scholarly journals Combined effects of human pressures on Europe’s marine ecosystems

AMBIO ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuli Korpinen ◽  
Leena Laamanen ◽  
Lena Bergström ◽  
Marco Nurmi ◽  
Jesper H. Andersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Shelf Area ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Environmental Status ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Blue Growth ◽  
Human Use

AbstractMarine ecosystems are under high demand for human use, giving concerns about how pressures from human activities may affect their structure, function, and status. In Europe, recent developments in mapping of marine habitats and human activities now enable a coherent spatial evaluation of potential combined effects of human activities. Results indicate that combined effects from multiple human pressures are spread to 96% of the European marine area, and more specifically that combined effects from physical disturbance are spread to 86% of the coastal area and 46% of the shelf area. We compare our approach with corresponding assessments at other spatial scales and validate our results with European-scale status assessments for coastal waters. Uncertainties and development points are identified. Still, the results suggest that Europe’s seas are widely disturbed, indicating potential discrepancy between ambitions for Blue Growth and the objective of achieving good environmental status within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

Achieving Marine Conservation Through Biosphere Reserve Planning and Management

1990 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Kenchington ◽  
Mary T. Agardy
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Marine Conservation ◽  
Variable Degree ◽  
Marine Systems ◽  
Human Use ◽  
Sustainable Capacity

Most marine ecosystems present priorities for conservation which are different from, but no less urgent than, those of terrestrial systems. These priorities relate to understanding and regulating human use and impact within the large scale, and the high but variable degree of connectivity of marine systems. The identification and preservation of remnant examples of marine ecosystems, otherwise destroyed by human activity, is generally less of an issue than it is for terrestrial conservation. As a consequence, the needs of marine conservation are not readily addressed by models developed for terrestrial ecosystems, which are based on excluding or severely limiting human access in managed areas. An exception is the philosophy of the Biosphere Reserve, developed as part of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. This appears particularly appropriate to marine environments, as it focuses on managing human activities and impacts within the sustainable capacity of the ecosystem.

scholarly journals Tourism Impact on Marine Ecosystems in the North of Red Sea

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Abderrahim Lakhouit
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Red Sea ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Tourism Impact ◽  
The North ◽  
Algae Blooms ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Northern Red Sea

The unique marine environment of the northern Red Sea region is among the richest and most productive marine ecosystems in the world. The sea is populated with extensive algae blooms and at least five types of coral reefs. However, the region’s tourism sector is largely dependent on the surrounding environment, including the coral reefs, which are highly sensitive to human activities. A large tourist project (Neom) is scheduled to be installed in the northern Red Sea, further increasing tourist activities in the area and leading to human intrusion into crucial but fragile marine habitats such as seagrass beds, coral reefs and mangrove stands. The present study investigates how human activities are currently affecting Red Sea ecosystems. Field visits were done in order to investigate and to study human activities impact on marine ecosystems in the north of Red Sea. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first of its kind to evaluate the impact of tourism on marine ecosystems in Saudi Arabia’s northern Red Sea coast.

scholarly journals A spatially resolved pressure-based approach to evaluate combined effects of human activities and management in marine ecosystems

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (8) ◽  
pp. 2245-2256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freya Goodsir ◽  
Helen J. Bloomfield ◽  
Adrian D. Judd ◽  
Filip Kral ◽  
Leonie A. Robinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Comprehensive Management ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Framework Approach ◽  
Harmful Effects

Abstract Our oceans are heavily utilized by a wide variety of human activities that exert pressures which negatively impact marine ecosystems, occasionally leading to unsustainable rates of exploitation. A linkage framework approach can be used to make independent associations between sectors, activities, and the pressures they introduce. However, in reality, many different sectors and their associated activities overlap in time and space, potentially changing the severity of their impact as pressures combine, and undermine the efforts of environmental managers to mitigate the harmful effects of those activities. Here, we present a spatially resolved approach to assess the potential for combined effects using a linkage framework assessment. Using illustrative examples from the Northeast Atlantic, we show the likelihood of changes in pressure severity as a result of multiple overlapping activities. Management options to limit pressure introduction are explored and their benefit—measured as a reduction in the area of seabed impacted—assessed. In its simplest form, the approach can be used to develop potential precautionary management options in areas where data availability is poor and more comprehensive management measures where data are more widely available.

scholarly journals An Integrated Field Data and Remote Sensing Approach for Impact Assessment of Human Activities on Macro-benthos Biodiversity Along Western Coast of Aqaba Gulf

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussein A. El-Naggar ◽  
El-Sayed S. Salem ◽  
Sameh B. El-Kafrawy ◽  
Mansour A. Bashar ◽  
Mohamed Ashour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Gulf Of Aqaba ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Abundance And Diversity ◽  
Macro Benthos ◽  
Egyptian Coast

