1
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Gissi E, Goodman MC, Elahi R, McDevitt-Irwin JM, Arnoldi NS, Arafeh-Dalmau N, Knight CJ, Olguín-Jacobson C, Palmisciano M, Tillman CM, De Leo GA, Micheli F. Sex-specific variation in species interactions matters in ecological communities. Trends Ecol Evol 2024:S0169-5347(24)00171-X. [PMID: 39107207 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2024.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Understanding how natural communities and ecosystems are structured and respond to anthropogenic pressures in a rapidly changing world is key to successful management and conservation. A fundamental but often overlooked biological characteristic of organisms is sex. Sex-based responses are often considered when conducting studies at organismal and population levels, but are rarely investigated in community ecology. Focusing on kelp forests as a model system, and through a review of other marine and terrestrial ecosystems, we found evidence of widespread sex-based variation in species interactions. Sex-based variation in species interactions is expected to affect ecosystem structure and functioning via multiple trophic and nontrophic pathways. Understanding the drivers and consequences of sex-based variation in species interactions can inform more effective management and restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Gissi
- Oceans Department, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA; National Research Council, Institute of Marine Science, Venice, 30122, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, 90133, Italy.
| | | | - Robin Elahi
- Oceans Department, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Jamie M McDevitt-Irwin
- Oceans Department, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA; Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93117, USA
| | - Natalie S Arnoldi
- Oceans Department, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Nur Arafeh-Dalmau
- Oceans Department, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA; Department of Geography, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Christopher J Knight
- Oceans Department, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | | | - Melissa Palmisciano
- Oceans Department, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Ceyenna M Tillman
- Oceans Department, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Giulio A De Leo
- Oceans Department, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Fiorenza Micheli
- Oceans Department, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA; Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
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2
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Dedman S, Moxley JH, Papastamatiou YP, Braccini M, Caselle JE, Chapman DD, Cinner JE, Dillon EM, Dulvy NK, Dunn RE, Espinoza M, Harborne AR, Harvey ES, Heupel MR, Huveneers C, Graham NAJ, Ketchum JT, Klinard NV, Kock AA, Lowe CG, MacNeil MA, Madin EMP, McCauley DJ, Meekan MG, Meier AC, Simpfendorfer CA, Tinker MT, Winton M, Wirsing AJ, Heithaus MR. Ecological roles and importance of sharks in the Anthropocene Ocean. Science 2024; 385:adl2362. [PMID: 39088608 DOI: 10.1126/science.adl2362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
In ecosystems, sharks can be predators, competitors, facilitators, nutrient transporters, and food. However, overfishing and other threats have greatly reduced shark populations, altering their roles and effects on ecosystems. We review these changes and implications for ecosystem function and management. Macropredatory sharks are often disproportionately affected by humans but can influence prey and coastal ecosystems, including facilitating carbon sequestration. Like terrestrial predators, sharks may be crucial to ecosystem functioning under climate change. However, large ecosystem effects of sharks are not ubiquitous. Increasing human uses of oceans are changing shark roles, necessitating management consideration. Rebuilding key populations and incorporating shark ecological roles, including less obvious ones, into management efforts are critical for retaining sharks' functional value. Coupled social-ecological frameworks can facilitate these efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Dedman
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Jerry H Moxley
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Yannis P Papastamatiou
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Matias Braccini
- Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, North Beach, WA 6920, Australia
| | - Jennifer E Caselle
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Demian D Chapman
- Sharks and Rays Conservation Research Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
| | - Joshua Eli Cinner
- Thriving Oceans Research Hub, School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Erin M Dillon
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panama
| | - Nicholas K Dulvy
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Ruth Elizabeth Dunn
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
- The Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4BA, UK
| | - Mario Espinoza
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José 2060-11501, Costa Rica
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José 2060-11501, Costa Rica
- MigraMar, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, USA
| | - Alastair R Harborne
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Euan S Harvey
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, WA, Australia
| | - Michelle R Heupel
- Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Integrated Marine Observing System, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Charlie Huveneers
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | | | - James T Ketchum
- MigraMar, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, USA
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Natalie V Klinard
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Alison A Kock
- Cape Research Centre, South African National Parks, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
| | - Christopher G Lowe
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA
| | - M Aaron MacNeil
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M P Madin
