1
|
Chauvel N, Raoux A, Weill P, Dezilleau L, Méar Y, Murat A, Poizot E, Foveau A, Desroy N, Thiébaut É, Dauvin JC, Pezy JP. Sediment grain size and benthic community structure in the eastern English Channel: Species-dependent responses and environmental influence. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116042. [PMID: 38244358 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116042] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
This study addresses the scarcity of evidence on the relationship between benthic communities and coarse-grained sediments in the eastern English Channel. The region's geological history contributes to its predominantly coarse sediment composition. The study employs ternary plots to visualize benthic species' preferences and tolerance for sediment types, revealing their effectiveness. Redundancy Analyses (RDA) and species-level quantile regressions explore the influence of grain size on benthic species distribution. The results indicate a moderate impact of grain size, influenced by hydrodynamics. Estuaries, particularly the Seine Estuary, significantly shape benthic species distribution. Quantile regressions underscore the varied responses of benthic communities along the grain size gradient. The study underscores the importance of considering coarse sediments, offering insights into the complex relationship between benthic communities and sediment characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Chauvel
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS UMR 6143 M2C, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France.
| | - Aurore Raoux
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS UMR 6143 M2C, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Pierre Weill
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS UMR 6143 M2C, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Laurent Dezilleau
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS UMR 6143 M2C, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Yann Méar
- LUSAC-Intechmer, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Institut National des Sciences et Techniques de la Mer (CNAM/INTECHMER), B.P. 324, 50103 Cherbourg, France
| | - Anne Murat
- LUSAC-Intechmer, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Institut National des Sciences et Techniques de la Mer (CNAM/INTECHMER), B.P. 324, 50103 Cherbourg, France
| | - Emmanuel Poizot
- LUSAC-Intechmer, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Institut National des Sciences et Techniques de la Mer (CNAM/INTECHMER), B.P. 324, 50103 Cherbourg, France
| | - Aurélie Foveau
- Ifremer, Unité Littoral, Laboratoire Environnement et Ressources Bretagne nord, 38 rue du Port Blanc, 35800 Dinard, France
| | - Nicolas Desroy
- Ifremer, Unité Littoral, Laboratoire Environnement et Ressources Bretagne nord, 38 rue du Port Blanc, 35800 Dinard, France
| | - Éric Thiébaut
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Station Biologique de Roscoff, UMR7144, Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, Place Georges Teissier, 29680 Roscoff, France
| | - Jean-Claude Dauvin
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS UMR 6143 M2C, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Pezy
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS UMR 6143 M2C, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bolam SG, Cooper K, Downie AL. Mapping marine benthic biological traits to facilitate future sustainable development. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2905. [PMID: 37421319 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2905] [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: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Escalating societal demands placed on the seabed mean there has never been such a pressing need to align our understanding of the relationship between the physical impact of anthropogenic activities (e.g., installation of wind turbines, demersal fishing) and the structure and function of the seabed assemblages. However, spatial differences in benthic assemblages based on empirical data are currently not adequately incorporated into decision-making processes regarding future licensable activities or wider marine spatial planning frameworks. This study demonstrates that, through harnessing a Big Data approach, large-scale, continuous coverage maps revealing differences in biological traits expressions of benthic assemblages can be produced. We present independent maps based on a suite of response traits (depicting differences in responses to natural or anthropogenically induced change) and effects traits (reflecting different functional potential), although maps derived using single traits or combinations of a range of traits are possible. Models predicting variations in response traits expression provide greater confidence than those predicting effects traits. We discuss how such maps may be used to assist in the decision-making process for the licensing of anthropogenic activities and as part of marine spatial planning approaches. The confidence in such maps to reflect spatial variations in marine benthic trait expression may, in the future, inherently be improved through (1) the inclusion of more empirical macrofaunal assemblage field data; (2) an improved knowledge of marine benthic taxa trait expression; and (3) a greater understanding of the traits responsible for determining a taxon's response to an anthropogenic pressure and a taxon's functional potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan G Bolam
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Suffolk, UK
| | - Keith Cooper
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Suffolk, UK
| | - Anna-Leena Downie
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Suffolk, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li C, Coolen JWP, Scherer L, Mogollón JM, Braeckman U, Vanaverbeke J, Tukker A, Steubing B. Offshore Wind Energy and Marine Biodiversity in the North Sea: Life Cycle Impact Assessment for Benthic Communities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:6455-6464. [PMID: 37058594 PMCID: PMC10134491 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Large-scale offshore wind energy developments represent a major player in the energy transition but are likely to have (negative or positive) impacts on marine biodiversity. Wind turbine foundations and sour protection often replace soft sediment with hard substrates, creating artificial reefs for sessile dwellers. Offshore wind farm (OWF) furthermore leads to a decrease in (and even a cessation of) bottom trawling, as this activity is prohibited in many OWFs. The long-term cumulative impacts of these changes on marine biodiversity remain largely unknown. This study integrates such impacts into characterization factors for life cycle assessment based on the North Sea and illustrates its application. Our results suggest that there are no net adverse impacts during OWF operation on benthic communities inhabiting the original sand bottom within OWFs. Artificial reefs could lead to a doubling of species richness and a two-order-of-magnitude increase of species abundance. Seabed occupation will also incur in minor biodiversity losses in the soft sediment. Our results were not conclusive concerning the trawling avoidance benefits. The developed characterization factors quantifying biodiversity-related impacts from OWF operation provide a stepping stone toward a better representation of biodiversity in life cycle assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Li
