Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Lihong Zhou, Zhenzhong Zeng, Cesar Azorin-Molina, Yi Liu, Jie Wu, Dashan Wang, Dan Li, Alan D. Ziegler, Li Dong
Summary: The study found that the seasonal wind speed range globally has declined by 10% since 1980, with significant decreases in Europe, South America, Australia, and Asia. However, North America saw an increase in the wind speed range. The findings are important for understanding the mechanisms behind wind speed variations and their implications for wind power generation.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xiongjun Liu, Noe Ferreira-Rodriguez, Ruiwen Wu, Shan Ouyang, Xiaoping Wu
Summary: The worldwide decline in freshwater biodiversity due to anthropogenic pressures is a growing concern, as it leads to loss of ecosystem functions. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in freshwater mussel diversity, density, and biomass in the Poyang Lake basin over the last 60 years and identify the factors driving these patterns. The results showed a decline in alpha diversity, species richness, density, and biomass of freshwater mussels, indicating a homogenization of their populations. The study also found a significant association between pH and biodiversity, suggesting that acidification due to intensive agriculture development may be a major factor behind the decline of freshwater mussels.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hui Shi, Fei-Fei Jin, Robert C. J. Wills, Michael G. Jacox, Dillon J. Amaya, Bryan A. Black, Ryan R. Rykaczewski, Steven J. Bograd, Marisol Garcia-Reyes, William J. Sydeman
Summary: Ocean memory, measured by the year-to-year persistence of sea surface temperature anomalies, is projected to decline due to the shoaling of the upper-ocean mixed layer depth caused by global surface warming. This decline in ocean memory results in shorter lead times for skillful predictions of sea surface thermal conditions, posing challenges for predicting climate extremes and managing marine biological resources.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Alan Cottingham, Andrew Bossie, Fiona Valesini, Charles Maus, James R. Tweedley
Summary: Declining streamflow in southwestern Australia has led to habitat compression for Xenostrobus securis, posing a threat to their survival.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Danial Khojasteh, Stefan Felder, Valentin Heimhuber, William Glamore
Summary: Climate change induced sea level rise (SLR) is a major challenge for estuarine management worldwide. This research used an idealized hydrodynamic approach to analyze the tidal range dynamics of 25 real-world estuaries, providing insights into estuarine response to SLR-induced tidal variations. The findings show that the estuarine tidal range dynamics change depending on their present-day tidal range patterns, with SLR increasing the tidal range in some estuaries and moderately increasing or slightly decreasing/increasing it in others. This approach can be useful in assessing the impact of SLR in estuaries and guiding evidence-based management approaches.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thierry C. Fotso-Nguemo, Torsten Weber, Arona Diedhiou, Steven Chouto, Derbetini A. A. Vondou, Diana Rechid, Daniela Jacob
Summary: This study investigates the impact of increased global warming on heat stress changes and the potential number of people exposed to heat risks over Africa. The findings suggest that by the late 21st century, the area affected by high-risk heat stress is expected to increase by 12-fold. This will result in an increase in the number and intensity of high-risk heat conditions throughout the seasonal cycle over West, Central, and North-East Africa, exposing millions of people to high-risk heat stress.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chaoyang Wu, Jian Wang, Philippe Ciais, Josep Penuelas, Xiaoyang Zhang, Oliver Sonnentag, Feng Tian, Xiaoyue Wang, Huanjiong Wang, Ronggao Liu, Yongshuo H. Fu, Quansheng Ge
Summary: Research shows that high northern latitudes are experiencing a surface stilling phenomenon with climate change, where the decline in winds is significantly associated with extended autumn leaf senescence, potentially playing a role comparable to temperature and precipitation effects in contributing to autumn phenology trends. Furthermore, the decrease in winds leads to reduced evapotranspiration, less soil water losses, and more favorable growth conditions in late autumn. Reduced winds also result in less leaf abscission damage, delaying leaf senescence, and less frost damage due to decreased cooling effects.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Pol Capdevila, Nicola Noviello, Louise McRae, Robin Freeman, Christopher F. Clements
