Human impacts on connectivity in marine and freshwater ecosystems assessed using graph theory: a review

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan I. Saunders ◽  
Christopher J. Brown ◽  
Melissa M. Foley ◽  
Catherine M. Febria ◽  
Rebecca Albright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Graph Theory ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Habitat Alteration ◽  
Graph Representations ◽  
Aquatic Connectivity

Human activities are altering the processes that connect organisms within and among habitats and populations in marine and freshwater (aquatic) ecosystems. Connectivity can be quantified using graph theory, where habitats or populations are represented by ‘nodes’ and dispersal is represented by ‘links’. This approach spans discipline and systemic divides, facilitating identification of generalities in human impacts. We conducted a review of studies that have used graph theory to quantify spatial functional connectivity in aquatic ecosystems. The search identified 42 studies published in 2000–14. We assessed whether each study quantified the impacts of (1) habitat alteration (loss, alteration to links, and gain), (2) human movements causing species introductions, (3) overharvesting and (4) climate change (warming temperatures, altered circulation or hydrology, sea-level rise) and ocean acidification. In freshwater systems habitat alteration was the most commonly studied stressor, whereas in marine systems overharvesting, in terms of larval dispersal among protected areas, was most commonly addressed. Few studies have directly assessed effects of climate change, suggesting an important area of future research. Graph representations of connectivity revealed similarities across different impacts and systems, suggesting common strategies for conservation management. We suggest future research directions for studies of aquatic connectivity to inform conservation management of aquatic ecosystems.

scholarly journals Parasite transmission in aquatic ecosystems under climate change: joint effects of temperature, host behavior and elimination of parasite larvae by predators

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gopko ◽  
E. Mironova ◽  
A. Pasternak ◽  
V. Mikheev ◽  
J. Taskinen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Fish Host ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
List Type ◽  
Filter Feeding ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

AbstractA moderate raise in temperature was suggested to enhance the impact of parasites on aquatic ecosystems. Under higher temperatures, poikilothermic animals (e.g. fish), increase their activity, which can result in a more frequent encounter with parasites. However, temperature increase may also trigger processes counteracting an increased risk of parasitic infections. For instance, removal of free-living stages of parasites by filter-feeding organisms can increase with temperature and potentially mitigate disease risk in ecosystems under climate change.In our study, we aimed to find out whether an increased infection transmission under higher temperatures can be, at least, partly compensated by the increased removal of parasitic larvae be aquatic predators. In addition, we planned to reveal the behavioral mechanism underlying the more successful transmission of the parasite at higher temperatures.We experimentally studied how temperature, the behavior of fish host (rainbow trout) and the presence of filter-feeding mussels in the environment influence transmission success of trematode larvae (Diplostomum pseudospathaceum cercariae) to fish host.We found that temperature raise increased, while presence of filter-feeding mussels in the environment decreased infection intensities in fish. However, the effect of mussel’s presence was constant within the tested range of water temperatures (15-23ºC), which suggests that it cannot compensate for the observed increased transmission of parasites under temperature raise. The difference in fish individual behavior (swimming activity) before the exposure to parasites was a substantial factor the affecting host’s vulnerability to infection. However, fish motor activity only weakly correlated with temperature, therefore, it is unlikely to be responsible for the increased infection success under warmer conditions. After exposure to parasites, fish strongly decreased their activity. This decrease was temperature-dependent and more pronounced in bolder (more active) fish, which leads to lower variability in activity of fish exposed to parasites compared with the safe environment. Post-exposure activity did not influence the infection intensity.In general, we showed that the elimination of trematode larvae by filter-feeders is unlikely to deter the potential effects of global warming on host-parasite interactions in temperate freshwater ecosystems.

scholarly journals Allelopathic and Bloom-Forming Picocyanobacteria in a Changing World

