scholarly journals Modelling marine larval dispersal: a cautionary deep-sea tale for ecology and conservation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca E. Ross ◽  
W. Alex M. Nimmo-Smith ◽  
Ricardo Torres ◽  
Kerry L. Howell

AbstractLarval dispersal data are increasingly sought after in ecology and marine conservation, the latter often requiring information under time limited circumstances. Basic estimates of dispersal are often used in these situations acknowledging their oversimplified nature. Larval dispersal models (LDMs) are now becoming more popular and may be a tempting way of refining predictions, but prior to targeted groundtruthing their predictions are of unknown worth. This case study uses deep-sea LDMs to compare predictions of dispersal. Two LDMs driven by different example hydrodynamic models are compared, along with an informed estimate based on mean current speed and planktonic larval duration (PLD) to provide insight into predictive variability. LDMs were found to be more conservative in dispersal distance than an estimate. This difference increased with PLD which may result in a bigger disparity for deep-sea species predictions. Although LDMs were more spatially targeted than an estimate, the two LDM predictions were also significantly different from each other and would result in contrasting advice for marine conservation. These results show a greater potential for model variability than previously appreciated by ecologists and strongly advocates groundtruthing predictions before use in management. Advice is offered for improved model selection and interpretation of predictions.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
OCTO

The theory behind networks of marine reserves is that they allow protected pathways for species to grow and maintain populations through their lifecycle - from where individuals begin their lives (typically as planktonic larvae) to where they disperse and live later as adults. Individual reserves - patches of protected habitat - are linked together, often by oceanic currents, with organisms moving between the reserves. Connections between marine reserves in a common area can be explored with graph theory: visualizing ecological networks much like a concept map. The ocean is warming due to climate change. Warming water has effects on larval physiology of at least some species, including shortening the larval development period, and thus shortening larval dispersal distance. These changes could theoretically compromise the connectivity and performance of marine reserve networks, thus requiring adjusting their design to account for ocean warming.The authors used the Midriff Islands Region in the Gulf of California, Mexico as a case study to examine the effects of ocean warming on the ability of planktonic larvae to spread amongst reserves. The Midriff Islands Region features a counter-clockwise gyre in the spring and summer months, which reverses in the fall and winter. As such, larval dispersal changes depending on the time of year and where a reserve is located in relation to the center of the gyre.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4247
Author(s):  
Elena Bulmer ◽  
Cristina del Prado-Higuera

The seventeenth Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations, Partnerships for the Goals, aims to strengthen the means of the implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. The successful implantation of the UN’s seventeenth Sustainable Development Goal will aid the execution and achievement of the other sixteen goals. This article explores the importance and viability of Sustainable Development Goal 17, using a case study based in Valencia, Spain. The study presents an illustrative stakeholder situation, where we see that there are conflicting interests among conservationists, fishermen, municipality representatives, and others. Data collection was done using desk-based research and semi-structured interviews. The interview process was performed between October 2018 and October 2019. In total, 21 different stakeholders were interviewed. For the data analyses, a stakeholder register, Power–Interest Matrices, and a stakeholder map were used, and, to complement the latter, narratives were developed. The different analyses showed that most project stakeholders supported the project, while there was really only one stakeholder, the fishermen themselves, who were reticent about participating. However, it was shown over time that, by developing a common vision with them, the fishermen came on board the project and collaborated with the scientists. Stakeholder engagement analyses are especially useful in the application of Sustainable Development Goals at the project level. Although this case study is specifically applicable to a marine conservation context, it may be extrapolated and applied to any other Sustainable Development Goals’ context.


2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 759-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Ross ◽  
Katie Dalton ◽  
Begum Sertyesilisik

This study aims to determine the accuracy of the cash flow models and to investigate if these models could be more accurate if they accounted for the potentially influential variables specific to individual construction projects. An analytical case study research strategy has been implemented in collecting data for the construction projects. The data collected has been tested against recognised models. Statistical analyses have been carried out on the data for the specified variables, culminating in the potential proposal of an improved model with respect to these identified variables. The results revealed that the independent variables (type of construction, procurement route and type of work) affect the cash flow forecast. The findings suggested that a model could be more accurate with the input of more job-specific variables and that Hudson's DHSS model is best suited to a construction project procured traditionally. Adopting the ‘trial and error’ approach, Hudson's DHSS model has been recognised as an accurate model that could be adapted slightly, through changing the parameter values. The clients and the contractors are the main beneficiaries approached for this study.


2011 ◽  
Vol 279 (1735) ◽  
pp. 1883-1888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Buston ◽  
Geoffrey P. Jones ◽  
Serge Planes ◽  
Simon R. Thorrold

A central question of marine ecology is, how far do larvae disperse? Coupled biophysical models predict that the probability of successful dispersal declines as a function of distance between populations. Estimates of genetic isolation-by-distance and self-recruitment provide indirect support for this prediction. Here, we conduct the first direct test of this prediction, using data from the well-studied system of clown anemonefish ( Amphiprion percula ) at Kimbe Island, in Papua New Guinea. Amphiprion percula live in small breeding groups that inhabit sea anemones. These groups can be thought of as populations within a metapopulation. We use the x- and y -coordinates of each anemone to determine the expected distribution of dispersal distances (the distribution of distances between each and every population in the metapopulation). We use parentage analyses to trace recruits back to parents and determine the observed distribution of dispersal distances. Then, we employ a logistic model to (i) compare the observed and expected dispersal distance distributions and (ii) determine the relationship between the probability of successful dispersal and the distance between populations. The observed and expected dispersal distance distributions are significantly different ( p < 0.0001). Remarkably, the probability of successful dispersal between populations decreases fivefold over 1 km. This study provides a framework for quantitative investigations of larval dispersal that can be applied to other species. Further, the approach facilitates testing biological and physical hypotheses for the factors influencing larval dispersal in unison, which will advance our understanding of marine population connectivity.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Abdolshah ◽  
Fariborz Ahmadzadeh ◽  
Afshin Abbaspour

Blue ocean strategy includes a consistent pattern of strategic thinking in the creation of new markets in various industries. This chapter examines how to create a blue ocean and its role in improving the construction industry. This is library research alongwith case study. It has been prepared based on information gathered from articles published in international journals and referring to large and reputable builder companies. In the concept of strategy, “Blue Ocean” is referred to two overall scope of blue and red ocean. In this chapter, we used the Kano method for evaluation and selection of the features in the construction industry and then, through a four-step approach, it was decided what features should be removed, innovated, enhanced or improved. Finally, using improved hybrid model of Kano and the pillars of the blue ocean strategy, we concluded that economic factors and psychological factors that impact on the consumers need investment and more attention.


2021 ◽  
pp. 65-102
Author(s):  
John Lindow

This chapter presents a case study of one myth that we have from pictorial sources in the Viking Age, from poems almost certainly composed in the Viking Age, and from thirteenth-century sources, namely the encounter between the god Þórr (Thor) and his cosmic enemy, the World serpent, a beast that encircles the earth, in the deep sea. In this myth, Þórr fishes up the serpent, and depending on the variant, Þórr may or may not kill the serpent. I present and analyze the texts in more or less chronological order, from the older skalds through the Eddic poem Hymiskviða, through Snorri Sturluson in Edda, and compare the texts to the rock carvings that portray the myth. I argue that the issue of the death or survival of the serpent is less important than the simple fact that Þórr had the serpent on his hook.


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