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Stock A, Murray CC, Gregr EJ, Steenbeek J, Woodburn E, Micheli F, Christensen V, Chan KMA. Exploring multiple stressor effects with Ecopath, Ecosim, and Ecospace: Research designs, modeling techniques, and future directions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 869:161719. [PMID: 36693571 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the cumulative effects of multiple stressors is a research priority in environmental science. Ecological models are a key component of tackling this challenge because they can simulate interactions between the components of an ecosystem. Here, we ask, how has the popular modeling platform Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) been used to model human impacts related to climate change, land and sea use, pollution, and invasive species? We conducted a literature review encompassing 166 studies covering stressors other than fishing mostly in aquatic ecosystems. The most modeled stressors were physical climate change (60 studies), species introductions (22), habitat loss (21), and eutrophication (20), using a range of modeling techniques. Despite this comprehensive coverage, we identified four gaps that must be filled to harness the potential of EwE for studying multiple stressor effects. First, only 12% of studies investigated three or more stressors, with most studies focusing on single stressors. Furthermore, many studies modeled only one of many pathways through which each stressor is known to affect ecosystems. Second, various methods have been applied to define environmental response functions representing the effects of single stressors on species groups. These functions can have a large effect on the simulated ecological changes, but best practices for deriving them are yet to emerge. Third, human dimensions of environmental change - except for fisheries - were rarely considered. Fourth, only 3% of studies used statistical research designs that allow attribution of simulated ecosystem changes to stressors' direct effects and interactions, such as factorial (computational) experiments. None made full use of the statistical possibilities that arise when simulations can be repeated many times with controlled changes to the inputs. We argue that all four gaps are feasibly filled by integrating ecological modeling with advances in other subfields of environmental science and in computational statistics.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Stock
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, AERL Building, 429-2202 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, BC, Canada.
| | - C C Murray
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institute of Ocean Sciences, 9860 West Saanich Road, Sidney, BC V8L 5T5, Canada
| | - E J Gregr
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, AERL Building, 429-2202 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, BC, Canada; SciTech Environmental Consulting, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - J Steenbeek
- Ecopath International Initiative (EII) Research Association, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Woodburn
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, AERL Building, 429-2202 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, BC, Canada
| | - F Micheli
- Hopkins Marine Station, Oceans Department, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA; Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - V Christensen
- Ecopath International Initiative (EII) Research Association, Barcelona, Spain; Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - K M A Chan
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, AERL Building, 429-2202 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, BC, Canada; Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Korpinen S, Uusitalo L, Nordström MC, Dierking J, Tomczak MT, Haldin J, Opitz S, Bonsdorff E, Neuenfeldt S. Food web assessments in the Baltic Sea: Models bridging the gap between indicators and policy needs. AMBIO 2022; 51:1687-1697. [PMID: 35092571 PMCID: PMC9110573 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01692-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystem-based management requires understanding of food webs. Consequently, assessment of food web status is mandatory according to the European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) for EU Member States. However, how to best monitor and assess food webs in practise has proven a challenging question. Here, we review and assess the current status of food web indicators and food web models, and discuss whether the models can help addressing current shortcomings of indicator-based food web assessments, using the Baltic Sea as an example region. We show that although the MSFD food web assessment was designed to use food web indicators alone, they are currently poorly fit for the purpose, because they lack interconnectivity of trophic guilds. We then argue that the multiple food web models published for this region have a high potential to provide additional coherence to the definition of good environmental status, the evaluation of uncertainties, and estimates for unsampled indicator values, but we also identify current limitations that stand in the way of more formal implementation of this approach. We close with a discussion of which current models have the best capacity for this purpose in the Baltic Sea, and of the way forward towards the combination of measurable indicators and modelling approaches in food web assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuli Korpinen
- Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Laura Uusitalo
- Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Jan Dierking
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Duesternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Jannica Haldin
- HELCOM Secretariat, Katajanokanlaituri 6B, 00160 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Silvia Opitz
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Duesternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Neuenfeldt
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark (DTU Aqua), Kemitorvet, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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Szalaj D, Silva A, Ré P, Cabral H. Predictions of sardine and the Portuguese continental shelf ecosystem dynamics under future fishing, forced-biomass and SST scenarios. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 178:113594. [PMID: 35398691 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We used the Ecopath with Ecosim ecosystem model to assess the future effects of multiple stressors on sardine and the Portuguese continental shelf ecosystem. We assessed individual and combined impacts of changes in sardine fishing pressure, biomass of sardine competitors and predators and sea surface temperature (SST). This study demonstrated that the greatest impact on sardine stock is caused by projected SST rise whose effect is dominant and detrimental to sardine stock regardless of other conditions, including sardine fishing at maximum sustainable yield (FMSY). The largest impact on ecosystem stability, maturity and diversity of flows was observed under the forced-biomass scenarios that simulate changes in biomass of sardine predators and competitors. Moreover, these stressors alongside FMSY are projected to play an important role in the future evolution of the sardine stock. Results presented in this study can assist long-term and strategic management of the Iberian sardine stock.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Szalaj
