Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joan Casanelles-Abella, Simone Fontana, Eliane Meier, Marco Moretti, Betrand Fournier
Summary: This study modeled wild bee diversity in Switzerland and found that it is influenced by gradients of climate and resource availability. High-elevation areas have lower functional and taxonomic diversity, while xeric areas have more diverse bee communities. The study also found a limited overlap between diversity hotspots and protected areas, highlighting the need to better integrate unprotected land.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. Assis, E. Fragkopoulou, E. A. Serrao, B. Horta e Costa, M. Gandra, D. Abecasis
Summary: The need for international cooperation in marine resource management and conservation to establish effective networks of Marine Protected Areas has been highlighted. Research shows inadequate connectivity in the European network of marine reserves, especially for ecosystemstructuring species with high isolation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Minyou Yu, Yuwen Huang
Summary: Currently, there has been significant progress in the international legislative process and national practices concerning marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). China, as a State Party to UNCLOS, actively participates in negotiations on the BBNJ agreement, with a particular focus on marine protected areas (MPAs) as a feasible tool for conservation. This paper analyzes the drivers and limits of China's involvement in the establishment of MPAs and proposes countermeasures to address the challenges posed by MPAs in ABNJ. It concludes that there is a high possibility of China choosing to participate in the establishment of MPAs in ABNJ due to its commitment to the concept of a maritime community with a shared future.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nefta Eleftheria Votsi
Summary: This article aims to protect marine biodiversity by utilizing principles of Landscape and Soundscape Ecology and borrowing methods and tools to identify and map human-induced noise in the marine environment. The goal is to create a connectivity pathway among Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) based on this information layer.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Philip Erm, Andrew Balmford, Matthew H. Holden
Summary: There is ongoing discussion about the effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) in well-regulated seascapes with other forms of fisheries management. This study adapts a model from agriculture to determine how to achieve catches at minimum cost to biodiversity in managed trawl fisheries. The results show that a combination of MPAs and fishing effort regulation is best for biodiversity when avoiding local extinction of sensitive species is a priority. However, if there are no sensitive species or if biodiversity is measured in terms of species abundances, then relying solely on fishing effort regulation is more effective. Evaluating the findings globally, it is estimated that over 72% of well-regulated crustacean trawl fisheries could benefit from no-trawl MPAs, although such MPAs may require increased fishing effort to maintain catches.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katherine D. Millage, Juan Carlos Villasenor-Derbez, Darcy Bradley, Matthew G. Burgess, Hunter S. Lenihan, Christopher Costello
Summary: Marine protected areas are important for conservation, but the increase in fish biomass within MPAs creates incentives for poaching. Fishing activities persist in most MPAs worldwide, raising concerns about monitoring and enforcement. A proposal for a Conservation Finance Area (CFA) utilizes leased fishing zones within MPAs to finance monitoring and enforcement, leading to greater conservation success.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Mario Solin
Summary: The Prestige oil spill had negative effects on marine ecosystems, but it led to the creation of the Bank of Galicia as a protected area, contributing to the Natura 2000 Network. However, the Convention on Biological Diversity aims to increase protected areas to 30%. A study conducted a choice experiment in Galicia to understand social preferences for marine biodiversity conservation programs. The results showed that achieving the convention's objective would increase social welfare by 16.4 million euros.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jorge Assis, Pierre Failler, Eliza Fragkopoulou, David Abecasis, Gregoire Touron-Gardic, Aissa Regalla, Ebaye Sidina, Herculano Dinis, Ester A. Serrao
Summary: Marine Protected Areas must function as networks to ensure the long-term conservation of regional biodiversity, where different ecological groups have varying levels of connectivity. Research in the Western Africa MPA network reveals significant differences in connectivity among various ecological groups, highlighting the need for enhanced protection to ensure connectivity across the entire network.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ryan McGeady, Robert M. Runya, James S. G. Dooley, John A. Howe, Clive J. Fox, Andrew J. Wheeler, Gerard Summers, Alexander Callaway, Suzanne Beck, Louise S. Brown, Gerard Dooly, Chris McGonigle
