Article
Ecology
C. Melissa Miner, Jennifer L. Burnaford, Karah Ammann, Benjamin H. Becker, Steven C. Fradkin, Stacey Ostermann-Kelm, Jayson R. Smith, Stephen G. Whitaker, Peter T. Raimondi
Summary: This study examines the long-term stability of rocky intertidal communities along the west coast of North America using a multivariate similarity approach. It found an inverse relationship between community stability and elevated water temperatures, with lower stability in the south region. Community stability was linked to high species richness and low evenness at the site level.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Eliseo Fica-Rojas, Alexis M. Catalan, Bernardo R. Broitman, Alejandro Perez-Matus, Nelson Valdivia
Summary: Ecological stability depends on interactions between different levels of biological organization. Insurance effects occur when increasing species diversity leads to more stable community-level properties. This study investigates how species richness and population-level parameters influence community invariability.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Katja J. Geiger, Julio Arrontes, Antonella Rivera, Consolacion Fernandez, Jorge Alvarez, Jose Luis Acuna
Summary: A two-year experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of Pollicipes pollicipes harvest on intertidal community structure and ecological diversity. The study found that intensive exploitation resulted in a decrease in P. pollicipes and Mytilus spp. coverage, while Chthamalus spp. and Corallina spp. increased. The recovery of P. pollicipes aggregations was slow and variable, but their coverage increased under non-extracted conditions.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biology
Lewis A. Jones, Christopher D. Dean, Philip D. Mannion, Alexander Farnsworth, Peter A. Allison
Summary: The latitudinal biodiversity gradient is a pervasive pattern of the modern biosphere, but it is influenced by geological and anthropogenic biases. Spatial sampling heterogeneity impacts the detectability of genuine gradients, with sampling-standardization aiding in the reconstruction of relative gradients but unable to address artefactual absences introduced by biases.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Timothy I. I. Baxter, Martin A. A. Coombes, Heather A. A. Viles
Summary: This study examines the potential role of blue mussels as biogeomorphic agents in the weathering and erosion processes of rocky coasts. The results show that mussel beds can reduce the surface temperature and hardness of rocks, resulting in a decrease in rock breakdown efficiency and turbulence. Although the effects of mussels are relatively small compared to other species, their dominance at certain tidal heights makes them locally important geomorphic agents in rocky shores.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Reinhard Saborowski, Patrick Bartolin, Marie Koch, Simon Jungblut
Summary: The brachyuran crabs Carcinus maenas and Hemigrapsus sanguineus are successful invaders along coastal areas. They compete for food, with C. maenas better suited for animal food and H. sanguineus better suited for algae food. H. sanguineus can increase its utilization of algae food when animal food is scarce or competition with C. maenas is intense.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dominic McAfee, Melanie J. Bishop, Gray A. Williams
Summary: The habitat formed by rock oysters can provide cool microclimates, allowing associated invertebrate communities to remain stable during periods of temperature change. Oyster habitats consistently have lower maximum temperatures and greater thermal stability compared to bare rock habitats.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juan Pablo Livore, Maria M. Mendez, Eduardo Klein, Lorena Arribas, Gregorio Bigatti
Summary: A simple, low-cost, non-destructive photographic method was used to analyze biodiversity changes on a broad geographical scale along the Atlantic Patagonian coastline, identifying indicators and exploring relationships between assemblage structure and environmental variables. The study highlights the practicality and usefulness of remotely accessible environmental data, such as the seascape classes approach, for large-scale rocky shore studies.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Xincong Chen, Wenwen Liu, Steven C. Pennings, Yihui Zhang
Summary: The study on the invasive grass Spartina alterniflora along the coast of China found that the flowering phenology exhibited a pattern that was influenced by latitude, with plants at different latitudes flowering at different times. The research results suggest a high degree of plasticity in flowering phenology, with variations in factors such as climate and oceanographic variables affecting the timing of flowering. Additionally, the study indicated some selection for earlier flowering at sites with low temperatures and highlighted the importance of environmental conditions in shaping the flowering patterns of the invasive species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nokubonga Mbandzi, Motebang Dominic Vincent Nakin, Adebola Omowunmi Oyedeji
Summary: This study investigated the concentrations and biomagnification of heavy metals from macro-algae to limpet species using a short food web. The results showed significant differences in metal concentrations between species and variability across seasons and sites. Some metals showed biomagnification while others exhibited biodilution effects.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lydia Kallberg Normark, Camilla Lienart, Deena Pillay, Andrius Garbaras, Candida Savage, Agnes M. L. Karlson