Abstract The Egyptian coast of Aqaba Gulf, north of the Red Sea suffers from severe destruction and deterioration in habitat and biodiversity due to anthropogenic activities and flooding. The present work aims to evaluate the impacts of different human activities and flooding on the biodiversity of macro-benthos invertebrates along the Egyptian coast of the Aqaba Gulf. From January 2019 to December 2019, many field trips (12 trips) were conducted to survey macro-benthos-invertebrate communities and monitor water quality at nine sites within three sectors along the study area. Each site was divided into four ecological zones and one of five categories, according to the main activities at each site. Furthermore, satellite data were used to monitor the progress of land use, and turbidity in the study area. Therefore, the current study assessing the relationship between these factors and water quality and macro-benthos-invertebrates distributions, similarity, diversity, dominance and abundance. The results revealed that fifty-three macro-benthos-invertebrates species belonging to four phyla (Crustacea, Mollusca, Echinodermata and Annelida) were recorded. Echinometra mathaei was the major eudominant species. The northern part of the Gulf was higher abundance and diversity with low land use and lowest water turbidity, while the south part showed the contrary findings. All statics analysis confirmed that the dissolved oxygen concentration was considered the only limiting factor for the abundance and diversity of macro-benthos invertebrates. Also, the variation in activities at investigated sites affected the dominance state of species in each site. Moreover, GPS data confirmed that the tourism activity had the largest influence on marine ecosystems and biodiversity, followed by fishing and desalination practices. Otherwise, flooding has significant influence on marine habitats and creates a habitat in which other certain species can be survived. In the absence of awareness, intervention and disregard for the effective coastal zone management concept, especially for the unique marine ecosystems such as the Gulf of Aqaba, the degradation of biodiversity will continue until extinction, and human life is rendered unsustainable.

scholarly journals Diversity and distribution patterns of the Oligocene and Miocene decapod crustaceans (Crustacea: Malacostraca) of the Western and Central Paratethys

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 471-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matúš Hyžný
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Decapod Crustacean ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Homogeneous Distribution ◽  
Decapod Crustaceans ◽  
Central Paratethys ◽  
The North ◽  
Marine Habitats

AbstractDecapod associations have been significant components of marine habitats throughout the Cenozoic when the major diversification of the group occurred. In this respect, the circum-Mediterranean area is of particular interest due to its complex palaeogeographic history. During the Oligo-Miocene, it was divided in two major areas, Mediterranean and Paratethys. Decapod crustaceans from the Paratethys Sea have been reported in the literature since the 19thcentury, but only recent research advances allow evaluation of the diversity and distribution patterns of the group. Altogether 176 species-level taxa have been identified from the Oligocene and Miocene of the Western and Central Paratethys. Using the three-dimensional NMDS analysis, the composition of decapod crustacean faunas of the Paratethys shows significant differences through time. The Ottnangian and Karpatian decapod associations were similar to each other both taxonomically and in the mode of preservation, and they differed taxonomically from the Badenian ones. The Early Badenian assemblages also differed taxonomically from the Late Badenian ones. The time factor, including speciation, immigration from other provinces and/or (local or global) extinction, can explain temporal differences among assemblages within the same environment. High decapod diversity during the Badenian was correlated with the presence of reefal settings. The Badenian was the time with the highest decapod diversity, which can, however, be a consequence of undersampling of other time slices. Whereas the Ottnangian and Karpatian decapod assemblages are preserved virtually exclusively in the siliciclastic “Schlier”-type facies that originated in non-reefal offshore environments, carbonate sedimentation and the presence of reefal environments during the Badenian in the Central Paratethys promoted thriving of more diverse reef-associated assemblages. In general, Paratethyan decapods exhibited homogeneous distribution during the Oligo-Miocene among the basins in the Paratethys. Based on the co-occurrence of certain decapod species, migration between the Paratethys and the North Sea during the Early Miocene probably occurred via the Rhine Graben. At larger spatial scales, our results suggest that the circum-Mediterranean marine decapod taxa migrated in an easterly direction during the Oligocene and/or Miocene, establishing present-day decapod communities in the Indo-West Pacific.

scholarly journals Mapping Cumulative Impacts of Human Activities on Marine Ecosystems

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
SeaPlan
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Cumulative Impacts ◽  
Potential Conflict ◽  
Planning Decisions ◽  
Ocean Management ◽  
Survey Results

