Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jose Diesel, Gary Molano, Gabriel J. Montecinos, Kelly Deweese, Sara Calhoun, Alan Kuo, Anna Lipzen, Asaf Salamov, Igor V. Grigoriev, Daniel C. Reed, Robert J. Miller, Sergey V. Nuzhdin, Filipe Alberto
Summary: The study presents a high-quality genome assembly of the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, using PacBio reads and Hi-C technology. The assembled genome is 537 MB in size, with 35 scaffolds and 188 contigs. Annotation of the genome identified 25,919 genes. Additionally, the study confirms the population structure of giant kelp using genetic variation data.
Article
Oceanography
Stephen G. Monismith, Maha W. Alnajjar, C. Brock Woodson, Charles A. Boch, Arturo Hernandez, Leonardo Vazquez-Vera, Tom W. Bell, Fiorenza Micheli
Summary: This study investigates the changes in currents near Isla Natividad, Baja California, due to the density of giant kelp biomass. It found that the coastal currents are more affected by kelp density compared to cross-shore flows.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Matias Araya, Jorge Rivas, Graciela Sepulveda, Camila Espinoza-Gonzalez, Sebastian Lira, Andres Meynard, Elodie Blanco, Nestor Escalona, Rosanna Ginocchio, Elizabeth Garrido-Ramirez, Loretto Contreras-Porcia
Summary: Seaweed biochar produced from Macrocystis pyrifera using slow pyrolysis process showed high efficiency in Cu2+ removal. Biochars produced at 600°C exhibited the highest surface areas and porosities. All biochars exhibited Langmuir behavior in adsorption isotherms, indicating a chemisorption process.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephen Monismith, Maha Alnajjar, Margaret Daly, Arnoldo Valle-Levinson, Braulio Juarez, Matheus Fagundes, Tom Bell, C. Brock Woodson
Summary: In this study, we propose an approach to estimate drag coefficients for tidal flows based on observed velocities and velocities without bottom friction. Using long-term measurements from Isla Nativdad, we find that kelp biomass has a significant effect on drag, while surface waves have little impact.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pamela A. Fernandez, Barbara Labbe, Juan D. Gaitan-Espitia, Catriona L. Hurd, Ellie R. Paine, Anusuya Willis, Craig Sanderson, Alejandro H. Buschmann
Summary: The distribution and productivity of seaweeds are influenced by changes in temperature and inorganic nitrogen availability. The effect of the nitrate: ammonium ratio on physiological traits and gametophyte development of Macrocystis was investigated, showing that NH4+ led to negative NO3- uptake rates and reduced growth rates. Different developmental stages and physiological traits may have varying thermal tolerance windows.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tom C. Bell, Kyle F. Cavanaugh, Vienna Saccomanno, Katherine Cavanaugh, Henry Houskeeper, Norah Eddy, Falk Schuetzenmeister, Nathaniel Rindlaub, Mary Gleason
Summary: Giant kelp and bull kelp forests are facing increasing risks from marine heatwave events, herbivore outbreaks, and alterations in the behavior of key herbivore predators. To address the challenge of analyzing satellite imagery data of these forests, we created a web-based tool called Kelpwatch. It allows researchers and managers to quantify kelp forest change, assess historical trends, and facilitate effective kelp forest management.