Summary: Ocean biodiversity loss is driven by several anthropogenic threats, and efforts are needed to stop the loss and promote healthy marine ecosystems. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can help restrict damaging activities and provide ecological and socio-economic benefits. Monitoring is crucial for MPA management to assess conservation objectives, and new non-extractive techniques are being reviewed to aid MPA managers and researchers.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Veronica Relano, Tiffany Mak, Shelumiel Ortiz, Daniel Pauly
Summary: While numerous MPA have been created in recent decades, their effectiveness needs to be evaluated in the context of national biodiversity conservation policies and verified through local observations. Currently, the observations of local stakeholders are not considered in any MPA database. Adding local stakeholder perspectives to MPA databases is crucial for a better understanding of marine protection and can contribute to more effective MPAs.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Amanda K. Pettersen, Ezequiel M. Marzinelli, Peter D. Steinberg, Melinda A. Coleman
Summary: The study evaluated the effectiveness of MPAs in preserving fish zeta diversity in Batemans Marine Park, Australia. Results showed that MPAs had a greater stability in fish species turnover compared to partially protected and unprotected areas, with significantly shallower decline in zeta diversity and higher retention of harvested species. The protective effects of MPAs were observable within 4 years of implementation, while partial protection showed little improvement in stability compared to unprotected areas.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Germain Boussarie, Dorothee Kopp, Gael Lavialle, Maud Mouchet, Marie Morfin
Summary: Direct and indirect anthropogenic pressures are expected to lower the provided ecosystem services in the future. Protected areas and renewable energies are being implemented to address these impacts. However, sharing space between offshore wind farms (OWFs), marine protected areas (MPAs), and fisheries is challenging due to low acceptability and underrepresentation of fisheries. In this study, a marine spatial planning framework was developed to explore siting scenarios that conserve species, regulate ecosystem services, and ensure equitable impacts on fisheries.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tatiana Begun, Adrian Teaca, Mihaela Muresan, Pedro A. Quijon, Selma Menabit, Victor Surugiu
Summary: This study describes the characteristics and diversity of benthic habitats and their associated communities in two marine protected areas in the southern Romanian Black Sea. The ecological status of these habitats was evaluated using various indicators. The majority of the sampling stations showed good ecological status, while a minority showed concerns for the coastal system. Further research and conservation efforts are needed.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mohamed I. Bakarr
Summary: In order to protect nature, African parks need to contribute to human well-being, overcome threats, and secure reliable funding sources. The first Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC) held in Rwanda reaffirmed the importance of protected and conserved areas (PCAs) in safeguarding wildlife and biodiversity on the continent. This paper discusses how African countries can address the needs of making PCAs people centered, advancing integrated approaches to tackle biodiversity loss, and promoting sustainable and innovative financing for PCAs.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jenna Sullivan-Stack, Octavio Aburto-Oropeza, Cassandra M. Brooks, Reniel B. Cabral, Jennifer E. Caselle, Francis Chan, J. Emmett Duffy, Daniel C. Dunn, Alan M. Friedlander, Heather K. Fulton-Bennett, Steven D. Gaines, Leah R. Gerber, Ellen Hines, Heather M. Leslie, Sarah E. Lester, Jessica M. C. MacCarthy, Sara M. Maxwell, Juan Mayorga, Douglas J. McCauley, Fiorenza Micheli, Russell Moffitt, Kerry J. Nickols, Stephen R. Palumbi, Douglas R. Pearsall, Elizabeth P. Pike, Ellen K. Pikitch, Gorka Sancho, Ana K. Spalding, Daniel O. Suman, Seth T. Sykora-Bodie, Kirsten Grorud-Colvert
Summary: Marine protected areas are crucial for biodiversity conservation and human well-being. The study finds that the protection level of MPAs in the United States is unequal, with the majority of protected areas located in the central Pacific. Improving the quality and quantity of MPAs in U.S. waters is urgently needed to benefit both human and marine communities.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Morgan J. Raath-Kruger, Christian Schob, Melodie A. McGeoch, Peter C. le Roux
Summary: Interspecific facilitation can lead to higher beneficiary species densities, but strong intraspecific competition may hinder beneficiary performance. In harsh environments, the positive effects of facilitation by benefactor species may outweigh the negative effects of intraspecific competition among beneficiaries.
