Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
J. C. Gutierrez-Estrada, I. Pulido-Calvo, A. Peregrin, A. Garcia-Galvez, J. C. Baez, J. J. Bellido, L. Souviron-Priego, J. M. Sanchez-Laulhe, J. A. Lopez
Summary: This study utilized data from the Infomedusa mobile app to model the relationship between jellyfish abundance on beaches and local environmental conditions using artificial intelligence procedures and GAM models. Analysis showed that the TN algorithm could accurately discriminate messages with information on jellyfish presence/absence, aiding in predicting onshore jellyfish arrival.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Katharina Teschke, Rebecca Konijnenberg, Hendrik Pehlke, Thomas Brey
Summary: This study compares different reserve configurations used in the process of designing a Weddell Sea MPA in Antarctica using univariate and multivariate statistics. The results show that different target level settings for conservation features significantly affect the configuration of the solutions. The mixed-target scenario was found to be the most flexible and well balanced, providing multiple options for consideration.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Panteleimon Christou, Christos Domenikiotis, Nikos Neofitou, Dimitris Vafidis
Summary: The contribution of remotely sensed data as an indication of Holothuria abundance was examined by investigating spatiotemporal variability of physicochemical parameters. The analysis showed that temperature and Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) could be useful for identifying the abundance. Additionally, particulate organic carbon (POC) is essential for Holothuria's existence.
Article
Biology
Montserrat Compa, Carme Alomar, Maria Francesca Lopez Cortes, Beatriz Rios-Fuster, Merce Morato, Xavier Capo, Valentina Fagiano, Salud Deudero
Summary: Plastic pollution poses a serious threat to marine biodiversity, and a study conducted in the Cabrera Marine-Terrestrial National Park found that species within the park are ingesting anthropogenic particles at high levels, despite their protected status.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Paolo Vassallo, Daniele Bellardini, Michela Castellano, Giulia Dapueto, Paolo Povero
Summary: This research is part of the LTER project, which conducts ecological research on a multi-decade scale. It focuses on studying the variability of zooplankton groups in the Portofino marine protected area and compares the data from 2003-2005 with that from 2018-2019. The analysis shows that environmental changes have led to increased system functioning costs and changes in the mesozooplankton community.
Article
Engineering, Marine
Guadalupe Gimenez, Giuseppe Corriero, Sajmir Beqiraj, Lorela Lazaj, Tamara Lazic, Caterina Longo, Maria Mercurio, Carlotta Nonnis Marzano, Massimo Zuccaro, Violeta Zuna, Cataldo Pierri
Summary: This research provides a preliminary characterization of macrobenthic coralligenous assemblages in the Marine National Park of Karaburun-Sazan, Albania using video image analysis. The study reveals the species richness and distribution differences among sites and depths, and updates the species list. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of video analysis in biodiversity assessment within marine protected areas, particularly in areas with historical anthropogenic impacts.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sacha M. O'Regan, Stephanie K. Archer, Sarah K. Friesen, Karen L. Hunter
Summary: The effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is increasingly challenged by climate change. While experts have identified clear climate change adaptation principles for MPA management, the adoption of these principles remains largely unquantified. A study analyzing 647 English-language MPA management plans found that climate change is inadequately considered in most plans, with the United States showing better performance in this aspect compared to Canada. Climate change robustness scores have generally improved over time in Oceania, the United Kingdom, and the United States, but have declined in Canada.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Luisa Lopera, Paula A. Zapata-Ramirez, Yuley Cardona
Summary: The United Nations recommends increasing protected area coverage to 30% by 2030 through representative and effective networks of marine protected areas (MPAs). According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the number of MPAs increased rapidly from 0.67% in 2000 to 7.4% by the end of 2018. However, only around 5.9% of the world's coral reef area is included within MPAs and the implementation of MPA networks in areas beyond national jurisdiction remains limited.
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. R. Patricio, M. Beal, C. Barbosa, D. Diouck, B. J. Godley, F. M. Madeira, A. Regalla, M. S. Traore, C. Senhoury, E. Sidina, P. Catry
Summary: This study investigates the connectivity within the West African regional MPA network using satellite tracking of green turtles. The results show that the population connects five MPAs, but some important foraging and migration areas are currently unprotected. These findings have implications for expanding or establishing MPAs within the regional network to meet conservation targets.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Luca Giuseppe Costanzo, Giuliana Marletta, Giuseppina Alongi
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the coralligenous flora in the Marine Protected Area of Isole Ciclopi in Sicily, comparing current data with past studies to assess environmental changes and the effectiveness of MPA in protecting this habitat. Through ROV surveys and laboratory analysis, an increase in local biodiversity was observed, along with a rise in Non-Indigenous Species, warm-water species, and Rhodophyta. These changes were linked to reduced water transparency and rising seawater temperature. Continued monitoring is necessary to evaluate the MPA's effectiveness in safeguarding the biodiversity hotspot.
Editorial Material
Ecology
Nils C. Krueck
Summary: A study warns that concentrated fishing near marine protected areas can hinder population recovery both within and beyond the protected areas.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Yangjinan Song, Xianqing Lv
Summary: The Southern Ocean's role in the global climate system and high-latitude marine life is crucial. Phytoplankton serves as a significant source of primary productivity in this ecosystem. Understanding the temporal and spatial variations of phytoplankton biomass in the Southern Ocean is challenging due to limited data availability. In this study, ocean model outputs were used to examine the relationship between phytoplankton biomass and environmental factors in protected areas of the Ross Sea region. The results show variations in biomass and correlations with temperature, sea ice, and nutrient levels, highlighting the importance of considering future changes in phytoplankton biomass within these protected areas.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Renee Albrecht, Carly N. Cook, Olive Andrews, Kelsey E. Roberts, Martin F. J. Taylor, Michael B. Mascia, Rachel E. Golden Kroner
Summary: Marine protected areas (MPAs) play a crucial role in global marine biodiversity conservation, but are at risk of PADDD events, mainly driven by industrial-scale resource use and extraction. At least six countries have experienced 43 PADDD events in MPAs, with most occurring in Australia, affecting an area of at least 1,198,774 square kilometers.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cristina Cedeno-Posso, Martha Vides-Casado, Venus Rocha, Giomar H. Borrero-Perez, Andrea Polanco F, David Alonso
Summary: Corales de Profundidad National Natural Park is a unique protected area in the central Colombian Caribbean. The park's ecological value lies in the potential structure-forming deep-water coral, Madracis spp. Remote video surveys and detailed digital elevation models have identified different macrohabitats surrounding the coral formations, providing important information for the management and monitoring of this area.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Cinzia Podda, Erika M. D. Porporato
Summary: This paper reviews the current state of research on marine ecological corridors and their methods, highlighting the lack of studies in this area, especially in the design of networks between marine protected areas and other conservation measures. The study finds that the most commonly used methods for projecting and mapping ecological corridors in marine environments are least-cost and circuit theories. The review also emphasizes the importance of integrating different disciplines and the recognition of ecological connectivity by policymakers and practitioners.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)