- Institute
of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden
University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Joop W. P. Coolen
- Wageningen
Marine Research, P.O. Box 57, 1780 AB Den Helder, The Netherlands
- Aquatic
Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PD Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Scherer
- Institute
of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden
University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - José M. Mogollón
- Institute
of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden
University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrike Braeckman
- Marine
Biology Research Group (MARBIOL), Ghent
University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Operational
Directorate Natural Environment, Marine Ecology and Management, Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Science, Vautierstraat 29, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jan Vanaverbeke
- Operational
Directorate Natural Environment, Marine Ecology and Management, Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Science, Vautierstraat 29, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Arnold Tukker
- Institute
of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden
University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Netherlands
Organization for Applied Scientific Research, P.O. Box 96800, 2509 JE Den Haag, The Netherlands
| | - Bernhard Steubing
- Institute
of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden
University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Thompson MSA, Couce E, Webb TJ, Grace M, Cooper KM, Schratzberger M. What's hot and what's not: Making sense of biodiversity 'hotspots'. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:521-535. [PMID: 33159828 PMCID: PMC7839497 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Conserving biogeographic regions with especially high biodiversity, known as biodiversity 'hotspots', is intuitive because finite resources can be focussed towards manageable units. Yet, biodiversity, environmental conditions and their relationship are more complex with multidimensional properties. Assessments which ignore this risk failing to detect change, identify its direction or gauge the scale of appropriate intervention. Conflicting concepts which assume assemblages as either sharply delineated communities or loosely collected species have also hampered progress in the way we assess and conserve biodiversity. We focus on the marine benthos where delineating manageable areas for conservation is an attractive prospect because it holds most marine species and constitutes the largest single ecosystem on earth by area. Using two large UK marine benthic faunal datasets, we present a spatially gridded data sampling design to account for survey effects which would otherwise be the principal drivers of diversity estimates. We then assess γ-diversity (regional richness) with diversity partitioned between α (local richness) and β (dissimilarity), and their change in relation to covariates to test whether defining and conserving biodiversity hotspots is an effective conservation strategy in light of the prevailing forces structuring those assemblages. α-, β- and γ-diversity hotspots were largely inconsistent with each metric relating uniquely to the covariates, and loosely collected species generally prevailed with relatively few distinct assemblages. Hotspots could therefore be an unreliable means to direct conservation efforts if based on only a component part of diversity. When assessed alongside environmental gradients, α-, β- and γ-diversity provide a multidimensional but still intuitive perspective of biodiversity change that can direct conservation towards key drivers and the appropriate scale for intervention. Our study also highlights possible temporal declines in species richness over 30 years and thus the need for future integrated monitoring to reveal the causal drivers of biodiversity change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Murray S. A. Thompson
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Lowestoft LaboratoryLowestoftSuffolkUK
| | - Elena Couce
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Lowestoft LaboratoryLowestoftSuffolkUK
| | - Thomas J. Webb
- Department of Animal & Plant SciencesUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Miriam Grace
- Department of Animal & Plant SciencesUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Keith M. Cooper
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Lowestoft LaboratoryLowestoftSuffolkUK
| | - Michaela Schratzberger
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Lowestoft LaboratoryLowestoftSuffolkUK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Meng X, Cooper KM, Liu Z, Li Z, Chen J, Jiang X, Ge Y, Xie Z. Integration of α, β and γ components of macroinvertebrate taxonomic and functional diversity to measure of impacts of commercial sand dredging. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 269:116059. [PMID: 33307396 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Effects of commercial sand mining on aquatic diversity are of increasing global concern, especially in parts of some developing countries. However, understanding of this activity on the diversity of macroinvertebrates remains focused on the α component of species diversity, rather than community functioning. Thus, there remains much uncertainty regarding how each component of taxonomic (TD) and functional (FD) diversity respond to the activity both in freshwater and marine environments. Here, we assessed the effect of sand dredging on α, β and γ components of TD and FD during different dredging periods based on the response of macroinvertebrate communities over 4 years in the second largest freshwater lake in China. After three years of active dredging, substantial reductions in each component (α, β and γ) of TD and FD were observed within the dredged area. Moreover, after one year of natural recovery, a distinct restoration was observed with an obvious return in multiple facets of TD and FD indices. No such changes were observed within the adjacent and reference areas. Decreases in the multiple components of TD and FD within the dredged area were most likely associated with the direct extraction of substrate and associated benthic fauna and indirect variations of the water and sediment environment (e.g., increases in water depth and decreases in %Clay). Furthermore, dispersal processes and mass effects mainly contributed to the maintenance of TD and FD during the dredged and recovery stages. In addition, the fast recovery of TD and FD was also related to the simple taxonomic structure and highly connected nature of the study area. Our results suggest that a more precise experimental design (BACI) should be pursued to avoid potentially confounding effects (e.g., natural disturbance) because the sensitivity of diversity indices depends upon different experimental designs. Moreover, measurement of the impacts of sand dredging on macroinvertebrate diversity can be undertaken within a rigorous framework for better understanding the patterns and processes of each component of TD and FD under the sand dredging disturbance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xingliang Meng
