8604 research outputs found
Sort by
Primary vs grey: A critical evaluation of literature sources used to assess the impacts of offshore wind farms
Get PDFThe evidence-base for environmental and social impacts of offshore wind farms (OWF) is increasing with the
exponential global growth of the offshore energy sector. In the UK, planning and consenting processes are
lengthy (7+ years) and rely largely on evidence from grey literature sources. To meet 2030 and 2050 renewable
energy targets and marine net gain ambition, policy and decision makers require access to the best available
data. Translating environmental impacts into ecosystem services (ES) provides a qualitative framework by which
to evaluate positive and negative outcomes. We review and synthesise UK grey literature (2012–2022) relating to
OWF impacts and compare reported ES outcomes with those from global primary literature (2002–2021). Grey
literature portrays a largely negative (71%) view of ES outcomes and fails to represent many positive ES out�comes reported in primary literature. In primary literature, 28% of reported ES outcomes are positive, but in UK
grey literature this is just 2%. Evidence gaps are highlighted for both literature types, with major gaps for
decommissioning outcomes, and sparse evidence for Provisioning ES (8%), Regulating ES (7%) and specific
operational pressures. We recommend evidence from both literature types is used to achieve environmentally
sound decision making and expedite planning and consenting times
Improved understanding of eutrophication trends, indicators and problem areas using machine learning
Get PDFNitrate is an essential inorganic nutrient limiting phytoplankton growth in many marine environments. Eutrophication, often caused by nitrogen deposition, is a reoccurring problem in coastal regions, including the North-West European Shelf (NWES). Despite of their importance, nitrate observations on the NWES are difficult to obtain and thus sparse both in time and space. We demonstrate that machine learning (ML) can generate, from sparse observations, a skilled, gap-free, bi-decadal (1998–2020) surface nitrate data-set. We demonstrate that the effective resolution (scales on which the data-set is skilled) is slightly coarser than the 7 km and daily resolution of the product, but still completely sufficient to analyse nitrate dynamics on a monthly scale. With such a data-set we can address questions that would be otherwise hard to answer: (i) We show that nitrate-limited regions on the NWES, potentially vulnerable to eutrophication, extend beyond the eutrophication-problem areas already identified by the monitoring bodies (i.e. OSPAR). The newly identified regions include southern Irish coastline and parts of Irish Sea, indicating that these areas could become problematic under sub-optimal policy, or management changes. (ii) We demonstrate that bi-decadal 1998–2020 trends in coastal nitrate, responding to long-term policy-driven reduction in riverine discharge, are mostly modest with a notable exception of the Bay of Biscay. (iii) We show that winter nitrate plays relatively minor direct role in the phytoplankton bloom intensity the following spring, which can have some implications for using winter inorganic nitrogen as eutrophication indicator (as often included by OSPAR)
Climate-driven global redistribution of an ocean giant predicts increased threat from shipping
No full textClimate change is shifting animal distributions. However, the extent to which future global habitats of threatened marine megafauna will overlap existing human threats remains unresolved. Here we use global climate models and habitat suitability estimated from long-term satellite-tracking data of the world’s largest fish, the whale shark, to show that redistributions of present-day habitats are projected to increase the species’ co-occurrence with global shipping. Our model projects core habitat area losses of >50% within some national waters by 2100, with geographic shifts of over 1,000 km (∼12 km yr−1). Greater habitat suitability is predicted in current range-edge areas, increasing the co-occurrence of sharks with large ships. This future increase was ∼15,000 times greater under high emissions compared with a sustainable development scenario. Results demonstrate that climate-induced global species redistributions that increase exposure to direct sources of mortality are possible, emphasizing the need for quantitative climate-threat predictions in conservation assessments of endangered marine megafaun
Seascape carbon management beyond wetlands as eligible blue carbon activities
Get PDFThis Issues Paper reviews peer-reviewed scientific evidence on the potential to expand carbon finance methodologies under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) to encompass Near Shore Seascape Carbon, beyond current ecosystems considered under such mechanisms, i.e., vegetated wetlands. For this assessment, no evidence was therefore reviewed on tidal wetlands, seagrasses, and mangrove ecosystems, for which carbon offset methodologies already exist. Management of blue carbon ecosystems has become an area of extreme interest in the context of providing nature-based solutions, or nature-inclusive designs for environmental management, that may help to deliver climate change mitigation. Carbon market methodologies for such defined management activities outline procedures that projects must follow to deliver GHG emission reductions or removals that are real, measurable, additional, permanent (>100 years), independently verified, and conservatively estimated. These methodologies must be rooted in scientific understanding of the global carbon cycle so that projects can develop high quality and credible carbon offsets for the carbon markets. Such carbon projects are coming online for tidal wetlands, particularly mangroves. A lack of scientific consensus and in many cases data gaps, amongst other challenges, have prevented the inclusion of other marine ecosystems under carbon market mechanisms thus far. This has limited the ability to harness private finance to further support the growth of ocean carbon conservation. In recent years, science has advanced at pace
