Hasil untuk "General. Including nature conservation, geographical distribution"

Joachim Larsen Marthinsen, Elin Kjørsvik, Paul Whatmore et al.

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) stores excess dietary lipids as triacylglycerol (TAG) in the liver, but substantial accumulation emerges only during the late larval stage, characterized by a sharp increase in hepatic vacuolization (4-35%) between 45 and 61 days post-hatching (dph). To investigate mechanisms underlying this transition, we examined the ontogeny of bile and lipid metabolic pathways in cod larvae (2–60 dph) using RNA sequencing of whole-body larvae and quantitative real-time PCR of digestive tissues for key genes involved in dietary lipid processing. We further tested transcriptomic effects of two dietary phospholipid (PL) levels (ca. 7 and 6% dry matter) with or without bile salt (BS) supplementation (0.04% dry matter) during co-feeding (17–34 dph) and through 60 dph. Ontogenetic expression patterns indicated that hepatic lipid accumulation is not constrained by the capacity for lipid digestion, synthesis or transport. Instead, the onset of hepatic lipid deposition coincided with pronounced upregulation of the TAG-synthesizing enzyme dgat2 and the lipid droplet-stabilizing protein plin2 in digestive tissues, with plin2 also increasing sharply in whole-body larvae. Dietary PL level and BS supplementation elicited only modest and inconsistent transcriptional responses, suggesting limited dietary modulation of the examined pathways under the tested conditions. We propose dgat2 and plin2 as candidate markers of liver development in cod larvae and emphasize the need for multi-omics approaches to clarify the mechanisms regulating hepatic lipid storage.

Masoud Mohammed Aloufi, Abudlaziz Khalaf Al-jabri, Muna Abdullah Al-Mazroui et al.

Abed El Rahman Hassoun, Toste Tanhua, Emma Heslop et al.

The European Ocean Observing Community (EOOC) integrates inputs from diverse entities dedicated to comprehensively monitoring and forecasting oceanic phenomena in European Seas. With increasing climate and anthropogenic pressures, the urgency of ensuring the EOOC’s preparedness to observe Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) is evident. This paper advocates for the adoption of a scoring approach designed to evaluate the readiness of the EOOC in observing and forecasting key ocean phenomena. The proposed scoring methodology can be applied at both European and potentially regional and/or national levels, and emerges as a transformative tool for scrutinizing the EOOC’s capability to predict and monitor key ocean phenomena. Our findings, based on the application of the scoring approach, suggest that while the community demonstrates commendable readiness levels for certain oceanic phenomena, 83% remain in developing stages, oscillating between “Idea” and “Trial” readiness levels. A closer examination exposes critical shortages predominantly in the coordination and observational facets (Process), and data management and information products (Output). The implications of these identified gaps reach far beyond academic realms, profoundly affecting diverse sectors and societal resilience (e.g., energy sector). The suggested scoring approach serves as a clear call for strategic investments and heightened support for the European observing community. By adopting a regular and systematic scoring methodology, we not only measure progress at present but also pave the way for a resilient and future-ready EOOC.

Walter Dellisanti, Walter Dellisanti, Jeffery T. H. Chung et al.

Scleractinian corals are increasingly subjected to local stressors combined with global changes. In subtropical areas, corals exhibit metabolic plasticity and resilience in response to variability and extremes in local temperature, salinity, and light; however, the physiological mechanisms by which corals acclimate or adapt to these changing conditions remain disputed. We assessed the physiological status of the coral Platygyra carnosa during a two-year in situ monitoring survey. To obtain metabolic rates (respiration and photosynthesis), photochemical efficiency (Fv / Fm), and biocalcification measurements, non-invasive techniques such as underwater respirometry, Pulse Amplitude Modulated (PAM) fluorometry, total alkalinity measurements, and digital photography were used. Our findings show clear seasonality in water quality parameters, which affected coral health. Elevated temperatures during the summer were below the maximum monthly mean < 31°C) but reduced the energetic productivity of corals (-44% relative to winter). Fluctuations in salinity (25–38 ppt) and pH (7.65–8.44) were linked to rainfall and reduced calcification rates. The conditions during the spring were favorable for coral metabolism and calcification (+20% relative to summer). Overall, our research demonstrates that the metabolic plasticity of P. carnosa in response to shifts in seawater quality allows this species to survive ongoing environmental change. Our in situ observations provide fundamental insights into coral response mechanisms under changing environmental conditions and contribute to projections of coral health under future scenarios of global change.

Sang-Woo Hur, Josel Cadangin, Seunghan Lee et al.

