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Lokovšek A, Pitacco V, Trkov D, Zamuda LL, Falace A, Orlando-Bonaca M. Keep It Simple: Improving the Ex Situ Culture of Cystoseira s.l. to Restore Macroalgal Forests. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2615. [PMID: 37514229 PMCID: PMC10386143 DOI: 10.3390/plants12142615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Brown algae from genus Cystoseira s.l. form dense underwater forests that represent the most productive areas in the Mediterranean Sea. Due to the combined effects of global and local stressors such as climate change, urbanization, and herbivore outbreaks, there has been a severe decline in brown algal forests in the Mediterranean Sea. Natural recovery of depleted sites is unlikely due to the low dispersal capacity of these species, and efficient techniques to restore such habitats are needed. In this context, the aims of our study were (1) to improve and simplify the current ex situ laboratory protocol for the cultivation of Gongolaria barbata by testing the feasibility of some cost-effective and time-efficient techniques on two donor sites of G. barbata and (2) to evaluate the survival and growth of young thalli during the laboratory phase and during the most critical five months after out-planting. Specifically, the following ex situ cultivation methods were tested: (A) cultivation on clay tiles in mesocosms with culture water prepared by three different procedures (a) filtered seawater with a 0.22 μm filter membrane, (b) filtered seawater with a 0.7 μm filter membrane (GF), and (c) UV-sterilized water, and (B) cultivation on clay tiles in open laboratory systems. After two weeks, all thalli were fixed to plastic lantern net baskets suspended at a depth of 2 m in the coastal sea (hybrid method), and the algal success was monitored in relation to the different donor sites and cultivation protocol. The satisfactory results of this study indicate that UV-sterilized water is suitable for the cultivation of G. barbata in mesocosm, which significantly reduces the cost of the laboratory phase. This opens the possibility of numerous and frequent algal cultures during the reproductive period of the species. Additionally, if the young thalli remain in the lantern net baskets for an extended period of several months, they can grow significantly in the marine environment without being exposed to pressure from herbivorous fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lokovšek
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Valentina Pitacco
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
| | - Domen Trkov
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
| | - Leon Lojze Zamuda
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
| | - Annalisa Falace
- Department of Life Science, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Martina Orlando-Bonaca
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
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Madgett AS, Elsdon TS, Marnane MJ, Schramm KD, Harvey ES. The functional diversity of fish assemblages in the vicinity of oil and gas pipelines compared to nearby natural reef and soft sediment habitats. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 187:105931. [PMID: 36966683 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
As the offshore hydrocarbon industry matures and decommissioning activities are expected to increase, there is a requirement to assess the environmental consequences of different pipeline decommissioning options. Previous research on fish and other ecological components associated with pipelines has focused on examining species richness, abundance and biomass surrounding structures. The extent to which subsea pipelines mimic or alter ecosystem function compared with nearby natural habitats is unknown. We analyse differences in fish assemblage biological trait composition and the functional diversity at exposed shallow-water subsea pipelines, nearby natural reef and soft sediment habitats, using mini stereo-video remotely operated vehicles (ROV). Habitats significantly differed in assemblage trait composition. The pipeline and reef habitats shared a more similar functional composition and had the presence of key functional groups required for the development and maintenance of healthy coral reef systems. The reef habitat had the greatest functional diversity, followed by the pipeline habitat and soft sediment habitat respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alethea S Madgett
- The National Decommissioning Centre, Main Street, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, AB41 6AA, United Kingdom; University of Aberdeen, School of Engineering, Fraser Noble Building, Kings College, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, United Kingdom.