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA
| | - Douglas J McCauley
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Mark G Meekan
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Amelia C Meier
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA
| | - Colin A Simpfendorfer
- Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - M Tim Tinker
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Megan Winton
- Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, North Chatham, MA 02650, USA
| | - Aaron J Wirsing
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Michael R Heithaus
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
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3
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Le Croizier G, Hoyos-Padilla M, Amezcua-Martínez F, Aquino-Baleytó M, Besnard L, Le Grand F, Le Loc'h F, Mathieu-Resuge M, Munaron JM, Ory A, Sardenne F, Schaal G, Lorrain A. Can biochemical tracers reveal ontogenetic trophic shift and individual prey selection in white sharks from Guadalupe Island, Northeast Pacific? ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024:119507. [PMID: 38944105 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Refining the role of apex predators in marine food webs is a necessary step in predicting the consequences of their global decline under the footprint of fishing activities. White sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are vulnerable predators, performing large migrations and able to forage on a variety of prey in different habitats. In the Northeast Pacific, juvenile and adult white sharks are found seasonally at the same aggregation sites, such as Guadalupe Island off Mexico. While adults are thought to target local pinniped colonies, very few prey-predator interactions have been documented and the diet of juveniles in this area remains poorly understood. Here we used carbon/nitrogen stable isotopes and fatty acids to characterize the trophic ecology of white sharks at Guadalupe Island. In contrast to the ontogenetic trophic shift paradigm, we detected no influence of size on muscle stable isotope and fatty acid composition, revealing no significant dietary variation between juvenile and adult sharks. Stable isotopes did not allow definitive conclusions to be drawn regarding the diet of white sharks at Guadalupe Island, due to significant variability in the contribution of different potential prey depending on the trophic discrimination factors used. However, most sharks were rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (such as long-chain omega 3), suggesting a local diet of mainly pelagic prey (potentially large fish or cephalopods). A few individuals appeared to show recent consumption of pinnipeds, with higher proportions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. These individual differences in fatty acid composition could reflect an ecological trade-off between consumption of prey rich in fat (marine mammals) versus prey rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (pelagic prey), respectively meeting the energetic and physiological needs of white sharks. Although ontogenetic trophic changes were not able to be discerned, our results thus provide new insights into the physiological drivers of predator-prey interactions, which can benefit the definition of conservation strategies in a changing ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Le Croizier
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzané, France.
| | - Mauricio Hoyos-Padilla
- Pelagios-Kakunjá A.C. Sinaloa 1540. Col. Las Garzas. C.P. 23070. La Paz, B.C.S., México; Fins Attached: Marine Research and Conservation 19675 Still Glen Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80908, USA.
| | - Felipe Amezcua-Martínez
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Av. Joel Montes Camarena S/N. Mazatlán, Sin. México, 82040
| | - Marc Aquino-Baleytó
- Pelagios-Kakunjá A.C. Sinaloa 1540. Col. Las Garzas. C.P. 23070. La Paz, B.C.S., México
| | - Lucien Besnard
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang 37673, South Korea
| | | | | | | | | | - Arthur Ory
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Fany Sardenne
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Gauthier Schaal
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Anne Lorrain
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzané, France
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4
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Welch H, Savoca MS, Brodie S, Jacox MG, Muhling BA, Clay TA, Cimino MA, Benson SR, Block BA, Conners MG, Costa DP, Jordan FD, Leising AW, Mikles CS, Palacios DM, Shaffer SA, Thorne LH, Watson JT, Holser RR, Dewitt L, Bograd SJ, Hazen EL. Impacts of marine heatwaves on top predator distributions are variable but predictable. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5188. [PMID: 37669922 PMCID: PMC10480173 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40849-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine heatwaves cause widespread environmental, biological, and socio-economic impacts, placing them at the forefront of 21st-century management challenges. However, heatwaves vary in intensity and evolution, and a paucity of information on how this variability impacts marine species limits our ability to proactively manage for these extreme events. Here, we model the effects of four recent heatwaves (2014, 2015, 2019, 2020) in the Northeastern Pacific on the distributions of 14 top predator species of ecological, cultural, and commercial importance. Predicted responses were highly variable across species and heatwaves, ranging from near total loss of habitat to a two-fold increase. Heatwaves rapidly altered political bio-geographies, with up to 10% of predicted habitat across all species shifting jurisdictions during individual heatwaves. The variability in predicted responses across species and heatwaves portends the need for novel management solutions that can rapidly respond to extreme climate events. As proof-of-concept, we developed an operational dynamic ocean management tool that predicts predator distributions and responses to extreme conditions in near real-time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Welch
- NOAA, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Research Division, Monterey, CA, USA.
