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Kassaye M, Derebe Y, Kibrie W, Debebe F, Emiru E, Gedamu B, Tamir M. The effects of environmental variability and forest management on natural forest carbon stock in northwestern Ethiopia. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11476. [PMID: 38846707 PMCID: PMC11154818 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural forests are crucial for climate change mitigation and adaptation, but deforestation and degradation challenges highly reduce their value. This study evaluates the potential of natural forest carbon stock and the influence of management interventions on enhancing forest carbon storage capacity. Based on forest area cover, a study was conducted in nine purposely selected forest patches across various forest ecosystems. Data on diameter, height, and environmental variables from various forest management approaches were collected and analyzed with R Ver. 4.1. The findings revealed a substantial difference (p .029) in carbon stock between environmental variables and management interventions. The findings revealed a strong connection between environmental variables and the overall pool of carbon stock within forest patches (p .029). Carbon stocks were highest in the Moist-montane forest ecosystem (778.25 ton/ha), moderate slope (1019.5 ton/ha), lower elevation (614.50 ton/ha), southwest-facing (800.1 ton/ha) and area exclosures (993.2 ton/ha). Accordingly, natural forests, particularly unmanaged parts, are sensitive to anthropogenic stresses, decreasing their ability to efficiently store carbon. As a result, the study highlighted the importance of sustainable forest management, particularly area exclosures and participatory forest management, in increasing forest carbon storage potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melkamu Kassaye
- Department of Forestry and Climate ScienceInjibara UniversityInjibaraEthiopia
| | - Yonas Derebe
- Department of Forestry and Climate ScienceInjibara UniversityInjibaraEthiopia
| | - Wondwossen Kibrie
- Department of Forestry and Climate ScienceInjibara UniversityInjibaraEthiopia
| | - Fikadu Debebe
- Department of Natural Resources ManagementInjibara UniversityInjibaraEthiopia
| | - Etsegenet Emiru
- Department of Forestry and Climate ScienceInjibara UniversityInjibaraEthiopia
| | - Bahiru Gedamu
- Department of Forestry and Climate ScienceInjibara UniversityInjibaraEthiopia
| | - Mulugeta Tamir
- Department of Forestry and Climate ScienceInjibara UniversityInjibaraEthiopia
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2
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Gonzalez‐Aragon D, Rivadeneira MM, Lara C, Torres FI, Vásquez JA, Broitman BR. A species distribution model of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera: Worldwide changes and a focus on the Southeast Pacific. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10901. [PMID: 38435006 PMCID: PMC10905252 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Worldwide climate-driven shifts in the distribution of species is of special concern when it involves habitat-forming species. In the coastal environment, large Laminarian algae-kelps-form key coastal ecosystems that support complex and diverse food webs. Among kelps, Macrocystis pyrifera is the most widely distributed habitat-forming species and provides essential ecosystem services. This study aimed to establish the main drivers of future distributional changes on a global scale and use them to predict future habitat suitability. Using species distribution models (SDM), we examined the changes in global distribution of M. pyrifera under different emission scenarios with a focus on the Southeast Pacific shores. To constrain the drivers of our simulations to the most important factors controlling kelp forest distribution across spatial scales, we explored a suite of environmental variables and validated the predictions derived from the SDMs. Minimum sea surface temperature was the single most important variable explaining the global distribution of suitable habitat for M. pyrifera. Under different climate change scenarios, we always observed a decrease of suitable habitat at low latitudes, while an increase was detected in other regions, mostly at high latitudes. Along the Southeast Pacific, we observed an upper range contraction of -17.08° S of latitude for 2090-2100 under the RCP8.5 scenario, implying a loss of habitat suitability throughout the coast of Peru and poleward to -27.83° S in Chile. Along the area of Northern Chile where a complete habitat loss is predicted by our model, natural stands are under heavy exploitation. The loss of habitat suitability will take place worldwide: Significant impacts on marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are likely. Furthermore, changes in habitat suitability are a harbinger of massive impacts in the socio-ecological systems of the Southeast Pacific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gonzalez‐Aragon
- Doctorado en Ciencias, mención en Biodiversidad y Biorecursos, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad Católica de la Santísima ConcepciónConcepcionChile
- Instituto Milenio en Socio‐Ecología Costera (SECOS)SantiagoChile
- Núcleo Milenio UPWELL
| | - Marcelo M. Rivadeneira
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas ÁridasCoquimboChile
- Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del MarUniversidad Católica del NorteCoquimboChile
| | - Carlos Lara
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad Católica de la Santísima ConcepciónConcepcionChile
- Centro de Investigación en Recursos Naturales y SustentabilidadUniversidad Bernardo O'HigginsSantiagoChile
| | - Felipe I. Torres
- Doctorado en Ciencias, mención en Biodiversidad y Biorecursos, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad Católica de la Santísima ConcepciónConcepcionChile
- Instituto Milenio en Socio‐Ecología Costera (SECOS)SantiagoChile
- Data Observatory Foundation, ANID Technology Center No. DO210001SantiagoChile
| | - Julio A. Vásquez
- Instituto Milenio en Socio‐Ecología Costera (SECOS)SantiagoChile
- Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del MarUniversidad Católica del NorteCoquimboChile
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Algas y Otros Recursos Biológicos (CIDTA)CoquimboChile
| | - Bernardo R. Broitman
- Instituto Milenio en Socio‐Ecología Costera (SECOS)SantiagoChile
