Review
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Emma Marangon, Patrick W. Laffy, David G. Bourne, Nicole S. Webster
Summary: The study identifies the important role of microbiomes in facilitating environmental acclimatization in coral reef invertebrate species, through mechanisms such as increasing host energy metabolism, reducing oxidative stress, regulating nutrients in host cells, and enhancing pathogen resistance. Understanding these mechanisms and the timescales over which they operate is critical for predicting future coral reef ecosystem dynamics and implementing effective conservation strategies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Curtis Champion, James R. Lawson, Joanna Pardoe, Derrick O. Cruz, Ashley M. Fowler, Fabrice Jaine, Hayden T. Schilling, Melinda A. Coleman
Summary: The accelerating pace of climate-induced stress threatens biodiversity conservation. This study demonstrates the application of multi-criteria analysis (MCA) for rapidly assessing the vulnerability of coastal-pelagic fishes to climate change. MCA has the capacity to integrate diverse knowledge sources and quantify species sensitivity to biophysical conditions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hanen Smii, Carla Leite, Joao Pinto, Bruno Henriques, Hamouda Beyrem, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Mohamed Dellali, Eduarda Pereira, Rosa Freitas
Summary: Due to the wide use of Titanium (Ti) compounds, Ti and Ti nanoparticles (nTi) are released into aquatic environments, causing varying degrees of toxicity on aquatic fauna. Green macroalgae Ulva lactuca is capable of accumulating trace elements and has been extensively studied as a universal sorbent. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of Ti and nTi in bivalves and the remediation properties of U. lactuca. Results showed cellular damage in bivalves exposed to Ti and nTi, and the presence of U. lactuca limited the damage, possibly due to changes in water quality induced by the algae.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biology
Bethany A. Bradley, Evelyn M. Beaury, Emily J. Fusco, Bianca E. Lopez
Summary: As the impacts of climate change continue to increase, it is urgent to incorporate climate change into future environmental policy to avoid missed opportunities. The rise of invasive species threats, exacerbated by climate change, further highlights the need for proactive measures. Recommendations include information sharing, screening and regulation of high-risk species, and incentivizing individual actions. Considering invasive species risk in climate mitigation and adaptation policy is also crucial.
Article
Ecology
John M. O'Brien, Ryan R. E. Stanley, Nicholas W. Jeffery, Susan G. Heaslip, Claudio DiBacco, Zeliang Wang
Summary: Marine classification schemes are often used in marine conservation planning, but may not accurately represent biological patterns. In this study, a community-level modeling approach was used to characterize and delineate fish and invertebrate assemblages in the Northwest Atlantic. The modeling accurately predicted assemblage distributions and identified important predictors of distribution. The study also projected future distributions under a high emissions climate scenario and highlighted the importance of combining modeling with oceanographic forecasts for improved conservation planning and management.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Katharina Brerner, Hitoyoshi Yasuo, Paul Vincent Debes, Howard Trevor Jacobs
Summary: Ecological communities and biodiversity are influenced by both abiotic and biotic factors, including extreme environments and invasive species. The increase in hydrogen sulphide episodes due to global change can threaten many multicellular organisms, while the inhibiting effect of sulphide on cytochrome c oxidase can lead to organism death. Many species possess a sulphide-resistant alternative oxidase.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elena Ojea, Elena Fontan, Isabel Fuentes-Santos, Juan Bueno-Pardo
Summary: Climate change is impacting fisheries by causing species to cross fishing areas and institutional borders, leading to conflicts over fisheries management. Fisheries must increase their social, institutional, and ecological resilience to adapt to climate change, and policy makers need to consider social and institutional factors to enhance fisheries adaptation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shelly A. Trigg, Yaamini R. Venkataraman, Mackenzie R. Gavery, Steven B. Roberts, Debashish Bhattacharya, Alan Downey-Wall, Jose M. Eirin-Lopez, Kevin M. Johnson, Katie E. Lotterhos, Jonathan B. Puritz, Hollie M. Putnam
Summary: This study compares three methods for quantifying DNA methylation and finds higher methylation in two coral species, primarily located in gene bodies and flanking regions. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages in detecting CpGs, and the relative genome size affects the number and location of CpGs detected by each method.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Samuel Barton, Daniel Padfield, Abigail Masterson, Angus Buckling, Nicholas Smirnoff, Gabriel Yvon-Durocher
Summary: Several experimental studies have shown that phytoplankton can adapt rapidly to warmed environments. However, these studies often use different experimental techniques, limiting our ability to compare thermal adaptation across different species. In this study, simultaneous long-term warming experiments were conducted on three phylogenetically diverse species of marine phytoplankton, revealing varying levels of thermal adaptation. Synechococcus sp. displayed the greatest improvement in fitness and thermal tolerance, Ostreococcus tauri showed some improvement but to a lesser extent, and Phaeodoactylum tricornutum showed no signs of adaptation. These findings can enhance our understanding of how phytoplankton communities may change in response to warming and the potential biogeochemical implications.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Lorenzo Ciannelli, Anna B. Neuheimer, Leif C. Stige, Kenneth T. Frank, Joel M. Durant, Mary Hunsicker, Lauren A. Rogers, Steve Porter, Geir Ottersen, Natalia A. Yaragina
Summary: This study explores how marine species respond and adapt to climate change through shifting spatial distributions, with a focus on spatial constraints in different life stages. The findings show that early life stages of species are more spatially constrained than older stages, with significant species-specific variability. This highlights the importance of extending similar analyses to other species and regions to understand the impact of climate change on species distributions.
