Article
Environmental Sciences
Pasquale Ricci, Roberto Carlucci, Francesca Capezzuto, Angela Carluccio, Giulia Cipriano, Gianfranco D'Onghia, Porzia Maiorano, Letizia Sion, Angelo Tursi, Simone Libralato
Summary: Benthic-pelagic coupling refers to the combination of downward and upward flows of organic matter and nutrients between the pelagic and benthic domains mediated by trophic interactions. This study investigated the spatio-temporal variability of such flows in the Salento and Calabrian areas of the Northern Ionian Sea. The results highlight the important role of deep faunal communities in the BPC, which are influenced by temporal changes driven by the Adriatic-Ionian Bimodal Oscillating Systems (BiOS).
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sean Hacker Teper, Christopher C. Parrish, Patrick Gagnon
Summary: By studying a rhodolith bed in southeastern Newfoundland, Canada, we found that the species composition and rhodolith morphology of the bed indicated high temporal stability. Our nutritional analysis showed that most species fed on a shared resource, diatoms, and that macroalgal detritus is an important food source within rhodolith communities. Stable isotope analysis revealed the simultaneous operation of bottom-up forcing and benthic-pelagic coupling in subarctic rhodolith beds.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Irina Zhulay, Katrin Iken, Paul E. Renaud, Ksenia Kosobokova, Bodil A. Bluhm
Summary: Pelagic-benthic coupling refers to the connection between surface-water production and seafloor habitats through the exchange of energy, nutrients, and mass. The strength of this coupling was compared between 2005 and 2016 in the poorly studied Arctic Chukchi Borderland, with 2016 being a low-ice year. The results showed weaker coupling in 2016, with higher isotopic niche overlap and shorter isotopic distance between pelagic and benthic food web components.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna Kangas, Outi Setala, Laura Kauppi, Maiju Lehtiniemi
Summary: The study found that trophic transfer may serve as an important pathway for microplastics exposure for certain higher trophic level animals in highly polluted areas.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Remi Amiraux, David J. Yurkowski, Philippe Archambault, Marie Pierrejean, C. J. Mundy
Summary: The traditional view that the benthic compartment is simpler in structure compared to the pelagic compartment is challenged in this study, which illustrates the presence of a subweb in the benthic realm with similar complexity to the pelagic counterpart, including megafaunal-predatory sea stars equivalent to iconic polar bears.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Max Lindmark, Asta Audzijonyte, Julia L. Blanchard, Anna Gardmark
Summary: Understanding the combined effects of climate warming and exploitation on fish communities is crucial for predicting their future biomass production and size structure. This study investigates how warming affects a size-based food web through both physiological and bottom-up pathways. The results suggest that temperature effects on both fish physiology and resource dynamics need to be considered to understand the impact of global warming on fish size structure.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Xue Pan, Zhijing Xie, Zheng Zhou, Xin Sun, Dong Liu, Donghui Wu, Stefan Scheu, Mark Maraun
Summary: Knowledge of trophic niches is crucial for understanding animal coexistence and diversity. This study used stable isotopes to investigate shifts in trophic niches of oribatid mites along elevational gradients in two mountain ranges. The results showed pronounced differences in trophic positions and use of basal resources between the mountains, primarily due to differences in parent rock and litter quality. Additionally, differences in trophic niches were related to functional traits such as body mass and reproductive mode.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Brian P. Hunt, Boris Espinasse, Evgeny A. Pakhomov, Yves Cherel, Cedric Cotte, Alice Delegrange, Natasha Henschke
Summary: The investigation in the Kerguelen Plateau region revealed that iron fertilization affects the dynamics of pelagic ecosystems, resulting in shorter food chains in the diatom-dominated plateau and longer food chains in iron-limited waters, indicating the significant impact of phytoplankton composition on food chain length.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Charles-Andre Timmerman, Carolina Giraldo, Pierre Cresson, Bruno Ernande, Morgane Travers-Trolet, Manuel Rouquette, Margaux Denamiel, Sebastien Lefebvre
Summary: This study found that the coupling between benthic and pelagic habitats in the Eastern English Channel is a permanent feature, potentially favored by shallow depth and driven by two trophic processes. Resource partitioning and the presence of generalist species allow fish to fully utilize available resources, maintaining the coupling between benthic and pelagic habitats.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alejandro Sanchez-Barradas, Wesley Dattilo, Diego Santiago-Alarcon, W. Daniel Kissling, Fabricio Villalobos
Summary: Biotic interactions are important for ecosystems, but there is limited information available and biases towards certain groups. To fill these gaps, a combination of spatial, functional, and field data can be used to infer interactions. This approach allows for the generation of values similar to those observed in the field.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pengwei Li, Rui Wang, Martin J. Kainz, Daqiang Yin