- Núcleo Milenio UPWELL
- Facultad de Artes LiberalesUniversidad Adolfo IbañezViña Del MarChile
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Pessarrodona A, Franco-Santos RM, Wright LS, Vanderklift MA, Howard J, Pidgeon E, Wernberg T, Filbee-Dexter K. Carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation using macroalgae: a state of knowledge review. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:1945-1971. [PMID: 37437379 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The conservation, restoration, and improved management of terrestrial forests significantly contributes to mitigate climate change and its impacts, as well as providing numerous co-benefits. The pressing need to reduce emissions and increase carbon removal from the atmosphere is now also leading to the development of natural climate solutions in the ocean. Interest in the carbon sequestration potential of underwater macroalgal forests is growing rapidly among policy, conservation, and corporate sectors. Yet, our understanding of whether carbon sequestration from macroalgal forests can lead to tangible climate change mitigation remains severely limited, hampering their inclusion in international policy or carbon finance frameworks. Here, we examine the results of over 180 publications to synthesise evidence regarding macroalgal forest carbon sequestration potential. We show that research efforts on macroalgae carbon sequestration are heavily skewed towards particulate organic carbon (POC) pathways (77% of data publications), and that carbon fixation is the most studied flux (55%). Fluxes leading directly to carbon sequestration (e.g. carbon export or burial in marine sediments) remain poorly resolved, likely hindering regional or country-level assessments of carbon sequestration potential, which are only available from 17 of the 150 countries where macroalgal forests occur. To solve this issue, we present a framework to categorize coastlines according to their carbon sequestration potential. Finally, we review the multiple avenues through which this sequestration can translate into climate change mitigation capacity, which largely depends on whether management interventions can increase carbon removal above a natural baseline or avoid further carbon emissions. We find that conservation, restoration and afforestation interventions on macroalgal forests can potentially lead to carbon removal in the order of 10's of Tg C globally. Although this is lower than current estimates of natural sequestration value of all macroalgal habitats (61-268 Tg C year-1 ), it suggests that macroalgal forests could add to the total mitigation potential of coastal blue carbon ecosystems, and offer valuable mitigation opportunities in polar and temperate areas where blue carbon mitigation is currently low. Operationalizing that potential will necessitate the development of models that reliably estimate the proportion of production sequestered, improvements in macroalgae carbon fingerprinting techniques, and a rethinking of carbon accounting methodologies. The ocean provides major opportunities to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and the largest coastal vegetated habitat on Earth should not be ignored simply because it does not fit into existing frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Pessarrodona
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, 6009, Western Australia, Australia
- Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Dr., Suite 600, Arlington, VA, USA
- International Blue Carbon Institute, 42B Boat Quay, Singapore, 049831, Singapore
| | - Rita M Franco-Santos
- CSIRO Environment, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Crawley, 6009, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Luka Seamus Wright
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, 6009, Western Australia, Australia
- CSIRO Environment, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Crawley, 6009, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mathew A Vanderklift
- CSIRO Environment, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Crawley, 6009, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jennifer Howard
- Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Dr., Suite 600, Arlington, VA, USA
- International Blue Carbon Institute, 42B Boat Quay, Singapore, 049831, Singapore
| | - Emily Pidgeon
- Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Dr., Suite 600, Arlington, VA, USA
- International Blue Carbon Institute, 42B Boat Quay, Singapore, 049831, Singapore
| | - Thomas Wernberg
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, 6009, Western Australia, Australia
- Institute of Marine Research, Nye Flødevigveien 20, His, 4817, Norway
| | - Karen Filbee-Dexter
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, 6009, Western Australia, Australia
- Institute of Marine Research, Nye Flødevigveien 20, His, 4817, Norway
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Kosek K, Kukliński P. Impact of kelp forest on seawater chemistry - A review. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 196:115655. [PMID: 37839130 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115655] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Kelp forests, globally distributed in cool temperate and polar waters, are renowned for their pivotal role in supporting species diversity and fostering macroalgae productivity. These high-canopy algal ecosystems dynamically influence their surroundings, particularly by altering the physicochemical properties of seawater. This review article aims to underscore the significance of kelp forests in modifying water masses. By serving as effective carbon sinks through the absorption of bicarbonate (HCO3-) and carbon dioxide (CO2) for photosynthesis, kelp forests mitigate nearby acidity levels while enhancing dissolved oxygen concentrations, essential for sustaining diverse marine communities. Additionally, kelp beds have exhibited the need to use inorganic ions (NO3-, NO2-, PO43-) from seawater in order to grow, albeit with associated increases in NH4+ concentrations. Specific examples and findings from relevant studies will be presented to illustrate the profound impact of kelp forests on seawater chemistry, emphasizing their vital role in marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Kosek
- Marine Ecology Department, Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-712 Sopot, Poland.
