scholarly journals Millennial-scale change on a Caribbean reef system that experiences hypoxia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blanca Figuerola ◽  
Ethan L Grossman ◽  
Noelle Lucey ◽  
Nicole D Leonard ◽  
Aaron O'Dea
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Carbon Isotope ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Water Depth ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Reef System ◽  
Caribbean Reef ◽  
History Of ◽  
Shallow Part

Coastal hypoxia has become an increasingly acknowledged threat to coral reefs that is potentially intensifying because of increased input of anthropogenic nutrients. Almirante Bay (Caribbean Panama) is a semi-enclosed system that experiences hypoxia in deeper waters which occasionally expand into shallow coral reefs, suffocating most aerobic benthic life. To explore the long-term history of reefs in the bay we extracted reef matrix cores from two reefs that today experience contrasting patterns of oxygenation. We constructed a 1800-year-long record of gastropod assemblages and isotope compositions from six U-Th chronologically-constrained reef matrix cores. We extracted two cores from each reef at 3 m water depth and two additional cores from a deeper part (4.8 m) of the hypoxia-exposed reef. Results show that the deeper part of the hypoxic reef slowed in growth and stopped accreting approximately 1500 years BP while the shallow part of the reef continued to accrete to the present day, in agreement with a model of expanding hypoxia at this time. Our proxy-based approach suggests that differences among these palaeoindicators in the two reefs may have been driven by an increase in hypoxia via eutrophication caused by either natural changes or human impacts. Similar patterns of increasing herbivores and decreasing carbon isotope values occurred in the shallow part of the hypoxic reef during the last few decades. This suggests that hypoxia may be expanding to depths as shallow as 3 m and that shallow reefs are experiencing greater risk due to increased human activity.

Resilience of plant and testate amoeba communities after climatic and anthropogenic disturbances in a Baltic bog in Northern Poland: Implications for ecological restoration

The Holocene ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariusz Gałka ◽  
Kazimierz Tobolski ◽  
Aleksandra Górska ◽  
Mariusz Lamentowicz
Keyword(s):  
Human Impacts ◽  
Testate Amoebae ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Testate Amoeba ◽  
Raised Bogs ◽  
The Past ◽  
Ombrotrophic Peatland ◽  
History Of ◽  
Climate Cooling

This study explores the history of the development of Sphagnum communities in an ombrotrophic peatland – Bagno Kusowo – over the past 650 years, based on high-resolution plant macrofossil and testate amoebae analysis. Our research provided information related to the length of peatland existence and the characteristics of its natural/pristine state before the most recent human impacts. Changes in the Sphagnum communities before human impact could have resulted from climate cooling during the ‘Little Ice Age’ (LIA). In this cold and unstable hydrological period, among vascular plants, Eriophorum vaginatum and Baeothryon caespitosum dominated in the peatland vegetation. Peat-forming Sphagnum communities survived the drainage conducted during the 20th century at the Bagno Kusowo bog. We provide three important messages through this study: (1) testate amoebae reflect similar hydrological trends in two peat cores despite considerable microhabitat variability, (2) average long-term water level 10 cm below the surface should be a target for active bog conservation and (3) sites like Bagno Kusowo are extremely important to preserve the remains of pristine biodiversity (including genetic diversity of plants and protists) that was completely removed from most of the raised bogs in Europe due to human activities, for example, drainage.

Towards a history of Holocene P dynamics for the Northern Hemisphere using lake sediment geochemical records

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeleine Moyle ◽  
John Boyle ◽  
Richard Chiverrell
Keyword(s):  
Human Impact ◽  
Lake Sediment ◽  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Lake Water ◽  
Process Model ◽  
P Cycling ◽  
History Of ◽  
P Supply

<p>Present day phosphorus (P) enrichment and accelerated P cycling are changes superimposed on a dynamic Holocene history of landscape recovery from glaciation, changes in climate, and long-term low-intensity human activity. Knowledge of the changing role of human activity in driving long-term P dynamics is essential for understanding landscape P export and managing both terrestrial and aquatic environments.</p><p>Here we apply a simple process model to published lake sediment geochemical P records from 24 sites distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, producing Holocene records of landscape P yield and reconstructions of lake water TP concentrations. These records are a first attempt to produce values for average P export for the Northern Hemisphere over the Holocene, which can be used for constraining long-term landscape P cycling models.</p><p>Individual site trajectories of reconstructed Holocene landscape P yield and lake water TP varied systematically, with differences attributable to landscape development history, in turn driven by climate, human impact and other local factors. Three distinct traits are apparent across the records. Mountain sites with minimal direct human impact show falling Holocene P supply, and conform to conceptual models of natural soil development (Trait 1). Lowland sites  where substantial (pre-)historic agriculture was present show progressively increasing Holocene P supply (Trait 2). Lowland sites may also show a rapid acceleration in P supply over the last few centuries, where high intensity land use, including settlements and farming, are present (Trait 3).</p><p>This long-term perspective is pivotal to understanding drivers of change in coupled terrestrial and aquatic P cycling. Our reconstructions of long-term lake water TP are particularly useful for target-driven management of aquatic systems.</p>

scholarly journals History on Mona Island

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 30-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice V.M. Samson ◽  
Jago Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Human Activity ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Historical Sources ◽  
Archaeological Evidence ◽  
Historical Landscape ◽  
Regional Dynamics ◽  
Mona Island ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Caribbean

The history of Mona Island and her transitory and permanent communities provides an interesting perspective on the role this small island has played over the long-term in spheres of maritime interaction in the Caribbean and further afield. In particular, we examine the role that the extraordinary cave systems have played in attracting people to the island and into the subterranean realm within. Through a recent study of the extant historical sources and archaeological evidence for past human activity on the island, we trace this historical landscape and seascape in order to review the importance of Mona in wider regional dynamics through time.