Toxins ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylwia Śliwińska-Wilczewska ◽  
Jakub Maculewicz ◽  
Aldo Barreiro Felpeto ◽  
Adam Latała
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Primary Production ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Phytoplankton Biomass ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Recent Information ◽  
Allelopathic Activity

Picocyanobacteria are extremely important organisms in the world’s oceans and freshwater ecosystems. They play an essential role in primary production and their domination in phytoplankton biomass is common in both oligotrophic and eutrophic waters. Their role is expected to become even more relevant with the effect of climate change. However, this group of photoautotrophic organisms still remains insufficiently recognized. Only a few works have focused in detail on the occurrence of massive blooms of picocyanobacteria, their toxicity and allelopathic activity. Filling the gap in our knowledge about the mechanisms involved in the proliferation of these organisms could provide a better understanding of aquatic environments. In this review, we gathered and described recent information about allelopathic activity of picocyanobacteria and occurrence of their massive blooms in many aquatic ecosystems. We also examined the relationships between climate change and representative picocyanobacterial genera from freshwater, brackish and marine ecosystems. This work emphasizes the importance of studying the smallest picoplanktonic fractions of cyanobacteria.

scholarly journals The importance of research and public opinion to conservation management of sharks and rays: a synthesis

2011 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 518 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Simpfendorfer ◽  
M. R. Heupel ◽  
W. T. White ◽  
N. K. Dulvy
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Economic Sustainability ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Effective Conservation

Growing concern for the world’s shark and ray populations is driving the need for greater research to inform conservation management. A change in public perception, from one that we need to protect humans from sharks to one where we must protect sharks from humans, has added to calls for better management. The present paper examines the growing need for research for conservation management of sharks and rays by synthesising information presented in this Special Issue from the 2010 Sharks International Conference and by identifying future research needs, including topics such as taxonomy, life history, population status, spatial ecology, environmental effects, ecosystem role and human impacts. However, this biological and ecological research agenda will not be sufficient to fully secure conservation management. There is also a need for research to inform social and economic sustainability. Effective conservation management will be achieved by setting clear priorities for research with the aid of stakeholders, implementing well designed research projects, building the capacity for research, and clearly communicating the results to stakeholders. If this can be achieved, it will assure a future for this iconic group, the ecosystems in which they occur and the human communities that rely on them.

At-risk marine biodiversity faces extensive, expanding, and intensifying human impacts

Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 372 (6537) ◽  
pp. 84-87
Author(s):  
Casey C. O’Hara ◽  
Melanie Frazier ◽  
Benjamin S. Halpern
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Fishing Activity ◽  
Anthropogenic Stressors ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Over Time

Human activities and climate change threaten marine biodiversity worldwide, though sensitivity to these stressors varies considerably by species and taxonomic group. Mapping the spatial distribution of 14 anthropogenic stressors from 2003 to 2013 onto the ranges of 1271 at-risk marine species sensitive to them, we found that, on average, species faced potential impacts across 57% of their ranges, that this footprint expanded over time, and that the impacts intensified across 37% of their ranges. Although fishing activity dominated the footprint of impacts in national waters, climate stressors drove the expansion and intensification of impacts. Mitigating impacts on at-risk biodiversity is critical to supporting resilient marine ecosystems, and identifying the co-occurrence of impacts across multiple taxonomic groups highlights opportunities to amplify the benefits of conservation management.

Mountain freshwater ecosystems and protected areas in the tropical Andes: insights and gaps for climate change adaptation

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Estefania Quenta-Herrera ◽  
Verónica Crespo-Pérez ◽  
Bryan G Mark ◽  
Ana Lía Gonzales ◽  
Aino Kulonen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Tropical Andes ◽  
Stream Length ◽  
Freshwater Conservation