- Institute of Marine Science, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
| | - Matthew S Savoca
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie Brodie
- NOAA, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Research Division, Monterey, CA, USA
- Institute of Marine Science, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Michael G Jacox
- NOAA, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Research Division, Monterey, CA, USA
- Institute of Marine Science, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- NOAA, Physical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Barbara A Muhling
- Institute of Marine Science, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Fisheries Resources Division, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Thomas A Clay
- NOAA, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Research Division, Monterey, CA, USA
- Institute of Marine Science, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- People and Nature, Environmental Defense Fund, Monterey, CA, USA
| | - Megan A Cimino
- NOAA, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Research Division, Monterey, CA, USA
- Institute of Marine Science, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Scott R Benson
- NOAA, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Moss Landing, CA, USA
- Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, San Jose State University, Moss Landing, CA, USA
| | - Barbara A Block
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| | - Melinda G Conners
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Institute of Marine Science, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Fredrick D Jordan
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Andrew W Leising
- NOAA, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Research Division, Monterey, CA, USA
| | - Chloe S Mikles
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| | - Daniel M Palacios
- Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, USA
| | - Scott A Shaffer
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, USA
| | - Lesley H Thorne
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Jordan T Watson
- NOAA, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Auke Bay Laboratory, Juneau, AK, USA
- Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System, University of Hawai'i Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Rachel R Holser
- Institute of Marine Science, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Lynn Dewitt
- NOAA, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Research Division, Monterey, CA, USA
| | - Steven J Bograd
- NOAA, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Research Division, Monterey, CA, USA
- Institute of Marine Science, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Elliott L Hazen
- NOAA, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Research Division, Monterey, CA, USA
- Institute of Marine Science, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
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5
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Kienle SS, Friedlaender AS, Crocker DE, Mehta RS, Costa DP. Trade-offs between foraging reward and mortality risk drive sex-specific foraging strategies in sexually dimorphic northern elephant seals. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:210522. [PMID: 35116140 PMCID: PMC8767210 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Sex-specific phenotypic differences are widespread throughout the animal kingdom. Reproductive advantages provided by trait differences come at a cost. Here, we link sex-specific foraging strategies to trade-offs between foraging reward and mortality risk in sexually dimorphic northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris). We analyse a decadal dataset on movement patterns, dive behaviour, foraging success and mortality rates. Females are deep-diving predators in open ocean habitats. Males are shallow-diving benthic predators in continental shelf habitats. Males gain six times more mass and acquire energy 4.1 times faster than females. High foraging success comes with a high mortality rate. Males are six times more likely to die than females. These foraging strategies and trade-offs are related to different energy demands and life-history strategies. Males use a foraging strategy with a high mortality risk to attain large body sizes necessary to compete for females, as only a fraction of the largest males ever mate. Females use a foraging strategy with a lower mortality risk, maximizing reproductive success by pupping annually over a long lifespan. Our results highlight how sex-specific traits can drive disparity in mortality rates and expand species' niche space. Further, trade-offs between foraging rewards and mortality risk can differentially affect each sex's ability to maximize fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S. Kienle
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97399, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Ari S. Friedlaender
- Ocean Science, University of California, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Daniel E. Crocker