Article
Limnology
Sarah B. Traiger, Brian Cohn, Demetra Panos, Margaret Daly, Heidi K. Hirsh, Maria Martone, Isabella Gutierrez, David A. Mucciarone, Yuichiro Takeshita, Stephen G. Monismith, Robert B. Dunbar, Kerry J. Nickols
Summary: Research indicates that canopy-forming giant kelp can locally increase dissolved oxygen and pH in coastal ecosystems through photosynthesis. However, the limited spatial extent and magnitude of this effect suggest that kelp forests may have limited potential to mitigate acidification and hypoxia.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
James J. J. Leichter, Lydia B. B. Ladah, P. Ed Parnell, M. Dale Stokes, Matthew T. T. Costa, James Fumo, Paul K. K. Dayton
Summary: This study describes long-term patterns of Giant Kelp canopy area and recent patterns of nitrate exposure in the water column off the coast of San Diego County. The results show that ocean and climate dynamics are associated with kelp persistence and resilience, and that seasonal upwelling and high-frequency internal waves contribute to the spatial patterns of Giant Kelp in southern California.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Henry F. Houskeeper, Isaac S. Rosenthal, Katherine C. Cavanaugh, Camille Pawlak, Laura Trouille, Jarrett E. K. Byrnes, Tom W. Bell, Kyle C. Cavanaugh
Summary: Giant kelp populations, which are essential for productive coastal ecosystems, are vulnerable to changing climate conditions and human impacts. This study presents two approaches for automating the detection of giant kelp using satellite imagery and applies them to the Falkland Islands. The results show no evidence of long-term change in giant kelp canopy area, but recent declines should be carefully monitored.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maribel Solas, Rodolfo A. Correa, Fernanda Barria, Cristobal Garces, Carolina Camus, Sylvain Faugeron
Summary: Understanding the scope of local adaptation is crucial for developing restoration strategies in large seaweeds. In this study, the researchers investigated the impact of local adaptation on the reproductive traits and growth of giant kelp. They found evidence of local adaptation in different populations of the kelp species and quantified the risks associated with using certain populations for kelp restoration. The study also revealed that high latitude populations had reduced reproductive success through outbreeding, while low latitude populations showed preference for hybrid crosses. A heatwave had a significant effect on the mortality of sporophytes, with the exception of inbred crosses in the Peruvian population, suggesting the importance of genetic resources in low latitude populations under future ocean warming.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Bilal Koteich, Eric Saux, Wissame Laddada
Summary: On-demand mapping shifts the paradigm of map production from user-adapted maps to maps that adapt to user needs, moving towards automation and democratization. Addressing the importance of selecting relevant thematic layers in map-making, we propose a knowledge-based recommendation approach based on high- and low-level ontologies modeling concepts for different types of maps.
ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Leigh W. Tait, Francois Thoral, Matthew H. Pinkerton, Mads S. Thomsen, David R. Schiel
Summary: This study found that marine heatwaves had a significant impact on the coverage of giant kelp in New Zealand, especially following the most extreme event in 2017/18, with reductions observed across all regions. There was an important interaction between temperature and water clarity, showing that kelp loss was more severe when temperatures increased and water clarity was poor.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Helen D. Berry, Thomas F. Mumford, Bart Christiaen, Pete Dowty, Max Calloway, Lisa Ferrier, Eric E. Grossman, Nathan R. VanArendonk
Summary: The study demonstrates a significant decline in bull kelp distribution in South Puget Sound over the past 145 years, with losses persisting for decades across various climate conditions. In recent years, bull kelp has mainly been found in areas with intense currents and mixing, while losses are more common in regions with high temperatures, lower nutrient concentrations, and slower current velocities.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Roddy Jara-Yanez, Andres Meynard, Gladys Acosta, Nicolas Latorre-Padilla, Carolina Oyarzo-Miranda, Francisco Castaneda, Florentina Pina, Jorge Rivas, Cristian Bulboa, Loretto Contreras-Porcia
Summary: The study of pollution effects in the marine environment has become increasingly important in recent decades, with a focus on the impact of exposure to multiple pollutants. Research shows that Macrocystis pyrifera exposed to a mixture of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons experienced negative effects on growth and morphology. Additionally, the associated community structure, including M. pyrifera grazers, also suffered from low richness and diversity due to the pollution pulse.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ana Carolina Felix-Loaiza, Lucia Mercedes Rodriguez-Bravo, Rodrigo Beas-Luna, Julio Lorda, Eliot de la Cruz-Gonzalez, Luis Malpica-Cruz
Summary: This study found that extreme warming events had a significant negative impact on kelp forests in the coast of Baja California, leading to a reduction in dominant kelp species and a shift to the dominance of invasive kelps.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Patricia Carbajal, Alex Gamarra Salazar, Pippa J. Moore, Alejandro Perez-Matus
