Review
Engineering, Marine
Ehud Spanier, Dov Zviely
Summary: Over the past century, the rapid population growth and economic development in Israel have significantly impacted the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment. This review examines the various factors and processes, both global and local, that have caused substantial environmental changes such as non-indigenous species introduction, overfishing, sea-level rise, pollution, sand mining, extensive dredging, and interference from marine structures. The intense anthropogenic activity and conflicts between stakeholders and the marine ecosystem continue to pose challenges for proper environmental management and further exacerbate the environmental impacts.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Barak Herut, Maxim Rubin-Blum, Guy Sisma-Ventura, Yitzhak Jacobson, Or M. Bialik, Tal Ozer, Muhedeen Ajibola Lawal, Asaf Giladi, Mor Kanari, Gilad Antler, Yizhaq Makovsky
Summary: This study discovered new brine pools in the ultraoligotrophic Eastern Mediterranean Sea using geophysical analysis and seafloor surveying. The composition of these pools, including salinity and chemical composition, was analyzed, and possible formation processes were proposed.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Baruch Ziv, Ran Shimer, Tzvi Harpaz, Ron Drori, Pinhas Alpert, Shira Raveh-Rubin, Hadas Saaroni
Summary: This study analyzed rain-producing Red-Sea Troughs (RSTs) in the arid region of Israel, establishing a WRST archive. The annual occurrence of WRSTs is 16.4 days, contributing 16% to 50% of the annual rainfall. Trajectory analysis quantified tropical air intrusion, and a predictive equation was derived to replace trajectory analysis in future studies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Andrea Miebach, Mitchell J. Power, Tim R. Resag, Timon Netzel, Daniele Colombaroli, Thomas Litt
Summary: This research examines the relationship between fire, vegetation, and early agricultural practices in the southern Levant region. By studying the Sea of Galilee, the researchers found that fire regimes changed with the expansion of olive cultivation, with an increase in fire frequency prior to and during the expansion. This was likely due to the anthropogenic use of fire for clearing the landscape and promoting fertile soils. Once olive orchards were established, low intensity, controlled burnings became common. The findings provide insights into the dynamic role of fire in early horticulture practices.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ashgan A. AbouGabal, A. Aly-Eldeen Mohamed, Haiam M. Aboul-Ela, Asmaa A. Khaled, Hesham M. Aly, Mustafa I. Abdullah, Ola Kh. Shalaby
Summary: Metal pollution in the marine coastal environment was assessed by measuring physicochemical parameters from water samples taken at five locations along the Alexandria coast. Different morphotypes of macroalgae were collected and classified, with Corallina officinalis and Corallina elongata showing high accumulation capacity of Cd, Pb, and Ni, and Ulva fasciata and Ulva compressa showing the highest values of Fe, Cu, and Mn. Molecular data matched the morphological classification, and algae analysis revealed the accumulation of metals. Ulva compressa and Corallina officinalis were identified as potentially suitable indicators of localized short-term heavy metal pollution.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Edilene Maria dos Santos Pestana, Jose Marcos de Castro Nunes, Valeria Cassano, Goia de Mattos Lyra
Summary: The Peyssonneliaceae is the only family in the order Peyssonneliales, encompassing widespread red encrusting algae. Through molecular phylogenies and morphological analyses, a revised taxonomic scheme for the Peyssonneliales has been proposed, uncovering underestimated diversity in Brazilian red algae.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Berivan Temiz, Esra Ozturk, Simon Blanchoud, Arzu Karahan
Summary: This study conducted a morphological and phylogeographic analysis of Botrylloides niger in the NEMS. 14 different morphotypes were found, with the orange-brown, orange, and brown-striped morphs being the most abundant. Four haplotypes were identified using mitochondrial COI as a DNA barcode marker. The temporal analysis showed the absence of colonies during winter and spring, with new colonies being established in summer and expanding in autumn. Demographic population analysis revealed a possible population subdivision at a sampling site, potentially caused by local freshwater input. This study represents an important step in understanding the diversity and propagation of this highly invasive species.