| | - Piotr Kukliński
- Marine Ecology Department, Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-712 Sopot, Poland
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Carlson DF, Vivó-Pons A, Treier UA, Mätzler E, Meire L, Sejr M, Krause-Jensen D. Mapping intertidal macrophytes in fjords in Southwest Greenland using Sentinel-2 imagery. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 865:161213. [PMID: 36584947 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161213] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Changes in the distribution of coastal macrophytes in Greenland, and elsewhere in the Arctic are difficult to quantify as the region remains challenging to access and monitor. Satellite imagery, in particular Sentinel-2 (S2), may enable large-scale monitoring of coastal areas in Greenland but its use is impacted by the optically complex environments and the scarcity of supporting data in the region. Additionally, the canopies of the dominant macrophyte species in Greenland do not extend to the sea surface, limiting the use of indices that exploit the reflection of near-infrared radiation by vegetation due to its absorption by seawater. Three hypotheses are tested: I) 10-m S2 imagery and commonly used detection methods can identify intertidal macrophytes that are exposed at low tide in an optically complex fjord system in Greenland impacted by marine and land terminating glaciers; II) detached and floating macrophytes accumulate in patches that are sufficiently large to be detected by 10-m S2 images; III) iceberg scour and/or turbid meltwater runoff shape the spatial distribution of intertidal macroalgae in fjord systems with marine-terminating glaciers. The NDVI produced the best results in optically complex fjord systems in Greenland. 12 km2 of exposed intertidal macrophytes were identified in the study area at low tide. Floating mats of macrophytes ranged in area from 400 m2 to 326,800 m2 and were most common at the mouth of the fjord. Icebergs and turbidity appear to play a role in structuring the distribution of intertidal macrophytes and the retreat of marine terminating glaciers could allow macrophytes cover to expand. The challenges and solutions presented here apply to most fjords in Greenland and, therefore, the methodology may be extended to produce a Greenland-wide estimate of intertidal macrophytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Carlson
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Aarhus 8000, Denmark; Optical Oceanography, Institute of Carbon Cycles, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany.
| | - Antoni Vivó-Pons
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Aarhus 8000, Denmark; Centre for Ocean Life, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Urs A Treier
- Department of Biology, Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 116, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
| | | | - Lorenz Meire
- Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, Nuuk 3900, Greenland; Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Yerseke, the Netherlands
| | - Mikael Sejr
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Aarhus 8000, Denmark; Department of Ecoscience, Marine Ecology, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé, Building 1131, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Dorte Krause-Jensen
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Aarhus 8000, Denmark; Department of Ecoscience, Marine Ecology, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé, Building 1131, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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6
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van der Grient J, Morley S, Arkhipkin A, Bates J, Baylis A, Brewin P, Harte M, White JW, Brickle P. The Falkland Islands marine ecosystem: A review of the seasonal dynamics and trophic interactions across the food web. ADVANCES IN MARINE BIOLOGY 2023; 94:1-68. [PMID: 37244676 DOI: 10.1016/bs.amb.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The Falkland Islands marine environment host a mix of temperate and subantarctic species. This review synthesizes baseline information regarding ontogenetic migration patterns and trophic interactions in relation to oceanographic dynamics of the Falkland Shelf, which is useful to inform ecosystem modelling. Many species are strongly influenced by regional oceanographic dynamics that bring together different water masses, resulting in high primary production which supports high biomass in the rest of the food web. Further, many species, including those of commercial interest, show complex ontogenetic migrations that separate spawning, nursing, and feeding grounds spatially and temporally, producing food web connections across space and time. The oceanographic and biological dynamics may make the ecosystem vulnerable to climatic changes in temperature and shifts in the surrounding area. The Falkland marine ecosystem has been understudied and various functional groups, deep-sea habitats and inshore-offshore connections are poorly understood and should be priorities for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Morley
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Arkhipkin
- Falkland Islands Government, Directorate of Natural Resources, Fisheries Department, Stanley, Falkland Islands
| | - James Bates
- Falkland Islands Fishing Companies Association, Stanley, Falkland Islands
| | - Alastair Baylis
- South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Stanley, Falkland Islands
| | - Paul Brewin
- South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Stanley, Falkland Islands; Shallow Marine Surveys Group, Stanley, Falkland Islands
| | - Michael Harte
- College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - J Wilson White
- Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Paul Brickle
