scholarly journals Neotropical coastal lagoons: an appraisal of their biodiversity, functioning, threats and conservation management

2008 ◽  
Vol 68 (4 suppl) ◽  
pp. 967-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
FA. Esteves ◽  
A. Caliman ◽  
JM. Santangelo ◽  
RD. Guariento ◽  
VF. Farjalla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Coastal Lagoons ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Human Occupation ◽  
Species Introduction ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Private Companies ◽  
Aquatic Biodiversity ◽  
Scenic Beauty ◽  
Functional Regulation

Neotropical coastal lagoons (NCL) are human-dominated ecosystems. Their distribution along densely populated coastal areas of developing countries makes these systems among the most threatened in the world. Here, we summarize some aspects of the causes and consequences of NCL biodiversity, their functioning, their importance to the surrounding populations, their fragility, and their responses to local and global anthropogenic impacts and the challenges that Neotropical countries face in conserving these systems. Although still scarce and geographically concentrated, a growing body of studies has shown that NCLs are physiographically diversified systems, which harbor a considerable and particular proportion of the Neotropical inland aquatic biodiversity. Despite the fact that coastal lagoons are ecotones that are intricately connected to surrounding environments, they develop mechanisms for structural and functional regulation, which confer to these systems higher productivity and carrying capacities than surrounding ecosystems. Such traits attract residential developments and subsidize local traditional populations with important economic and aesthetic ecosystem revenues such as fisheries and scenic beauty. However, the disorganized human occupation around NCLs are causing profound impacts such as eutrophication, salinization, exotic species introduction, as well as other effects, which are ultimately imposing major habitat degradations and biodiversity extirpations in NCLs. We argue that interdisciplinary conservation strategies, which integrate scientific expertise, government officials, private companies and the general public, are the most likely to overcome the geographic and economic obstacles to NCL conservation.

scholarly journals Monitoring Skeletal Anomalies in Big-Scale Sand Smelt, Atherina boyeri, as a Potential Complementary Tool for Early Detection of Effects of Anthropic Pressure in Coastal Lagoons

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
Chiara Leone ◽  
Francesca De Luca ◽  
Eleonora Ciccotti ◽  
Arianna Martini ◽  
Clara Boglione
Keyword(s):  
Early Detection ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Coastal Lagoons ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Morphological Examination ◽  
Skeletal Anomalies

Mediterranean coastal lagoons are increasingly affected by several threats, all concurrently leading to habitat degradation and loss. Methods based on fish for the assessment of the ecological status are under implementation for the Water Framework Directive requirements, to assess the overall quality of coastal lagoons. Complementary tools based on the use of single fish species as biological indicators could be useful as early detection methods of anthropogenic impacts. The analysis of skeletal anomalies in the big-scale sand smelt, Atherina boyeri, from nine Mediterranean coastal lagoons in Italy was carried out. Along with the morphological examination of fish, the environmental status of the nine lagoons was evaluated using a method based on expert judgement, by selecting and quantifying several environmental descriptors of direct and indirect human pressures acting on lagoon ecosystems. The average individual anomaly load and the frequency of individuals with severe anomalies allow to discriminate big-scale sand smelt samples on the basis of the site and of its quality status. Furthermore, a relationship between skeletal anomalies and the environmental quality of specific lagoons, driven by the anthropogenic pressures acting on them, was found. These findings support the potentiality of skeletal anomalies monitoring in big-scale sand smelt as a tool for early detection of anthropogenic impacts in coastal lagoons of the Mediterranean region.

The Not So Targeted Instrument of Asset Freezes

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Due Process ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
United Nations Security Council ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Private Companies ◽  
Ethical Problems ◽  
Shipping Line ◽  
International Banks ◽  
Oil Company ◽  
Target Country

AbstractAsset freezes are sometimes viewed as the quintessential form of targeted sanctions—relatively effective in achieving their goals, while affecting only the individuals and companies that are “bad actors.” However, as part of the roundtable “Economic Sanctions and Their Consequences,” this essay argues that there are significant ethical problems raised by asset freezes and other forms of targeted financial sanctions. Sanctioners (specifically, the United Nations Security Council and the U.S. government) have long been criticized for targeting individuals and companies for arbitrary reasons or without adequate due process. However, there is a second concern that is less well known. Asset freezes and other targeted financial sanctions may be imposed on government officials, government agencies, or private companies that hold a critical role in the target country's economy. A country's central bank, national oil company, or national shipping line, for example, may be severely compromised as a result of its inclusion on a financial blacklist. In addition to the explicit prohibitions imposed by targeted financial sanctions, there is a chilling effect as well. This can be seen when international banks and corporations withdraw from the target country altogether because the burden of compliance with these measures is so great, and the potential penalties so high.