Article
Geology
Or M. Bialik, Elias Samankassou, Aaron Meilijson, Nicolas D. Waldmann, Josh Steinberg, Kul Karcz, Yizhaq Makovsky
Summary: This study reports on two early Cenomanian age volcanic atolls in Mt. Carmel, northern Israel, which are composed of grainstone, floatstone, rudstone, and bafflestone facies dominated by mollusks. The atolls were unable to keep up with rising sea levels due to a suppressed carbonate factory, possibly caused by drowning, turbidity, or nutrient excess. This research sheds new light on the dynamics of carbonate buildups during the Late Cretaceous and their ability to persist.
SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Hagai Nativ, Ori Galili, Ricardo Almuly, Shai Einbinder, Dan Tchernov, Tali Mass
Summary: Bio-invasions can disrupt natural ecosystems and cause ecological regime shifts. The Mediterranean Sea is susceptible to bio-invasions, particularly from Lessepsian migrants from the Red Sea due to changing water conditions caused by climate change. A new alien species, a soft coral of the genus Dendronephthya, was recently discovered in the Mediterranean Sea. It is believed to be Dendronepthya hemprichi, a coral common in the Red Sea. The species is expected to rapidly expand its distribution and abundance in the Mediterranean Sea due to its life history traits.
Article
Engineering, Marine
Amir Bar, Revital Bookman, Ehud Galili, Dov Zviely
Summary: This study focuses on the morphodynamic erosion patterns of Late Holocene beachrock outcrops along the Mediterranean coast of Israel. Field measurements, relation interpretations, petrographic and sedimentological data are used to present and characterize the morphological features of these beachrock exposures.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Zeana Ganem, Marco Ferrante, Yael Lubin, Igor Armiach Steinpress, Moshe Gish, Rakefet Sharon, Ally R. Harari, Tamar Keasar, Efrat Gavish-Regev
Summary: This study investigated the composition of spider species in Mediterranean vineyard habitats. The results showed that spider species diversity was influenced by season and habitat, with more species found in early summer and higher diversity in the natural habitat compared to the vineyards. While some species were present in both vineyards and natural habitats, the composition of the spider assemblages differed between the two.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zohar Gvirtzman, Hanneke Heida, Daniel Garcia-Castellanos, Oded Bar, Elchanan Zucker, Yehouda Enzel
Summary: By restoring the topography of the Messinian Nile canyon and the vertical position of the Messinian coastline, we estimate the amplitude of the sea-level drop during the Messinian salinity crisis. Our findings suggest that the drop was smaller than previously thought and had a significant impact on the Mediterranean continental margins.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tal Ozer, Isaac Gertman, Hezi Gildor, Barak Herut
Summary: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the thermohaline variability in the coastal waters of the East Levantine Basin. Our analysis revealed significant long-term warming and salinification trends, as well as the link between the coastal locations and the northward along shore current. Additionally, we found a connection between coastal salinity and local precipitation, and identified a bimodal behavior in the seasonal sequence.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Joseph L. Richards, William E. Schmidt, Suzanne Fredericq, Thomas Sauvage, Viviana Pena, Line Le Gall, Luz Elena Mateo-Cid, Angela Catalina Mendoza-Gonzalez, Jeffery R. Hughey, Paul W. Gabrielson
Summary: This study utilized morpho-anatomy and DNA sequence analysis to identify a species of nongeniculate coralline algae, and discovered two new species. The research also revealed that the identified species currently inhabits mesophotic rhodolith beds in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico and other Caribbean regions.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Ori Galili, Oz Goffman, Mia Roditi-Elasar, Yaly Mevorach, Eyal Bigal, Yotam Zuriel, Yaron Haitovich, Nir Hadar, Meytal Markovich, Dror Vardimon, Dana Reininger, Shlomi Marco, Danny Morick, Eliana Ratner, Dan Tchernov, Aviad Scheinin
Summary: In the Mediterranean Sea near the coast of Israel, researchers have observed two dolphin species over the past 20 years: the common bottlenose dolphin and the common dolphin. These two species have different habitat preferences, with the common bottlenose dolphins occupying the entire coast and the common dolphins inhabiting only the southern section. The common bottlenose dolphins adapt to human presence while the preferences of the common dolphins are still not fully understood.
