break of the coral and algae relationship which results in a coral reef death on a global scale. Awareness of these negative factors, often related to human activity, may allow us to better understand the ecological processes that are the basis of reef functioning and might enable us to prevent and oppose to the changes and ecological recessions of coral reefs.

scholarly journals Innovative Techniques for Landscape Recovery after Clay Mining under Mediterranean Conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3439
Author(s):  
Diana Turrión ◽  
Luna Morcillo ◽  
José Antonio Alloza ◽  
Alberto Vilagrosa
Keyword(s):  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Mine Reclamation ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Open Pit Mining ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Restoration Techniques ◽  
Innovative Techniques ◽  
Mediterranean Conditions

Open-pit mining results in profound modifications at different environmental scales that may persist for very long time periods, or even indefinitely. Considerable research efforts in mine reclamation strategies have been made, although reclamation failures are still common. In dry climates, such as in the Mediterranean Basin, successful actions may depend on features related to proper species selection and restoration techniques, which may substantially contribute to provide substrate stability and facilitate the regeneration of the main ecological processes. In this context, we developed the TECMINE case-study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and suitability of innovative restoration practices applied to clay-mine reclamation under Mediterranean conditions. The restoration strategy was designed at the landscape level with two main approaches: the recovery of natural geomorphology shapes and ecological restoration, including vegetation recovery and soil quality, based on proper reference ecosystems. After the geomorphological land remodeling, a combination of several innovative restoration techniques was implemented to reclaim plant communities and ecosystem functioning. These techniques involved: (i) accurate species selection according to microhabitat characteristics; (ii) high-quality plant production; (iii) surface remodeling to improve substrate stabilization; and (iv) implementing rainfall collection to enhance resources availability, soil fertility improvement and the amelioration of abiotic conditions for seedlings. Finally, we developed a monitoring program to assess the success of the implemented restoration techniques over time. The application of these innovative techniques has reported interesting results and represents a step forward in the improvement of mine restoration under Mediterranean climate.

scholarly journals NASA-NPS Landscape Climate Change Vulnerability Project (LCCVP) Team Meeting at AMK Ranch

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 183-184
Author(s):  
Andy Hansen ◽  
Tom Oliff
Keyword(s):  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Landscape Conservation ◽  
State University ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Montana State University ◽  
University Of Montana ◽  
Landscape Conservation Cooperatives

A NASA-funded research team met May 19-22 at the AMK Ranch for a semi-annual team workshop. Participants included: Montana State University – Andy Hansen, Tony Chang, Regan Nelson, Nate Piekielek Woods Hole Research Center – Patrick Jantz, Scott Zolkos NPS Inventory & Monitoring Program – John Gross, Bill Monahan Great Northern LCC – Tom Olliff NASA Ames – Forrest Melton, Jun Xiong Guest – Steve Running (University of Montana) Chef – Jodi Stevens The goal of the project is to demonstrate the four steps of climate adaptation planning in two US Department of Interior Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) using NASA and other data and models. Objectives are: 1. Hindcast and forecast future climate and land use scenarios. 2. Assess the vulnerability of ecological processes and key habitat types. 3. Evaluate management options. 4. Design and implement management adaptation strategies. 5. Facilitate decision support.

scholarly journals Development of Benthic Sampling Methods for the Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP) in Hawai'i

2004 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric K. Brown ◽  
Evelyn Cox ◽  
P. L. (Paul L.) Jokiel ◽  
S. Ku'ulei Rodgers ◽  
William R. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Assessment And Monitoring ◽  
Benthic Sampling

Predation on a newly-stocked long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) by the batwing coral crab (Carpilius corallinus) on a coral reef restoration site

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C Sharp ◽  
Brian A Reckenbeil
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Reef Site ◽  
Diadema Antillarum ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Reef Restoration ◽  
Restoration Site

This photograph documents a batwing coral crab (Carpilius corallinus) preying on the sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) on a coral reef site enhanced with artificial shelter and staghorn coral. This interaction illustrates an interaction that to be better understood to develop a restoration strategy that harnesses positive ecological processes.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 2000

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
S.J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
North West ◽  
Natural Gas Pipelines ◽  
The North ◽  
Timor Sea ◽  
Epbc Act

