scholarly journals Biodiversity Monitoring in Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas: Scientific and Methodological Challenges

Diversity ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Carlo Nike Bianchi ◽  
Annalisa Azzola ◽  
Silvia Cocito ◽  
Carla Morri ◽  
Alice Oprandi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Spatial Modelling ◽  
Habitat Diversity ◽  
Ecosystem Change ◽  
Environmental Status ◽  
Genes To Ecosystems

Biodiversity is a portmanteau word to indicate the variety of life at all levels from genes to ecosystems, but it is often simplistically equated to species richness; the word ecodiversity has thus been coined to address habitat variety. Biodiversity represents the core of the natural capital, and as such needs to be quantified and followed over time. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a major tool for biodiversity conservation at sea. Monitoring of both species and habitat diversity in MPAs is therefore mandatory and must include both inventory and periodic surveillance activities. In the case of inventories, the ideal would be to census all species and all habitats, but while the latter goal can be within reach, the former seems unattainable. Species inventory should be commeasured to investigation effort, while habitat inventory should be based on mapping. Both inventories may profit from suitability spatial modelling. Periodic surveillance actions should privilege conspicuous species and priority habitats. Efficient descriptor taxa and ecological indices are recommended to evaluate environmental status. While it seems obvious that surveillance activities should be carried out with regular recurrence, diachronic inventories and mapping are rarely carried out. Time series are of prime importance to detect marine ecosystem change even in the absence of direct human impacts.

scholarly journals Autonomous Marine Robot Based on AI Recognition for Permanent Surveillance in Marine Protected Areas

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2664
Author(s):  
J. Carlos Molina-Molina ◽  
Marouane Salhaoui ◽  
Antonio Guerrero-González ◽  
Mounir Arioua
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Recognition Accuracy ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Base Station ◽  
Autonomous Surface Vehicle ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
Illegal Activities ◽  
Marine Areas

The world’s oceans are one of the most valuable sources of biodiversity and resources on the planet, although there are areas where the marine ecosystem is threatened by human activities. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are distinctive spaces protected by law due to their unique characteristics, such as being the habitat of endangered marine species. Even with this protection, there are still illegal activities such as poaching or anchoring that threaten the survival of different marine species. In this context, we propose an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) model system for the surveillance of marine areas by detecting and recognizing vessels through artificial intelligence (AI)-based image recognition services, in search of those carrying out illegal activities. Cloud and edge AI computing technologies were used for computer vision. These technologies have proven to be accurate and reliable in detecting shapes and objects for which they have been trained. Azure edge and cloud vision services offer the best option in terms of accuracy for this task. Due to the lack of 4G and 5G coverage in offshore marine environments, it is necessary to use radio links with a coastal base station to ensure communications, which may result in a high response time due to the high latency involved. The analysis of on-board images may not be sufficiently accurate; therefore, we proposed a smart algorithm for autonomy optimization by selecting the proper AI technology according to the current scenario (SAAO) capable of selecting the best AI source for the current scenario in real time, according to the required recognition accuracy or low latency. The SAAO optimizes the execution, efficiency, risk reduction, and results of each stage of the surveillance mission, taking appropriate decisions by selecting either cloud or edge vision models without human intervention.

scholarly journals eDNA metabarcoding as a biomonitoring tool for marine protected areas

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Gold ◽  
Joshua Sprague ◽  
David J. Kushner ◽  
Erick Zerecero ◽  
Paul H. Barber
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Reserve ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Site Occupancy ◽  
Visual Methods ◽  
Visual Census ◽  
Underwater Visual Census ◽  
Promising Alternative

AbstractMonitoring of marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical for marine ecosystem management, yet current protocols rely on SCUBA-based visual surveys that are costly and time consuming, limiting their scope and effectiveness. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a promising alternative for marine ecosystem monitoring, but more direct comparisons to visual surveys are needed to understand the strengths and limitations of each approach. This study compares fish communities inside and outside the Scorpion State Marine Reserve off Santa Cruz Island, CA using eDNA metabarcoding and underwater visual census surveys. Results from eDNA captured 76% (19/25) of fish species and 95% (19/20) of fish genera observed during pairwise underwater visual census. Species missed by eDNA were due to the inability of MiFish 12S barcodes to differentiate species of rockfishes (Sebastes, n=4) or low site occupancy rates of crevice-dwelling Lythrypnus gobies. However, eDNA detected an additional 30 fish species not recorded in paired visual surveys, but previously reported from prior visual surveys, highlighting the sensitivity of eDNA. Significant variation in eDNA signatures by location (50m) and site (~1000m) demonstrates the sensitivity of eDNA to address key questions such as community composition inside and outside MPAs. Interestingly, eDNA results recorded higher species richness outside the MPA while visual surveys observed the opposite pattern. This result is likely caused by swamping effects of high fish abundance in MPAs that reduce detection probabilities of pelagic and intertidal taxa. Results demonstrate the utility of eDNA metabarcoding for monitoring marine ecosystems, providing an important complementary tool to visual methods.