Summary: Algal density has a significant impact on the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of mercury (Hg) in aquatic food webs. This study conducted in Lake Taihu, a large shallow lake in eastern China, found that higher algal density was associated with lower Hg bioaccumulation in phytoplankton and zooplankton. The low Hg bioaccumulation was attributed to the low bioavailability of Hg and the smaller body size of dominant zooplankton species at higher algal density sites. Moreover, high algal density was also found to be associated with a low proportion of methylmercury (MeHg) in phytoplankton.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Isabel R. Hilgendag, Heidi K. Swanson, Christopher W. Lewis, Ashley D. Ehrman, Michael Power
Summary: This study investigated mercury biomagnification in benthic, pelagic, and benthopelagic marine food webs in the Arctic, with results showing the highest biomagnification values in the benthopelagic food web. The benthic food web exhibited the greatest trophic diversity and isotopic niche area. Further study is needed to understand the impact of food web complexity on mercury biomagnification.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Swagata Sinha, Arnab Banerjee, Nabyendu Rakshit, Akkur Raman, Punyasloke Bhadury, Santanu Ray
Summary: Benthic components play a critical role in aquatic ecosystems, specifically in shallow water systems through benthic-pelagic coupling. A food web model incorporating both benthic and pelagic food webs was developed and analyzed for Kakinada Bay ecosystem, India. Perturbation scenarios involving microphytobenthos and suspension feeding invertebrates were used to study the effects on system robustness and integrity. The study provides insights into how benthic components may affect the overall system health and resilience.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Preetha Gopalakrishnan Nair, Shoji Joseph, Narayana Pillai, Vasant Kripa, Mohamed Hatha Ammanamveetil Abdulla
Summary: Microzooplankton plays an important role in transferring microbial food web carbon to small pelagic fishes along the southwest coast of India, including Indian oil sardine, Indian mackerel, and Commerson's anchovy. The diet composition varied among the three fish species, with oil sardine mainly feeding on diatoms, Indian mackerel consuming phytoplankton, microzooplankton and copepods, and Commerson's anchovy primarily relying on a carnivorous diet including copepods, fish eggs, ostracods, lucifers, and microzooplankton. The study concludes that microzooplankton provides nutritional support to small pelagic fishes in the region, but the extent varies depending on the fish species and seasons.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Petr Capek, Michal Choma, Karolina Tahovska, Jiri Kana, Jiri Kopacek, Hana Santruckova
Summary: Our study found that the capability of microbial community to reduce its demand for external nutrients is responsible for the difference between the predictions and observations. The active part of microbial community instantly recycled N from decaying part of microbial community and very likely utilized internal P sources (i.e. polyphosphates). The results suggest that N recycling from dead microbial biomass and the internal microbial P sources warrant further investigation.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jonathan M. Abell, Deniz Ozkundakci, David P. Hamilton, Paula Reeves
Summary: This review examines approaches used in addressing eutrophication in shallow lakes and evaluates a set of case studies. It finds that reducing external nutrient loads is a crucial component of successful restoration, although supplementary measures can also support restoration goals. However, restoring shallow lakes faces various challenges, including insufficient reductions in external nutrient loads, biogeochemical lags, resistance to change in stable algal-dominated states, delayed macrophyte reestablishment, climate change, lake-specific approaches, and social and political obstacles.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Limnology
Bryan M. Spears, David P. Hamilton, Yang Pan, Chu Zhaosheng, Linda May
Summary: This study emphasizes that taking early actions to prevent degradation of lakes is preferable to attempting to restore already degraded lakes in order to maintain the continuity of ecosystem services. Comparing case studies shows that preventative approaches help mitigate the impacts of human pressures, and protect or enhance long-term societal benefits.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Massimo F. Piepoli, Marianna Adamo, Andrea Barison, Reinaldo B. Bestetti, Jan Biegus, Michael Bohm, Javed Butler, Jonathan Carapetis, Claudio Ceconi, Ovidiu Chioncel, Andrew Coats, Maria G. Crespo-Leiro, Giovanni de Simone, Heinz Drexel, Michele Emdin, Dimitros Farmakis, Martin Halle, Stephane Heymans, Tiny Jaarsma, Ewa Jankowska, Mitja Lainscak, Carolyn S. P. Lam, Maja-Lisa Lochen, Yuri Lopatin, Aldo Maggioni, Benedetta Matrone, Marco Metra, Katharine Noonan, Ileana Pina, Eva Prescott, Giuseppe Rosano, Petar M. Seferovic, Karen Sliwa, Simon Stewart, Alicia Uijl, Ilonca Vaartjes, Roel Vermeulen, W. M. Verschuren, Maurizio Volterrani, Stephan Von Haehling, Arno Hoes
Summary: This consensus document provides practical evidence-based information to support the implementation of effective preventive measures for heart failure. It reviews common risk factors, presents population attributable risks in different continents, and lists potential interventions that have been shown to be effective in preventing heart failure.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jennifer M. Coller, Fei Fei Gong, Michele McGrady, Louise Shiel, Danny Liew, Simon Stewart, Alice J. Owen, Henry Krum, Christopher M. Reid, David L. Prior, Duncan J. Campbell
Summary: The study investigated risk factors for asymptomatic echocardiographic abnormalities in individuals at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and found associations between factors such as body mass index, gender, heart rate, and anticoagulant therapy with specific types of cardiac abnormalities.