FISH AND FISHERIES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Janusz Kloskowski
Summary: Understanding animal responses to environmental change is crucial for management of ecological traps. The study found that red-necked grebes were more likely to switch territories to ponds with high habitat quality from the previous year, regardless of the current quality. However, due to rotation of fish stocks, many ponds experienced changes in habitat quality the following year, trapping birds who had made decisions based on past information.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matthew Sasaki, Jordanna M. Barley, Sarah Gignoux-Wolfsohn, Cynthia G. Hays, Morgan W. Kelly, Alysha B. Putnam, Seema N. Sheth, Andrew R. Villeneuve, Brian S. Cheng
Summary: There is considerable uncertainty regarding which ecosystems are most vulnerable to warming. This study found strong differentiation in heat tolerance across populations in marine and intertidal taxa, but not terrestrial or freshwater taxa. Such adaptive differentiation in the ocean suggests there may be standing genetic variation at the species level to buffer climate impacts.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Albin Lobo, Jens Iver Find, Jon Kehlet Hansen, Anders REbild, Erik Dahl Kjaer
Summary: The temperature and osmotic stress during embryogenesis have an influence on the phenology, photosynthesis rate, growth, and water stress tolerance of Abies nordmanniana. Higher temperature during somatic embryogenesis advances budburst, but with genotype-specific responses. Osmotic stress during embryogenesis does not affect the response to water stress. The temperature during embryogenesis does not influence the optimum temperatures for photosynthesis and maximal photosynthetic rates. The height and autumn senescence of the plants vary among genotypes, but are not affected by the temperature during embryogenesis. These findings support the role of epigenetic modification in phenology and its practical applications for coping with climate change.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cristian A. Vargas, L. Antonio Cuevas, Bernardo R. Broitman, Valeska A. San Martin, Nelson A. Lagos, Juan Diego Gaitan-Espitia, Sam Dupont
Summary: The authors link the effects of pCO(2) on marine invertebrates to their localized coastal habitats. They emphasize the importance of small-scale variability and adaptation. The study found that the impact of a given pCO(2) scenario depends on the deviation from the upper pCO(2) level experienced by local populations, highlighting the need to consider local adaptation and natural variability.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joshua A. Thia
Summary: The paper explores how genetic architecture and life history impact invasive success, using the example of European green crabs spreading on the North American west coast. It highlights the role of chromosomal inversions in facilitating rapid adaptive evolution in introduced populations.
