1,211 research outputs found
The enlargement of the Suez Canal and introduction of non-indigenous species to the Mediterranean Sea
No full textThe Suez Canal is one of the most important waterways in the world – during the last year 17,148 ships passed through the Canal – reducing emissions, saving time, and operating costs to shippers. The rapid increase in ship size from the “Post-Suezmax” (> 12,000 TEU) to the latest container vessels (> 19,000 TEU) now requires enlargements of port facilities and canals.
A project of this magnitude, and with potentially negative environmental outcomes, requires a transparent and scientifically sound “Environmental Impact Assessment” (EIA). An explicit obligation on Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (https://www.cbd.int/doc/ legal/cbd-en.pdf) was made to consider transboundary impacts on biodiversity, particularly those associated with invasive non-indigenous species
Meiofauna communities, nematode diversity and C degradation rates in seagrass (Posidonia oceanica L.) and unvegetated sediments invaded by the algae Caulerpa cylindracea (Sonder)
No full textWe investigated meiofauna and sedimentary C cycling in seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) and unvegetated sediments invaded and not invaded by the non-indigenous tropical algae Caulerpa cylindracea. In both habitats, invaded sediments were characterized by higher organic matter contents. No effect was observed for prokaryotes and C degradation rates. In seagrass sediments, C turnover in invaded beds was about half that in not invaded ones. Meiofaunal communities varied significantly among invaded and not invaded grounds only in bare sediments. In both habitats, nematode species richness and assemblage composition were not affected by the algae. The effect of C. cylindracea on the turnover and nestedness components of the Jaccard dissimilarity varied between the two habitats. We show that the presence of C. cylindracea gives rise to variable consequences on meiofauna biodiversity and C cycling in different habitats. We conclude that further studies across different habitats and ecological components are needed to ultimately understand and predict the consequences of C. cylindracea invasion in shallow Mediterranean ecosystem
Utilizzo di metodi quantitativi per la pianificazione di un network di Aree Marine Protette
No full textDesign of marine protected areas in a human-dominated seascape
No full textConservation of the Mediterranean marine ecosystems is particularly challenging; high biodiversity is combined with high human population densities and a long history of resource exploitation. Residents and users of coastal areas often perceive marine conservation and management as limiting factors to economic development. Under these conditions, the creation of comprehensive systems of marine protected areas (MPAs) can be problematic. We selected a stretch of coast in southern Italy as a representative example of a Mediterranean coastline and nearshore marine ecosystems, featuring a complex matrix of vulnerable habitats in a landscape fragmented by multiple human activities and associated stressors. Through the use of site-selection algorithms, we investigated how human activities constrain MPA planning. Rather than assuming that patches of the same habitat found at different locations are interchangeable, we considered the scenario of a heterogeneous landscape of human impacts creating high variability in habitat quality. Despite widespread human influence, identification of portions of habitats to be protected from direct human disturbance as core no-take areas is still possible using the inclusion of 10 and 30% of low and high priority habitat, respectively, in reserves as a conservation target. Implementation of MPAs with a limited protection scheme that also include several small no-take areas could represent a feasible strategy for the conservation of Mediterranean coastal marine habitats. Moreover, MPAs could be combined with coastal zoning of activities as a means of further controlling effects over broader areas and allowing for recovery of degraded areas. Site-selection algorithms are invaluable tools for conservation planning. However, careful consideration of the potential constraints imposed by local human activities and future research aimed at filling existing gaps in understanding the ecology are crucial for making this approach useful in marine conservation planning
Spatial and temporal variability of sessile benthos in shallow Mediterranean marine caves
No full textHypotheses on the spatial and temporal distribution of sessile assemblages in submerged marine caves have rarely been tested. Classically, the distribution of cave benthos has been related mainly to the physical gradients along the exterior-interior axis. Using a multifactorial sampling design, we examined the distribution of species assemblages within 3 different caves in Southern Italy. Non-destructive sampling was repeated at 4 different times over a period of 11 mo. Results showed an overall pattern of change in the structure of the assemblages along the exterior-interior axis of the 3 caves (i.e. among sectors). Significant differences in species assemblages, however, were also observed within sectors (i.e. among areas), and changes in assemblages varied inconsistently with time and among caves. This result suggests a high complexity of the processes determining spatio-temporal distribution patterns in marine caves, which are context- and scale-dependent. Results also showed the uniqueness of these assemblages, which has important implications for their conservation and management
Spatial patterns and temporal variability of seagrass connectivity in the Mediterranean Sea
No full textAim The endemic seagrass Posidonia oceanica is a key component of the coastal seascapes of the Mediterranean Sea, where it provides crucial ecosystem services and promotes the assembly of diverse ecological communities. Although protection policies exist, P. oceanica meadows have been steadily declining in the recent past because of human activities and climate change. Here, we quantitatively analyse basin-wide patterns of seagrass connectivity over a 30-year-long period and identify connectivity hotspots that may serve as priority targets for conservation actions. Location Mediterranean Sea. Time period 1987-2016. Major taxa studied The seagrass P. oceanica. Methods A biophysical Lagrangian approach is used to simulate dispersal of seagrass fruits operated by marine currents. Connectivity metrics (self-retention, indegree and outdegree) are evaluated on top of Lagrangian simulations to identify the most ecologically connected areas. Time series of local connectivity scores are analysed to study temporal variability and possibly detect trends at different spatial scales. Results Spatio-temporal variability is an important component of seagrass connectivity in the Mediterranean. Connectivity hotspots are unevenly distributed in all of its four main sub-basins, and along both European and African coastlines. Although statistically significant local trends in connectivity are generally quite infrequent across the whole basin, they appear to be relatively more prevalent in connectivity hotspots. The interannual variability of average connectivity scores seems to be at least partially linked to meteorological fluctuations. Main conclusions The present study represents a step forward in the application of a quantitative, scalable and replicable methodological framework for the prioritization of seagrass conservation actions in the Mediterranean large marine ecosystem, a challenging environment characterized by complex socio-economic boundary conditions and high sensitivity to the localized effects of global climate change
First person – Simona Amodeo
No full textABSTRACT
First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Simona Amodeo is the first author on ‘Characterization of the novel mitochondrial genome replication factor MiRF172 in Trypanosoma brucei’, published in Journal of Cell Science. Simona is a PhD student in the lab of Torsten Ochsenreiter at the Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Switzerland, investigating mitochondrial genome anchoring, replication and inheritance in Trypanosoma brucei.</jats:p
Submarine caves in southern Apulia as priority habitats for conservation purposes
No full textThe coast between Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca (Salento Peninsula; Apulia) is rich in marine caves. The analysis of sessile benthos revealed a high variability among three caves investigated, whereas fish assemblages were more evenly distributed. Juvenile stages of several fish were recorded from inside the caves. Protection of marine caves, especially when they are particularly abundant, is highly advisable due to their potentially important ecological role (maintenance of biodiversity, nursery) not only as distinctive but also as representative habitats
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