Article
Ecology
Ariel Greiner, Marco Andrello, Emily Darling, Martin Krkosek, Marie-Josee Fortin
Summary: The study aims to determine the connectivity of coral reefs and the level of future coral cover under global scenarios of coral bleaching loss and potential recovery. The findings emphasize the importance of maintaining functional coral reef habitat outside of predicted climate refugia to sustain connectivity globally.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Juliana John, A. R. Nandhini, Padmanaban Velayudhaperumal Chellam, Mika Sillanpaa
Summary: Microplastic pollution has emerged as a significant threat to ecosystem health, particularly impacting sensitive ecosystems like mangroves and coral reefs. Urbanization and industrial activities have led to contamination of these preserved ecosystems, highlighting the importance of mitigating measures to prevent microplastics from entering marine environments.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Fenny Kho, Darren J. Koppel, Rebecca von Hellfeld, Astley Hastings, Francesca Gissi, Tom Cresswell, Stuart Higgins
Summary: This article discusses the formation of mercury-contaminated products in oil and gas infrastructure, potential impacts, and research gaps on the ecological risk of in situ decommissioned contaminated infrastructure. Suggestions include improving mercury quantification in infrastructure and understanding environmental controls on mercury methylation and bioaccumulation.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Leila J. Hamdan, Justyna J. Hampel, Rachel D. Moseley, Rachel. L. Mugge, Anirban Ray, Jennifer L. Salerno, Melanie Damour
Summary: The study shows that historic deep-sea shipwrecks can influence the richness and diversity of nearby seabed microbiomes, creating a microbial biodiversity "island effect". This suggests that shipwrecks may have a large sphere of influence on seabed microbiomes.
Review
Engineering, Marine
Izchel Gomez, Rodolfo Silva, Debora Lithgow, Janner Rodriguez, Anastazia Teresa Banaszak, Brigitta van Tussenbroek
Summary: Urbanization and global disturbances have significant impacts on ecosystems and human quality of life, highlighting the importance of improving coastal zone management. This study identified ecosystem disturbances in the Mexican Caribbean through a systematic literature review and discussed their integration into a coastal zone management framework.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maha J. Cziesielski, Carlos M. Duarte, Nojood Aalismail, Yousef Al-Hafedh, Andrea Anton, Faiyah Baalkhuyur, Andrew C. Baker, Thorsten Balke, Iliana B. Baums, Michael Berumen, Vasiliki I. Chalastani, Brendan Cornwell, Daniele Daffonchio, Karen Diele, Ehtesaam Farooq, Jean-Pierre Gattuso, Song He, Catherine E. Lovelock, Elizabeth McLeod, Peter I. Macreadie, Nuria Marba, Cecilia Martin, Marcelle Muniz-Barreto, Kirshnakumar P. Kadinijappali, Perdana Prihartato, Lotfi Rabaoui, Vincent Saderne, Sebastian Schmidt-Roach, David J. Suggett, Michael Sweet, John Statton, Sam Teicher, Stacey M. Trevathan-Tackett, Thadickal V. Joydas, Razan Yahya, Manuel Aranda
Summary: The coastal and marine ecosystems in the unique environment of the Red Sea have adapted and flourished for millennia, providing socio-economic and environmental benefits to the bordering coastlines and countries. While the coral reef ecosystems in the Red Sea appear to be relatively healthier compared to global trends, they are still vulnerable to stressors such as increasing ocean temperature, acidification, and pollution. Degradation of marine habitats in many regions, coupled with increasing population pressure and coastal development projects, poses environmental costs and significant economic losses. Investment in blue natural capital and strategic development model focusing on the health of natural ecosystems can safeguard the sustainable development of the Red Sea.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Madison H. Bolt, Corey T. Callaghan, Alistair G. B. Poore, Adriana Verges, Christopher J. Roberts
Summary: Citizen science projects that collect photos or recordings are important for monitoring biodiversity. In this study, the background information captured in fish photos was explored to characterize reef habitats. The analysis of fish photos shared on iNaturalist in Australia revealed that the composition of habitat captured in the photos was similar to standard surveys. This highlights the potential value of opportunistic photos in rapidly collecting habitat data.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mia T. Comeros-Raynal, Jon Brodie, Zoe Bainbridge, John Howard Choat, Meagan Curtis, Stephen Lewis, Thomas Stevens, Christopher K. Shuler, Mareike Sudek, Andrew S. Hoey
Summary: The research found clear gradients in nutrient concentrations, sediment accumulation, composition, and benthic structure across watersheds in American Samoa. Instream nutrients and land use positively influenced reef flat nutrient concentrations, while benthic assemblages were best predicted by wave exposure, runoff, stream phosphate, and dissolved inorganic nitrogen loads. Identifying locality-specific drivers of water quality and benthic condition can support targeted management in American Samoa and other high islands.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Katherine Mejia-Quintero, Cristina Cedeno-Posso, Santiago Millan, Luis Chasqui
Summary: By analyzing videos and images, we identified ecological units and geomorphic units in mesophotic coral ecosystems on the western side of San Andres Island, Colombia. These findings are important for updating the coral reef atlas of Colombia.