Article
Ecology
Stephni van der Merwe, Michelle Greve, Bernard Olivier, Peter C. le Roux
Summary: Positive biotic interactions between plant species can impact the functional trait expression of interacting species, but the response varies among different species, indicating context specificity may challenge the predictability of intraspecific trait variation in plant-plant interactions.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mia Momberg, David W. Hedding, Miska Luoto, Peter C. le Roux
Summary: The study demonstrates that wind stress is a strong predictor of plant community characteristics, including species richness, vegetation cover, and community composition, even after accounting for other important variables. Wind conditions play a significant role in structuring plant communities in windy environments, highlighting the importance of considering changing wind patterns in climate change impact predictions.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Julia Kemppinen, Pekka Niittynen, Peter C. le Roux, Mia Momberg, Konsta Happonen, Juha Aalto, Helena Rautakoski, Brian J. Enquist, Vigdis Vandvik, Aud H. Halbritter, Brian Maitner, Miska Luoto
Summary: By utilizing data from plant community trait composition, microclimate, and soil chemistry from four distinct tundra regions, the authors demonstrate strong and consistent trait-environment relationships across Arctic and Antarctic regions. These relationships were found to be transferable between tundra plant communities even when accounting for fine-scale environmental heterogeneity, with local conditions heavily influencing both structural and leaf economic traits. This study enhances the biological and mechanistic basis for predicting the impact of climate change on vulnerable high-latitude ecosystems.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biology
Barnabas H. Daru
Summary: A new climate classification system is being developed based on modeling the environmental conditions experienced by 26,000 species of tetrapods in their habitats.
Article
Ecology
M. A. Louw, N. S. Haussmann, P. C. le Roux
Summary: The study found that the presence of aardvark burrows and trees can have both independent and interactive effects on soil and vegetation properties. Aardvark burrowing affects soil moisture and compaction, which is mediated by the occurrence of trees. Vegetation cover and species richness are impacted by both burrowing and trees.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
K. A. Goddard, K. J. Craig, J. Schoombie, P. C. le Roux
Summary: This study aims to estimate wind speed, direction, and turbulence on Marion Island using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and compare the results with experimental measurements. The research utilizes a Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach with a k-epsilon turbulence closure model to validate the accuracy of the model. Results show potential for future researchers to accurately estimate wind properties on the island using the CFD model.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Caio Graco-Roza, Sonja Aarnio, Nerea Abrego, Alicia T. R. Acosta, Janne Alahuhta, Jan Altman, Claudia Angiolini, Jukka Aroviita, Fabio Attorre, Lars Baastrup-Spohr, Jose J. Barrera-Alba, Jonathan Belmaker, Idoia Biurrun, Gianmaria Bonari, Helge Bruelheide, Sabina Burrascano, Marta Carboni, Pedro Cardoso, Jose C. Carvalho, Giuseppe Castaldelli, Morten Christensen, Gilsineia Correa, Iwona Dembicz, Jurgen Dengler, Jiri Dolezal, Patricia Domingos, Tibor Eros, Carlos E. L. Ferreira, Goffredo Filibeck, Sergio R. Floeter, Alan M. Friedlander, Johanna Gammal, Anna Gavioli, Martin M. Gossner, Itai Granot, Riccardo Guarino, Camilla Gustafsson, Brian Hayden, Siwen He, Jacob Heilmann-Clausen, Jani Heino, John T. Hunter, Vera L. M. Huszar, Monika Janisova, Jenny Jyrkankallio-Mikkola, Kimmo