Given the diversity of human uses and natural resources that converge in coastal waters, the potential independent and cumulative impacts of those uses on marine ecosystems are important to consider during ocean planning. This study was designed to support the development and implementation of the 2009 Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. Its goal was to estimate and visualize the cumulative impacts of human activities on coastal and marine ecosystems in the state and federal waters off of Massachusetts.For this study, regional ecosystem experts were surveyed to gauge the relative vulnerability of marine ecosystems to current and emerging anthropogenic stressors. Survey results were then combined with spatial information on the distribution of marine ecosystems and human stressors to map cumulative impacts in Massachusetts waters.The study resulted in an ecosystem vulnerability matrix and human impacts maps, which together yield insights into which ecosystems and places are most vulnerable and which human uses, alone and in combination, are putting the most stress on marine ecosystems. These products can be used in a number of ways, including to help clarify ocean planning decisions, identify areas of potential conflict among ocean users and areas that may merit conservation, and assess ecological, economic and social values of particular places.

scholarly journals Mismatches in spatial scale of supply and demand and their consequences for local welfare in Scottish aquaculture

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 261-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim O’Higgins ◽  
Karen Alexander ◽  
Marcello Graziano
Keyword(s):  
Systems Approach ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Ecological Resilience ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Salmon Aquaculture ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Blue Growth ◽  
Marine Areas

Mismatches in spatial scales, or spatial disconnections between causes and effects of ecosystem degradation, can reduce resilience in social–ecological systems. These mismatches can be particularly disruptive in coastal and marine areas, where multiple social and ecological systems are multi-layered. Scotland’s Western Isles have a history of local resource exploitation to meet extra-regional, larger-scale demands, which has resulted in a long process of socio-demographic decline. Salmon aquaculture is a major and expanding industry in the area, often linked to “Blue Growth”. The expansion of this industry operates within and contributes to create several scale mismatches. Combining a systems approach across nested scales with a classification of scale mismatches, this work analyses the characteristics of the Western Isles salmon aquaculture industry, and it explores effects on social–ecological resilience. An extent scale mismatch between the global stocks of fishmeal species and the local capacity to respond to fluctuations is identified. The implications for this mismatch for the Western Isles are discussed. Some potential policy arrangements for incorporating matched spatial scales are considered.

Study of Human Driving Skill in Expected and Guided Conditions

2015 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amirah ‘Aisha Badrul Hisham ◽  
Mohamad Hafis Izran Ishak ◽  
Ruzairi Abdul Rahim ◽  
Nurul Hawani Idris
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Index Formula ◽  
Crucial Issue ◽  
Machine System ◽  
Machine Operation ◽  
Driving Skill ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Human Skills ◽  
Definition Of

This day, Human Machine System (HMS) consider being a proven technology, which has gained an important role in various human activities. One of the most recent developments in this area is Human Adaptive Mechatronics (HAM) approach for enhancing human skills. This approach therefore is different compared to an ordinary HMS, in terms of its ability to adapt to changes in its environment and in the human changing level of skills. The crucial issue in HAM is in evaluating the human skills level on machine operation. In this paper, a skill index to quantify the performance of human drivers is studied in expected and guided conditions. The experiments are carried out on human subjects in normal driving. From this experiment, a new skill index formula is proposed based on the logical conditions and the definition of skill in HAM.

scholarly journals Ocean modelling for aquaculture and fisheries in Irish waters

Ocean Science ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Dabrowski ◽  
K. Lyons ◽  
C. Cusack ◽  
G. Casal ◽  
A. Berry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blue Mussel ◽  
Water Movement ◽  
Harmful Algal Bloom ◽  
Ocean Modelling ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Blue Growth ◽  
Ocean Models ◽  
Offshore Aquaculture ◽  
Marine Institute

Abstract. The Marine Institute, Ireland, runs a suite of operational regional and coastal ocean models. Recent developments include several tailored products that focus on the key needs of the Irish aquaculture sector. In this article, an overview of the products and services derived from the models are presented. The authors give an overview of a shellfish model developed in-house and that was designed to predict the growth, the physiological interactions with the ecosystem, and the level of coliform contamination of the blue mussel. As such, this model is applicable in studies on the carrying capacity of embayments, assessment of the impacts of pollution on aquaculture grounds, and the determination of shellfish water classes. Further services include the assimilation of the model-predicted shelf water movement into a new harmful algal bloom alert system used to inform end users of potential toxic shellfish events and high biomass blooms that include fish-killing species. Models are also used to identify potential sites for offshore aquaculture, to inform studies of potential cross-contamination in farms from the dispersal of planktonic sea lice larvae and other pathogens that can infect finfish, and to provide modelled products that underpin the assessment and advisory services on the sustainable exploitation of the resources of marine fisheries. This paper demonstrates that ocean models can provide an invaluable contribution to the sustainable blue growth of aquaculture and fisheries.

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