Article
Ecology
Amelia A. Desbiens, George Roff, William D. Robbins, Brett M. Taylor, Carolina Castro-Sanguino, Alexandra Dempsey, Peter J. Mumby
Summary: In the relatively unfished northern Great Barrier Reef, changes in reef shark density did not have a significant impact on the density or biomass of teleost mesopredators or prey, suggesting a lack of trophic cascading. Instead, many functional groups, including sharks, responded positively to environmental drivers.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Linda Wegley Kelly, Craig E. Nelson, Lihini I. . Aluwihare, Milou G. I. Arts, Pieter C. Dorrestein, Irina Koester, Shayle B. Matsuda, Daniel Petras, Zachary A. Quinlan, Andreas F. Haas
Summary: Metabolomics is a rapidly advancing field that utilizes powerful analytical tools and bioinformatic methods to reveal the diversity and activity of chemical compounds within organisms. By applying metabolomics, it is possible to gain insights into the chemical processes in coastal ecosystems, including metabolite exchange between plants, animals, and microbes, as well as interactions among coral reefs and other organisms.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Celia A. Balemi, Nick T. Shears
Summary: Marine protected areas are proposed as a key tool to restore food web interactions and increase ecosystem resilience to climate change impacts. However, the response of native species to protection and climate change can be unpredictable. This study examines the long-term trends of two sea urchin species in a marine reserve and a fished area, and finds that warming and low numbers of key predators have led to an increase in one invasive species and a decline in a native species.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Holly V. Moeller, Roger M. Nisbet, Adrian C. Stier
Summary: Multispecies mutualisms are influenced by predation, with predators reducing mutualist abundance and service provision. However, a mathematical model shows that predators can have indirect positive effects on hosts when they preferentially consume competitively dominant, lower-quality mutualists. The direction and strength of predator effects depend on asymmetries in mutualist competition, service provision, and predation vulnerability, indicating that changes in predation strength can lead to dynamic responses in mutualist communities.
Review
Ecology
Angelique Brathwaite, Nicolas Pascal, Eric Clua
Summary: The study evaluated the feasibility of using Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) for coastal protection derived from coral reefs, and found that there is sufficient scientific knowledge to support the implementation of PES. Key factors in managing stable beaches include enhancing coral reef health and implementing priority management options.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael A. Coe, Orou G. Gaoue
Summary: Increasing harvest and overexploitation can significantly affect population dynamics of harvested populations. This study used an integral projection model to investigate the effects of harvest on the demography and population dynamics of Banisteriopsis caapi in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. The results showed that harvest had a significant negative effect on size-dependent survival and fertility. The long-term population growth rates declined under high harvest pressure but increased under low harvest pressure. Management strategies should prioritize the survival of larger size plants and vegetative reproducing individuals.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sarah Lawless, Philippa J. Cohen, Cynthia McDougall, Sangeeta Mangubhai, Andrew M. Song, Tiffany H. Morrison
Summary: Global visions of environmental change prioritize gender equality as a key component of sustainable social-ecological systems. However, the implementation of gender equality within social-ecological systems often prioritizes social goals over ecological goals, leading to diluted commitments and instrumental pursuit of gender equality to achieve other objectives. Organizations tend to focus on individual impacts rather than driving systemic change, highlighting the need for a more holistic approach to promoting gender equality.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Johanna Hedlund, Daniel Nohrstedt, Tiffany Morrison, Michele-Lee Moore, Orjan Bodin
Summary: This study examines how interdependencies between policy issues affect perception and collaboration. The research found that actors tend to avoid collaboration when there are reinforcing interdependencies, and they do not consider counteracting interdependencies when engaging in collaboration. Additionally, actors were found to be less aware of counteracting interdependencies.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
R. J. Shellock, C. Cvitanovic, M. C. McKinnon, M. Mackay, I. E. van Putten, J. Blythe, R. Kelly, P. Tuohy, K. M. Maltby, S. Mynott, N. Simmonds, M. Bailey, A. Begossi, B. Crona, K. A. Fakoya, B. P. Ferreira, A. J. G. Ferrer, K. Frangoudes, J. Gobin, H. C. Goh, P. Haapasaari, B. D. Hardesty, V. Haussermann, K. Hoareau, A-K. Hornidge, M. Isaacs, M. Kraan, Y. Li, M. Liu, P. F. M. Lopes, M. Mlakar, T. H. Morrison, H. A. Oxenford, G. Pecl, J. Penca, C. Robinson, S. A. Selim, M. Skern-Mauritzen, K. Soejima, D. Soto, A. K. Spalding, A. Vadrot, N. Vaidianu, M. Webber, M. S. Wisz
