scholarly journals Marine benthic communities and anthropogenic activities in Sept-Îles (Canada): a peaceful coexistence?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot Dreujou ◽  
Philippe Archambault ◽  
Christopher W McKindsey
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Industrial Wastes ◽  
Cumulative Impacts ◽  
Peaceful Coexistence ◽  
Small Spatial Scale ◽  
Cumulative Impact ◽  
Cumulative Stress ◽  
Benthic Ecosystems

With the development of coastal human activities comes the growing need to develop methods to describe their cumulative impacts on marine benthic communities at local geographic scales. Local assessments facilitate dialogue between multiple users of the ecosystem (industries, individuals) and allow to better understand variation among benthic communities in a given region. In this project, we aim to develop indicators of cumulative impacts to assess the environmental health of benthic ecosystems within industrialized regions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence at a small spatial scale (0.01 km2). We selected coastal regions around Sept-Îles, where numerous human activities are present at different intensities (such as international shipping, fisheries or domestic and industrial wastes). Subtidal ecosystems were sampled in 2016-2017 to characterize macro-endobenthic diversity and abiotic parameters of the sediment. We calculated impact scores for each human activity based on the distance from the source and the magnitude of its impact. We thus identified hotspots of cumulative impact and changes in the biotic and abiotic compartments along impact gradients. These results will be used for the development of indicators of cumulative stress and to understand resilience and stability of bay-scale benthic communities.

scholarly journals Marine benthic communities and anthropogenic activities in Sept-Îles (Canada): a peaceful coexistence?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot Dreujou ◽  
Philippe Archambault ◽  
Christopher W McKindsey
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Industrial Wastes ◽  
Cumulative Impacts ◽  
Peaceful Coexistence ◽  
Small Spatial Scale ◽  
Cumulative Impact ◽  
Cumulative Stress ◽  
Benthic Ecosystems

With the development of coastal human activities comes the growing need to develop methods to describe their cumulative impacts on marine benthic communities at local geographic scales. Local assessments facilitate dialogue between multiple users of the ecosystem (industries, individuals) and allow to better understand variation among benthic communities in a given region. In this project, we aim to develop indicators of cumulative impacts to assess the environmental health of benthic ecosystems within industrialized regions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence at a small spatial scale (0.01 km2). We selected coastal regions around Sept-Îles, where numerous human activities are present at different intensities (such as international shipping, fisheries or domestic and industrial wastes). Subtidal ecosystems were sampled in 2016-2017 to characterize macro-endobenthic diversity and abiotic parameters of the sediment. We calculated impact scores for each human activity based on the distance from the source and the magnitude of its impact. We thus identified hotspots of cumulative impact and changes in the biotic and abiotic compartments along impact gradients. These results will be used for the development of indicators of cumulative stress and to understand resilience and stability of bay-scale benthic communities.

scholarly journals The effects of an invasive seaweed on native communities vary along a gradient of land-based human impacts

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Bulleri ◽  
Fabio Badalamenti ◽  
Ljiljana Iveša ◽  
Barbara Mikac ◽  
Luigi Musco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Cumulative Impact ◽  
Rocky Reefs ◽  
Invasive Seaweed ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Algal Turfs

