scholarly journals Impact of Ocean Acidification on Ecosystem Functioning and Services in Habitat-Forming Species and Marine Ecosystems

Ecosystems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Zunino ◽  
Simone Libralato ◽  
Donata Melaku Canu ◽  
Giulia Prato ◽  
Cosimo Solidoro
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Food Web ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Ecosystem Development ◽  
Cascading Effects

AbstractOcean acidification (OA) is expected to impact habitat-forming species (HFS), with cascading effects on the whole marine ecosystem and related services that are seldom quantified. Here, the changes in HFSs biomass due to OA are modeled using a food web ecosystem model, and the trophic and non-trophic cascading effects on the marine community are investigated. The food web model represents a well-studied coastal marine protected area in the NW Mediterranean Sea where coralligenous reefs and Posidonia oceanica meadows constitute important HFS. The model is used to implement 5 scenarios of habitat degradation, that is, reduction of HFS biomass, induced by increasing OA and to quantify the potential changes in ecosystem properties and indicators of ecosystem services over the next 100 years. The changes in ecosystem indicators highlight a decrease in the size of the system and a reorganization of energy flows suggesting a high degree of ecosystem development. All the proxies for ecosystem services show significant decreases in their values. Although representing only a portion of the possible impacts of OA, the findings are consistent with the idea that ecological systems can react to OA effects to maintain the level of ecosystem development, but the new organization might not be optimal from an anthropocentric viewpoint.

scholarly journals Risk Assessment for Key Socio-Economic and Ecological Species in a Sub-Arctic Marine Ecosystem Under Combined Ocean Acidification and Warming

Ecosystems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maartje Oostdijk ◽  
Erla Sturludóttir ◽  
Maria J. Santos
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Keystone Species ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Predatory Fish ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Cascading Effects ◽  
Icelandic Waters

AbstractThe Arctic may be particularly vulnerable to the consequences of both ocean acidification (OA) and global warming, given the faster pace of these processes in comparison with global average speeds. Here, we use the Atlantis ecosystem model to assess how the trophic network of marine fishes and invertebrates in the Icelandic waters is responding to the combined pressures of OA and warming. We develop an approach where we first identify species by their economic (catch value), social (number of participants in fisheries), or ecological (keystone species) importance. We then use literature-determined ranges of sensitivity to OA and warming for different species and functional groups in the Icelandic waters to parametrize model runs for different scenarios of warming and OA. We found divergent species responses to warming and acidification levels; (mainly) planktonic groups and forage fish benefited while (mainly) benthic groups and predatory fish decreased under warming and acidification scenarios. Assuming conservative harvest rates for the largest catch-value species, Atlantic cod, we see that the population is projected to remain stable under even the harshest acidification and warming scenario. Further, for the scenarios where the model projects reductions in biomass of Atlantic cod, other species in the ecosystem increase, likely due to a reduction in competition and predation. These results highlight the interdependencies of multiple global change drivers and their cascading effects on trophic organization, and the continued high abundance of an important species from a socio-economic perspective in the Icelandic fisheries.

scholarly journals Long Term Interactions of Native and Invasive Species in a Marine Protected Area Suggest Complex Cascading Effects Challenging Conservation Outcomes

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Charalampos Dimitriadis ◽  
Ivoni Fournari-Konstantinidou ◽  
Laurent Sourbès ◽  
Drosos Koutsoubas ◽  
Stelios Katsanevakis
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Rocky Reef ◽  
Cascading Effects ◽  
High Level

Understanding the interactions among invasive species, native species and marine protected areas (MPAs), and the long-term regime shifts in MPAs is receiving increased attention, since biological invasions can alter the structure and functioning of the protected ecosystems and challenge conservation efforts. Here we found evidence of marked modifications in the rocky reef associated biota in a Mediterranean MPA from 2009 to 2019 through visual census surveys, due to the presence of invasive species altering the structure of the ecosystem and triggering complex cascading effects on the long term. Low levels of the populations of native high-level predators were accompanied by the population increase and high performance of both native and invasive fish herbivores. Subsequently the overgrazing and habitat degradation resulted in cascading effects towards the diminishing of the native and invasive invertebrate grazers and omnivorous benthic species. Our study represents a good showcase of how invasive species can coexist or exclude native biota and at the same time regulate or out-compete other established invaders and native species.

scholarly journals Modelling Reef Fish Population Responses to Fisheries Restrictions in Marine Protected Areas in the Coral Triangle