Article
Plant Sciences
Olga N. Selivanova, Galina G. Zhigadlova, Gary W. Saunders
Article
Plant Sciences
Manuela Parente, Robert L. Fletcher, Filipe O. Costa, Gary W. Saunders
Summary: This study identified 11 independent genetic lineages of Ralfsia-like taxa, leading to the proposal of a new classification unit, Pseudoralfsiaceae, and two new genera, Pseudoralfsia and Nuchella. Additionally, species of Pseudoralfsiaceae can be distinguished from Ralfsia sensu stricto (Ralfsiaceae) mainly by DNA sequences and by consistently having frequent hair pits, and typically unsymmetrical thalli.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Trevor T. Bringloe, Cody Brooks, Meghann Bruce, Gary W. Saunders
Summary: The research confirms the presence of Eisenia arborea in Haida Gwaii, Canada, with potential scattered populations throughout the western portions of the archipelago. The populations in Haida Gwaii could serve as potential monitoring sites for ecological and evolutionary investigations of E. arborea.
Article
Plant Sciences
Craig W. Schneider, Michael J. Wynne, Gary W. Saunders
Summary: Specimens of Spyridia 'filamentosa' from Southern New England and New York were sequenced for mitochondrial COI-5P and chloroplastic rbcL genes, showing distinct differences from Mediterranean specimens. As a result, a little-known species name, Spyridia americana Durant, was assigned to specimens collected from the northeastern coast of the United States.
Article
Plant Sciences
Joseph L. Richards, Gary W. Saunders, Jeffery R. Hughey, Paul W. Gabrielson
Summary: Partial rbcL sequences were obtained from type specimens of Lithophyllum coarctatum and L. gardineri. Despite morpho-anatomical similarities, phylogenetic analyses confirmed that both species belong in Porolithon. A novel epiphytic species, P. epiphyticum sp. nov., from Cocos-Keeling Islands was also identified.
Article
Plant Sciences
Viviana Pena, David Belanger, Patrick Gagnon, Joseph L. Richards, Line Le Gall, Jeffery R. Hughey, Gary W. Saunders, Sandra C. Lindstrom, Eli Rinde, Vivian Husa, Hartvig Christie, Stein Fredriksen, Jason M. Hall-Spencer, Robert S. Steneck, Kathryn M. Schoenrock, Janne Gitmark, Ellen Sofie Grefsrud, Marc B. Angles D'Auriac, Erwann Legrand, Jacques Grall, Thomas F. Mumford, Nicholas A. Kamenos, Paul W. Gabrielson
Summary: The study analyzed DNA sequences of Arctic and Subarctic coralline red algae, confirming the existence of four Lithothamnion species and correcting previous taxonomical errors based on morpho-anatomy. The importance of sequencing historical type specimens was demonstrated, and the distributions and ecology of these species were updated based on sequenced specimens.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Craig W. Schneider, Margaret M. Cassidy, Gary W. Saunders
Summary: The newly discovered red alga Dasya sylviae sp. nov. was found at mesophotic depths of 60-90 m off Bermuda. Genetic sequences and morphological characteristics distinguish it as a distinct pseudodichotomous species within the genus Dasya.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TAXONOMY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
John M. Huisman, Gary W. Saunders
Summary: Molecular analyses have revealed discrepancies in Australian taxa previously classified as Plocamium cartilagineum with the species from its northern hemisphere type locality. After examining and designating a lectotype for Plocamium pusillum, it has been resurrected as a distinct species genetically and morphologically, differing from authentic P. cartilagineum.