- South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Stanley, Falkland Islands; School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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7
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Ecological risks associated with seaweed cultivation and identifying risk minimization approaches. ALGAL RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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8
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Handley JM, Harte E, Stanworth A, Poncet S, Catry P, Cleminson S, Crofts S, Dias M. Progressing delineations of key biodiversity areas for seabirds, and their application to management of coastal seas. DIVERS DISTRIB 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma Harte
- Falklands Conservation Stanley Falkland (Malvinas) Islands UK
| | | | - Sally Poncet
- The Antarctic Research Trust Stanley Falkland (Malvinas) Islands UK
| | - Paulo Catry
- MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre ISPA – Instituto Universitário Lisbon Portugal
| | - Sacha Cleminson
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Sandy UK
| | - Sarah Crofts
- Falklands Conservation Stanley Falkland (Malvinas) Islands UK
| | - Maria Dias
- BirdLife International Cambridge UK
- MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre ISPA – Instituto Universitário Lisbon Portugal
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
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Sieber IM, Montero-Hidalgo M, Kato-Huerta J, Rendon P, Santos-Martín F, Geneletti D, Gil A, Trégarot E, Lagabrielle E, Parelho C, Arbelo M, van Beukering P, Bayley D, Casas E, Duijndam S, Cillaurren E, David G, Dourdain A, Haroun R, Maréchal JP, Martín García L, Otero-Ferrer F, Palacios Nieto E, Pelembe T, Vergílio M, Burkhard B. Mapping and assessing ecosystem services in Europe's Overseas: A comparative analysis of MOVE case studies. ONE ECOSYSTEM 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/oneeco.7.e87179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES) has been widely applied on the European Union (EU) mainland, whereas the EU Overseas entities still bear potential for implementation. This paper presents novel applications of the MAES procedure in the EU Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories ("EU Overseas"). Eight case studies from different geographical areas were analysed through a comparative assessment by applying an established framework following key steps in the MAES process, in order to stipulate lessons learned and recommendations for MAES in the EU Overseas. These key steps include the identification of policy questions, stakeholder networks and involvement, application of MAES methods, dissemination and communication and implementation. The case studies were conducted and analysed under the umbrella of the EU MOVE pilot project, including the Azores, the Canary Islands, Saint Martin, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion Island and the Falkland Islands. Each case study represented different governance, policy and decision-making frameworks towards biodiversity and environmental protection. Case studies predominantly addressed the policy domains of Nature and Biodiversity Conservation and Marine and Maritime Policy. Ecosystem Services (ES) were assessed across a wide range of themes, biomes and scales, focusing on terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems. Results show that the implementation of the case studies was accompanied by extensive communication and dissemination activities. First success stories were visible, where the MAES exercise led to meaningful uptake of the ES concept to policies and decision-making. Yet, there is still work to be done - major bottlenecks were identified related to the MAES implementation centring around financial resources, training and technical expertise. Addressing these aspects can contribute to an enhanced implementation of MAES in the EU Overseas in the future.
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Williams C, Rees S, Sheehan EV, Ashley M, Davies W. Rewilding the Sea? A Rapid, Low Cost Model for Valuing the Ecosystem Service Benefits of Kelp Forest Recovery Based on Existing Valuations and Benefit Transfers. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.642775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Kelp forests and seagrasses are important carbon sinks that are declining globally. Rewilding the sea, through restoring these crucial habitats, their related biodiversity and ecosystem contributions, is a movement and concept, gathering pace in the United Kingdom and globally. Yet understanding of the economic costs and benefits for setting areas of the sea aside—and removing some human impacts from them—is not well understood. The potential benefits and distributional impacts on marine users and wider society is critical to make evidence based decisions. Ensuring that areas of the sea recover, and that the impacts (both positive and negative) are understood, requires targeted research to help guide decisions to optimize the opportunity of recovery, while minimizing any negative impacts on sea users and coastal communities. We approach the problem from an ecosystem services perspective, looking at the opportunity of restoring a kelp bed in Sussex by removing fishing activity from areas historically covered in kelp. Development of an ecosystem services valuation model showed restoring kelp to its highest mapped past extent (96% greater, recorded in 1987) would deliver a range of benefits valued at over £ 3.5 million GBP. The application of an ecosystem services approach enabled the full range of benefits from habitat restoration to be assessed. The results and the gaps identified in site specific data and values for this area, have broader implications in fisheries management and natural resource management tools for restoring marine habitats and ecosystems in the United Kingdom.