Contract Management in Outsourced Revenue Collection in Local Governments in Tanzania: Experience from Selected Local Government Councils

2018 ◽  
pp. 32-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Mtasigazya
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Feasibility Studies ◽  
Contract Management ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Private Companies ◽  
Revenue Collection ◽  
Contractual Agreements

Local Government’s Capacity for Contract management in outsourced revenue collection in Tanzania has become the major topic of discussio. This paper explores recent issues concerning Contracts management in outsourced revenue collection in Tanzania, including feasibility studies prior to outsourcing revenue collection, design of the contracts for revenue collection, monitoring of the performance of the private companies in revenue collection, timely remittance of revenues by the private companies to local councils as well as financial and human resources capacity in enforcing these contracts. The study adopted the case study research design and the methods of data collection were interviews and documentary review. The findings indicate that key problems to contract management and enforcements are corruption, collusion between local government officials and private companies, laxity in conducting feasibility studies and poor monitoring of private companies which do not bring the desired outcomes in terms of revenue collection. Based on the study findings, this research concludes that the private companies and Local governments should comply with contractual agreements and improve human and financial resources capacity in order to provide revenue saving from outsourced revenue collection.

scholarly journals Nest sites selection by sympatric cavity-nesting birds in miombo woodlands

Koedoe ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent R. Nyirenda ◽  
Felistus C. Chewe ◽  
Exildah Chisha-Kasumu ◽  
Peter A. Lindsey
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Sustainable Livelihood ◽  
Miombo Woodlands ◽  
Forest Policies ◽  
Host Trees ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Parinari Curatellifolia

Deforestation and habitat fragmentation have long been known as drivers of wildlife depletion but information on their specific impacts on cavity-nesting birds in the miombo woodlands has been lacking. A comparative study of disturbed and undisturbed sites was conducted in miombo woodlands of Zambia to assess impacts of environmental stressors on birds. Foot patrols were employed to locate, identify and count host trees and cavities for cavity-nesting birds on twenty 200 m × 200 m sample plots. Undisturbed forests had three times more cavities (the nesting sites for birds), while there were 24.6% fewer abandoned cavities in undisturbed forests than in disturbed forests. The rate of cavity abandonment was about twice as high in human-dominated forests compared to undisturbed forests (61.3% c.f. 31.9%). Cavity-nesting birds preferred larger (> 36.0 cm diameter at breast height) and taller (> 5.0 m) trees for nest placement, especially in human-dominated forests. A number of cavity-nesting birds preferred Brachystegia spiciformis (zebrawood), Julbernadia paniculata (munsa), Parinari curatellifolia (mobola-plum) and Uapaca kirkiana (mahobohobo) as host trees to 14 other miombo tree species. Arnot’s Chat (Myrmecocichla arnoti) had a wider selection of host trees for cavity-nesting than the other 40 cavity-nesting birds in the study areas. Anthropogenic activities such as uncontrolled firewood collection, wild fires, logging, and land clearing for agriculture negatively influenced wood abundance and diversity, with potential implications for persistence of cavity-nesting birds. The negative impacts of anthropogenic activities could be counteracted by conservation strategies such as implementation of sound forest policies, integrative land use practices, sustainable livelihood security and stakeholders’ awareness of the need to safeguard forest-dependent avifauna.Conservation implications: This comparative study unravels specific anthropogenic impacts on the cavity-nesting birds in the miombo woodlands, which would be relevant for designing and implementing targeted biodiversity conservation interventions against negative local environmental values and attitudes that support rural development on the expense of conservation of biodiversity such as birds.

Incorporating Biological Traits into Conservation Strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 421-443
Author(s):  
Marta Miatta ◽  
Amanda E. Bates ◽  
Paul V.R. Snelgrove
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Marine Conservation ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Marine Applications ◽  
Monitoring Protocols

Implementation of marine conservation strategies, such as increasing the numbers, extent, and effectiveness of protected areas (PAs), can help achieve conservation and restoration of ocean health and associated goods and services. Despite increasing recognition of the importance of including aspects of ecological functioning in PA design, the physical characteristics of habitats and simple measures of species diversity inform most PA designations. Marine and terrestrial ecologists have recently been using biological traits to assess community dynamics, functioning, and vulnerability to anthropogenic impacts. Here, we explore potential trait-based marine applications to advance PA design. We recommend strategies to integrate biological traits into ( a) conservation objectives (e.g., by assessing and predicting impacts and vulnerability), ( b) PA spatial planning (e.g., mapping ecosystem functions and functional diversity hot spots), and ( c) time series monitoring protocols (e.g., using functional traits to detect recoveries). We conclude by emphasizing the need for pragmatic tools to improve the efficacy of spatial planning and monitoring efforts.

scholarly journals Mobilizing values: using perceptions of barachois ponds in Nova Scotia to advance informed management

FACETS ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-239
Author(s):  
Lydia Ross ◽  
Lucia Fanning
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Q Methodology ◽  
Coastal Lagoons ◽  
Wetland Management ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Marine Conservation ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Management Decision

Meaningful engagement is increasingly used as a management tool for understanding the multitude of complex values and potential conflicts around marine conservation and the production of conservation strategies deemed acceptable by local communities. Barachois ponds, akin to coastal lagoons, are recognized coastal wetlands in Nova Scotia, Canada, given their distinct ecosystem services, including provisioning, regulating, and cultural services. This study examines the current discourses around the management of barachois ponds and how an increased understanding of these perceptions held by stakeholders and managers might be used to better inform integrated management of these wetland ecosystems. A mixed-methods research design using Q methodology was employed to acquire data on social perceptions surrounding the management of barachois ponds fringing the Bras d’Or Lake in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. Four dominant perspectives were identified: the leave-them-be conservationists, the sustainable developers, the management reformists, and the science-based conservationists. Six key issue themes emerged based on an in-depth examination of these different perspectives and Q sort data. This study found that an increased awareness of the ecological, social, and cultural values attributed to barachois ponds by key stakeholders could play a critical role in better informing wetland management decision-making in Nova Scotia and elsewhere.