The difficulty in teasing apart the effects of biological invasions from those of other anthropogenic perturbations has hampered our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the global biodiversity crisis. The recent elaboration of global-scale maps of cumulative human impacts provides a unique opportunity to assess how the impact of invaders varies among areas exposed to different anthropogenic activities. A recent meta-analysis has shown that the effects of invasive seaweeds on native biota tend to be more negative in relatively pristine than in human-impacted environments. Here, we tested this hypothesis through the experimental removal of the invasive green seaweed,Caulerpa cylindracea, from rocky reefs across the Mediterranean Sea. More specifically, we assessed which out of land-based and sea-based cumulative impact scores was a better predictor of the direction and magnitude of the effects of this seaweed on extant and recovering native assemblages. Approximately 15 months after the start of the experiment, the removal ofC. cylindraceafrom extant assemblages enhanced the cover of canopy-forming macroalgae at relatively pristine sites. This did not, however, result in major changes in total cover or species richness of native assemblages. PreventingC. cylindraceare-invasion of cleared plots at pristine sites promoted the recovery of canopy-forming and encrusting macroalgae and hampered that of algal turfs, ultimately resulting in increased species richness. These effects weakened progressively with increasing levels of land-based human impacts and, indeed, shifted in sign at the upper end of the gradient investigated. Thus, at sites exposed to intense disturbance from land-based human activities, the removal ofC. cylindraceafostered the cover of algal turfs and decreased that of encrusting algae, with no net effect on species richness. Our results suggests that competition fromC. cylindraceais an important determinant of benthic assemblage diversity in pristine environments, but less so in species-poor assemblages found at sites exposed to intense disturbance from land-based human activities, where either adverse physical factors or lack of propagules may constrain the number of potential native colonizers. Implementing measures to reduce the establishment and spread ofC. cylindraceain areas little impacted by land-based human activities should be considered a priority for preserving the biodiversity of Mediterranean shallow rocky reefs.

scholarly journals Glacial melt disturbance shifts community metabolism of an Antarctic seafloor ecosystem from net autotrophy to heterotrophy

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Braeckman ◽  
Francesca Pasotti ◽  
Ralf Hoffmann ◽  
Susana Vázquez ◽  
Angela Wulff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Balance ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Benthic Primary Production ◽  
Community Metabolism ◽  
West Antarctic ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Net Heterotrophy ◽  
Benthic Ecosystems ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractClimate change-induced glacial melt affects benthic ecosystems along the West Antarctic Peninsula, but current understanding of the effects on benthic primary production and respiration is limited. Here we demonstrate with a series of in situ community metabolism measurements that climate-related glacial melt disturbance shifts benthic communities from net autotrophy to heterotrophy. With little glacial melt disturbance (during cold El Niño spring 2015), clear waters enabled high benthic microalgal production, resulting in net autotrophic benthic communities. In contrast, water column turbidity caused by increased glacial melt run-off (summer 2015 and warm La Niña spring 2016) limited benthic microalgal production and turned the benthic communities net heterotrophic. Ongoing accelerations in glacial melt and run-off may steer shallow Antarctic seafloor ecosystems towards net heterotrophy, altering the metabolic balance of benthic communities and potentially impacting the carbon balance and food webs at the Antarctic seafloor.

scholarly journals Regulations are needed to protect freshwater ecosystems from salinization

2018 ◽  
Vol 374 (1764) ◽  
pp. 20180019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Schuler ◽  
Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles ◽  
William D. Hintz ◽  
Brenda Dyack ◽  
Sebastian Birk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Industrial Wastes ◽  
Anthropogenic Source ◽  
Economic Costs ◽  
Regulatory Standards ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
Freshwater Salinization

Anthropogenic activities such as mining, agriculture and industrial wastes have increased the rate of salinization of freshwater ecosystems around the world. Despite the known and probable consequences of freshwater salinization, few consequential regulatory standards and management procedures exist. Current regulations are generally inadequate because they are regionally inconsistent, lack legal consequences and have few ion-specific standards. The lack of ion-specific standards is problematic, because each anthropogenic source of freshwater salinization is associated with a distinct set of ions that can present unique social and economic costs. Additionally, the environmental and toxicological consequences of freshwater salinization are often dependent on the occurrence, concentration and ratios of specific ions. Therefore, to protect fresh waters from continued salinization, discrete, ion-specific management and regulatory strategies should be considered for each source of freshwater salinization, using data from standardized, ion-specific monitoring practices. To develop comprehensive monitoring, regulatory, and management guidelines, we recommend the use of co-adaptive, multi-stakeholder approaches that balance environmental, social, and economic costs and benefits associated with freshwater salinization. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects’.

scholarly journals Aliens in the Aegean – a sea under siege (ALAS)