The ascorbate biosynthesis pathway in plants is known, but there is a way to go with understanding control and functions
No full textAscorbate (vitamin C) is one of the most abundant primary metabolites in plants. Its complex chemistry enables it to function as an antioxidant, as a free radical scavenger, and as a reductant for iron and copper. Ascorbate biosynthesis occurs via the mannose/L-galactose pathway in green plants, and the evidence for this pathway being the major route is reviewed. Ascorbate accumulation is leaves is responsive to light, reflecting various roles in photoprotection. GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase (GGP) is the first dedicated step in the pathway and is important in controlling ascorbate synthesis. Its expression is determined by a combination of transcription and translation. Translation is controlled by an upstream open reading frame (uORF) which blocks translation of the main GGP-coding sequence, possibly in an ascorbate-dependent manner. GGP associates with a PAS-LOV protein, inhibiting its activity, and dissociation is induced by blue light. While low ascorbate mutants are susceptible to oxidative stress, they grow nearly normally. In contrast, mutants lacking ascorbate do not grow unless rescued by supplementation. Further research should investigate possible basal functions of ascorbate in severely deficient plants involving prevention of iron overoxidation in 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases and iron mobilization during seed development and germinatio
Coastal greening of grey infrastructure: an update on the state-of-the-art
No full textIn the marine environment, greening of grey infrastructure (GGI) is a rapidly growing field that attempts to encourage native marine life to colonize marine artificial structures to enhance biodiversity, thereby promoting ecosystem functioning and hence service provision. By designing multifunctional sea defences, breakwaters, port complexes and off-shore renewable energy installations, these structures can yield myriad environmental benefits, in particular, addressing UN SDG 14: Life below water. Whilst GGI has shown great promise and there is a growing evidence base, there remain many criticisms and knowledge gaps, and some feel that there is scope for GGI to be abused by developers to facilitate harmful development. Given the surge of research in this field in recent years, it is timely to review the literature to provide an update update on the state-of-the-art of the field in relation to the many criticisms and identify remaining knowledge gaps. Despite the rapid and significant advances made in this field, there is currently a lack of science and practice outside of academic sectors in the developed world, and there is a collective need for schemes that encourage intersectoral and transsectoral research, knowledge exchange, and capacity building to optimize GGI in the pursuit of contributing to sustainable development
Microplastic and PTFE contamination of food from cookware
Get PDFMicroplastics are a prolific environmental contaminant that have been evidenced in human tissues. Human
uptake of microplastic occurs via inhalation of airborne fibres and ingestion of microplastic-contaminated foods
and beverages. Plastic and PTFE-coated cookware and food contact materials may release micro- and nano�plastics into food during food preparation. In this study, the extent to which non-plastic, new plastic and old
plastic cookware releases microplastics into prepared food is investigated. Jelly is used as a food simulant, un�dergoing a series of processing steps including heating, cooling, mixing, slicing and storage to replicate food
preparation steps undertaken in home kitchens. Using non-plastic cookware did not introduce microplastics to
the food simulant. Conversely, using new and old plastic cookware resulted in significant increases in micro�plastic contamination. Microplastics comprised PTFE, polyethylene and polypropylene particulates and fibrous
particles, ranging 13–318 μm. Assuming a meal was prepared daily per the prescribed methodology, new and old
plastic cookware may be contributing 2409–4964 microplastics per annum into homecooked food. The health
implications of ingesting microplastics remains unclear
Upscaling marine forest restoration: challenges, solutions and recommendations from the Green Gravel Action Group
No full textIntroduction: To counteract the rapid loss of marine forests globally and meet international commitments of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the Convention on Biological Diversity ‘30 by 30’ targets, there is an urgent need to enhance our capacity for macroalgal restoration. The Green Gravel Action Group (GGAG) is a global network of 67 members that are working on the restoration of a diverse range of macroalgal forests and it aims to facilitate knowledge exchange to fast-track innovation and implementation of outplanting approaches worldwide.