The necessity for additional macroalgal biomass is warranted amid the ongoing expansion of abalone aquaculture. In the current study, an in-depth investigation of the food value of Sargassum horneri as a replacement for Undaria pinnatifida on growth, body composition, body histology, gut microbiota, and the taste sensory profile of abalone Haliotis discus hannai was carried out. After a 12-week feeding trial, the results indicated that 25% replacement (SH25) induced the highest shell-growth performance and best feed utilization values, although there was no significant difference in weight-related growth parameters with the basal (no inclusion of S. horneri) and 50% replacement (SH50) diets. Interestingly, the highest protein content was detected in abalone fed the basal diet followed by SH25 and SH50. The high replacement of S. horneri in the diet showed signs of structural integrity loss in the digestive gland. The results from the pyrosequencing of the genomic DNA from the gut of the abalone indicated an insignificant difference in α-diversity parameters and only a clear boundary was observed between SH0 and SH100 diets based on principal coordinate analysis. The bacterial genera Psychrilobacter, Vibrio, and Mycoplasma predominantly occupied the gut of the abalone, although there is a difference in their relative abundance. The taste screening experiment through the use of an electronic tongue showed a comparable taste profile of the abalone and is independent of the diets given. The findings of the present study showed that S. horneri, up to 50% replacement of macroalgal ingredients, can be utilized in feed formulation for H. discus hannai. These, in turn, contribute to the expanding knowledge on the utilization of biofouling and non-traditional macroalgae for sustainable abalone aquaculture practices.

Li Zhou, Mengna Li, Mengna Li et al.

IntroductionMarine metal contamination caused by deep-sea mining activities has elicited great concern from both social and scientific communities. Among the various metals deep-sea organisms might encounter, cadmium (Cd) is a widely detected metal that in very small amounts is nonetheless capable of severe toxicity. Yet due to both remoteness and technical challenges, insights into the effects of metal exposure resulting from mining activities upon deep-sea organisms are limited.MethodsHere, we investigated Cd’s toxicological effects on deep-sea mussels of Gigantidas platifrons exposed to 100 or 1000 g/L of Cd for 7 days; an integrated approach was used that incorporated proteomics and metabolomics along with traditional approaches (metal concentrations, metal subcellular distribution, and anti-oxidative and immune-related biochemical indexes).Results and DiscussionResults showed that Cd exposure caused significant Cd’s accumulation in mussel gills and redistribution of Cd among subcellular compartments, with cellular debris being the primary binding site. Although anti-oxidative enzymes activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase) were not significantly altered in mussel gills of both exposed groups, the markedly increased level of glutathione S-transferase detected via proteomic technique clearly evinced that deep-sea mussels suffered from oxidative stress under Cd exposure. Besides, altered activities of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase assayed by traditional methods along with the predominant presence of largely altered immune-related proteins detected by proteomic data strongly revealed an immune response of deep-sea mussels elicited by Cd. In addition, results of proteomics combined with those of non-targeted metabolomics demonstrated that Cd could exert toxicity by disrupting cytoskeleton structure, ion homeostasis, and primary metabolisms of energy, lipid, and nucleotide in deep-sea mussels. As demonstrated in this study, proteomics and metabolomics can be used in tandem to provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of deep-sea organisms’ response to Cd exposure and for helping to discover potential biomarkers for application during deep-sea mining assessments.

M. Horvath, T. Juhász, I. Fatér et al.

The Hungarian population of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) is closely monitored by MME BirdLife Hungary and the ranger service of the Hungarian national park directorates since 1980. The population is slowly, but continuously increasing during the last four decades and the average population growth rate is 11% and the number of estimated nesting population has increased from 230–240 pairs (2018) to 400–450 (2023). The distribution area is also still expanding to the south and the species colonised new areas especially in Bács-Kiskun, Csongrád and Győr-Moson-Sopron counties, but even spread to Serbia and Romania. The breeding density also increased in the core areas of the breeding range especially in Heves, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok and Békés counties, which hold the most important stronghold of the species in the Pannonian basin. Besides, the average breeding success also increased to 1.54 fledgling/breeding pair and 1.91 fledgling/successful pair by 2022. The prevalence of raptor poisoning incidents decreased and were kept at a relatively low level between 2014–2022 thanks to specific and complex conservation measures with the help of the EU’s LIFE Nature programme (HELICON and PannonEagle LIFE projects). Due to the significant increase of the population and the limited capacity of the working group, the national monitoring protocol has been changed in 2023. The key parameters of the national population (i.e. no. of nesting pairs, no. of chicks) is still monitored by the ranger service of the Hungarian national park directorates. On the other hand, the complex monitoring program of MME BirdLife Hungary, which is gathering detailed data on breeding performance (including ringing and drone surveillance, diet and genetic analyses) is focusing only on selected sample areas, which recently covers 50% of the population (ca. 200 pairs).