Summary: Research has shown that the resilience decline of vertebrate populations is mainly driven by the number of threats to which a population is exposed, with a non-uniform loss of resistance and recovery components. Increased anthropogenic threats accelerate the loss of resilience through a decline in the recovery ability, not the resistance, of vertebrate populations. This highlights the necessity to consider multiple components of resilience in global biodiversity assessments.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Yeon-Woo Choi, Elfatih A. B. Eltahir
Summary: Centuries of sufficient water supply in Mesopotamia from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are now threatened by diminishing freshwater resources. Climate change and population growth could worsen the water deficit in the coming decades, while near-term projections for changes in precipitation remain uncertain. However, in the later decades of this century, a decrease in wet-season precipitation over the river basins is projected with more confidence, implying a long-term drying trend over Mesopotamia. Adapting to this uncertain future and implementing global net-zero carbon emissions could help mitigate the severity of projected droughts in the region.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuwei Wang, Na Zhao, Xiaozhe Yin, Chaoyang Wu, Mingxing Chen, Yimeng Jiao, Tianxiang Yue
Summary: The increasing exposure to extreme heatwaves in urban areas poses various threats and challenges to human society. Current research on this topic has limitations in terms of oversimplification of human exposure to heatwaves and neglect of perceived temperature and body comfort, leading to unreliable estimates of future results. This study provides the first global fine-resolution projection of future urban population exposure to heatwaves by 2100, indicating the rising exposure in all four shared socioeconomic pathways. The results highlight the need for policy improvements and sustainable development planning in coastal and low-altitude cities.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biology
Patricia A. Fleming, Jacobus J. Wentzel, Shannon J. Dundas, Tracey L. Kreplins, Michael D. Craig, Giles E. St. J. Hardy
Summary: The study examined the impact of tree declines on animal abundance and found that birds showed an overall increase in abundance in response to tree declines, but with substantial variability. Mammals tended to have detrimental effects from tree declines, while bats might benefit from the opening up of the canopy. Additionally, the responses of reptiles and arthropods to tree declines were not conclusive.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joao N. Monteiro, Miguel Pinto, Daniel Crespo, Miguel A. Pardal, Filipe Martinho
Summary: The study analyzed the effects of climate variability on the population dynamics of the green crab Carcinus maenas in the Mondego estuary from 2003 to 2018. It found that recruitment of C. maenas increased during drought periods, with ontogenic stage segregation observed and a correlation between biological features of C. maenas and environmental variables identified through cumulative sums analysis. This highlights the importance of long-term datasets in understanding the impacts of extreme weather events on estuarine species.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chandan Banerjee, Ashish Sharma, Nagesh D. Kumar
Summary: Rising global temperatures have led to reductions in water recharge in 23 out of 31 major river basins, with 12 basins showing significant decreases. This is likely due to increased evapotranspiration and reduced snow accumulation caused by temperature increase. Reductions in water recharge are expected to impact vegetation growth in these basins.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cascade Tuholske, Kelly Caylor, Chris Funk, Andrew Verdin, Stuart Sweeney, Kathryn Grace, Pete Peterson, Tom Evans
