Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rodrigo L. Moura, Maria L. Abieri, Guilherme M. Castro, Lelis A. Carlos-Junior, Pamela M. Chiroque-Solano, Nicole C. Fernandes, Carolina D. Teixeira, Felipe Ribeiro, Paulo S. Salomon, Matheus O. Freitas, Juliana T. Goncalves, Leonardo M. Neves, Carlos W. Hackradt, Fabiana Felix-Hackradt, Fernanda A. Rolim, Fabio S. Motta, Otto B. F. Gadig, Guilherme H. Pereira-Filho, Alex C. Bastos
Summary: The study shows that fish assemblages in the most biodiverse region of the Southwestern Atlantic are mainly influenced by two major hard-bottom megahabitats and the amount of light reaching the bottom. Rhodolith beds, a dominant benthic megahabitat in the tropical Southwestern Atlantic shelf, play an underrated role as fish habitats and must be considered in conservation planning.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Cristina Rebelo, Esther Martin-Gonzalez, Carlos S. Melo, Markes E. Johnson, Alberto Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Ines Galindo, Rui Quartau, Lara Baptista, Sergio P. Avila, Michael W. Rasser
Summary: Rhodoliths are widely found around the shores of Fuerteventura Island, with the most prominent species being Lithothamnion cf. corallioides. The debris from washed up rhodoliths contributes to the formation of modern beach sediments. Various types of rhodolith deposits can be found on the northern coast of the island, with examples like the "Popcorn Beach" near Caleta del Bajo de Mejillones.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sarah Caronni, Valentina Alice Bracchi, Fabrizio Atzori, Sandra Citterio, Nicoletta Cadoni, Rodolfo Gentili, Chiara Montagnani, Lara Assunta Quaglini, Daniela Basso
Summary: The study in the marine protected area of Capo Carbonara in Italy reveals that the green alga Caulerpa cylindracea is one of the most invasive and spread on rhodolith beds. However, data on the competitive interactions between C. cylindracea and rhodoliths are limited. By analyzing video frames from Remote Operated Vehicle records, the study shows that different rhodolith bed compositions and C. cylindracea cover exist in different MPA sites, indicating diverse competitive interactions between C. cylindracea and rhodoliths.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Pedro Neves, Joao Silva, Viviana Pena, Claudia Ribeiro
Summary: Rhodolith beds in the Madeira archipelago are more common and extensive than previously thought, with a total of 46 beds identified at various locations. Molecular systematic tools were utilized to identify four species belonging to two genera, highlighting the genetic similarities with other regions and the unique marine flora of the archipelago. These findings are crucial for effective management and conservation of these important habitats.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fernando Tuya, Nadine Schubert, Julio Aguirre, Daniela Basso, Eduardo O. Bastos, Flavio Berchez, Angelo F. Bernardino, Nestor E. Bosch, Heidi L. Burdett, Fernando Espino, Cindy Fernandez-Garcia, Ronaldo B. Francini-Filho, Patrick Gagnon, Jason M. Hall-Spencer, Ricardo Haroun, Laurie C. Hofmann, Paulo A. Horta, Nicholas A. Kamenos, Line Le Gall, Rafael A. Magris, Sophie Martin, Wendy A. Nelson, Pedro Neves, Irene Olive, Francisco Otero-Ferrer, Viviana Pena, Guilherme H. Pereira-Filho, Federica Ragazzola, Ana Cristina Rebelo, Claudia Ribeiro, Eli Rinde, Kathryn Schoenrock, Joao Silva, Marina N. Sissini, Frederico T. S. Tamega
Summary: Global marine conservation is hindered by an imbalance in research efforts and policy actions, which limits progress towards sustainability. Rhodolith beds, despite their global ecological importance and numerous ecosystem functions, remain disproportionately understudied compared to other coastal ecosystems. The lack of information about these habitats and their ecosystem services hampers effective conservation measures, especially considering the severe pressures and threats they face. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize research on rhodolith beds, combat degradation, and protect biodiversity for the future.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ariadna Mecho, Boris Dewitte, Javier Sellanes, Simon van Gennip, Erin E. Easton, Joao B. Gusmao
Summary: This study assessed the structure of mesophotic echinoderm assemblages in the southeastern Pacific Ocean along a large spatial scale, revealing a significant positive relationship between echinoderm species richness and depth, oxygen, and salinity. Changes in echinoderm community composition were significantly explained by oxygen, longitude, and chlorophyll-a, with notable species turnovers observed at specific longitudes reflecting potential physical barriers and habitat changes.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alice C. Hughes, Michael C. Orr, Fumin Lei, Qinmin Yang, Huijie Qiao
Summary: Most ecological studies focus on developed countries, but the rapid urbanisation in developing regions has significant implications for biodiversity. This global analysis reveals that city size and environmental characteristics have varied impacts on bird diversity, but access to green space is a major driver worldwide.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