Summary: The study found that environmental stress may impact population trophic niches and diet habits, but no evidence of physiological weakness in sandprawns was observed in highly disturbed sites.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Clara Arboleda-Baena, Claudia Belen Pareja, Isadora Pla, Ramiro Logares, Rodrigo De la Iglesia, Sergio Andres Navarrete
Summary: In marine ecosystems, most invertebrates have diverse microbiomes on their external surfaces, which can interact with free-living microbial communities and potentially affect biofilm abundance. This study found distinct microbiota among different grazers and demonstrated the specificity of their effects on biofilm communities.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ken Ishida, Michikusa Tachibana, Masakazu Hori, Takehiro Okuda, Tomoko Yamamoto, Masahiro Nakaoka, Takashi Noda
Summary: Long-term patterns in community trajectories provide insights into ecological resilience, but require extensive census data. The stable trajectory was most common, with varying features and recovery rates among regions, while trajectories and temporal invariabilities also differed among regions seemingly linked to ocean current fluctuations.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ricardo A. Scrosati, Matthew J. Freeman, Julius A. Ellrich, Willy Petzold
Summary: This study documents the biogeographic variation at mid-to-high intertidal elevations in wave-exposed rocky habitats on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. It found that northern locations are severely disturbed by ice scour, while southern locations exhibit higher species richness and abundance. Temperature and pelagic food supply were found to be the main factors influencing the biogeographic patterns.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Emily A. Roberts, Matthew E. S. Bracken
Summary: Foundation species like canopy-forming seaweeds provide physical structure that enhances diversity and abundance of associated organisms on rocky shores. Solar radiation, including UV light, can reduce photosynthetic rates and cause DNA damage in algae, but the presence of an algal canopy can protect understory seaweeds by reducing UV exposure. Field experiments showed that removal of the algal canopy led to a significant increase in UV-protective pigment concentrations in seaweeds.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Alice R. Jones, Heidi K. Alleway, Dominic McAfee, Patrick Reis-Santos, Seth J. Theuerkauf, Robert C. Jones
Summary: Aquaculture is a crucial food source for the growing world population, with mariculture offering a potential climate-friendly, high-protein food option. Sustainable intensification of low-emission mariculture is key to maintaining a low greenhouse gas footprint as production scales up.
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Rodrigo Riera, Ricardo Rodriguez, Dominic McAfee, Sean D. Connell
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Juan R. Esquivel-Muelbert, Brendan S. Lanham, Francisco Martinez-Baena, Katherine A. Dafforn, Paul E. Gribben, Melanie J. Bishop
Summary: The study on how predation and tidal inundation influence recruitment of reef-forming oysters in eastern Australia showed that oysters recruited at all sites, but their density was affected by tidal inundation and caging. Abiotic factors like temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and biotic factors like predation can negatively influence oyster recruitment, suggesting that restoration projects should prioritize sites with favorable conditions or find ways to mitigate stressors.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dominic McAfee, Melanie J. Bishop, Gray A. Williams
Summary: The habitat formed by rock oysters can provide cool microclimates, allowing associated invertebrate communities to remain stable during periods of temperature change. Oyster habitats consistently have lower maximum temperatures and greater thermal stability compared to bare rock habitats.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Brittany R. Williams, Dominic McAfee, Sean D. Connell
Summary: Marine soundscapes provide navigational cues for dispersing organisms, but with habitat loss, these soundscapes are becoming weaker. Using speakers to create healthy soundscapes can attract larvae and enhance recruitment, improving restoration efforts.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kate C. Dodds, Nina Schaefer, Melanie J. Bishop, Shinichi Nakagawa, Paul R. Brooks, Antony M. Knights, Elisabeth M. A. Strain
Summary: A meta-analysis of 46 studies reveals that there are no consistent patterns of difference between artificial and natural substrates, or between eco-friendly and standard concrete, in terms of abundance and richness of colonising biota on built structures. However, there are differences in the abundance of organisms between artificial and natural materials, depending on material type and functional group. Polymer and metal support lower abundances of benthic species compared to biogenic materials and rock, while wood has higher abundances of non-indigenous species. Concrete supports greater abundances of the general community, including habitat-forming species, compared to wood.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Francisco Martinez-Baena, Brendan S. Lanham, Ian McLeod, Matthew D. Taylor, Stephen Mcorrie, Melanie J. Bishop
Summary: This study assessed the fish community characteristics and habitat utilization of oyster farms in south-eastern Australia. The results showed that oyster farms supported more fish species than adjacent natural habitats, and the fish communities associated with oyster infrastructure were similar to those of natural biogenic habitats.