Summary: The study highlights the increasing threat of extreme heat exposure to rapidly growing urban settlements globally, especially impacting the urban poor. By estimating daily urban population exposure to extreme heat from 1983 to 2016, the research shows that total urban warming plays a crucial role in the increase of exposure, outweighing the impact of urban population growth.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Leanne N. Phelps, Niels Andela, Mathieu Gravey, Dylan S. Davis, Christian A. Kull, Kristina Douglass, Caroline E. R. Lehmann
Summary: The fire regimes in Madagascar are similar to 88% of tropical burned areas, indicating that it is not a global exception. The decline in landscape-scale fires in Madagascar does not explain the high tree loss anomalies, which are centered in forests. This study highlights the need to consider socio-ecological context when discussing fire and ecosystem degradation.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Chantel Elston, Paul D. Cowley, Rainer G. von Brandis, James Lea
Summary: This study used acoustic telemetry to monitor the presence of dasyatids around St. Joseph Atoll in Seychelles, highlighting their residency and restricted movements within and around the atoll. Both adults and juveniles showed ontogenetic habitat segregation, with adults relying more on the deeper lagoon and juveniles restricted to shallow sand flats. This study provides evidence that the atoll serves as a nursery for dasyatids, and suggests that marine protected areas designation in this region can provide conservation benefits for batoid populations.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
R. Daly, J. D. Filmalter, L. R. Peel, B. Q. Mann, J. S. E. Lea, C. R. Clarke, P. D. Cowley
Summary: In this study conducted in the Republic of Seychelles, it was found that the space use and home range of giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) changed with body size as they matured. Juvenile fish preferred sheltered atoll environments, while large adult fish utilized a greater diversity of habitat types and had significantly greater annual dispersal distances. The expansion of home range throughout ontogeny should be considered in spatial management plans for this species.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
John D. Filmalter, Robert K. Bauer, Fabien Forget, Paul D. Cowley, Laurent Dagorn
Summary: The study found that silky sharks have high overlap with FADs and fishing vessel positions, highlighting the need for compliance with FAD design regulations to prevent entanglement, while the overlap with tuna catches is more variable. The observed movement patterns suggest that static spatial management measures may have limited conservation impact, whereas dynamic approaches may be more suitable.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Jordan K. Matley, Natalie Klinard, Ana P. Barbosa Martins, Kim Aarestrup, Eneko Aspillaga, Steven J. Cooke, Paul D. Cowley, Michelle R. Heupel, Christopher G. Lowe, Susan K. Lowerre-Barbieri, Hiromichi Mitamura, Jean-Sebastien Moore, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Michael J. W. Stokesbury, Matthew D. Taylor, Eva B. Thorstad, Christopher S. Vandergoot, Aaron T. Fisk
Summary: Acoustic telemetry (AT) is an important tool for tracking aquatic animal movements, but there is a need for more research with direct relevance to management. Collaboration, long-term monitoring, and technological advancements are key priorities for optimizing AT research and enhancing aquatic policy and ecological understanding globally.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sven-Erick Weiss, Arsalan Emami-Khoyi, Horst Kaiser, Paul D. Cowley, Nicola C. James, Bettine Jansen van Vuuren, Alan K. Whitfield, Peter R. Teske
Summary: The critically endangered estuarine pipefish, Syngnathus watermeyeri, is facing a significant risk of extinction due to anthropogenic and natural factors. This study found that the remaining populations in two South African estuaries are highly inbred and there is no significant genetic difference between them. The small population sizes of the estuarine pipefish lead to adverse genetic effects. The creation of additional populations may help prevent further loss of genetic diversity and minimize the overall extinction risk.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chantel Elston, Paul D. Cowley, Rainer G. von Brandis, James Lea