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Houskeeper HF, Rosenthal IS, Cavanaugh KC, Pawlak C, Trouille L, Byrnes JEK, Bell TW, Cavanaugh KC. Automated satellite remote sensing of giant kelp at the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0257933. [PMID: 34990455 PMCID: PMC8735600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Giant kelp populations that support productive and diverse coastal ecosystems at temperate and subpolar latitudes of both hemispheres are vulnerable to changing climate conditions as well as direct human impacts. Observations of giant kelp forests are spatially and temporally uneven, with disproportionate coverage in the northern hemisphere, despite the size and comparable density of southern hemisphere kelp forests. Satellite imagery enables the mapping of existing and historical giant kelp populations in understudied regions, but automating the detection of giant kelp using satellite imagery requires approaches that are robust to the optical complexity of the shallow, nearshore environment. We present and compare two approaches for automating the detection of giant kelp in satellite datasets: one based on crowd sourcing of satellite imagery classifications and another based on a decision tree paired with a spectral unmixing algorithm (automated using Google Earth Engine). Both approaches are applied to satellite imagery (Landsat) of the Falkland Islands or Islas Malvinas (FLK), an archipelago in the southern Atlantic Ocean that supports expansive giant kelp ecosystems. The performance of each method is evaluated by comparing the automated classifications with a subset of expert-annotated imagery (8 images spanning the majority of our continuous timeseries, cumulatively covering over 2,700 km of coastline, and including all relevant sensors). Using the remote sensing approaches evaluated herein, we present the first continuous timeseries of giant kelp observations in the FLK region using Landsat imagery spanning over three decades. We do not detect evidence of long-term change in the FLK region, although we observe a recent decline in total canopy area from 2017-2021. Using a nitrate model based on nearby ocean state measurements obtained from ships and incorporating satellite sea surface temperature products, we find that the area of giant kelp forests in the FLK region is positively correlated with the nitrate content observed during the prior year. Our results indicate that giant kelp classifications using citizen science are approximately consistent with classifications based on a state-of-the-art automated spectral approach. Despite differences in accuracy and sensitivity, both approaches find high interannual variability that impedes the detection of potential long-term changes in giant kelp canopy area, although recent canopy area declines are notable and should continue to be monitored carefully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry F. Houskeeper
- Department of Geography, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Isaac S. Rosenthal
- School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Katherine C. Cavanaugh
- Department of Geography, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Camille Pawlak
- Department of Geography, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Laura Trouille
- The Adler Planetarium, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Jarrett E. K. Byrnes
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tom W. Bell
- Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kyle C. Cavanaugh
- Department of Geography, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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Trégarot E, Failler P. Adequacy of ecosystem services assessment tools and approaches to current policy needs and gaps in the European Union Overseas entities. ONE ECOSYSTEM 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/oneeco.6.e74170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The paper presents the current policy needs and gaps identified in the European Union (EU) Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories to implement Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystem and their Services (MAES) methodology. Then, a selection of the most appropriate tools and methods for mapping and assessing ecosystem services (biophysical, economic, socio-cultural – and decision-support) is provided to address local needs. Using a performance matrix to assess the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of these tools, key factors required to facilitate the implementation of an ecosystem services framework are identified by considering local needs and possibilities in terms of data availability, mapping support, ecosystem services assessment and decision-support. Our results show how effective and accurate various methods (e.g. process-based models, integrated modelling and most Decision-Supporting Tools) can be, or how efficient other methods are (e.g. value transfer, spatial proxy methods and replacement cost) in data-scarce regions. Participatory approaches score well in terms of sustainability as they allow the assessment of multiple ecosystem services (covering the biophysical, economic and social-cultural components of the assessment) with local stakeholders' contribution, therefore contributing to the awareness-raising dimension. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, there is a need for flexible, guidance-based ecosystem services mapping and assessment approaches in the EU Overseas entities to facilitate MAES implementation and to adapt and integrate those methods into scenario analysis and decision-supporting tools for better uptake of MAES outputs at the decision-making and policy levels in the EU Overseas entities.
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