Methods: Here, we overview 25 projects conducted by members of the group that are focused on testing and developing techniques for macroalgal restoration. Based on these projects, we summarise the major challenges associated with scaling up the area of marine forests restored.
Results: We identify several critical challenges that currently impede more widespread rollout of effective large-scale macroalgal restoration worldwide: 1) funding and capacity limitations, 2) difficulties arising from conditions at restoration sites, 3) technical barriers, and 4) challenges at the restoration-policy interface.
Discussion: Despite these challenges, there has been substantial progress, with an increasing number of efforts, community engagement and momentum towards scaling up activities in recent years. Drawing on the collective expertise of the GGAG, we outline key recommendations for the scaling up of restoration efforts to match the goals of international commitments. These include the establishment of novel pathways to fund macroalgal restoration activities, building skills and capacity, harnessing emerging innovations in mobile hatchery and seeding technologies, and the development of the scientific and governance frameworks necessary to implement and monitor macroalgal restoration projects at scal
Patterns of declining zooplankton energy in the northeast Atlantic as an indicator for marine survival of Atlantic salmon
No full textReturn rates of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from the sea to European rivers have declined in recent decades. The first months at sea are critical for growth and survival; recent evidence suggests that reduced food availability may be a contributory factor to the observed declines. Here, zooplankton abundance data are used to derive a measure of prey energy available to forage fish prey of salmon during early marine migration. This zooplankton prey energy has significantly and dramatically declined over much of the northeast Atlantic, and specifically within key salmon migration domains, over the past 60 years. Marine return rates from a set of southern European populations are found to exhibit clustering not entirely predictable from geographical proximity. Variability in grouped return rates from these populations is correlated with zooplankton energy on a range of scales, demonstrating the potential use of zooplankton energy as an indicator of salmon marine survival. Comparison with environmental variables derived from ocean model reanalysis data suggests zooplankton energy is regulated by a combination of climate change impacts on ecosystem productivity and multi-decadal variability in water mass influence along the migration route
Baseline matters: Challenges and implications of different marine heatwave baselines
No full textMarine heatwaves (MHWs), prolonged periods of unusually high ocean temperatures, significantly impact global ecosystems. However, there is ongoing debate regarding the definition of these extreme events, which is crucial for effective research and communication among marine scientists, decision-makers, and the broader public. Fundamental to all MHW analyses is a clearly defined background oceanic climate – i.e., a temperature ‘baseline’ against which the MHW is defined. While a single approach to implementing a baseline may not be suitable for all MHW research applications, the choice of a baseline for analysing MHWs must be intentional as it affects research outcomes.
This perspective examines baseline choices and discusses their implications for marine organism and ecosystem risks, and their relevance in communicating MHW characteristics and metrics to stakeholders, policymakers, and the public. In particular we analyse five different baseline approaches for computing MHW statistics, assess their technical differences, and discuss their ecological implications. Different baselines suggest widely different trends in MHW characteristics in a warming world. This would, for example, imply differences in future risk, reflective of marine organisms with different adaptive potential, thereby affecting recommendations for management strategies. We also examine the consequences of different baseline choices on ease of implementation and communication with wider audiences. Our analyses highlight the need to clearly specify a chosen baseline in MHW studies, and to be mindful of its implications for MHW statistics, practical considerations, and interpretations concerning the adaptive capacities of marine organisms, ecosystems and human systems. The challenges and implications of different MHW baselines highlighted here have similar relevance in research and communication for other branches of climate extreme