Summary: Abiotic factors, such as tides and temperature, have a significant impact on the habitat use of animals in shallow marine environments. This study used passive acoustic telemetry to track the movements of stingrays and found that habitat use varied over daily, diel, and tidal cycles, with temperature also influencing their movements.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Taryn S. Murray, Chantel Elston, Matthew C. Parkinson, John D. Filmalter, Paul D. Cowley
Summary: The Blue Economy initiative aims to use marine resources for economic development and environmental sustainability, with limited success stories in Africa. Africa's diverse marine fauna presents potential for socio-economic development, with technologies like acoustic telemetry aiding in understanding animal movements and improving fisheries management. The success of initiatives like South Africa's Acoustic Tracking Array Platform demonstrates the benefits of ocean stewardship through research, data sharing, and stakeholder engagement.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Stephen D. Holness, Linda R. Harris, Russell Chalmers, Deidre De Vos, Victoria Goodall, Hannah Truter, Ane Oosthuizen, Anthony T. F. Bernard, Paul D. Cowley, Charlene da Silva, Matthew Dicken, Lloyd Edwards, Gordon Marchand, Paul Martin, Taryn S. Murray, Matthew C. Parkinson, Paula Pattrick, Lorien Pichegru, Pierre Pistorius, Warwick H. H. Sauer, Malcolme Smale, Andrea Thiebault, Amanda T. Lombard
Summary: This article discusses the application of systematic conservation planning in marine spatial planning, aiming to streamline negotiations and promote collaboration among multiple sectors. Using the case study of Algoa Bay in South Africa, the success in meeting the priority of intact biodiversity among different sectors was demonstrated through a collaborative community practice approach.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samantha Andrzejaczek, Tim C. D. Lucas, Maurice C. Goodman, Nigel E. Hussey, Amelia J. Armstrong, Aaron Carlisle, Daniel M. Coffey, Adrian C. Gleiss, Charlie Huveneers, David M. P. Jacoby, Mark G. Meekan, Johann Mourier, Lauren R. Peel, Katya Abrantes, Andre S. Afonso, Matthew J. Ajemian, Brooke N. Anderson, Scot D. Anderson, Gonzalo Araujo, Asia O. Armstrong, Pascal Bach, Adam Barnett, Mike B. Bennett, Natalia A. Bezerra, Ramon Bonfil, Andre M. Boustany, Heather D. Bowlby, Ilka Branco, Camrin D. Braun, Edward J. Brooks, Judith Brown, Patrick J. Burke, Paul Butcher, Michael Castleton, Taylor K. Chapple, Olivier Chateau, Maurice Clarke, Rui Coelho, Enric Cortes, Lydie I. E. Couturier, Paul D. Cowley, Donald A. Croll, Juan M. Cuevas, Tobey H. Curtis, Laurent Dagorn, Jonathan J. Dale, Ryan Daly, Heidi Dewar, Philip D. Doherty, Andres Domingo, Alistair D. M. Dove, Michael Drew, Christine L. Dudgeon, Clinton A. J. Duffy, Riley G. Elliott, Jim R. Ellis, Mark Erdmann, Thomas J. Farrugia, Luciana C. Ferreira, Francesco Ferretti, John D. Filmalter, Brittany Finucci, Chris Fischer, Richard Fitzpatrick, Fabien Forget, Kerstin Forsberg, Malcolm P. Francis, Bryan R. Franks, Austin J. Gallagher, Felipe Galvan-Magana, Mirta L. Garcia, Troy F. Gaston, Bronwyn M. Gillanders, Matthew J. Gollock, Jonathan R. Green, Sofia Green, Christopher A. Griffiths, Neil Hammerschlag, Abdi Hasan, Lucy A. Hawkes, Fabio Hazin, Matthew Heard, Alex Hearn, Kevin J. Hedges, Suzanne M. Henderson, John Holdsworth, Kim N. Holland, Lucy A. Howey, Robert E. Hueter, Nicholas E. Humphries, Melanie Hutchinson, Fabrice R. A. Jaine, Salvador J. Jorgensen, Paul E. Kanive, Jessica Labaja, Fernanda O. Lana, Hugo Lassauce, Rebecca S. Lipscombe, Fiona Llewellyn, Bruno C. L. Macena, Ronald Mambrasar, Jaime D. McAllister, Sophy R. McCully Phillips, Frazer McGregor, Matthew N. McMillan, Lianne M. McNaughton, Sibele A. Mendonca, Carl G. Meyer, Megan Meyers, John A. Mohan, John C. Montgomery, Gonzalo Mucientes, Michael K. Musyl, Nicole Nasby-Lucas, Lisa J. Natanson, John B. O'Sullivan, Paulo Oliveira, Yannis P. Papastamtiou, Toby A. Patterson, Simon J. Pierce, Nuno Queiroz, Craig A. Radford, Andy J. Richardson, Anthony J. Richardson, David Righton, Christoph A. Rohner, Mark A. Royer, Ryan A. Saunders, Matthias Schaber, Robert J. Schallert, Michael C. Scholl, Andrew C. Seitz, Jayson M. Semmens, Edy Setyawan, Brendan D. Shea, Rafid A. Shidqi, George L. Shillinger, Oliver N. Shipley, Mahmood S. Shivji, Abraham B. Sianipar, Joana F. Silva, David W. Sims, Gregory B. Skomal, Lara L. Sousa, Emily J. Southall, Julia L. Y. Spaet, Kilian M. Stehfest, Guy Stevens, Joshua D. Stewart, James A. Sulikowski, Ismail Syakurachman, Simon R. Thorrold, Michele Thums, David Tickler, Mariana T. Tolloti, Kathy A. Townsend, Paulo Travassos, John P. Tyminski, Jeremy J. Vaudo, Drausio Veras, Laurent Wantiez, Sam B. Weber, R. J. David Wells, Kevin C. Weng, Bradley M. Wetherbee, Jane E. Williamson, Matthew J. Witt, Serena Wright, Kelly Zilliacus, Barbara A. Block, David J. Curnick