D. Mladenoff, Theodore A. Sickley, R. Haight et al.

Leeann M. Sullivan, Michael J. Manfredo, Tara L. Teel

Abstract Calls for organizational change have pervaded wildlife conservation in recent decades, driven by a shift in values that is reshaping the social landscape of wildlife management. As this process unfolds, wildlife agencies in North America seek new ways to remain relevant, focusing primarily on how they might expand support for their ongoing work. Less attention, however, has been given to expanding opportunities for a value‐diverse public to directly shape what that work might entail. As citizen ballot initiatives, lawsuits, and other forms of political intervention continue to complicate wildlife management, we ask whether agencies—who have historically shied away from value‐based conflict in pursuit of apolitical scientific management—can remain relevant without fundamental changes to their governance structures. Using data from a 2018 survey of wildlife values among the American public (n = 24,393) and state wildlife agency employees (n = 10,191), we explore the extent to which public values are mirrored within wildlife agencies and examine the implications of a “values gap” on the long‐term sustainability of technocratic wildlife management. Findings suggest that as the public's perspectives on wildlife conservation change, governance reform may become a growing area of focus in the years ahead.

Kasper Hancke, Svein Kristiansen, Lars Chresten Lund-Hansen

Arctic summer sea ice extent is decreasing and thinning, forming melt ponds that cover more than 50% of the sea ice area during the peak of the melting season. Despite of this, ice algal communities in melt ponds are understudied and so are their contribution to the Arctic Ocean primary production and carbon turnover. While melt ponds have been considered as low productive, recent studies suggest that accumulated ice algal potentially facilitate high and yet overlooked rates of carbon turnover. Here we report on ice algal communities forming dense mats not previously described, collected from melt ponds in the northern Barents Sea in July. We document on distinct layered and brown colored mats with high carbon assimilation and net primary production rates compared to ice algal communities and aggregates, in fact comparable to benthic microalgae at temperate tidal flats. Rates of gross and net primary production, as well as community respiration rates were obtained from oxygen micro profiling, and carbon assimilation calculations were supported by 14C incubations, pigment analysis and light microscopy examinations. The melt pond algal mats consisted of distinct colored layers and differed from aggregates with a consisted layered structure. We accordingly propose the term melt pond algal mats, and further speculate that these dense ice algal mats may provide an important yet overlooked source of organic carbon in the Arctic food-web. A foodweb component likely very sensitive to climate driven changes in the Arctic Ocean and pan-Arctic seas.

Vassilis P. Papadopoulos, George Krokos, George Krokos et al.

A regional, high-resolution reanalysis was analyzed to explore extreme heat loss events in the Northern Red Sea (NRS) and their links to specific regional atmospheric circulation patterns. Such events are determinant for the overturning circulation of the Red Sea and occur frequently between November and March, with maximum frequency during December and January. During these events, the most intense heat loss, often with daily-averaged values lower than -1000 W/m2, is found over the southern half of the Gulf of Aqaba and along the western coastline of the open NRS. Analyses of the spatial modes of variability of these events suggest that the majority of them extend over the entire NRS in an almost uniform way; however, secondary, nonuniform patterns related to regional adjustment in the wind field are also identified. The uniform cold outbursts are associated with distinct atmospheric circulation patterns, which favor the transfer of cold air masses from higher latitudes over the eastern Mediterranean Sea via a strong northwest wind field. Nonuniform events affect considerable parts of the NRS and occur when cold and dry air masses reach the NRS through the Middle East and the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula. The regional sea level pressure drives a clockwise rotation of the wind field that ultimately blows from the northeast/east direction. This rotation of the wind field favors local intensification and lee areas defined by the complex topography and characteristic gaps in the mountain chain along the eastern coastline of the NRS, reflecting the differentiations in the spatial distribution of the heat flux minima.

Viviana Ligorini, Nathalie Malet, Marie Garrido et al.

Coastal lagoons are subjected to ever-increasing direct or indirect anthropic pressures and are inexorably deteriorating with serious issues regarding their resilience. In this paper, we assessed the functioning and evolution of the highly disturbed Biguglia coastal lagoon (Mediterranean Sea, Corsica) through an ecosystem-based approach (EBA), using multiple biotic and abiotic proxies (hydro-climatic context and eutrophication), considering its connectivity to sea and watershed and biological compartments (macrophytes, phytoplankton, and invasive species) and taking into account human influence (management actions and fishing activities). The aim of this work is firstly to provide a comprehensive analysis of its long-term (2000–2021) ecological evolution trajectory and then, based on these results, to anticipate management strategies for supporting its conservation and restoration, and the maintenance of ecosystem services it offers. Results revealed that while the lagoon showed these days a good capacity to recover after disturbance and absorb change, it recently exhibited considerable changes in its phytoplankton community composition, developed an increased susceptibility to biological invasion, and experienced a drastic reduction in fish stocks. The major interannual variations of the mean salinity, strongly dependent on management interventions beyond natural climatic variability, summarized this instability. In the future, the lagoon may no longer be able to cope with even small disturbances, which could then be sufficient to reach a breakpoint and tip the system permanently into undesired/degraded states. We demonstrated that local and punctual management actions are not always beneficial for the entire ecosystem or even detrimental in some instances. Such a retrospective ecosystem-based approach is fundamental for producing the holistic insights required to implement efficient integrated ecosystem management. This further helps enhance lagoon resilience and hence preserve its ecosystem services in the context of increasing global changes. Such lessons are useful anywhere for comparable ecosystems.