A. B. Anderson, H. T. Pinheiro, M. B. Batista, R. B. Francini-Filho, L. E. O. Gomes, A. F. Bernardino, P. Horta, J. C. Joyeux
Summary: Rhodolith beds along the Brazilian coast have a highly diverse associated fish biota, similar to macroalgae beds and coral/rocky reefs. The eastern coast serves as a biogeographic ecotone between tropical and subtropical regions, making it the most diverse portion of the Brazilian Province. However, this region is threatened by intensive extraction of rhodoliths. Conservation strategies and long-term monitoring programs are urgently needed.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jennifer McHenry, Andrew Rassweiler, Gema Hernan, Christopher K. Uejio, Stephanie Pau, Alexandra K. Dubel, Sarah E. Lester
Summary: Current seagrass beds support more species than unvegetated habitats, and restoration in potential habitats would also increase biodiversity. However, projections show that sea level rise may lead to significant losses in seagrass beds and restoration areas, reducing the enhancement value provided by seagrasses.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
G. Castellan, M. Abbiati, L. Angeletti, F. Foglini, V. Grande, P. Montagna, M. Taviani
Summary: Mesophotic ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea, dominated by corals and sponges, are biodiversity hotspots facing threats from environmental changes and human activities. The current conservation measures have gaps in coverage and effectiveness.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gorazd Urbanic, Emilio Politti, Patricia Maria Rodriguez-Gonzalez, Robin Payne, Derek Schook, Maria Helena Alves, Ana Andelkovic, Daniel Bruno, Mila Chilikova-Lubomirova, Sara Di Lonardo, Roey Egozi, Virginia Garofano-Gomez, Ines Gomes Marques, Marta Gonzalez del Tanago, Yasar Selman Gueltekin, Bruna Gumiero, Seppo Hellsten, Georgi Hinkov, Jiri Jakubinsky, Philippe Janssen, Roland Jansson, Mary Kelly-Quinn, Timea Kiss, Stefan Lorenz, Roberto Martinez Romero, Zlatko Mihaljevic, Eva Papastergiadou, Maja Pavlin Urbanic, Ellis Penning, Tenna Riis, Jozef Sibik, Maria Sibikova, Tzvetan Zlatanov, Simon Dufour
Summary: This policy brief provides five key policy messages and recommendations to enhance riparian zone management. Adopting an integrated socio-economic and environmentally dynamic view is essential for sustainable riparian zone management. The conservation and/or restoration of riparian zone ecological integrity is critically important in the face of climate change. Updating EU directives and national legislation is necessary for coordinated implementation of riparian zone-related policies. Stakeholder knowledge exchange, policy co-creation, and adaptive management are crucial for enhancing riparian zone functions.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rachel H. Toczydlowski, Libby Liggins, Michelle R. Gaither, Tanner J. Anderson, Randi L. Barton, Justin T. Berg, Sofia G. Beskid, Beth Davis, Alonso Delgado, Emily Farrell, Maryam Ghoojaei, Nan Himmelsbach, Ann E. Holmes, Samantha R. Queeno, Thienthanh Trinh, Courtney A. Weyand, Gideon S. Bradburd, Cynthia Riginos, Robert J. Toonen, Eric D. Crandall
Summary: Genomic data are being generated and archived rapidly, but a lack of spatiotemporal metadata poses challenges for genetic diversity monitoring. Only a small fraction of genomic datasets contain geographic coordinates and collection years, highlighting the need for streamlined data processes and updated policies to address the growing metadata gap.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Teresa Mexia, Xavier Lecomte, Maria Conceicao Caldeira, Miguel Nuno Bugalho
Summary: Forest certification is a conservation tool aimed at promoting sustainable management of forest ecosystems. In Mediterranean oak woodlands, the establishment of conservation zones significantly impacts tree biometrics, regeneration, and the diversity of shrub and herb understory vegetation.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Marius H. Eisele, Sergio Madrigal-Mora, Mario Espinoza
Summary: This study investigated the spatiotemporal patterns of reef fish assemblages in an upwelling region in the North Pacific of Costa Rica using BRUVS and UVC, and found that upwelling played an important role in shaping reef fish assemblages in the region, with significant interactions between upwelling and location, as well as effects from habitat complexity and composition on reef fish abundances and species. This is the first study in the Eastern Tropical Pacific that combines BRUVS and UVC to monitor reef fish assemblages in an upwelling region, providing detailed information to assess the state of reef ecosystems in response to multiple threats and changing ocean conditions.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rio E. Button, Denham Parker, Vivienne Coetzee, Toufiek Samaai, Ryan M. Palmer, Kerry Sink, Sven E. Kerwath
Summary: This study used ROV technology to investigate fish and their habitats on the remote Amathole shelf in South Africa, revealing different fish assemblages in various sampling areas and across the shelf. The results showed that there were more distinct fish assemblages inshore and on the shelf-edge, while the mid-shelf had the highest species richness.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