Article
Fisheries
Bruno O. David, Matt Jarvis, Deniz Ozkundakci, Josh Smith, Ian C. Duggan, Sung Soo Koh, Jason Augspurger, Tania M. King
Summary: This study investigated the larval behavior and composition of diadromous freshwater fish in nine lowland lakes in the Lower Waikato region of New Zealand. The findings revealed that banded kokopu and giant kokopu were the most common species, with Lake Waahi consistently having the highest number of galaxiid captures. Analysis of larvae from Lake Waahi and other lakes showed that larger, older larvae were predominantly banded kokopu, while smaller, younger larvae were predominantly giant kokopu. The study also found that non-native zooplankton species, such as Daphnia galeata and Boeckella symmetrica, were the main components of the larvae's diet.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yih-Kai Chan, Nerolie Stickland, Simon Stewart
Summary: This study extends the follow-up of a heart failure prevention study and shows that the initial positive effects of cardiac recovery intervention contribute to better long-term outcomes for high-risk patients. However, preventing heart failure remains challenging.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Muzeyyen Seckin, Bridget Johnston, Mark C. Petrie, Simon Stewart, Yih-Kai Chan
Summary: This study aims to examine the sex-stratified differences in heart failure (HF) subtypes based on left ventricular ejection fraction, as well as the characteristics and correlates of self-reported changes in HF symptoms. The research found significant heterogeneity in symptomatic characteristics and subsequent symptom trajectory according to sex and HF subtype among hospitalized patients with HF.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Max M. Gibbs, Eddie Bowman, Karl A. Safi, Anathea M. Albert, Ian C. Duggan, David Burger
Summary: Phytoplankton production in Lake Karapiro, the last hydro power station lake on the Waikato River, shows high seasonal variability and a long term decreasing trend, despite the presence of abundant nutrients. Previous studies identified thermal stratification in only two of the river system's eight hydro dams, leading to the hypothesis that it could enhance phytoplankton productivity. A recent study found that Lake Karapiro also experiences thermal stratification, which enhances phytoplankton growth by confining them to the well-lit upper layer, but growth is limited due to nutrient depletion and zooplankton grazing.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rohan Eccles, Hong Zhang, David Hamilton, Ralph Trancoso, Jozef Syktus
Summary: This study examines the impacts of climate change on streamflow and water quality in the subtropical Logan-Albert catchment in Australia. The results show that climate warming may lead to decreased streamflow and contaminant loads, with the largest decreases predicted during the dry season. This could result in reduced flushing and increased importance of point source loads in urbanizing catchments.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Melanie E. Roberts, Donghwan Kim, Jing Lu, David P. Hamilton
Summary: Hysteresis refers to the variable responses of ecological systems to external stimuli or stressors. Understanding and quantifying hysteresis is crucial for understanding system behavior, modeling, and comparisons within and between systems. HARP is a new tool introduced to describe and quantify hysteresis, and it can be used on complex discharge-concentration data and supports statistical analysis.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Kelly M. Jamieson, Ian C. Duggan
Summary: Waterbirds in New Zealand are capable of consuming and dispersing zooplankton eggs, but the numbers being transported are low. Non-native waterbirds such as mallard ducks and geese may not be the primary vectors for zooplankton dispersal.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Man Xiao, Michele A. Burford, Matthew J. Prentice, Elena F. Galvanese, Ann Chuang, David P. Hamilton
Summary: The inter-relationships between cellular phosphorus (P) storage, dissolved inorganic P (DIP) uptake affinity, alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were studied in two ubiquitous diazotrophic freshwater cyanobacteria, Raphidiopsis raciborskii and Chrysosporum ovalisporum. The study showed that DIP uptake of individual strains followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, but differed with DIN and P availability, and between growth stages. Our results indicate that cyanobacterial species and strains differ in their strategies to P limiting conditions, and highlight the interplay between N and P.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Geoff Strange, Simon Stewart, Andrew Watts, David Playford
Summary: An artificial intelligence decision support algorithm (AI-DSA) was developed to identify severe aortic stenosis (AS) phenotypes associated with high mortality using routine echocardiographic measurements. The AI-DSA showed high accuracy in predicting severe AS and had a strong correlation with actual mortality rates.
Article
Respiratory System
Simon Stewart, Yih-Kai Chan, David Playford, Sarah Harris, Geoffrey A. Strange
Summary: This study addresses the lack of data on the characteristics and natural history of incident pulmonary hypertension. The findings suggest that new-onset pulmonary hypertension, even with mild elevation in estimated right ventricular systolic pressure, is associated with increased mortality risk.
Article
Environmental Studies
Gebiaw T. Ayele, Bofu Yu, David P. Hamilton
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impacts of future land use change and climate change on streamflow and nutrient load. The results showed that increasing forest coverage can decrease nutrient load, while climate change may lead to increased flow and nutrient load. Additionally, land use change can moderate the impacts of climate change on nutrient load.