Summary: This article emphasizes the importance of diverse and inclusive marine research in addressing ocean sustainability challenges in the 21st century. Despite efforts to diversify ocean science, women still face barriers to career progression within academic institutions. Drawing on the experiences of 34 global women leaders, the article proposes practical strategies and actions to empower early career women researchers to become future leaders.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Letter
Ecology
Sander Chan, Steffen Bauer, Michele M. Betsill, Frank Biermann, Idil Boran, Peter Bridgewater, Harriet Bulkeley, Mercedes M. C. Bustamente, Alexandra Deprez, Felix Dodds, Michael Hoffmann, Anna-Katharina Hornidge, Alice Hughes, Pablo Imbach, Maria Ivanova, Alexandre Koberle, Marcel T. J. Kok, Shuaib Lwasa, Tiffany Morrison, Hans-O. Portner, Agus P. Sari, Stacy D. VanDeveer, Derek Vollmer, Oscar Widerberg, Nathalie Pettorelli
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Tobias Ide, McKenzie F. Johnson, Jon Barnett, Florian Krampe, Philippe Le Billon, Lucile Maertens, Nina von Uexkull, Irene Velez-Torres
Summary: Interest in the intersections of environmental issues, peace, and conflict has grown in recent years. However, research on this topic is fragmented and lacks interdisciplinary and methodological interaction. This forum aims to fill this gap by bringing together six research streams on the environment, peace, and conflict and fostering dialogue on core findings, potential collaborations, and future research directions.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS
(2023)
Article
Political Science
Tiffany H. Morrison, Orjan Bodin, Graeme S. Cumming, Mark Lubell, Ralf Seppelt, Tim Seppelt, Christopher M. Weible
Summary: The success or failure of a polycentric system depends on complex political and social processes, such as coordination between actors and venues to solve specialized policy problems. However, there is currently no accepted method to isolate distinct coordination processes or understand how their variance affects polycentric governance performance. Researchers in Australia have developed and tested a building-blocks approach using different patterns or motifs to measure and compare coordination over time on the Great Barrier Reef. Their approach confirms that polycentric governance involves interdependent venues and actors that evolve over time, but mobilizing venues to improve issue specialization and actor participation can also fragment the overall capacity of polycentric governance to resolve conflicts and adapt to new problems. This building-blocks approach enhances understanding and practice of polycentric governance by enabling a more precise diagnosis of internal dynamics in complex environmental governance systems.
POLICY STUDIES JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Graeme S. Cumming, Maja Adamska, Michele L. Barnes, Jon Barnett, David R. Bellwood, Joshua E. Cinner, Philippa J. Cohen, Jennifer M. Donelson, Katharina Fabricius, R. Quentin Grafton, Alana Grech, Georgina G. Gurney, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Andrew S. Hoey, Mia O. Hoogenboom, Jacqueline Lau, Catherine E. Lovelock, Ryan Lowe, David J. Miller, Tiffany H. Morrison, Peter J. Mumby, Martin Nakata, John M. Pandolfi, Garry D. Peterson, Morgan S. Pratchett, Timothy Ravasi, Cynthia Riginos, Jodie L. Rummer, Britta Schaffelke, Thomas Wernberg, Shaun K. Wilson
Summary: SDG 14 aims to secure marine sustainability by 2030, and understanding the changing seascape, global actions, and the collaboration between science and society are vital for achieving this goal in the Asia-Pacific region. Through a horizon scan, researchers identified nine emerging research priorities that can contribute to marine sustainability, including understanding seascape evolution, drivers of change, and the costs and benefits to people. Researchers can contribute by developing interdisciplinary understandings, emphasizing equity and justice, and improving knowledge of cross-scale processes.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao, Nives Dolsak, Aseem Prakash, Taej Mundkur, Paul G. Harris, Ronald B. Mitchell, Nick Davidson, Birgita Hansen, Bradley K. Woodworth, Richard A. Fuller, Melissa Price, Nicky Petkov, Volker Mauerhofer, Tiffany H. Morrison, James E. M. Watson, Sayam U. Chowdhury, Christoph Zoeckler, Oscar Widerberg, Ding Li Yong, Daniel Klich, Vitaliy Smagol, John Piccolo, Duan Biggs
Summary: Maintaining peace and conserving biodiversity rely on international cooperation, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine has put recent progress at a crossroads. This invasion threatens the governance system for biodiversity conservation within and beyond Russia due to isolation from the international system, halt of cooperation, and changes in policy priorities. We recommend enhancing the resilience and adaptability of the existing international governance system for biodiversity conservation, while aligning security agendas with conservation goals.
FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Anazelia M. Tedesco, Sofia Lopez-Cubillos, Robin Chazdon, Jonathan R. Rhodes, Carla L. Archibald, Katharina-Victoria Perez-Hammerle, Pedro H. S. Brancalion, Kerrie A. Wilson, Mariana Oliveira, Diego F. Correa, Liz Ota, Tiffany H. Morrison, Hugh P. Possingham, Morena Mills, Fabiane C. Santos, Angela J. Dean
Summary: Ecosystem restoration conventionally focuses on ecological targets, but it is necessary to integrate social, economic, and ecological dimensions, reconcile global targets and local objectives, and measure progress toward multiple goals. Restoration should be an inclusive social-ecological process that integrates diverse values and practices across scales and stakeholder groups. Taking a process-based approach will enable greater social-ecological transformation, restoration effectiveness, and long-lasting benefits.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Colette Mortreux, Jon Barnett, Sergio Jarillo, Katharine H. Greenaway
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Terry P. Hughes, Andrew H. Baird, Tiffany H. Morrison, Gergely Torda
Summary: Coral reefs are important ecosystems supporting coastal societies and economies, but they are already degraded due to over-fishing, pollution, and climate change. Ecological restoration programs are being implemented to halt or reverse reef degradation, but ambitious outcomes are challenging and may even be counter-productive. Urgent reduction of climate change and other anthropogenic impacts is necessary for successful coral restoration.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao, Susan Lieberman, Nives Dolsak, Aseem Prakash, Ronald Labonte, Duan Biggs, Christine Franklin, Tiffany H. Morrison, A. M. Viens, Richard A. Fuller, Raphael Aguiar, Pedro Fidelman, James E. M. Watson, Cecile Aenishaenslin, Mary Wiktorowicz
Summary: Although ideas about preventive actions for pandemics have been advanced during the COVID-19 crisis, there has been little consideration for how they can be operationalised through governance structures within the context of the wildlife trade for human consumption. However, given the acceleration of globalisation, a paradigm shift towards prevention of zoonotic spillovers is warranted as containment of outbreaks becomes unfeasible. Here, we consider the current institutional landscape for pandemic prevention in light of ongoing negotiations of a so-called pandemic treaty and how prevention of zoonotic spillovers from the wildlife trade for human consumption could be incorporated.
LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Blake D. Ratner, Mark J. Dubois, Tiffany H. Morrison, Xavier Tezzo, Andrew M. Song, Emmanuel Mbaru, Sloans K. Chimatiro, Philippa J. Cohen
Summary: Research-engaged decision making and policy reform are crucial for advancing resilience, adaptation, and transformation in social-ecological systems. By retrospectively examining three cases, we propose four principles to design research for constructive engagement in policy and institutional reform, using a new conceptual framework to assess opportunities and modes of research engagement in the policy process.
ECOLOGY AND SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Rebecca J. Shellock, Christopher Cvitanovic, Mary Mackay, Merryn C. McKinnon, Jessica Blythe, Rachel Kelly, Ingrid E. van Putten, Paris Tuohy, Megan Bailey, Alpina Begossi, Beatrice Crona, Kafayat A. Fakoya, Beatrice P. Ferreira, Alice J. G. Ferrer, Katia Frangoudes, Judith Gobin, Hong Ching Goh, Paivi Haapasaari, Britta Denise Hardesty, Vreni Haussermann, Kelly Hoareau, Anna-Katharina Hornidge, Moenieba Isaacs, Marloes Kraan, Yinji Li, Min Liu, Priscila F. M. Lopes, Marina Mlakar, Tiffany H. Morrison, Hazel A. Oxenford, Gretta T. Pecl, Jerneja Penca, Carol Robinson, Samiya Selim, Mette Skern-Mauritzen, Kumi Soejima, Doris Soto, Ana K. Spalding, Alice Vadrot, Natasa Vaidianu, Mona Webber, Mary S. Wisz
Summary: Interdisciplinary marine research presents unique challenges for women leaders, compounded by existing gender-specific issues. This study provides concrete measures to promote and support women's leadership in academic interdisciplinary marine research.