- Biology, Sonoma State University, 1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, USA
| | - Rita S. Mehta
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Daniel P. Costa
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
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6
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Dunn RP, Samhouri JF, Baskett ML. Transient dynamics during kelp forest recovery from fishing across multiple trophic levels. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02367. [PMID: 33938605 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Outcomes of management efforts to recover or restore populations of harvested species can be highly dependent on environmental and community context. Predator-prey interactions can alter recovery trajectories, and the timing of management actions within multi-trophic level harvest scenarios may influence the dynamics of recovery and lead to management trade-offs. Recent work using a generalist predator-prey model suggests that management promoting synchronized recovery of predators and prey leads to faster and less variable recovery trajectories than sequential recovery (predator or prey first). However, more complex communities may require different management actions to minimize recovery time and variability. Here, we use a tri-trophic level rocky reef community dynamics model with size-structure and fisheries at multiple trophic levels to investigate the importance of three ecological processes to recovery of fished communities: (1) size-structured predation, (2) non-consumptive effects of predators on prey behavior, and (3) varying levels of recruitment. We also test the effects of initiating recovery from community states associated with varying degrees of fishery-induced degradation and develop a simulation in which the basal resource (kelp) is harvested. In this system, a predator-first closure generally leads to the least volatile and quickest recovery, whether from a kelp forest, urchin barren, or intermediate community state. The benefits gained by selecting this strategy are magnified when recovering from the degraded community, the urchin barren, because initial conditions in the degraded state lead to lengthy recovery times. However, the shape of the size-structured predation relationship can strongly affect recovery volatility, where the differences between alternate management strategies are negated with size-independent predation. External recruitment reduces return times by bolstering the predatory lobster population. These results show that in a tightly linked tri-trophic level food web with top-down control, a predator-first fishery closure can be the most effective strategy to reduce volatility and shorten recovery, particularly when the system is starting from the degraded community state. Given the ubiquity of top predator loss across many ecosystems, we highlight the value of incorporating insights from community ecology into ecosystem management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Dunn
- Coastal and Marine Institute & Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, 92182, USA
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California Davis, Davis, California, 95616, USA
| | - Jameal F Samhouri
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, Washington, 98112, USA
| | - Marissa L Baskett
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California Davis, Davis, California, 95616, USA
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7
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Tinker MT, Bodkin JL, Bowen L, Ballachey B, Bentall G, Burdin A, Coletti H, Esslinger G, Hatfield BB, Kenner MC, Kloecker K, Konar B, Miles AK, Monson DH, Murray MJ, Weitzman BP, Estes JA. Sea otter population collapse in southwest Alaska: assessing ecological covariates, consequences, and causal factors. ECOL MONOGR 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Tim Tinker
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center 2885 Mission St. Santa Cruz California 95060 USA
| | - James L. Bodkin
- U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center 4210 University Dr. Anchorage Alaska 99508 USA
| | - Lizabeth Bowen
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center 3020 State University Drive Sacramento California 95819 USA
| | - Brenda Ballachey
- U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center 4210 University Dr. Anchorage Alaska 99508 USA
| | - Gena Bentall
- Sea Otter Savvy 1961 Main St. 199 Watsonville California 95076 USA
| | - Alexander Burdin
- Kamchatka Branch of Pacific Geographical Institute FED Russian Academy of Sciences Partizanskaya, 6 Petropavlovsk‐Kamchatsky 683000 Russia
| | - Heather Coletti
- Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network National Park Service 4175 Geist Rd. Fairbanks Alaska 99709 USA
| | - George Esslinger
- U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center 4210 University Dr. Anchorage Alaska 99508 USA
| | - Brian B. Hatfield
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center 2885 Mission St. Santa Cruz California 95060 USA
| | - Michael C. Kenner
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center 2885 Mission St. Santa Cruz California 95060 USA
| | - Kimberly Kloecker