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya Varkey ◽  
Cameron H. Ainsworth ◽  
Tony J. Pitcher
Keyword(s):  
Reef Fish ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Fish Population ◽  
Fishing Effort ◽  
Coral Triangle ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
Marine Ecosystem Models

Marine ecosystem models are used to investigate marine protected area (MPA) benefits for coral reef ecosystems located in Raja Ampat, in the heart of the Coral Triangle. Field data from an integrated and diverse research project is used to develop a spatial ecosystem model using Ecopath, Ecosim, and Ecospace modelling software. The ecological and fisheries responses of a reef ecosystem to different levels of fishing effort restrictions inside MPAs are explored. The trade-offs of allowing some fisheries to operate inside the MPAs versus designating the MPAs as no-take zones are highlighted. The results show that rapid rebuilding of reef fish populations, especially the large charismatic species, requires no-take areas. Distinct trade-offs in spillover benefits are observed between partially fished and no-take MPAs.

Risks of ocean acidification in the California Current food web and fisheries: ecosystem model projections

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 1525-1539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin N. Marshall ◽  
Isaac C. Kaplan ◽  
Emma E. Hodgson ◽  
Albert Hermann ◽  
D. Shallin Busch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Food Web ◽  
California Current ◽  
Ecosystem Model

scholarly journals Forecasting ocean acidification impacts on kelp forest ecosystems

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0236218
Author(s):  
Adam J. Schlenger ◽  
Rodrigo Beas-Luna ◽  
Richard F. Ambrose
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Food Web ◽  
Trophic Level ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Kelp Forest ◽  
Forest Community ◽  
Coralline Algae ◽  
Forcing Mechanisms ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Food Web Model

Ocean acidification is one the biggest threats to marine ecosystems worldwide, but its ecosystem wide responses are still poorly understood. This study integrates field and experimental data into a mass balance food web model of a temperate coastal ecosystem to determine the impacts of specific OA forcing mechanisms as well as how they interact with one another. Specifically, we forced a food web model of a kelp forest ecosystem near its southern distribution limit in the California large marine ecosystem to a 0.5 pH drop over the course of 50 years. This study utilizes a modeling approach to determine the impacts of specific OA forcing mechanisms as well as how they interact. Isolating OA impacts on growth (Production), mortality (Other Mortality), and predation interactions (Vulnerability) or combining all three mechanisms together leads to a variety of ecosystem responses, with some taxa increasing in abundance and other decreasing. Results suggest that carbonate mineralizing groups such as coralline algae, abalone, snails, and lobsters display the largest decreases in biomass while macroalgae, urchins, and some larger fish species display the largest increases. Low trophic level groups such as giant kelp and brown algae increase in biomass by 16% and 71%, respectively. Due to the diverse way in which OA stress manifests at both individual and population levels, ecosystem-level effects can vary and display nonlinear patterns. Combined OA forcing leads to initial increases in ecosystem and commercial biomasses followed by a decrease in commercial biomass below initial values over time, while ecosystem biomass remains high. Both biodiversity and average trophic level decrease over time. These projections indicate that the kelp forest community would maintain high productivity with a 0.5 drop in pH, but with a substantially different community structure characterized by lower biodiversity and relatively greater dominance by lower trophic level organisms.

scholarly journals Data, models and ecosystem services: the Marine Ecosystems Research Programme

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. Somerfield
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Food Web ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Marine Food Webs ◽  
Common Framework ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Ecosystem Changes

The effects of marine ecosystem changes on ecosystem services are difficult to predict because of our limited understanding of marine food-webs, how they respond to changes in pressures, and how those changes then influence services. Biogeochemical ecosystem models do a good job of representing change in groups of organisms primarily influenced by spatio-temporal dynamics in physics and chemistry, such as phytoplankton and small zooplankton. For groups of organisms higher in the food-web, such as fish, mammals and birds, a variety of different modelling approaches are used. No particular approach attempts to model the entire system, each viewing the food-web from a different perspective. Links to services are rarely explicit. To allow us to respond appropriately to change we need to improve our understanding of, and ability to model, the marine ecosystem as a whole, and links between changes in the marine ecosystem and its ability to deliver services. The Marine Ecosystems Research Programme (www.marine-ecosystems.org.uk) provides mechanisms to bring together existing data, targeted new data, different models, and to link them to ecosystem services within a common framework. A key aim is to project effects of possible policy decisions on ecosystem services which are mediated by ecosystem processes.