CASCADING HUMAN IMPACTS, MARINE PROTECTED AREAS, AND THE STRUCTURE OF MEDITERRANEAN REEF ASSEMBLAGES

2005 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiorenza Micheli ◽  
Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi ◽  
Silvia Gambaccini ◽  
Iacopo Bertocci ◽  
Costanza Borsini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Human Impacts

Causes and Consequences of the Black Sea Ecosystem Pollution with Petroleum Products

2020 ◽  
pp. 29-44
Author(s):  
Bogdan Cioruța ◽  
Diana Mădăras ◽  
Mirela Coman
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Black Sea ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Petroleum Products ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Oil Pipeline

Until the beginning of the 21st century concerns related to the management of protected areas have been reduced to the voluntary initiatives of nature lovers, rarely materializing in specific conservation measures carried out by the authorities or administrators of those areas. As the concern for the management of protected areas is relatively new in Romania and the information related to this subject is relatively scarce, especially those regarding marine ecosystems, we considered necessary this study on the management of marine protected areas in relation to oil pollution. Marine protected areas, in particular, delimited as areas where the main purpose is the protection of nature and cultural values, are important for all segments of society. They have great potential to become models of harmonious society development, promoting more than other protected areas the sustainable resource management. At the same time, the management measures promoted, sometimes imposed, can affect the communities inside or in the immediate vicinity of the areas, and can significantly influence the development of the economy. Recently (as a reference 1970-2020), the pollution of the marine environment with petroleum products has gained dramatic accents. The maritime transport of oil, the exploration and exploitation of marine deposits, their processing in refineries located in the vicinity of the coastal area, to which are added other anthropogenic activities, have generated and still generate a number of risk factors, which involve numerous pollution incidents. Navigation accidents of large oil tanks or incidents at offshore drilling rigs caused, in the same period, major environmental disasters, with the most severe consequences. Marine ecosystems in polluted regions have thus suffered major losses and disturbances, which have been felt for a long time. Through this paper we aim to review some aspects of oil pipeline pollution of the Planetary Ocean, respectively the associated pollution in the Black Sea ecosystem. Following the analyzes carried out on the basis of the data from the consulted literature, as well as following other observations, we came to the conclusion that the protected areas associated with the Black Sea, as well as the marine ecosystem itself, are far from being affected by such accidents.

scholarly journals Biodiversity in the Black Sea - ecological Study from the Perspective of Romanian philately

2021 ◽  
pp. 35-50
Author(s):  
Bogdan-Vasile Cioruța ◽  
Alexandru Leonard Pop ◽  
Mirela Coman
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Black Sea ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
General Public ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Postage Stamps

As the concern for the management of protected areas is relatively new in Romania, and the information related to this topic is relatively scarce, especially those on marine ecosystems, we considered necessary this study on the management of marine protected areas with specific biodiversity illustrated by philately. Marine protected areas, in particular, delimited as areas where the main purpose is the protection of nature and cultural values, are important for all segments of society. Through this paper, we aimed to review several aspects, ecological and philatelic alike, regarding the specific biodiversity of the Black Sea ecosystem. Following the analyzes performed on account of the data from the consulted specialized literature (in the form of postage stamps, FDCs, occasional envelopes, and maximum postcards, but also other philatelic effects), as well as as a result of other observations (with catalogs and sites with philatelic content), we concluded that the biodiversity of the Black Sea, as well as the marine ecosystem itself, are relatively well represented in Romanian philately. The four philatelic issues illustrate crustaceans, mollusks, corals, and anemones, but also other species, all being to the liking of the general public in terms of information and promotion.

scholarly journals An integrated assessment of the Good Environmental Status of Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas

2022 ◽  
Vol 305 ◽  
pp. 114370
Author(s):  
Simonetta Fraschetti ◽  
Erika Fabbrizzi ◽  
Laura Tamburello ◽  
María C. Uyarra ◽  
Fiorenza Micheli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Integrated Assessment ◽  
Environmental Status ◽  
Good Environmental Status

scholarly journals eDNA metabarcoding as a biomonitoring tool for marine protected areas

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0238557
Author(s):  
Zachary Gold ◽  
Joshua Sprague ◽  
David J. Kushner ◽  
Erick Zerecero Marin ◽  
Paul H. Barber
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Reserve ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Site Occupancy ◽  
Visual Methods ◽  
Visual Census ◽  
Underwater Visual Census ◽  
Promising Alternative

Monitoring of marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical for marine ecosystem management, yet current protocols rely on SCUBA-based visual surveys that are costly and time consuming, limiting their scope and effectiveness. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a promising alternative for marine ecosystem monitoring, but more direct comparisons to visual surveys are needed to understand the strengths and limitations of each approach. This study compares fish communities inside and outside the Scorpion State Marine Reserve off Santa Cruz Island, CA using eDNA metabarcoding and underwater visual census surveys. Results from eDNA captured 76% (19/25) of fish species and 95% (19/20) of fish genera observed during pairwise underwater visual census. Species missed by eDNA were due to the inability of MiFish 12S barcodes to differentiate species of rockfishes (Sebastes, n = 4) or low site occupancy rates of crevice-dwelling Lythrypnus gobies. However, eDNA detected an additional 23 fish species not recorded in paired visual surveys, but previously reported from prior visual surveys, highlighting the sensitivity of eDNA. Significant variation in eDNA signatures by location (50 m) and site (~1000 m) demonstrates the sensitivity of eDNA to address key questions such as community composition inside and outside MPAs. Results demonstrate the utility of eDNA metabarcoding for monitoring marine ecosystems, providing an important complementary tool to visual methods.

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