- U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center 4210 University Dr. Anchorage Alaska 99508 USA
| | - Brenda Konar
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences University of Alaska Fairbanks PO Box 757220 Fairbanks Alaska 99775 USA
| | - A. Keith Miles
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center 3020 State University Drive Sacramento California 95819 USA
| | - Daniel H. Monson
- U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center 4210 University Dr. Anchorage Alaska 99508 USA
| | | | - Benjamin P. Weitzman
- U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center 4210 University Dr. Anchorage Alaska 99508 USA
| | - James A. Estes
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California 130 McAllister Way Santa Cruz California 95060 USA
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8
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Tanaka KR, Van Houtan KS, Mailander E, Dias BS, Galginaitis C, O’Sullivan J, Lowe CG, Jorgensen SJ. North Pacific warming shifts the juvenile range of a marine apex predator. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3373. [PMID: 33564038 PMCID: PMC7873075 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82424-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
During the 2014-2016 North Pacific marine heatwave, unprecedented sightings of juvenile white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) emerged in central California. These records contradicted the species established life history, where juveniles remain in warmer waters in the southern California Current. This spatial shift is significant as it creates potential conflicts with commercial fisheries, protected species conservation, and public safety concerns. Here, we integrate community science, photogrammetry, biologging, and mesoscale climate data to describe and explain this phenomenon. We find a dramatic increase in white sharks from 2014 to 2019 in Monterey Bay that was overwhelmingly comprised of juvenile sharks < 2.5 m in total body length. Next, we derived thermal preferences from 22 million tag measurements of 14 juvenile sharks and use this to map the cold limit of their range. Consistent with historical records, the position of this cold edge averaged 34° N from 1982 to 2013 but jumped to 38.5° during the 2014-2016 marine heat wave. In addition to a poleward shift, thermally suitable habitat for juvenile sharks declined 223.2 km2 year-1 from 1982 to 2019 and was lowest in 2015 at the peak of the heatwave. In addition to advancing the adaptive management of this apex marine predator, we discuss this opportunity to engage public on climate change through marine megafauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kisei R. Tanaka
- grid.448395.70000 0001 2322 4726Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA 93940 USA ,grid.3532.70000 0001 1266 2261Present Address: Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Honolulu, HI 96818 USA
| | - Kyle S. Van Houtan
- grid.448395.70000 0001 2322 4726Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA 93940 USA ,grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Eric Mailander
- grid.448395.70000 0001 2322 4726Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA 93940 USA
| | - Beatriz S. Dias
- grid.448395.70000 0001 2322 4726Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA 93940 USA
| | - Carol Galginaitis
- grid.448395.70000 0001 2322 4726Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA 93940 USA
| | - John O’Sullivan
- grid.448395.70000 0001 2322 4726Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA 93940 USA
| | - Christopher G. Lowe
- grid.213902.b0000 0000 9093 6830Department of Biological Sciences, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA 90815 USA
| | - Salvador J. Jorgensen
- grid.448395.70000 0001 2322 4726Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA 93940 USA ,grid.205975.c0000 0001 0740 6917Present Address: Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 USA
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Tinker MT, Yee JL, Laidre KL, Hatfield BB, Harris MD, Tomoleoni JA, Bell TW, Saarman E, Carswell LP, Miles AK. Habitat Features Predict Carrying Capacity of a Recovering Marine Carnivore. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Tim Tinker
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center Santa Cruz Field Station 2885 Mission Street Santa Cruz CA 95060 USA
| | - Julie L. Yee
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center Santa Cruz Field Station 2885 Mission Street Santa Cruz CA 95060 USA
| | - Kristin L. Laidre
- Polar Science Center, Applied Physics Laboratory University of Washington 1013 NE 40th Street Seattle WA 98105 USA
| | - Brian B. Hatfield
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center Santa Cruz Field Station 2885 Mission Street Santa Cruz CA 95060 USA
| | - Michael D. Harris
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response—Veterinary Services 1385 Main Street Morro Bay CA 93442 USA
| | - Joseph A. Tomoleoni
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center Santa Cruz Field Station 2885 Mission Street Santa Cruz CA 95060 USA
| | - Tom W. Bell