K. Kahilainen, Julia Kemppinen, Lukasz Kozub, Carla Kruk, Michel Kulbiki, Anna Kuzemko, Peter Christiaan le Roux, Aleksi Lehikoinen, Domenica Teixeira de Lima, Angel Lopez-Urrutia, Balazs A. Lukacs, Miska Luoto, Stefano Mammola, Marcelo M. Marinho, Luciana S. Menezes, Marco Milardi, Marcela Miranda, Gleyci A. O. Moser, Joerg Mueller, Pekka Niittynen, Alf Norkko, Arkadiusz Nowak, Jean P. Ometto, Otso Ovaskainen, Gerhard E. Overbeck, Felipe S. Pacheco, Virpi Pajunen, Salza Palpurina, Felix Picazo, Juan A. C. Prieto, Ivan F. Rodil, Francesco M. Sabatini, Shira Salingre, Michele De Sanctis, Angel M. Segura, Lucia H. S. da Silva, Zora D. Stevanovic, Grzegorz Swacha, Anette Teittinen, Kimmo T. Tolonen, Ioannis Tsiripidis, Leena Virta, Beixin Wang, Jianjun Wang, Wolfgang Weisser, Yuan Xu, Janne Soininen
Summary: This study provides the first global synthesis of taxonomic and functional distance decay along spatial and environmental distance. The results demonstrate that taxonomic distance decay is stronger than functional distance decay, with the fastest decay rates observed in datasets from mid-latitudes. Overall, taxonomic distance decay is a useful tool for biogeographical research, while functional distance decay may be a cost-effective option for investigating community changes in heterogeneous environments.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Julia Kemppinen, Pekka Niittynen, Konsta Happonen, Peter C. le Roux, Juha Aalto, Jan Hjort, Tuija Maliniemi, Olli Karjalainen, Helena Rautakoski, Miska Luoto
Summary: The study reveals that geomorphological processes have a significant impact on the functional traits of Arctic plant communities, with cryoturbation being the most influential factor on structural and leaf economic traits. The results show consistency across different regions, indicating a coherent biome-level trait response to geomorphological processes.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Mia Momberg, Peter G. Ryan, David W. Hedding, Janine Schoombie, Kyle A. Goddard, Ken J. Craig, Peter C. Le Roux
Summary: This study investigates the environmental variables affecting nest-site selection by the Wandering Albatross, and finds that elevation, distance from the coast, terrain roughness, and wind velocity are important factors. Wandering Albatrosses tend to nest at low elevations, closer to the coast, and in flatter terrains.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
T. Jonathan Davies, Olivier Maurin, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Barnabas H. Daru, Bezeng S. Bezeng, Ledile T. Mankga, Hanno Schaefer, Wilfried Thuiller, Michelle van der Bank
Summary: The Tree of Life provides a powerful tool for understanding life's diversity and conserving its branches can have practical benefits. Human population density is closely correlated with both the richness of woody plants in a region and their evolutionary relatedness. A greater diversity of ecosystem goods and services is supported by more phylogenetically diverse species assemblages. People in Africa may benefit from inhabiting regions with high phylogenetic diversity of woody plants, but the correlation between human population and woody plant diversity poses a threat to the contributions of intact and phylogenetically diverse ecosystems to human well-being.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Morgan J. Raath-Krueger, Christian Schoeb, Melodie A. McGeoch, Divan A. Burger, Tanya Strydom, Peter C. le Roux