Summary: The study identified different macrobenthic invertebrate assemblages associated with different kelp species in the Humboldt Current System of Peru and suggested that kelp harvesting for the alginate industry may have significant impacts on associated biodiversity. It is recommended to include these effects in kelp harvesting management plans and to use holdfast diameter as an ecological indicator for monitoring purposes.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Erwan Delrieu-Trottin, Hans Hartmann-Salvo, Pablo Saenz-Agudelo, Mauricio F. Landaeta, Alejandro Perez-Matus
Summary: The blenniids of the genus Scartichthys are common fishes of Central and South American Pacific coastal reefs. However, identifying species within the genus is challenging due to elusive taxonomic characters and varying color patterns in the field. This study combines coloration, morphological, and molecular data to revise the taxonomy of Scartichthys and identifies three valid species. The results also show the divergence times between the species, providing insights into the evolution of the genus.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Shaun K. Wilson, Christopher J. Fulton, Nicholas A. J. Graham, Rene A. Abesamis, Charlotte Berkstrom, Darren J. Coker, Martial Depczynski, Richard D. Evans, Rebecca Fisher, Jordan Goetze, Andrew Hoey, Thomas H. Holmes, Michel Kulbicki, Mae Noble, James P. W. Robinson, Michael Bradley, Carolina Akerlund, Luke T. Barrett, Abner A. Bucol, Matthew J. Birt, Dinorah H. Chacin, Karen M. Chong-Seng, Linda Eggertsen, Maria Eggertsen, David Ellis, Priscilla T. Y. Leung, Paul K. S. Lam, Joshua van Lier, Paloma A. Matis, Alejandro Perez-Matus, Camilla V. H. Piggott, Ben T. Radford, Stina Tano, Paul Tinkler
Summary: Macroalgal habitats contribute to small-scale tropical reef fisheries to a certain extent, supporting a diversity of fish species. Fish associated with macroalgal habitats account for 24% of the catch, but very few species rely solely on macroalgal or coral habitats. Fish in macroalgal and coral habitats have similar life-history traits, and the vulnerability to fishing decreases as the contribution of macroalgae to the catch increases. The study also shows that macroalgae-associated fish can enhance catch size and diversity, which is important in seascapes where coral reefs are being replaced by macroalgal habitats.
FISH AND FISHERIES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Bryan Bularz, Miriam Fernandez, Maria Dulce Subida, Evie A. Wieters, Alejandro Perez-Matus
Summary: The degradation of marine ecosystems is a global problem with significant consequences, such as biodiversity loss and reduced ecosystem service provisions. This study in central Chile reveals the impact of artisanal subtidal Lessonia trabeculata fishery on associated species and the difficulty in recovery. Effective management and conservation of coastal ecosystems should consider the ecosystem-wide impacts of L. trabeculata fisheries.
Article
Oceanography
A. Mora-Soto, C. Aguirre, J. L. Iriarte, M. Palacios, E. C. Macaya, M. Macias-Fauria
Summary: In contrast to other coastal regions, the giant kelp ecosystem in southwestern Patagonia has remained stable in terms of area and biodiversity. The study analyzed the spatiotemporal variability of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in this region and found that cold events caused by glacier melting, extreme winds, and planetary-scale events have contributed to counteracting global warming trends. The study highlights the importance of southwestern Patagonia as a potential climatic refugium for the giant kelp ecosystem, although freshwater inputs and storm turbulence may pose new challenges.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Alejandro Perez-Matus, Philipp Neubauer, Jeffrey S. Shima, Marcelo M. Rivadeneira
Summary: Patterns of species richness and functional diversity in temperate reef fish communities in the South Pacific were investigated across different spatial scales. The study found that species richness declined from west to east across the region, but this pattern was only detectable at larger scales. The study also revealed that functional diversity varied differently from species richness and was dependent on the spatial scale of analysis. Additionally, different provinces had distinct functional components within their reef fish communities.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Eliseo Fica-Rojas, Alexis M. Catalan, Bernardo R. Broitman, Alejandro Perez-Matus, Nelson Valdivia
Summary: Ecological stability depends on interactions between different levels of biological organization. Insurance effects occur when increasing species diversity leads to more stable community-level properties. This study investigates how species richness and population-level parameters influence community invariability.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Tom Theirlynck, Inara Regina W. Mendonca, Aschwin H. Engelen, Henk Bolhuis, Ligia Collado-Vides, Brigitta I. van Tussenbroek, Marta Garcia-Sanchez, Erik Zettler, Gerard Muyzer, Linda Amaral-Zettler