Article
Fisheries
David W. West, Nicholas Ling, Brendan J. Hicks, Michael R. van den Heuvel, Louis A. Tremblay
Summary: The study used common bully as a bioindicator to assess the impacts of various industrial discharges on fish in the Waikato River. The results showed localized changes in fish populations but limited overall impacts. Further research is needed to understand the effects on fish recruitment at specific discharge sites.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anastasija Zaiko, Paul Greenfield, Cathryn Abbott, Ulla von Ammon, Jaret Bilewitch, Michael Bunce, Melania E. Cristescu, Anthony Chariton, Eddy Dowle, Jonathan Geller, Alba Ardura Gutierrez, Mehrdad Hajibabaei, Emmet Haggard, Graeme J. Inglis, Shane D. Lavery, Aurelija Samuiloviene, Tiffany Simpson, Michael Stat, Sarah Stephenson, Judy Sutherland, Vibha Thakur, Kristen Westfall, Susanna A. Wood, Michael Wright, Guang Zhang, Xavier Pochon
Summary: Advances in high-throughput sequencing technology are changing marine monitoring by enabling rapid and accurate detection of species in complex samples. An international experiment showed that while there was variation in results from different laboratories, the primary signal in the data was consistent, with samples grouping by geographical origin. Post hoc data clean-up, such as removing low-quality samples, improved sample classification accuracy significantly.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Andrew Barrick, Olivier Laroche, Michael Boundy, John K. Pearman, Tanja Wiles, Juliette Butler, Xavier Pochon, Kirsty F. Smith, Louis A. Tremblay
Summary: This study analyzed the molecular expression pathways of marine copepod Gladioferens pectinatus exposed to copper, benzophenone, and diclofenac across multiple generations. The results showed that these contaminants altered pathways linked to stress, growth, cellular and metabolic processes. Genes associated with oxidative stress and xenobiotic regulation were also impacted.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrew Barrick, Olivier Champeau, Juliette Butler, Tanja Wiles, Mike Boundy, Louis A. Tremblay
Summary: The present study investigates the ecotoxicological hazards of organic contaminants towards estuarine copepods and finds that most chemicals have acute toxicity and impact their development.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
J. Pawlowski, K. Bruce, K. Panksep, F. Aguirre, S. Amalfitano, L. Apotheloz-Perret-Gentil, T. Baussant, A. Bouchez, L. Carugati, K. Cermakova, T. Cordier, C. Corinaldesi, F. O. Costa, R. Danovaro, A. Dell'Anno, S. Duarte, U. Eisendle, B. J. D. Ferrari, F. Frontalini, L. Fruehe, A. Haegerbaeumer, V Kisand, A. Krolicka, A. Lanzen, F. Leese, F. Lejzerowicz, E. Lyautey, I Macek, M. Sagova-Mareckova, J. K. Pearman, X. Pochon, T. Stoeck, R. Vivien, A. Weigand, S. Fazi
Summary: Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is transforming aquatic biomonitoring by sequencing DNA/RNA to identify entire communities within a targeted group. Most studies have focused on water eDNA and macroinvertebrate samples, but eDNA metabarcoding has also been applied to soft sediment samples, especially for microbial or meiofaunal communities. Compared to traditional methods, eDNA metabarcoding offers advantages for assessing sediment environmental quality. However, there is a need for standardization to improve robustness and comparability. This review focuses on sampling, preservation, and DNA extraction protocols for sediment eDNA metabarcoding, aiming to identify best practices and promote harmonization for future benthic monitoring.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Mailys Picard, Susanna A. Wood, Xavier Pochon, Marcus J. Vandergoes, Lizette Reyes, Jamie D. Howarth, Ian Hawes, Jonathan Puddick
Summary: Understanding the historical onset of cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater bodies can help identify their potential drivers. Lake sediments are valuable archives for exploring these records. In this study, we compared the results obtained from a droplet digital PCR assay and high-performance liquid chromatography to analyze cyanobacterial DNA and pigments in sediment cores. Our findings suggest that the biphasic approach of combining these two methods can provide complementary information for studying changes in the cyanobacterial community.
Article
Fisheries
Jordan E. Elvy, Jane E. Symonds, Zoe Hilton, Seumas P. Walker, Louis A. Tremblay, Paula Casanovas, Neill A. Herbert
Summary: The feed conversion ratio (FCR) is important for reducing feed costs and environmental impacts. This study examined the correlation between FCR and physiological traits in farmed saltwater Chinook salmon. The results showed that high DWG and low DFI were strongly correlated with FCR efficiency.