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Keith M Cooper
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR330HT, United Kingdom
| | - Zhenyuan Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhengfei Li
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Juanjuan Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xuankong Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yihao Ge
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhicai Xie
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei, 430072, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Meng X, Chen J, Li Z, Liu Z, Jiang X, Ge Y, Cooper KM, Xie Z. Degraded functional structure of macroinvertebrates caused by commercial sand dredging practices in a flood plain lake. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 263:114415. [PMID: 32229376 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In parts of developing countries, the over-exploitation of sands from inland waters has led to serious environmental concerns. However, understanding of the impacts of commercial sand dredging on inland water ecosystem functions remains limited. Herein, we assess the effects of this activity on the functional structure of the macroinvertebrate community and its recovery processes based on a 4-year survey, in the South Dongting Lake in China. Our result showed a simplified macroinvertebrate functional structures within the dredged area, as evidenced by a loss of certain trait categories (e.g., oval and conical body form) and a significant reduction in trait values due to the direct removal of macroinvertebrates and indirect alternations to physical environmental conditions (e.g., water depth and %Medium sand). Moreover, clear increases were observed in certain trait categories (e.g., small body size and swimmer) resulting from the dredging-related disturbance (e.g., increased turbidity) within the adjacent area. Furthermore, one year after the cessation of dredging, a marked recovery in the taxonomic and functional structure of macroinvertebrate assemblages was observed with most lost trait categories returning and an increase in the trait values of eight categories (e.g., body size 1.00-3.00 cm and oval body form) within the dredged and adjacent area. In addition, dispersal processes and sediment composition were the main driver for the structuring of the macroinvertebrate taxonomic and functional assemblages during the dredging stages, whilst water environmental conditions dominated the taxonomic structure and dispersal processes determined the functional structure during the recovery stage. Implications of our results for monitoring and management of this activity in inland waters are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xingliang Meng
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Juanjuan Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhengfei Li
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Zhenyuan Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xuankong Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yihao Ge
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Keith M Cooper
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, NR330HT, United Kingdom
| | - Zhicai Xie
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei, 430072, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Legacy Data: How Decades of Seabed Sampling can Produce Robust Predictions and Versatile Products. GEOSCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/geosciences9040182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sediment maps developed from categorical data are widely applied to support marine spatial planning across various fields. However, deriving maps independently of sediment classification potentially improves our understanding of environmental gradients and reduces issues of harmonising data across jurisdictional boundaries. As the groundtruth samples are often measured for the fractions of mud, sand and gravel, this data can be utilised more effectively to produce quantitative maps of sediment composition. Using harmonised data products from a range of sources including the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet), spatial predictions of these three sediment fractions were generated for the north-west European continental shelf using the random forest algorithm. Once modelled these sediment fraction maps were classified using a range of schemes to show the versatility of such an approach, and spatial accuracy maps were generated to support their interpretation. The maps produced in this study are to date the highest resolution quantitative sediment composition maps that have been produced for a study area of this extent and are likely to be of interest for a wide range of applications such as ecological and biophysical studies.
Collapse
|
8
|
Cooper KM, Bolam SG, Downie A, Barry J. Biological‐based habitat classification approaches promote cost‐efficient monitoring: An example using seabed assemblages. J Appl Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Keith M. Cooper
- Lowestoft LaboratoryCentre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Suffolk UK
| | - Stefan G. Bolam
- Lowestoft LaboratoryCentre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Suffolk UK
| | - Anna‐Leena Downie
- Lowestoft LaboratoryCentre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Suffolk UK
| | - Jon Barry
- Lowestoft LaboratoryCentre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Suffolk UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Anbleyth-Evans J. Aggregate dredging impacts in South East England: Improving ecological health by integrating fisher ecological knowledge with scientific research. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 135:129-138. [PMID: 30301022 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.06.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Revised: 04/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Anbleyth-Evans
- University of Brighton, School of Environment and Technology, Cockcroft Building, Brighton BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|