Summary: Through analysis of a long-term dataset, we found that the size and vitality of the cushion plant species Azorella selago on sub-Antarctic Marion Island were not affected by the cover of the co-occurring grass species Agrostis magellanica. This result, contrary to many short-term studies, highlights the importance of long-term datasets in assessing beneficiary feedback effects.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fernando T. Maestre, Yoann Le Bagousse-Pinguet, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, David J. Eldridge, Hugo Saiz, Miguel Berdugo, Beatriz Gozalo, Victoria Ochoa, Emilio Guirado, Miguel Garcia-Gomez, Enrique Valencia, Juan J. Gaitan, Sergio Asensio, Betty J. Mendoza, Cesar Plaza, Paloma Diaz-Martinez, Ana Rey, Hang-Wei Hu, Ji-Zheng He, Jun-Tao Wang, Anika Lehmann, Matthias C. Rillig, Simone Cesarz, Nico Eisenhauer, Jaime Martinez-Valderrama, Eduardo Moreno-Jimenez, Osvaldo Sala, Mehdi Abedi, Negar Ahmadian, Concepcion L. Alados, Valeria Aramayo, Fateh Amghar, Tulio Arredondo, Rodrigo J. Ahumada, Khadijeh Bahalkeh, Farah Ben Salem, Niels Blaum, Bazartseren Boldgiv, Matthew A. Bowker, Donaldo Bran, Chongfeng Bu, Rafaella Canessa, Andrea P. Castillo-Monroy, Helena Castro, Ignacio Castro, Patricio Castro-Quezada, Roukaya Chibani, Abel A. Conceicao, Courtney M. Currier, Anthony Darrouzet-Nardi, Balazs Deak, David A. Donoso, Andrew J. Dougill, Jorge Duran, Batdelger Erdenetsetseg, Carlos I. Espinosa, Alex Fajardo, Mohammad Farzam, Daniela Ferrante, Anke S. K. Frank, Lauchlan H. Fraser, Laureano A. Gherardi, Aaron C. Greenville, Carlos A. Guerra, Elizabeth Gusman-Montalvan, Rosa M. Hernandez-Hernandez, Norbert Holzel, Elisabeth Huber-Sannwald, Frederic M. Hughes, Oswaldo Jadan-Maza, Florian Jeltsch, Anke Jentsch, Kudzai F. Kaseke, Melanie Kobel, Jessica E. Koopman, Cintia V. Leder, Anja Linstadter, Peter C. le Roux, Xinkai Li, Pierre Liancourt, Jushan Liu, Michelle A. Louw, Gillian Maggs-Kolling, Thulani P. Makhalanyane, Oumarou Malam Issa, Antonio J. Manzaneda, Eugene Marais, Juan P. Mora, Gerardo Moreno, Seth M. Munson, Alice Nunes, Gabriel Oliva, Gaston R. Onatibia, Guadalupe Peter, Marco O. D. Pivari, Yolanda Pueyo, R. Emiliano Quiroga, Soroor Rahmanian, Sasha C. Reed, Pedro J. Rey, Benoit Richard, Alexandra Rodriguez, Victor Rolo, Juan G. Rubalcaba, Jan C. Ruppert, Ayman Salah, Max A. Schuchardt, Sedona Spann, Ilan Stavi, Colton R. A. Stephens, Anthony M. Swemmer, Alberto L. Teixido, Andrew D. Thomas, Heather L. Throop, Katja Tielborger, Samantha Travers, James Val, Orsolya Valko, Liesbeth van den Brink, Sergio Velasco Ayuso, Frederike Velbert, Wanyoike Wamiti, Deli Wang, Lixin Wang, Glenda M. Wardle, Laura Yahdjian, Eli Zaady, Yuanming Zhang, Xiaobing Zhou, Brajesh K. Singh, Nicolas Gross
Summary: Interactions between grazing pressure, climate, soil, and biodiversity are crucial in determining the delivery of ecosystem services in drylands worldwide. Increased grazing pressure reduces service delivery in warmer and species-poor areas, while positive effects of grazing are observed in colder and species-rich areas.
Article
Ecology
Barnabas H. Daru, Jordan Rodriguez
Summary: An analysis of nearly 2 billion occurrence records for terrestrial plants and animals shows differences in their coverage and biases in representing global biodiversity patterns. While citizen-science data and direct field observations have been widely used to document biodiversity, they often suffer from coverage gaps and biases that may hinder accurate representation of biodiversity patterns. In contrast, primary voucher specimens exhibit relative congruence with expected biodiversity patterns but are infrequent in occurrence data. These differences in coverage and bias have important implications for research in ecology, evolution, and conservation.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Barnabas H. Daru, Brianna M. Rock
Summary: Climate change will lead to reductions in seagrass range sizes and an increase in endemism, resulting in divergent shifts in beta-diversity. Current marine protected areas will be insufficient to protect seagrasses, and new priority areas for conservation planning need to be identified. Seagrasses are crucial for maintaining marine food chains and supporting marine biodiversity.