CRYPTOGAMIE ALGOLOGIE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Thea R. Popolizio, Craig W. Schneider, Walter M. Jongbloed, Gary W. Saunders, Christopher E. Lane
Summary: In the last decade, molecular tools have revealed previously unrecognized taxa in Bermuda's marine flora, especially among the Rhodophyta. Misidentified species have been reclassified and many novel species have been discovered. The `Laurencia complex' has also been modified globally, with five of the eight recognized genera found in Bermuda. The study presents new species and revises the classification of existing ones using genetic sequencing.
CRYPTOGAMIE ALGOLOGIE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Marlene Elias, Matt Kandel, Stephanie Mansourian, Ruth Meinzen-Dick, Mary Crossland, Deepa Joshi, Juliet Kariuki, Lynn C. Lee, Pamela McElwee, Amrita Sen, Emily Sigman, Ruchika Singh, Emily M. Adamczyk, Thomas Addoah, Genevieve Agaba, Rahinatu S. Alare, Will Anderson, Indika Arulingam, SGiids Kung Vanessa Bellis, Regina Birner, Sanjiv De Silva, Mark Dubois, Marie Duraisami, Mike Featherstone, Bryce Gallant, Arunima Hakhu, Robyn Irvine, Esther Kiura, Christine Magaju, Cynthia McDougall, Gwiisihlgaa Daniel McNeill, Harini Nagendra, Tran Huu Nghi, Daniel K. Okamoto, Ana Maria Paez Valencia, Tim Pagella, Ondine Pontier, Miranda Post, Gary W. Saunders, Kate Schreckenberg, Karishma Shelar, Fergus Sinclair, Rajendra S. Gautam, Nathan B. Spindel, Hita Unnikrishnan, Gulxa Taaa Gaagii Ngaang Nadine Wilson, Leigh Winowiecki
Summary: The importance of considering human and social dimensions in ecosystem restoration is emphasized, with a set of ten people-centered rules proposed to achieve ecological and social goals. These rules provide actionable ways for stakeholders to center humans and social dimensions in restoration initiatives, aiming to generate fair and sustainable outcomes. The integration of socio-political issues throughout the restoration process is crucial for successful and impactful restoration efforts.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
John M. Huisman, Gary W. Saunders
Summary: Three new species of the red algal genus Asteromenia were described in this study, with one being a previously misidentified undescribed species and the other two from different islands. These new species showed morphological overlap and required accurate species recognition through DNA sequencing. The study highlights the importance of sequence analysis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Margaret M. Cassidy, Craig W. Schneider, Gary W. Saunders
Summary: Molecular studies of Dasya genus in Bermuda revealed two new species and reclassified known species. The study also uncovered the relationship between Dasya and Dasysiphonia.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gary W. Saunders, Cody M. Brooks
Summary: By screening DNA from 285 coralline crusts in Canada and adjacent waters, the distribution range of Porphyra corallicola was found to be far beyond previous knowledge. In addition, it was found that other species also exist only in the Conchocelis stage. The further development of this method will facilitate the study of Conchocelis stages in nature, greatly enhancing ecological knowledge of bangialean species.
Meeting Abstract
Plant Sciences
Viviana Pena, David Belanger, Patrick Gagnon, Joseph L. Richards, Line Le Gall, Jeffery R. Hughey, Gary W. Saunders, Sandra C. Lindstrom, Eli Rinde, Vivian Husa, Hartvig Christie, Stein Fredriksen, Jason M. Hall-Spencer, Robert S. Steneck, Kathryn M. Schoenrock, Janne Gitmark, Ellen Sofie Grefsrud, Marc B. Angles d'Auriac, Erwann Legrand, Jacques Grall, Thomas M. Mumford, Nicholas A. Kamenos, Paul W. Gabrielson
Article
Plant Sciences
Gerald T. Kraft, Gary W. Saunders
Summary: The Acrotylaceae, a red-algal family composed of six genera, lacks common habits and vegetative features among them, with cystocarps being the most unifying characteristic. Molecular studies reveal that the family consists of two subfamilies, Acrotylaceae and the newly proposed Clavicloniaceae. The South African genus Reinboldia, previously included in Acrotylaceae, is now considered questionable for inclusion in the family.
AUSTRALIAN SYSTEMATIC BOTANY
(2021)