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stelios Katsanevakis ◽  
Konstantinos Tsirintanis ◽  
Maria Sini ◽  
Vasilis Gerovasileiou ◽  
Nikoletta Koukourouvli
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Aegean Sea ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Cumulative Impacts ◽  
Cumulative Impact ◽  
Marine Habitats

ALAS aims to fill knowledge gaps on the impacts of marine alien species in the Aegean Sea, and support marine managers and policy makers in prioritizing mitigation actions. The project will focus on under-studied alien-native interactions, priority and vulnerable habitats (such as shallow forests of canopy algae and underwater caves), and apply a multitude of approaches. It will apply a standardized, quantitative method for mapping Cumulative IMpacts of invasive Alien species on marine ecosystems (CIMPAL), according to which cumulative impact scores are estimated on the basis of the distributions of invasive species and ecosystems, and both the reported magnitude of ecological impacts and the strength of such evidence. Towards that direction, ALAS will improve our knowledge base and compile the needed information to estimate CIMPAL by (1) conducting a series of field experiments and surveys to investigate the impacts of selected invasive alien species on marine habitats, (2) producing high-resolution habitat maps in the coastal zone, refining the results of previous research efforts through fieldwork, remote sensing and satellite imaging, (3) producing species distribution models for all invasive species, based on extensive underwater surveys for the collection of new data and integrating all existing information. ALAS will incorporate skills and analyses in novel ways and provide high-resolution results at a large scale; couple classic and novel tools and follow a trans-disciplinary approach, combining knowledge from the fields of invasion biology, conservation biology, biogeography, fisheries science, marine ecology, remote sensing, statistical modelling; conduct for the first time in the Aegean Sea a comprehensive, high-resolution analysis of cumulative impacts of invasive alien species; and report results in formats appropriate for decision-makers and society, thus transferring research-based knowledge to inform and influence policy decisions.

scholarly journals Cumulative human threats on fish biodiversity components in Tunisian waters

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 190 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. BEN RAIS LASRAM ◽  
T. HATTAB ◽  
G. HALOUANI ◽  
M.S. ROMDHANE ◽  
F. LE LOC'H ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Quantitative Method ◽  
Phylogenetic Diversity ◽  
Cumulative Impacts ◽  
Current Conservation ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Management Context ◽  
First Time ◽  
Country Specific ◽  
Future Management

Human activities are increasingly impacting biodiversity. To improve conservation planning measures in an ecosystem-based management context, we need to explore how the effects of these activities interact with different biodiversity components. In this study, we used a semi-quantitative method to assess the cumulative impacts of human activities on three biodiversity components (species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and functional diversity) in Tunisia’s exclusive economic zone. For each of the nine activities considered, we developed an understanding of their effects from local studies and the expert opinion of stakeholders with country-specific experience. We mapped the cumulative effects and the three biodiversity components and then assessed the degree to which these elements overlapped using an overlap index. This is the first time such an assessment has been made for Tunisia’s marine ecosystems and our assessment highlight the inappropriateness of current conservation measures. The results of this study have specific application for the prioritization of future management actions.

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 The Washington State Environmental Health Disparities Map: Development of a Community-Responsive Cumulative Impacts Assessment Tool

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (22) ◽  
pp. 4470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Min ◽  
Deric Gruen ◽  
Debolina Banerjee ◽  
Tina Echeverria ◽  
Lauren Freelander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Disparities ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Washington State ◽  
Cumulative Impacts ◽  
Cumulative Impact ◽  
Community Voice ◽  
Mapping Tool ◽  
Interactive Map

Communities across Washington State have expressed the need for neighborhood-level information on the cumulative impact of environmental hazards and social conditions to illuminate disparities and address environmental justice issues. Many existing mapping tools have not explicitly integrated community voice and lived experience as an integral part of their development. The goals of this project were to create a new community–academic–government partnership to collect and summarize community concerns and to develop a publicly available mapping tool that ranks relative environmental health disparities for populations across Washington State. Using a community-driven framework, we developed the Washington Environmental Health Disparities Map, a cumulative environmental health impacts assessment tool. Nineteen regularly updated environmental and population indicators were integrated into the geospatial tool that allows for comparisons of the cumulative impacts between census tracts. This interactive map provides critical information for the public, agencies, policymakers, and community-based organizations to make informed decisions. The unique community–academic–government partnership and the community-driven framework can be used as a template for other environmental and social justice mapping endeavors.