| | - Travis S Elsdon
- Chevron Energy Technology Pty Ltd, 250 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia; Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Michael J Marnane
- Chevron Energy Technology Pty Ltd, 250 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
| | - Karl D Schramm
- Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Euan S Harvey
- Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
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Martín García L, Rancel-Rodríguez NM, Sangil C, Reyes J, Benito B, Orellana S, Sansón M. Environmental and human factors drive the subtropical marine forests of Gongolaria abies-marina to extinction. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 181:105759. [PMID: 36191454 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Large brown macroalgae are foundational threatened species in coastal ecosystems from the subtropical northeastern Atlantic, where they have exhibited a drastic decline in recent years. This study describes the potential habitat of Gongolaria abies-marina, its current distribution and conservation status, and the major drivers of population decline. The results show a strong reduction of more than 97% of G. abies-marina populations in the last thirty years and highlight the effects of drivers vary in terms of spatial heterogeneity. A decrease in the frequency of high waves and high human footprint are the principal factors accounting for the long-term decline in G. abies-marina populations. UV radiation and sea surface temperature have an important correlation only in certain locations. Both the methodology and the large amount of data analyzed in this study provide a valuable tool for the conservation and restoration of threatened macroalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Martín García
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía-CSIC, The Canary Islands, Spain; Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de La Laguna, The Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Nereida M Rancel-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de La Laguna, The Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Carlos Sangil
- Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de La Laguna, The Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Javier Reyes
- Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de La Laguna, The Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Blas Benito
- Instituto Multidisciplinar para el Estudio del Medio "Ramón Margalef", Universidad de Alicante, Spain
| | - Sharay Orellana
- Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de La Laguna, The Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Marta Sansón
- Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de La Laguna, The Canary Islands, Spain
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Medrano A, Hereu B, Mariani S, Neiva J, Pagès-Escolà M, Paulino C, Rovira GL, Serrão EA, Linares C. Ecological traits, genetic diversity and regional distribution of the macroalga Treptacantha elegans along the Catalan coast (NW Mediterranean Sea). Sci Rep 2020; 10:19219. [PMID: 33154466 PMCID: PMC7644675 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76066-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The widespread decline of canopy-forming macroalgal assemblages has been documented in many regions during the last decades. This pattern is often followed by the replacement of structurally complex algal canopies by more simplified habitats (e.g., turfs or sea urchin barren grounds). Against all odds, the fucoid Treptacantha elegans, a large Mediterranean brown macroalga, broadened its depth range to deeper and exposed environments and displayed an unexpected range expansion along the northern coast of Catalonia over the last two decades. Here, we reconstruct the spread of T. elegans in time and space and unravel ecological and demographic traits such as population dynamics and genetic patterns to provide a comprehensive and integrated view of the current status and geographical expansion for this species. Fast-growing dynamics, early fertile maturity, and high turnover rate are the main competitive advantages that allow the exposed populations of T. elegans to colonize available substrata and maintain dense and patchy populations. We also provided evidence that the deeper and exposed populations of T. elegans constitute a single group across the Catalan coast, with little genetic differentiation among populations. This seems to support the hypothesis of a unique source of spread in the last decades from the Medes Islands No-Take Zone towards both southern and northern waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Medrano
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de La Biodiversitat (IRBIO), University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Bernat Hereu
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de La Biodiversitat (IRBIO), University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Simone Mariani
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de La Biodiversitat (IRBIO), University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes - CSIC, Accés Cala Sant Francesc 14, Blanes, 17300, Girona, Spain
| | - João Neiva
- Center of Marine Science (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Marta Pagès-Escolà
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de La Biodiversitat (IRBIO), University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Paulino
- Center of Marine Science (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Graciel la Rovira
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de La Biodiversitat (IRBIO), University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ester A Serrão
- Center of Marine Science (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Cristina Linares
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de La Biodiversitat (IRBIO), University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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Medrano A, Hereu B, Cleminson M, Pagès‐Escolà M, Rovira G, Solà J, Linares C. From marine deserts to algal beds:
Treptacantha elegans
revegetation to reverse stable degraded ecosystems inside and outside a No‐Take marine reserve. Restor Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alba Medrano
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBIO)University of Barcelona Avinguda Diagonal 643 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Bernat Hereu
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBIO)University of Barcelona Avinguda Diagonal 643 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Maria Cleminson
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBIO)University of Barcelona Avinguda Diagonal 643 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Marta Pagès‐Escolà
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBIO)University of Barcelona Avinguda Diagonal 643 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Graciel·la Rovira
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBIO)University of Barcelona Avinguda Diagonal 643 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Jordi Solà
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBIO)University of Barcelona Avinguda Diagonal 643 08028 Barcelona Spain
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC) and Computational Biosciences Research Center (CBRC)King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Cristina Linares
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBIO)University of Barcelona Avinguda Diagonal 643 08028 Barcelona Spain
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Guo S, He F, Tang T, Tan L, Cai Q. Intra-annual fluctuations dominating temporal dynamics of benthic diatom assemblages in a Chinese mountainous river. ANNALES DE LIMNOLOGIE - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIMNOLOGY 2020; 56:22. [DOI: 10.1051/limn/2020020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding temporal dynamics of community may provide insights on biological responses under environmental changes. However, our knowledge on temporal dynamics of river organisms is still limited. In the present study, we employed a multivariate time-series modeling approach with a long-term dataset (i.e. 72 consecutive months) to investigate temporal dynamics of benthic diatom communities in four sites located in a Chinese mountainous river network. We hypothesized that: (1) there are multi-scale temporal dynamics within the diatom community; (2) intra-annual fluctuations dominate the community dynamics; (3) diatom species composing the community respond distinctly to environmental changes. We found that intra-annual fluctuations with periodicities <12 months explained 8.1–16.1% of community variation. In contrast, fluctuations with periodicities of 13–36 months and 37–72 months only accounted for 1.1–5.9% and 2.8–9.7% of variance in diatom community dynamics, respectively. Taxa correlating significantly to each significant RDA axis (namely, RDA taxa group) displayed distinct temporal dynamics. Conductivity, total nitrogen, and pH were important to most RDA taxa groups across the four sites while their effects were group-specific. We concluded that intra-annual dynamics dominated temporal variation in diatom communities due to community responses to local environmental fluctuations. We suggest that long-term monitoring data are valuable for identifying multiple-scale temporal dynamics within biological communities.
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