An environmental perturbation at AD 600 and subsequent human impacts recorded by multi-proxy records from the sediments of Lake Mayinghai, North China

The Holocene ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1870-1880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongwei Shen ◽  
Jianbao Liu ◽  
Chengling Xie ◽  
Xiaosen Zhang ◽  
Fahu Chen
Keyword(s):  
Human Activity ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Environmental Stability ◽  
Shanxi Province ◽  
Historical Period ◽  
Proxy Records ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Historical Accounts

Modern observations indicate that a dramatic increase in the intensity of human activity is the main cause of environmental degradation. However, the timing of the onset of significant human impacts on regional environments during the historical period is unclear. In this study, an AMS 14C-dated 878-cm-long sediment core (MYH14B), from Lake Mayinghai in the farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China, was used to study the long-term relationship between the ecological environment and human activity. The area is characterized by a fragile ecological system and is sensitive to environmental change and human activity. We found evidence for abrupt sedimentary changes beginning around AD 600, revealed by the increased (decreased) content of exogenous (endogenous) elements, a decrease in grain size and the appearance of quartz particles with V-shaped percussion cracks. This evidence indicates an abrupt increase in sediments transported by surface run-off and that a large amount of freshwater was injected into the lake. The climate was stable at the time and therefore, combined with historical documentary evidence, we attribute this event to the excavation of a river channel flowing into the lake, in association with the construction of nearby Fenyang Palace by Emperor Yang during the Sui Dynasty. Subsequently, the content of exogenous elements in the sediments was significantly positively correlated with the intensity of deforestation, cultivation and grazing, indicating that these elements can be used as a proxy of the intensity of human activity. The variation of this proxy demonstrates that intensified human activity occurred during AD 600– 1100 and after AD 1350, and that human activity weakened during AD 1100–1350, which is supported by evidence from historical accounts and changes in the population size of Shanxi Province. Overall, our findings reveal a substantial conflict between human activity and environmental stability in the farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China during the Sui Dynasty (AD ~600). In addition, the sensitivity of the lake response to human activity revealed in this study highlights the importance of further paleolimnological studies in the region.

The Oxford Handbook of Historical Ecology and Applied Archaeology

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Historical Ecology ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Development Policies ◽  
History Of ◽  
Applied Archaeology

This volume presents theoretical discussions, methodological outlines, and case-studies describing the discursive overlap of the theoretical and methodological framework of historical ecology, and the emerging sub-discipline of applied archaeology. Historical ecology is based on the recognition that humans are not only capable of modifying their environments, but that all environments on earth have already been directly or indirectly modified. This includes anthropogenic climate change, widespread deforestations, and species extinctions, but also very local alterations, the effects of which may last a few years, or may have legacies lasting centuries or more. The volume presents a range of case-studies that highlight how modern environments and landscapes have been shaped by humans, and includes outlines of the methods we can use to better understand these changes. Authors include anthropologists, archaeologists, human geographers, and historians, all of whom are focussed not just on defining human impacts in the past, but on the ways that understanding these changes can help inform contemporary practices and development policies. Some present examples of how ancient or current societies have modified their environments in sustainable ways, while others highlight practices that had unintended long-term consequences. The possibility of learning from these practices are discussed, as is the potential of using the long history of human resource exploitation as a method for building or testing models of future change. Rather than merely acting as advocates for historical data, the chapters collected here also warn of the limitations of drawing simple lessons from the history of interactions between humans and their environments, and note that doing so is potentially just as damaging as ignoring these rich sources of data.

scholarly journals Recent use of habitat service value for tourism and impacts on coral reefs in the target destinations in Southern Vietnam

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4A) ◽  
pp. 131-138
Author(s):  
Hoang Xuan Ben ◽  
Vo Si Tuan
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Southern Vietnam ◽  
Nha Trang Bay ◽  
History Of ◽  
Development And Management ◽  
Target Locations