- Earth Research Institute University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara California 93106 USA
| | - Emily Saarman
- Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO), Long Marine Laboratory, 115 McAllister Way University of California Santa Cruz CA 95060 USA
| | | | - A. Keith Miles
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center 3020 State University Drive Sacramento CA 95819 USA
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10
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Jorgensen SJ, Micheli F, White TD, Van Houtan KS, Alfaro-Shigueto J, Andrzejaczek S, Arnoldi NS, Baum JK, Block B, Britten GL, Butner C, Caballero S, Cardeñosa D, Chapple TK, Clarke S, Cortés E, Dulvy NK, Fowler S, Gallagher AJ, Gilman E, Godley BJ, Graham RT, Hammerschlag N, Harry AV, Heithaus M, Hutchinson M, Huveneers C, Lowe CG, Lucifora LO, MacKeracher T, Mangel JC, Barbosa Martins AP, McCauley DJ, McClenachan L, Mull C, Natanson LJ, Pauly D, Pazmiño DA, Pistevos JCA, Queiroz N, Roff G, Shea BD, Simpfendorfer CA, Sims DW, Ward-Paige C, Worm B, Ferretti F. Emergent research and priorities for shark and ray conservation. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2021. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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11
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Le Croizier G, Lorrain A, Sonke JE, Hoyos-Padilla EM, Galván-Magaña F, Santana-Morales O, Aquino-Baleytó M, Becerril-García EE, Muntaner-López G, Ketchum J, Block B, Carlisle A, Jorgensen SJ, Besnard L, Jung A, Schaal G, Point D. The Twilight Zone as a Major Foraging Habitat and Mercury Source for the Great White Shark. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:15872-15882. [PMID: 33238094 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The twilight zone contains the largest biomass of the world's ocean. Identifying its role in the trophic supply and contaminant exposure of marine megafauna constitutes a critical challenge in the context of global change. The white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is a threatened species with some of the highest concentrations of neurotoxin methylmercury (MeHg) among marine top predators. Large white sharks migrate seasonally from coastal habitats, where they primarily forage on pinnipeds, to oceanic offshore habitats. Tagging studies suggest that while offshore, white sharks may forage at depth on mesopelagic species, yet no biochemical evidence exists. Here, we used mercury isotopic composition to assess the dietary origin of MeHg contamination in white sharks from the Northeast Pacific Ocean. We estimated that a minimum of 72% of the MeHg accumulated by white sharks originates from the consumption of mesopelagic prey, while a maximum of 25% derives from pinnipeds. In addition to highlighting the potential of mercury isotopes to decipher the complex ecological cycle of marine predators, our study provides evidence that the twilight zone constitutes a crucial foraging habitat for these large predators, which had been suspected for over a decade. Climate change is predicted to expand the production of mesopelagic MeHg and modify the mesopelagic biomass globally. Considering the pivotal role of the twilight zone is therefore essential to better predict both MeHg exposure and trophic supply to white sharks, and effectively protect these key vulnerable predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Le Croizier
- UMR Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Anne Lorrain
- Univ Brest, CNRS, Ifremer, LEMAR, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- UMR Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - E Mauricio Hoyos-Padilla
- Pelagios-Kakunjá A.C., Sinaloa 1540, Col. Las Garzas, 23070 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
- Fins Attached: Marine Research and Conservation, 19675 Still Glen Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80908, United States
| | - Felipe Galván-Magaña
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. IPN s/n., 23096 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | | | - Marc Aquino-Baleytó
- Pelagios-Kakunjá A.C., Sinaloa 1540, Col. Las Garzas, 23070 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. IPN s/n., 23096 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Edgar E Becerril-García
- Pelagios-Kakunjá A.C., Sinaloa 1540, Col. Las Garzas, 23070 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. IPN s/n., 23096 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Gádor Muntaner-López
- Pelagios-Kakunjá A.C., Sinaloa 1540, Col. Las Garzas, 23070 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. IPN s/n., 23096 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - James Ketchum
- Pelagios-Kakunjá A.C., Sinaloa 1540, Col. Las Garzas, 23070 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Barbara Block
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, California 93950, United States
| | - Aaron Carlisle
- School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware, Lewes, Delaware 19958, United States
| | - Salvador J Jorgensen
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Lucien Besnard
- Univ Brest, CNRS, Ifremer, LEMAR, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Armelle Jung