Summary Although protected areas (PAs) play an important role in ecosystem conservation and climate change adaptation, no systematic information is available on PA protection of high-elevation freshwater ecosystems (e.g., lakes and watersheds with glaciers), their biodiversity and their ecosystem services in the tropical Andes. We therefore combined a literature review and map analysis of PAs of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and national systems of PAs and freshwater ecosystems. We found that seven national parks were created for water resources protection but were not designed for freshwater conservation (i.e., larger watersheds). High-value biodiversity sites have not been protected, and new local PAs were created due to water resource needs. We quantified 31 Ramsar sites and observed that PAs cover 12% of lakes, 31% of glacial lakes and 12% of the total stream length in the tropical Andes. Additionally, 120 watersheds (average area 631 km2) with glaciers and 40% of the total glacier surface area were covered by PAs. Future research into the role of PAs in ecosystem services provision and more detailed freshwater inventories within and around PAs, especially for those dependent on glacier runoff, will fill key knowledge gaps for freshwater conservation and climate change adaptation in the tropical Andes.

Mountain freshwater ecosystems and protected areas in the tropical Andes: insights and gaps for climate change adaptation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estefania Quenta ◽  
Verónica Crespo-Pérez ◽  
Bryan Mark ◽  
Ana Lía Gonzales ◽  
Aino Kulonen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Tropical Andes ◽  
Stream Length ◽  
Freshwater Conservation

<p>Protected areas play an important role in ecosystem conservation and climate change adaptation. However, no systematic information is available on the protection of high elevation freshwater ecosystems (e.g.  lakes, glacierized catchments and streams), their biodiversity and ecosystem services. Here we addressed this issue by reviewing literature and analyzing maps of protected areas and freshwater ecosystems in the tropical Andes. Overall, our revision and inventory indicate: <strong>1)</strong> seven national parks were created with the objective of water resources protection, but they were not designed for freshwater conservation (i.e., larger watersheds), and mainly protect small ecosystems. Furthermore, the creation of new local protected areas was needed for water resources conservation; <strong>2)</strong> we quantified 12% and 31% of lakes and glacial lakes are protected, respectively. Around 12% of the total stream length is protected. First-order streams predominate in the study area, of which 14% are protected. Furthermore, 29% of glacierized catchments (average surface of 677 km<sup>2</sup>)<sup></sup>are protected, and 46% of the total glacier area is protected. We quantified 31 Ramsar sites; <strong>3) </strong>high-value biodiversity sites have not been protected, and ecosystems services information is limited. This review highlights the need for future research to fill knowledge gaps for effective freshwater conservation actions.</p>

scholarly journals Influence of Late Holocene Climate Change and Human Land Use on Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems in Southwest Madagascar

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra I. Domic ◽  
Sean W. Hixon ◽  
Maria I. Velez ◽  
Sarah J. Ivory ◽  
Kristina G. Douglass ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Late Holocene ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Ecosystem Change ◽  
Human Land Use ◽  
Pastoral Communities ◽  
The Impact

Madagascar’s biota underwent substantial change following human colonization of the island in the Late Holocene. The timing of human arrival and its role in the extinction of megafauna have received considerable attention. However, the impacts of human activities on regional ecosystems remain poorly studied. Here, we focus on reconstructing changes in the composition of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems to evaluate the impact of human land use and climate variability. We conducted a paleoenvironmental study, using a sediment record that spans the last ∼1,145 years, collected from a lakebed in the Namonte Basin of southwest Madagascar. We examined physical (X-ray fluorescence and stratigraphy) and biotic indicators (pollen, diatoms and micro- and macro-charcoal particles) to infer terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem change. The fossil pollen data indicate that composition of grasslands and dry deciduous forest in the region remained relatively stable during an arid event associated with northward displacement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) between ∼1,145 and 555 calibrated calendar years before present (cal yr BP). Charcoal particles indicate that widespread fires occurred in the region, resulting from a combination of climate drivers and human agency during the entire span covered by the paleorecord. Following settlement by pastoral communities and the disappearance of endemic megafauna ∼1,000 cal yr BP, grasslands expanded and the abundance of trees that rely on large animals for seed dispersal gradually declined. A reduction in the abundance of pollen taxa characteristic of dry forest coincided with an abrupt increase in charcoal particles between ∼230 and 35 cal yr BP, when agro-pastoral communities immigrated into the region. Deforestation and soil erosion, indicated by a relatively rapid sedimentation rate and high K/Zr and Fe/Zr, intensified between 180 and 70 cal yr BP and caused a consequent increase in lake turbidity, resulting in more rapid turnover of the aquatic diatom community. Land use and ongoing climate change have continued to transform local terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems during the last ∼70 years. The current composition of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems reflects the legacy of extinction of native biota, invasion of exotic species, and diminished use of traditional land management practices.