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), Rua Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-006 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto Dom Luiz (IDL), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - A Silva
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), Rua Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-006 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - P Ré
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - H Cabral
- INRAE, UR EABX, Centre Nouvelle-Aquitaine Bordeaux 50, Avenue de Verdun, 33612 Cestas, France
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Davis KJ, Alfaro‐Shigueto J, Arlidge WN, Burton M, Mangel JC, Mills M, Milner‐Gulland E, Palma‐Duque J, Romero‐de‐Diego C, Gelcich S. Local disconnects in global discourses—The unintended consequences of marine mammal protection on small‐scale fishers. Conserv Lett 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katrina J. Davis
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford, Zoology Research and Administration Building Oxford UK
- Land, Environment, Economics and Policy Institute University of Exeter Business School, University of Exeter Exeter UK
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science The University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
- UWA School of Agriculture & Environment University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia
| | - Joanna Alfaro‐Shigueto
- ProDelphinus Calle José Galvez 780E Lima Perú
- School of Biosciences University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus Penryn Cornwall UK
- Facultad de Biología Marina Universidad Científica del Sur Lima Perú
| | - William N.S. Arlidge
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford, Zoology Research and Administration Building Oxford UK
- Faculty of Life Sciences Albrecht Daniel Thaer Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin Germany
- Department of Biology and Ecology of Fishes Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Berlin Germany
| | - Michael Burton
- UWA School of Agriculture & Environment University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia
| | - Jeffrey C. Mangel
- ProDelphinus Calle José Galvez 780E Lima Perú
- School of Biosciences University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus Penryn Cornwall UK
| | - Morena Mills
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Centre for Environmental Policy Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus London UK
| | - E.J. Milner‐Gulland
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford, Zoology Research and Administration Building Oxford UK
| | - José Palma‐Duque
- Instituto Milenio en Socio Ecología Costera (SECOS) & Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia Chile
| | - Cristina Romero‐de‐Diego
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science The University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
- School of Earth and Environmental Science University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - Stefan Gelcich
- Instituto Milenio en Socio Ecología Costera (SECOS) & Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
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Salton M, Carr M, Tarjan LM, Clarke J, Kirkwood R, Slip D, Harcourt R. Protected area use by two sympatric marine predators repopulating their historical range. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2021. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
As large carnivores recover from over-exploitation, managers often lack evidence-based information on species habitat requirements and the efficacy of management practices, particularly where species repopulate areas from which they have long been extirpated. We investigated the movement and habitat use by 2 semi-aquatic carnivores (Australian fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus and New Zealand fur seals A. forsteri) at the northern end of their distributions in Australia, where after a long absence both are recolonising their historic range. We also assessed male fur seal habitat use overlap with terrestrial and marine protected areas (PAs). While at the margin of the range during winter and early spring, the males remained inshore close to terrestrial sites and where interactions with humans often occur. From early spring, the males from the range margin showed uniform movement toward colonies in the core of the species’ range prior to their breeding seasons. This contrasts with males tracked from the core of the species’ range that returned periodically to colonies during the year, and highlights the importance of range-wide monitoring of a species to inform conservation planning. Habitat use by some males included over 90% of a marine PA at the margin of the species’ range. Most terrestrial haul-outs used were within terrestrial PAs, while sites not protected were on the margin of the range. Despite wide-ranging habits, their dependence on coastal sites, where human access and activities can be regulated and more readily enforced, suggests that terrestrial and marine PAs will continue to play an important role in managing the recovery of these fur seals.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Salton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia
| | - M Carr
- Department of Primary Industries, Jervis Bay Marine Park, New South Wales 2540, Australia
- Biodiversity Conservation Trust, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales 2450, Australia
| | - LM Tarjan
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
- San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, 524 Valley Way, Milpitas, California 95035, USA
| | - J Clarke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - R Kirkwood
- Research Department, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Cowes, Victoria 3922, Australia
- SARDI Aquatic Sciences, West Beach, South Australia 5024, Australia
| | - D Slip
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, New South Wales 2088, Australia
| | - R Harcourt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia
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Use of Ecoacoustics to Characterize the Marine Acoustic Environment off the North Atlantic French Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon Archipelago. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse9020177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Visual observations of the marine biodiversity can be difficult in specific areas for different reasons, including weather conditions or a lack of observers. In such conditions, passive acoustics represents a potential alternative approach. The objective of this work is to demonstrate how information about marine biodiversity can be obtained via detailed analysis of the underwater acoustic environment. This paper presents the first analysis of the Saint-Pierre-and-Miquelon (SPM) archipelago underwater acoustic environment. In order to have a better knowledge about the marine biodiversity of SPM, acoustic recordings were sampled at different time periods to highlight seasonal variations over several years. To extract information from these acoustic recordings, standard soundscape and ecoacoustic analysis workflow was used to compute acoustic metrics such as power spectral density, third-octave levels, acoustic complexity index, and sound pressure levels. The SPM marine acoustic environment can be divided into three main sound source classes: biophony, anthrophony, and geophony. Several cetacean species were encountered in the audio recordings including sperm whales (which were detected by visual observations and strandings of 3 males in 2014), humpback, and blue whales.
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