Article
Environmental Sciences
John K. Pearman, Susanna A. Wood, Marcus J. Vandergoes, Javier Atalah, Sean Waters, Janet Adamson, Georgia Thomson-Laing, Lucy Thompson, Jamie D. Howarth, David P. Hamilton, Xavier Pochon, Laura Biessy, Katie A. Brasell, Jenny Dahl, Riki Ellison, Sean J. Fitzsimons, Henry Gard, Tania Gerrard, Rose Gregersen, McKayla Holloway, Xun Li, David J. Kelly, Reece Martin, Kiely McFarlane, Nicholas P. McKay, Adelaine Moody, Chris M. Moy, Sebastian Naeher, Rewi Newnham, Russleigh Parai, Mailys Picard, Jonathan Puddick, Andrew B. H. Rees, Lizette Reyes, Marc Schallenberg, Claire Shepherd, Julia Short, Kevin S. Simon, Konstanze Steiner, Charlotte Sunde, Marianna Terezow, John Tibby
Summary: Efficient monitoring methods for lakes are necessary for proactive protection and management. Using bacterial communities in lake surface sediments provides a rapid and cost-effective way to assess trophic states.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Anastasija Zaiko, Ulla von Ammon, Jacqui Stuart, Kirsty F. Smith, Richard Yao, Melissa Welsh, Xavier Pochon, Holly A. Bowers
Summary: A study compared different filter membranes for capturing NAs, with results showing that larger pore size cellulose membranes were more efficient, while positively charged nylon membranes enhanced capture of naked NAs and eRNA signal. Using coarse pore size filters can efficiently capture target DNA and RNA signals, saving processing time.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Jordan E. E. Elvy, Jane E. E. Symonds, Zoe Hilton, Seumas P. P. Walker, Louis A. A. Tremblay, Neill A. A. Herbert
Summary: Improving the feed conversion ratio can reduce production costs and environmental impacts. This study examined the factors influencing the ratio and found that fish with higher feed conversion rates ate smaller meals but retained more nutrients.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Camille G. Baettig, Martin Zirngibl, Kirsty F. Smith, Gavin Lear, Louis A. Tremblay
Summary: Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the current gold-standard technique for detecting and quantifying messenger RNA. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) allows for more sensitive and accurate measurements of targeted nucleic acids without external standards. This study compared these two PCR-based methods and concluded that ddPCR is suitable for assessing gene expression in an ecotoxicological context, while RT-qPCR is more time-efficient and cost-effective.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Louis A. Tremblay, Anthony A. Chariton, Meng-Shuo Li, Yong Zhang, Toshihiro Horiguchi, Joanne I. Ellis
Summary: Coastal areas play a crucial role in providing ecological services like tourism, fisheries, minerals, and petroleum. However, these areas are facing multiple stressors that threaten their sustainability. The review aims to provide an overview of coastal environmental monitoring frameworks in the Asia-Pacific region, discussing the challenges and potential solutions for improving traditional lines of evidence and decision-making processes.
Editorial Material
Engineering, Environmental
James M. Ataria, Michelle Murphy, Deborah McGregor, Susan Chiblow, Bradley J. Moggridge, Daniel C. H. Hikuroa, Louis A. Tremblay, Gunilla Oberg, Virginia Baker, Bryan W. Brooks
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Camille G. Baettig, Andrew Barrick, Martin Zirngibl, Gavin Lear, Kirsty F. Smith, Grant L. Northcott, Louis A. Tremblay
Summary: Globally, local species are being used for ecotoxicological risk assessments. Anthropogenic stressors can impact the health of receiving ecosystems, and biomarkers can provide valuable insights. This study developed and validated gene expression assays in the green-lipped mussel to assess its potential as a bioindicator for environmental risk assessment. Significant modulation of genes associated with oxidative stress, xenobiotic transfer, membrane transport, endocrine disruption, and genotoxicity were observed in the mussel following exposures to copper and benzo[a]pyrene.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sophie van Hamelsveld, Farideh Jamali-Behnam, Izzie Alderton, Brigitta Kurenbach, Andrew W. Mccabe, Barry R. Palmer, Maria J. Gutierrez-Gines, Louise Weaver, Jacqui Horswell, Louis A. Tremblay, Jack A. Heinemann
Summary: The widespread use of emerging contaminants may worsen antibiotic resistance, as these contaminants have been found to alter bacterial responses to antibiotics and increase the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes. The study investigated the effects of nine emerging contaminants on antibiotic resistance and gene transfer, and found that the observed effects varied at different antibiotic concentrations.
EMERGING CONTAMINANTS
(2023)