Copepods and Larvae of Nematodes Parasiting the White Mullet Mugil Curema (Valenciennes, 1836): Indicators of Anthropogenic Impacts in Tropical Coastal Lagoons?

2006 ◽  
Vol 122 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 221-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Fajer-Ávila ◽  
A. García-Vásquez ◽  
H. Plascencia-González ◽  
J. Ríos-Sicairos ◽  
L. M. García-De La Parra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Coastal Lagoons

scholarly journals Identifying and Setting Linear Water Space Priorities in Co-Urbanized Area Based on Multiple Levels and Multiple Ecosystem Services

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 794
Author(s):  
Jiake Shen ◽  
Yuncai Wang ◽  
Xiaolu Guo
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Spatial Clustering ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Evaluation Model ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
River Networks ◽  
Structural Level ◽  
Urbanized Area ◽  
Urbanized Areas ◽  
Multiple Levels

Due to intense anthropogenic impacts, river networks in co-urbanized areas are severely degraded and fragmented, and their ability to supply multiple ecosystem services is greatly reduced. This study aimed to provide a novel technical approach to identify spatial priorities for complex and special linear water spaces in a co-urbanized area. This approach fully considers the features of river networks with multiple levels and multiple functions. We first identified two spatial configurations of river networks based on the river density: river cluster patches and river corridors, which were each divided into four spatial levels. We then assessed and mapped the multiple ecosystem services provided by each river level through a coupling evaluation model. Finally, based on the evaluation results and spatial clustering analysis, we identified priorities of linear water spaces using six priority grades. This priority identification method based on multiple levels and multiple ecosystem services of linear water spaces shows how a holistic catchment perspective can be applied to the practice of integrated river management in co-urbanized areas. Selecting conservation strategies for linear water spaces on the basis of their structural level and ecological contribution is a more targeted measure.

scholarly journals Exploring the use of new water quality indicators based on microbial communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Griffero ◽  
Emiliano Pereira-Flores ◽  
Belén González ◽  
Andrés Pérez ◽  
Cecilia Alonso
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Coastal Lagoons ◽  
High Impact ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Bacterial Indicators ◽  
Value Analysis ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Widespread Availability

The growing concern for the quality of water in aquatic ecosystems makes it essential to develop new indicators that allow evaluating and predicting their state against anthropogenic impact. Microorganisms are able to reflect quickly changes in their habitat, through both its taxonomic and functional characteristics, and that is why they are in consideration as indicators of environmental quality (*1). The objective of this work was to identify attributes of the composition and functionality of microbial communities, to be evaluated as an indicator of water quality, focusing on emerging pollutants (ECs). For that, ECs and bacterial communities were analyzed along the basins of two coastal lagoons encompassing an anthropogenic gradient, looking for taxonomic and functional indicators. Taxonomic indicators were looked using Illumina sequencing of 16S RNAr gene V4 region followed by identification of amplicon secuence variants (ASVs) and taxonomic annotation. In the case of functional indicators, shotgun sequencing was used added to identification and annotation of open reading frames (ORFs). Clustering techniques were implemented to define groups of sites based on the concentration of different categories of ECs. Then, the indicator value analysis (IndVal) (*2) was performed to identify taxonomic and functional traits that could be used as indicators of those groups. Finally, each sample was assigned to the corresponding group based on the indicators. A first analysis involved the search of taxonomic indicators for all the set of samples including three groups of sites of low, medium and high impact of emerging contamination. It was possible to find indicators with a very high IndVal value for the three groups of samples. All indicators were based on the co-occurrence of three ASVs belonging to several of the most abundant bacteria phyla (Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria). The bacterial indicators correctly assigned 100% and 93% of the samples to their corresponding group for streams and lagoons respectively. Then, a comparison between taxonomic and functional indicators using a subset of 41 samples was made, including two groups of samples: high and low-medium impact. Both the taxonomic and functional indicators showed high IndVal values for the high and low impact groups, being the highest in the case of functional genes Table 1. The high impact group was perfectly predicted for both taxonomic and functional indicators. The low-medium impact group was perfectly predicted by the functional indicators and 85% of the samples were correctly assigned by the taxonomic indicators. In conclusion, widespread availability of NGS technology allows for deep characterization of microbial diversity, enabling the use of robust ecological tools. Taking into account the high indval and prediction values, taxonomic and functional bacterial indicators appear as promissory candidates to evaluate for aquatic systems monitoring and conservation strategies.

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