AQUACULTURE ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Dominic McAfee, Ian M. McLeod, Heidi K. Alleway, Melanie J. Bishop, Simon Branigan, Sean D. Connell, Craig Copeland, Christine M. Crawford, Ben K. Diggles, James A. Fitzsimons, Ben L. Gilby, Paul Hamer, Boze Hancock, Robert Pearce, Kylie Russell, Chris L. Gillies
Summary: Achieving a sustainable socioecological future requires large-scale environmental repair and a multidisciplinary approach. By generating scientific evidence, community support, and funding, the restoration of a forgotten shellfish reef ecosystem was successfully initiated. Aligning project goals with public and industry interests is crucial for addressing multiple political obligations and achieving large-scale ecosystem repair.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Dominic McAfee, Brittany R. Williams, Lachlan McLeod, Andreas Reuter, Zak Wheaton, Sean D. Connell
Summary: Marine soundscapes play a crucial role in providing navigational cues for larvae searching for suitable habitats. A study conducted in Australia demonstrates that enriching marine soundscapes using speaker technology can significantly boost oyster recruitment and habitat formation. The use of speakers can influence the early recruitment of oysters, resulting in a larger number of large oysters that form three-dimensional habitats.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Fisheries
T. P. Stelling-Wood, P. E. Gribben, G. Birch, M. J. Bishop, C. Blount, D. J. Booth, C. Brown, E. Bruce, A. B. Bugnot, M. Byrne, R. G. Creese, K. A. Dafforn, J. Dahlenburg, M. A. Doblin, T. E. Fellowes, A. M. Fowler, M. C. Gibbs, W. Glamore, T. M. Glasby, A. C. Hay, B. Kelaher, N. A. Knott, A. W. D. Larkum, L. M. Parker, E. M. Marzinelli, M. Mayer-Pinto, B. Morgan, S. A. Murray, M. J. Rees, P. M. Ross, M. Roughan, N. Saintilan, E. Scanes, J. R. Seymour, N. Schaefer, I. M. Suthers, M. D. Taylor, J. E. Williamson, A. Vila Concejo, R. J. Whittington, W. F. Figueira
Summary: By systematically reviewing published literature and traditional ecological knowledge, this review highlights the extensive amount of knowledge that exists for Gamay, but also identifies key gaps that need to be filled for effective management.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Melanie J. Bishop, Brendan S. Lanham, Juan R. Esquivel-Muelbert, Victoria J. Cole, Kristine M. Faelnar, Charlotte Jenkins, Jillian Keating, Francisco Martinez-Baena, Wayne A. O'Connor
Summary: This paper examines the potential positive and negative interactions between oyster reef restoration and oyster aquaculture industries. Three key factors influencing the strength and direction of interactions are identified: similarity of focal species, physicochemical and socio-economic environment, and open dialogue and consultation. Positive interactions can be maximized through shared infrastructure, resources, and knowledge, as well as utilization of marine spatial planning tools. Open and inclusive dialogue between industries and stakeholders is crucial for mitigating risk and maximizing positive synergies.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nina Schaefer, Francisco Sedano, Melanie J. Bishop, Kate Dunn, M. Hank Haeusler, K. Daniel Yu, Yannis Zavoleas, Katherine A. Dafforn
Summary: Marine artificial structures often have negative impacts on native species diversity and promote the presence of non-indigenous species. However, the addition of complex habitat and bioreceptive materials can help mitigate these effects. In this study, the effects of structural complexity and concrete mixture on recruitment were investigated. The results showed that complex tiles had less algal cover, while mixtures with oyster shell supported higher cover of sessile species. The non-indigenous ascidian Styela plicata dominated complex tiles at a low tidal elevation.
Article
Environmental Studies
Dominic McAfee, Georgina Drew, Sean D. Connell
Summary: This paper explores ways for researchers to engage stakeholders and improve marine restoration practices by incorporating culturally informed socio-economic well-being into restoration practice.
EARTH SYSTEM GOVERNANCE
(2022)
Letter
Biology
Alice R. Jones, Heidi K. Alleway, Dominic Mcafee, Patrick Reis-Santos, Seth J. Theuerkauf, Robert C. Jones