- Des Requins et Des Hommes (DRDH), BLP/Technopole Brest-Iroise, 15 rue Dumont d'Urville, Plouzané 29860, France
| | | | - David Point
- UMR Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
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Puche E, Jordán F, Rodrigo MA, Rojo C. Non‐trophic key players in aquatic ecosystems: a mesocosm experiment. OIKOS 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.07476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Puche
- Cavanilles Inst. of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Univ. of Valencia Spain
| | - Ferenc Jordán
- Balaton Limnological Inst., Centre for Ecological Research, Tihany, Hungary, and Evolutionary Systems Research Group, Centre for Ecological Research Tihany Hungary
| | - María A. Rodrigo
- Cavanilles Inst. of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Univ. of Valencia Spain
| | - Carmen Rojo
- Cavanilles Inst. of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Univ. of Valencia Spain
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Nicholson TE, Mayer KA, Staedler MM, Gagné TO, Murray MJ, Young MA, Tomoleoni JA, Tinker MT, Van Houtan KS. Robust age estimation of southern sea otters from multiple morphometrics. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:8592-8609. [PMID: 32884643 PMCID: PMC7452773 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Reliable age estimation is an essential tool to assess the status of wildlife populations and inform successful management. Aging methods, however, are often limited by too few data, skewed demographic representation, and by single or uncertain morphometric relationships. In this study, we synthesize age estimates in southern sea otters Enhydra lutris nereis from 761 individuals across 34 years of study, using multiple noninvasive techniques and capturing all life stages from 0 to 17 years of age. From wild, stranded, and captive individuals, we describe tooth eruptions, tooth wear, body length, nose scarring, and pelage coloration across ontogeny and fit sex-based growth functions to the data. Dental eruption schedules provided reliable and identifiable metrics spanning 0.3-9 months. Tooth wear was the most reliable predictor of age of individuals aged 1-15 years, which when combined with total length, explained >93% of observed age. Beyond age estimation, dental attrition also indicated the maximum lifespan of adult teeth is 13‒17 years, corresponding with previous estimates of life expectancy. Von Bertalanffy growth function model simulations of length at age gave consistent estimates of asymptotic lengths (male Loo = 126.0‒126.8 cm, female Loo = 115.3‒115.7 cm), biologically realistic gestation periods (t 0 = 115 days, SD = 10.2), and somatic growth (male k = 1.8, SD = 0.1; female k = 2.1, SD = 0.1). Though exploratory, we describe how field radiographic imaging of epiphyseal plate development or fusions may improve aging of immature sea otters. Together, our results highlight the value of integrating information from multiple and diverse datasets to help resolve conservation problems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Martin Tim Tinker
- U.S. Geological SurveyWestern Ecological Research CenterSanta CruzCAUSA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyLong Marine LaboratoryUniversity of CaliforniaSanta CruzCAUSA
| | - Kyle S. Van Houtan
- Monterey Bay AquariumMontereyCAUSA
- Nicholas School of the EnvironmentDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
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Abstract
AbstractTranslocation and rehabilitation programmes are critical tools for wildlife conservation. These methods achieve greater impact when integrated in a combined strategy for enhancing population or ecosystem restoration. During 2002–2016 we reared 37 orphaned southern sea otter Enhydra lutris nereis pups, using captive sea otters as surrogate mothers, then released them into a degraded coastal estuary. As a keystone species, observed increases in the local sea otter population unsurprisingly brought many ecosystem benefits. The role that surrogate-reared otters played in this success story, however, remained uncertain. To resolve this, we developed an individual-based model of the local population using surveyed individual fates (survival and reproduction) of surrogate-reared and wild-captured otters, and modelled estimates of immigration. Estimates derived from a decade of population monitoring indicated that surrogate-reared and wild sea otters had similar reproductive and survival rates. This was true for males and females, across all ages (1–13 years) and locations evaluated. The model simulations indicated that reconstructed counts of the wild population are best explained by surrogate-reared otters combined with low levels of unassisted immigration. In addition, the model shows that 55% of observed population growth over this period is attributable to surrogate-reared otters and their wild progeny. Together, our results indicate that the integration of surrogacy methods and reintroduction of juvenile sea otters helped establish a biologically successful population and restore a once-impaired ecosystem.
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