Coral reef-based tourism has developed quickly in Southern Vietnam, taking into account the target locations namely Cu Lao Cham islands, Nha Trang bay, Ninh Thuan and Phu Quoc islands during last decade. Among them, Nha Trang bay had longer history of marine tourism, starting with inshore development and expanding to islands in and around the bay. Tourist activities in Cu Lao Cham islands and Ninh Thuan were developed in linkages with MPA development and management. Meanwhile, Phu Quoc had become a new destination and drawn huge investments for extensive development of tourism in the islands. Economic value that was brought from use of coral reefs for tourism has increased significantly. For example, the payment of entry fee to Cu Lao Cham MPA has quickly increased year by year, reaching approximately 700,000 USD in 2018 and that in Ninh Thuan around 50,000 in 2017 and up to 200,000 USD in 2018. Reclamation for infrastructure building on inshore land and islands was considered as a serious impact, resulting in loss of terrestrial and underwater habitats (e.g. loss of Melaleuca forest in Phu Quoc islands or seagrass beds and coral reefs in Nha Trang bay) and increased sediment loading to coral reefs. Overexploitation of living resources for high food and souvenir demands occurred at all areas, leading to modification of communities, poorness and uncertainty for resource recruitment. Among these tree areas, Phu Quoc waters are the most vulnerable to coral bleaching due to increased surface temperature with records of mass bleaching in 2010 and 2016. Although MPAs existed in all study areas, role of conservationists in developing coral reef tourism was significantly considerable only in Cu Lao Cham case but poor in others. Local managers and businesses should pay more attention to sustainability in order to ensure not only coral reef conservation but also long-term benefits of local communities and tourist sector itself.

scholarly journals Is the Anthropause a useful symbol and metaphor for raising environmental awareness and promoting reform?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Nathan Young ◽  
Andrew N Kadykalo ◽  
Christine Beaudoin ◽  
Diana M Hackenburg ◽  
Steven J Cooke
Keyword(s):  
Human Impact ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Public History ◽  
Research Interest ◽  
The Public ◽  
Cultural Symbol ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ecological Event ◽  
The Impact

Summary Lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily restricted human activity and removed people from many places of work and recreation. The resulting ‘Anthropause’ generated much media and research interest and has become an important storyline in the public history of the pandemic. As an ecological event, the Anthropause is fleeting and unlikely to alter the long-term human impact on the planet. But the Anthropause is also a cultural symbol whose effects may be more enduring. Will the Anthropause inspire people and governments to mobilize for meaningful reform, or does it present a misleading and too-comforting portrayal of resilient nature and wildlife that could ultimately discourage action? While it is too early to gauge the impact of the Anthropause on human behaviour and politics, we use existing research on environmental symbols and metaphors to identify factors that may influence long-term behavioural and political responses to this globally significant period of time.

Atypical Femoral Fracture in McCune-Albright Syndrome

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-152
Author(s):  
Salman Ghaffari ◽  
◽  
Mehran Razavipour ◽  
Parastoo Mohammad Amini ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Femoral Fracture ◽  
Dynamic Compression ◽  
Plate Fixation ◽  
Medullary Canal ◽  
Mccune Albright Syndrome ◽  
Café Au Lait Spots ◽  
History Of ◽  
Albright Syndrome ◽  
Mccune Albright

McCune-Albright Syndrome (MAS) is characterized by endocrinopathies, café-au-lait spots, and fibrous dysplasia. Bisphosphonates are the most prescribed treatment for reducing the pain but their long-term use has been associated with atypical fractures of cortical bones like femur in patients. We present a 23-year-old girl diagnosed with MAS. She had an atypical mid-shaft left femoral fracture that happened during simple walking. She also had a history of long-term use of alendronate. Because of the narrow medullary canal, we used 14 holes hybrid locking plate for the lateral aspect of the thigh to fix the fracture and 5 holes dynamic compression plate (instead of the intramedullary nail) in the anterior surface to double fix it, reducing the probability of device failure. With double plate fixation and discontinuation of alendronate, the complete union was achieved five months after surgery

European Integration

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann P. Arnason
Keyword(s):  
European Integration ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Historical Processes ◽  
History Of ◽  
External Conditions ◽  
Eastern European Countries ◽  
Totalitarian Regimes ◽  
The Eu

Different understandings of European integration, its background and present problems are represented in this book, but they share an emphasis on historical processes, geopolitical dynamics and regional diversity. The introduction surveys approaches to the question of European continuities and discontinuities, before going on to an overview of chapters. The following three contributions deal with long-term perspectives, including the question of Europe as a civilisational entity, the civilisational crisis of the twentieth century, marked by wars and totalitarian regimes, and a comparison of the European Union with the Habsburg Empire, with particular emphasis on similar crisis symptoms. The next three chapters discuss various aspects and contexts of the present crisis. Reflections on the Brexit controversy throw light on a longer history of intra-Union rivalry, enduring disputes and changing external conditions. An analysis of efforts to strengthen the EU’s legal and constitutional framework, and of resistances to them, highlights the unfinished agenda of integration. A closer look at the much-disputed Islamic presence in Europe suggests that an interdependent radicalization of Islamism and the European extreme right is a major factor in current political developments. Three concluding chapters adopt specific regional perspectives. Central and Eastern European countries, especially Poland, are following a path that leads to conflicts with dominant orientations of the EU, but this also raises questions about Europe’s future. The record of Scandinavian policies in relation to Europe exemplifies more general problems faced by peripheral regions. Finally, growing dissonances and divergences within the EU may strengthen the case for Eurasian perspectives.

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