Last year the petroleum industry witnessed the enactment of new legislation both at Commonwealth and State levels. The principal legislative change to environmental management was the introduction of the Commonwealth Government’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act, 2000 (EPBC Act). South Australia and Victoria also implemented new Petroleum Acts and/ or Regulations.Construction of the Eastern Gas Pipeline was also completed last year, whilst preliminary approvals and environmental assessment continues for the Papua New Guinea, Timor Sea and Tasmania Natural Gas pipelines. Offshore exploration continued, particularly in the North West Shelf, Otway Basin, Timor Sea and Bass Strait.Other critical areas of environmental management included greenhouse gases, national pollution inventory reporting and the increasing requirements for environmental approval and management under various state environmental legislation.This paper provides an overview of environmental developments in the petroleum industry during the year 2000, in particular, the implication of new legislation, new technology, e-commerce and a greater focus on environmental reporting.

MANAGING HELICOPTER RISK

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 657 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hart
Keyword(s):  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Simulator Training ◽  
Flight Crew ◽  
Training Tool ◽  
Aviation Policy ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Technical Issues ◽  
Technical Specifications ◽  
Technical Failures

Annually, a million hours are flown by helicopters for the international petroleum industry. About 90% of this flying is offshore, and involves around 10 million passengers. Each year some 25–35 accidents are recorded, an average of 22 passengers and crew lose their lives, and a higher number are injured. Some 45% of these accidents stem from technical causes, a similar number are pilot related, and the remainder are linked to other causes. Helicopter accident rates are 10 times higher than those of airline travel.Strategies to tackle both technical failures and pilot related accidents have emerged, although application of these strategies around the world is inconsistent.One way in which helicopter technical issues have been addressed is by the introduction of Health and Usage Monitoring (HUMS) equipment. To tackle the pilot related accidents, lessons have been drawn from the airline industry’s use of Flight Data Management (FDM) programs, which allow pilots to learn from deviations from pre-defined normal parameters during routine flying. The helicopter version of FDM is the Helicopter Operations Monitoring Program (HOMP). Another important training tool is flight simulator training to allow simulated emergencies to be flown and practiced.Petroleum companies have the opportunity through their own aviation policy and standards to stipulate flight crew experience and training, the technical specifications for their contracted helicopters and the application of advanced safety programs, such as HUMS, and HOMP. Compliance and continuous improvement in line with these standards can be verified and facilitated through operational and technical audit. Only with such active involvement can helicopter risk be managed downwards.

Building a world-class Australian decommissioning industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kym Bills
Keyword(s):  
Science Research ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Marine Science ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
Cooperative Research ◽  
North West ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
World Class ◽  
The University

Collaboration in decommissioning offshore infrastructure could save both industry and taxpayers billions of dollars and facilitate new industries and exports for Australia, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. At the end of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant construction boom, Australia must not miss out on this major new opportunity. The 2017 bid for Commonwealth funding to establish a Decommissioning Offshore Infrastructure Cooperative Research Centre (DOI-CRC) involved more than 30 participants and many other collaborators. High-level commitments were made by Chevron, Woodside, Shell, BHP, ExxonMobil, Quadrant, The University of Western Australia, Curtin University, the University of New South Wales, Deakin University, Australian Maritime College, CSIRO and Australian Institute of Marine Science. A Perth-based DOI-CRC was supported by National Energy Resources Australia, National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority and other Australian Government bodies and by the Western Australian Government and its Chief Scientist and agencies but did not receive sufficient support from the CRC Advisory Committee. Meeting decommissioning challenges in the North West Shelf, Bass Strait and the Northern Territory in a timely, robust, scientific, efficient and cost-effective manner that contributes to a sustainable marine environment should draw upon and augment international best practice with local capability and expertise. Good science and innovative engineering are needed to support regulatory approval of options such as ‘rigs to reefs’ and commercial opportunities such as in waste management and expanded fishing and tourism. APPEA and operators wish to maintain DOI-CRC’s momentum and learn from UK research arrangements through funding marine science projects. But we must be much broader if we are to build a sustainable world-class Australian decommissioning industry. In particular, we need to work more closely with state and federal regulators and policymakers and undertake more engineering science research and innovation.

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