scholarly journals Quantifying the Impacts of Anthropogenic Activities and Climate Variations on Vegetation Productivity Changes in China from 1985 to 2015

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1113
Author(s):  
Shahid Naeem ◽  
Yongqiang Zhang ◽  
Jing Tian ◽  
Faisal Mueen Qamer ◽  
Aamir Latif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Net Primary Productivity ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Climate Factors ◽  
Climate Variations ◽  
Base Period ◽  
Increasing Trends

Accurate assessment of vegetation dynamics provides important information for ecosystem management. Anthropogenic activities and climate variations are the major factors that primarily influence vegetation ecosystems. This study investigates the spatiotemporal impacts of climate factors and human activities on vegetation productivity changes in China from 1985 to 2015. Actual net primary productivity (ANPP) is used to reflect vegetation dynamics quantitatively. Climate-induced potential net primary productivity (PNPP) is used as an indicator of climate change, whereas the difference between PNPP and ANPP is considered as an indicator of human activities (HNPP). Overall, 91% of the total vegetation cover area shows declining trends for net primary productivity (NPP), while only 9% shows increasing trends before 2000 (base period). However, after 2000 (restoration period), 78.7% of the total vegetation cover area shows increasing trends, whereas 21.3% of the area shows decreasing trends. Moreover, during the base period, the quantitative contribution of climate change to NPP restoration is 0.21 grams carbon per meter square per year (gC m−2 yr−1) and to degradation is 2.41 gC m−2 yr−1, while during the restoration period, climate change contributes 0.56 and 0.29 gC m−2 yr−1 to NPP restoration and degradation, respectively. Human activities contribute 0.36 and 0.72 gC m−2 yr−1 during the base period, and 0.63 and 0.31 gC m−2 yr−1 during the restoration period to NPP restoration and degradation, respectively. The combined effects of climate and human activities restore 0.65 and 1.11 gC m−2 yr−1, and degrade 2.01 and 0.67 gC m−2 yr−1 during the base and restoration periods, respectively. Climate factors affect vegetation cover more than human activities, while precipitation is found to be more sensitive to NPP change than temperature. Unlike the base period, NPP per unit area increases with an increase in the human footprint pressure during the restoration period. Grassland has more variability than other vegetation classes, and the grassland changes are mainly observed in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia regions. The results may help policy-makers by providing necessary guidelines for the management of forest, grassland, and agricultural activities.

Influences of natural and anthropogenic processes on the groundwater quality in the Dagujia River Basin in Yantai, China

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henghua Zhu ◽  
Jianwei Zhou ◽  
Tingting Song ◽  
Haibo Feng ◽  
Zhizheng Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Seawater Intrusion ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Total Hardness ◽  
Chemical Components ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
Rock Interaction ◽  
Natural Processes

Abstract Groundwater plays an important role in water supply and economic development for Yantai city, China. However, the groundwater quality has degraded due to the increase and expansion of agricultural and industrial development. It is urgent to acquire groundwater characteristics and distinguish impacts of natural factors and anthropogenic activities on the groundwater quality. Forty-six groundwater samples collected from different wells showed a great variation of chemical components across the study area. Most wells with higher total dissolved solids, total hardness, K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl− and SO42− concentrations were located relatively close to the coastal zone. The factor analysis (FA) and hierarchical cluster analysis results displayed that seawater intrusion was the primary mechanism controlling the groundwater quality in the coastal areas. A three-factor model was proposed based on the FA and explained over 85% of the total groundwater quality variation: Factor 1, the seawater intrusion; Factor 2, the water–rock interaction and Factor 3 (NO3−), the human activities. Furthermore, the geographical maps of the factor scores clearly described the spatial distributions of wells affected by natural processes or human activities. The study indicated that both natural processes and human activities are the major factors affecting the chemical compositions of groundwater.

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