Summary: Holopelagic brown macroalgae Sargassum natans and Sargassum fluitans form essential habitats for attached and mobile fauna, but their large accumulations and strandings threaten the local biodiversity and cause economic losses. These stranded masses may introduce or facilitate the growth of bacteria that are not normally abundant in coastal regions. The study on the microbiome of holopelagic Sargassum provides insights into the potential health risks in coastal environments.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniela Droguett, Cristobal Arredondo, Catherine Dougnac, Alejandro Kusch, Americo Montiel, Alejandro Vila
Summary: A study conducted in a seabird breeding site in southern Tierra del Fuego, Chile, found that the breeding success of Black-browed albatrosses is affected by predation from Andean condors and Southern caracaras, highlighting the importance of species interactions for conservation management in the area.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mauricio F. Landaeta, Carola Hernandez-Santoro, Francesca Search, Manuel Castillo, Claudio Bernal, Sergio A. Navarrete, Evie A. Wieters, Ricardo Beldade, Ana Navarro Campoi, Alejandro Perez-Matus
Summary: This study examines the discarded demersal community fauna in the artisanal and industrial crustacean fisheries along the southern Humboldt Current System from 2014 to 2019. It analyzes spatio-temporal patterns, species composition, and assemblages, and investigates the factors influencing biodiversity. The results show variations in species composition, assemblage segregation by depth and geographic zone, and interannual variations of biodiversity. Surface sea temperature, chlorophyll-a, or wind stress were not correlated with biodiversity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aaron M. Eger, Ezequiel M. Marzinelli, Rodrigo Beas-Luna, Caitlin O. Blain, Laura K. Blamey, Jarrett E. K. Byrnes, Paul E. Carnell, Chang Geun Choi, Margot Hessing-Lewis, Kwang Young Kim, Naoki H. Kumagai, Julio Lorda, Pippa Moore, Yohei Nakamura, Alejandro Perez-Matus, Ondine Pontier, Dan Smale, Peter D. Steinberg, Adriana Verges
Summary: Marine kelp forests have significant ecological and economic value, providing valuable services such as fisheries production, nutrient cycling, and carbon removal. The potential value of these services provided by major kelp genera ranges from $64,400 to $147,100 per hectare annually. Globally, these services generate between $465 billion and $562 billion per year, with an average of $500 billion. The findings emphasize the importance of kelp forests for society and can inform better marine management and conservation decisions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marieke M. van Katwijk, Rens J. T. Cronau, Leon P. M. Lamers, Pauline Kamermans, Brigitta I. van Tussenbroek, Dick J. de Jong
Summary: Between the 1980s and 1990s, 4600 hectares of seagrass were permanently lost from Lake Grevelingen in the Netherlands. It is now planned to restore the seagrass. The disappearance of the seagrass is hypothesized to be due to the selection of low-salinity genotypes during the period of lower salinity, which were unable to adapt to the returning marine conditions.
Review
Plant Sciences
Marieke M. M. van Katwijk, Brigitta I. I. van Tussenbroek
Summary: Most plant species have either annual or perennial life cycles, but there are facultative annual species that can be either annual or perennial depending on their environment. While facultative annual species are rare in terrestrial plants, they are more common in marine angiosperms, particularly seagrasses. Six of the 63 seagrass species are facultative annual, producing significantly more seeds than their perennial counterparts. These facultative annual species can transition to an annual life cycle when exposed to specific environmental factors such as desiccation, anoxia, shading, or heat stress. A large-scale coastal protection experiment demonstrated that the facultative annual seagrass population could shift to a perennial life cycle within 5 years depending on the environmental conditions.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ana Navarro Campoy, Alejandro Perez-Matus, Evie A. Wieters, Rodrigo Alarcon-Ireland, Vladimir Garmendia, Ricardo Beldade, Sergio A. Navarrete, Miriam Fernandez
Summary: The diversity and ecology of temperate mesophotic ecosystems (TME) have been poorly studied and limited to certain geographic regions. This study focuses on TME in central Chile and provides the first description of the depth distribution of reef fishes, benthic invertebrates, and algae. The findings show that reef fish density and richness decrease with depth but increase with local topographic complexity. Benthic assemblages are dominated by sponges and gorgonians at depths below 20 m, with brachiopods and anemones increasing at greater depths.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Odette Guzman, Edgar Mendoza, Brigitta I. van Tussenbroek, Rodolfo Silva
Summary: This study analyzes different climates in the coastal zone of the Mexican Caribbean and finds that the impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems are determined by global, regional, and local drivers. Local changes in coastal ecosystems differ from global trends and need to be considered when identifying climate change impacts. Other than climate change, anthropic drivers and disturbances, such as eutrophication and changes in land use, contribute to the degradation of coastal ecosystems. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the effects of climate-change-related phenomena on ecosystems and developing robust regional/local databases to monitor and prevent undesirable changes.