scholarly journals Forecasting ocean acidification impacts on kelp forest ecosystems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam J. Schlenger ◽  
Rodrigo Beas-Luna ◽  
Richard F. Ambrose
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Food Web ◽  
Trophic Level ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Kelp Forest ◽  
Forest Community ◽  
Coralline Algae ◽  
Forcing Mechanisms ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Food Web Model

AbstractOcean acidification is one the biggest threats to marine ecosystems worldwide, but its ecosystem wide responses are still poorly understood. This study integrates field and experimental data into a mass balance food web model of a temperate coastal ecosystem to determine the impacts of specific OA forcing mechanisms as well as how they interact with one another. Specifically, we forced a food web model of a kelp forest ecosystem near its southern distribution limit in the California large marine ecosystem to a 0.5 pH drop over the course of 50 years. This study utilizes a modeling approach to determine the impacts of specific OA forcing mechanisms as well as how they interact. Isolating OA impacts on growth (Production), mortality (Other Mortality), and predation interactions (Vulnerability) or combining all three mechanisms together leads to a variety of ecosystem responses, with some taxa increasing in abundance and other decreasing. Results suggest that carbonate mineralizing groups such as coralline algae, abalone, snails, and lobsters display the largest decreases in biomass while macroalgae, urchins, and some larger fish species display the largest increases. Low trophic level groups such as giant kelp and brown algae increase in biomass by 16% and 71%, respectively. Due to the diverse way in which OA stress manifests at both individual and population levels, ecosystem-level effects can vary and display nonlinear patterns. Combined OA forcing leads to initial increases in ecosystem and commercial biomasses followed by a decrease in commercial biomass below initial values over time, while ecosystem biomass remains high. Both biodiversity and average trophic level decrease over time. These projections indicate that the kelp forest community would maintain high productivity with a 0.5 drop in pH, but with a substantially different community structure characterized by lower biodiversity and relatively greater dominance by lower trophic level organisms.

scholarly journals ERSEM 15.06: a generic model for marine biogeochemistry and the ecosystem dynamics of the lower trophic levels

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1293-1339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Momme Butenschön ◽  
James Clark ◽  
John N. Aldridge ◽  
Julian Icarus Allen ◽  
Yuri Artioli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Web ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Ecosystem Dynamics ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Generic Model ◽  
The North

Abstract. The European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model (ERSEM) is one of the most established ecosystem models for the lower trophic levels of the marine food web in the scientific literature. Since its original development in the early nineties it has evolved significantly from a coastal ecosystem model for the North Sea to a generic tool for ecosystem simulations from shelf seas to the global ocean. The current model release contains all essential elements for the pelagic and benthic parts of the marine ecosystem, including the microbial food web, the carbonate system, and calcification. Its distribution is accompanied by a testing framework enabling the analysis of individual parts of the model. Here we provide a detailed mathematical description of all ERSEM components along with case studies of mesocosm-type simulations, water column implementations, and a brief example of a full-scale application for the north-western European shelf. Validation against in situ data demonstrates the capability of the model to represent the marine ecosystem in contrasting environments.

scholarly journals A Benthic Zonation System as a Fundamental Tool for Natural Capital Assessment in a Marine Environment: A Case Study in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Marcelli ◽  
Sergio Scanu ◽  
Francesco Manfredi Frattarelli ◽  
Emanuele Mancini ◽  
Filippo Maria Carli
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Tyrrhenian Sea ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Joint Research ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Marine Ecosystem Services

Coastal marine areas are characterized by the highest values of ecosystem services and by multiple uses that are often in conflict with each other. Natural capital analysis is claimed to be a valid tool to support space planning. In the context of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) of the European Union (EU), the EU Joint Research Centre (JRC) Scientific and Policy Report 2014 defines the monitoring of specific descriptors and their possible use, based on an ecosystem-services approach. Mediterranean marine ecosystems are characterized by high biodiversity and the presence of relevant benthic biocenosis that can be used as a tool to support coastal planning, conservation, and monitoring programs. In this study, we considered the Mediterranean benthic biocenosis, as classified by Pérès and Picard, as a working tool and propose a basic spatial unit for the assessment of marine ecosystem services. Focusing on a high-resolution local-scale analysis, this work presents an accurate identification of the different biocenoses for the coastal area of Civitavecchia in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy, and ecosystem services, as well as a benefits assessment, of the Posidonia oceanica meadows.

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