Summary: This study fills the knowledge gap of vertical movement patterns in elasmobranchs and reveals high intra- and interspecific variability. Significant vertical overlap is observed among epipelagic elasmobranchs.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chantel Elston, Paul D. Cowley, Taryn S. Murray, Matthew C. Parkinson
Summary: The blue stingray is an important and endemic species in southern African coastal waters but is currently facing population declines. A study using acoustic tracking revealed that the species displayed site affinity and movement corridors between different habitats. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the species' spatial ecology in the context of Marine Protected Areas for effective conservation.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Bruce Quintin Mann, Ryan Daly, Russell Bruce Dixon, John David Filmalter, Taryn Sara Murray, Paul Denfer Cowley, Robert Kyle, Simon Chater, Judy Brenda Mann-Lang
Summary: This study tracked the movements of four adult giant trevally after they were released from a public aquarium. The trevally were detected on a network of acoustic receivers for a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of over 6 years. Two individuals exhibited similar movement behavior to wild-caught trevally, including seasonal migrations to a known spawning site. The research demonstrates the potential for successful release and natural behavior adoption of captive indigenous fish.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
B. A. Ziko, T. S. Murray, T. F. Naesje, J. D. Filmalter, P. D. Cowley
Summary: The study found that the spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii spawns not only along the east coast but also along the southwest coast of South Africa. The seasonal gonad maturation of adult fish was investigated, and it was observed that tagged individuals spent more time in the estuary than in the marine environment. Most sea trips occurred in the austral summer, coinciding with the peak spawning season. The study also found that increases in estuary water temperatures in summer and river inflow in winter influenced the presence of tagged fish in the sea.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
T. S. Murray, C. Elston, R. H. Bennett, A-R Childs, P. D. Cowley
Summary: Data collected from mark-recapture programmes have been highly valuable in studying the movements and longevity of the Vulnerable endemic lesser guitarfish Acroteriobatus annulatus along the South African coastline. Observations show that this species exhibits site-affinity behavior, with an average distance moved of 38.5 km. The recapture of two individuals after 6 and 12 years suggests that the maximum age for this species is likely more than double the current recorded age of 7 years.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chantel Elston, Taryn S. S. Murray, Matthew C. C. Parkinson, John D. D. Filmalter, Paul D. D. Cowley
Summary: Understanding the movement and habitat use of threatened ray species is crucial for their effective management and conservation. This study investigated the estuary use by diamond rays and bull rays in South Africa. It was found that some rays displayed seasonal philopatry, returning to specific estuaries for several consecutive years. The findings highlight the importance of estuaries for a portion of the ray populations in South Africa and have implications for their conservation and management.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
E. Gennari, D. T. Irion, P. D. Cowley
Summary: Little is known about the fine-scale behavioural choices white sharks make, and this study used active acoustic telemetry to investigate their movement patterns. The study found that white sharks exhibit ontogenetic variability in their movements and adopt specific behaviours associated with different habitats and prey types. These findings suggest that white sharks optimize their behaviour to maximize the use of heterogeneous environments and resources.
ANIMAL BIOTELEMETRY
(2022)