scholarly journals Complete genomes of two extinct New Zealand passerines show responses to climate fluctuations but no evidence for genomic erosion prior to extinction

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 20190491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Dussex ◽  
Johanna von Seth ◽  
Michael Knapp ◽  
Olga Kardailsky ◽  
Bruce C. Robertson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Oceanic Islands ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Climate Fluctuations ◽  
Forest Clearing ◽  
Mammalian Predators ◽  
Demographic Trajectories ◽  
Human Climate

Human intervention, pre-human climate change (or a combination of both), as well as genetic effects, contribute to species extinctions. While many species from oceanic islands have gone extinct due to direct human impacts, the effects of pre-human climate change and human settlement on the genomic diversity of insular species and the role that loss of genomic diversity played in their extinctions remains largely unexplored. To address this question, we sequenced whole genomes of two extinct New Zealand passerines, the huia ( Heteralocha acutirostris ) and South Island kōkako ( Callaeas cinereus ). Both species showed similar demographic trajectories throughout the Pleistocene. However, the South Island kōkako continued to decline after the last glaciation, while the huia experienced some recovery. Moreover, there was no indication of inbreeding resulting from recent mating among closely related individuals in either species. This latter result indicates that population fragmentation associated with forest clearing by Maōri may not have been strong enough to lead to an increase in inbreeding and exposure to genomic erosion. While genomic erosion may not have directly contributed to their extinctions, further habitat fragmentation and the introduction of mammalian predators by Europeans may have been an important driver of extinction in huia and South Island kōkako.

Twitter Users’ Displays of Affect in the Global Warming Debate

2021 ◽  
pp. 004728162110078
Author(s):  
Shanna Cameron ◽  
Alexandra Russell ◽  
Luke Brake ◽  
Katherine Fredlund ◽  
Angela Morris
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Technical Communication ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Climate Change Research ◽  
Quantitative Content ◽  
Twitter Users

This article engages with recent discussions in the field of technical communication that call for climate change research that moves beyond the believer/denier dichotomy. For this study, our research team coded 900 tweets about climate change and global warming for different emotions in order to understand how Twitter users rely on affect rhetorically. Our findings use quantitative content analysis to challenge current assumptions about writing and affect on social media, and our results indicate a number of arenas for future research on affect, global warming, and rhetoric.

scholarly journals Climate Change Sustainability: From Bargaining to Cooperative Balanced Approach

Games ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Tiziana Ciano ◽  
Massimiliano Ferrara ◽  
Mariangela Gangemi ◽  
Domenica Stefania Merenda ◽  
Bruno Antonio Pansera
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Cooperative Game Theory ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Open Problems ◽  
Cooperative Approach ◽  
Change Dynamics ◽  
Bargaining Solutions ◽  
Balanced Approach ◽  
Competitive Bargaining

This work aims to provide different perspectives on the relationships between cooperative game theory and the research field concerning climate change dynamics. New results are obtained in the framework of competitive bargaining solutions and related issues, moving from a cooperative approach to a competitive one. Furthermore, the dynamics of balanced and super-balanced games are exposed, with particular reference to coalitions. Some open problems are presented to aid future research in this area.

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