I. Chukhraev, O.O. Kozeeva

The urban geographic information system includes a wide range of different types of complex data collected from various sources. Objects described vary from industrial to ecological as city itself being tied to environment also affects nature. Preventing pollution and other emergency situations caused by industrial and human activity in general is both topical and burning that is widely recognized so there is need for a comprehensive study of the possibilities to develop geographic information system in order to increase efficiency of city design. The purpose of the article is to develop urban geographic information system that provides a solution to the problem and also helps to reduce city planning costs as a system representing city on different levels and obtaining all the necessary information in one source. Urban geographic information system developed with the latest digital technologies allows to make city planning more flexible to technical, economical, social and other changes. Three-dimensional visualization is one of the up-to-date ways to expand geographic information system functionality and this paper gives information of the subject area: research on nowadays data models and data processing methods was conducted. And on this basis urban geographic information system extended data model including underground infrastructure level was offered and possible approaches to increase efficiency of data processing in it were formed. The three-dimensional model provides a solution for complex underground and overground design with digital technologies on a basis of geographic information system that includes multilevel data organization.

Clare Morrison, J. Hero

Mahmoud S. Gewaily, Mustafa Shukry, Marwa F. Abdel-Kader et al.

Aeromonas hydrophila infection is one of the major diseases that cause inflammation and immunodepression in aquatic animals. Likewise, waterborne toxins are known for their negative impact on the immunity and antioxidant responses of aquatic organisms. In this study, Lactobacillus plantarum (LP20) was incorporated in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, diets (50 mg/kg) to investigate its role in the antioxidant capacity, immunity, and anti-inflammation induced by deltamethrin (DLM) toxicity (96-h LC50 was 14.9 μg/L) and A. hydrophila (LD50, 2 × 108 CFU/ml). One hundred and twenty healthy fish with an initial weight of 28.21 ± 1.34 g were allotted in 12 glass aquaria (60 L) and divided randomly into four groups (triplicates, 10 fish per aquarium). The control fish neither received LP20 nor were exposed to DLM. The second group of fish was fed the control diet and subjected to DLM (DLM group). The third group of fish was provided with LP20 without DLM toxicity (LP20 group), and the fourth group of fish was fed LP20 and subjected to DLM (DLM + LP20 group). After 30 days, fish were intraperitoneally injected with A. hydrophila. Ten days post infection, the survival rate was lower in fish exposed to DLM than those exposed to LP20. Further, fish fed on LP20 had elevated serum total protein (sTP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB), phagocytic index (PI), phagocytic (PA), and lysozyme activities (LZM), but they had lower urea, uric acid bilirubin, creatinine, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities after 24 h, 48 h, and 1 week post A. hydrophila challenge. However, fish exposed to DLM had lower sTP, ALB, GLB and higher urea, uric acid, bilirubin, creatinine, glucose, ALT, AST, and ALP after 24 h, 48 h, and 1 week post A. hydrophila challenge. Markedly, after the A. hydrophila challenge, fish exposed to DLM + LP20 displayed upregulated levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) genes. The transcription of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 12 (IL-12), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was upregulated in DLM and DLM + LP20 groups. Fish exposed to DLM downregulated interleukin 8 (IL-8) gene expression after A. hydrophila challenge. Further, fish displayed upregulation of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene expression after DLM toxicity. Besides, fish exposed to DLM toxicity and A. hydrophila infection had severe inflammatory features in the liver, spleen, gills, and intestine, while dietary LP20 relieved the inflammatory features. In summary, dietary LP20 relieves Nile tilapia from oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and inflammation induced by DLM and A. hydrophila infection.

Roland Proud, Camille Le Guen, Richard B. Sherley et al.

King penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) are an iconic Southern Ocean species, but the prey distributions that underpin their at-sea foraging tracks and diving behaviour remain unclear. We conducted simultaneous acoustic surveys off South Georgia and tracking of king penguins breeding ashore there in Austral summer 2017 to gain insight into habitat use and foraging behaviour. Acoustic surveys revealed ubiquitous deep scattering layers (DSLs; acoustically detected layers of fish and other micronekton that inhabit the mesopelagic zone) at c. 500 m and shallower ephemeral fish schools. Based on DNA extracted from penguin faecal samples, these schools were likely comprised of lanternfish (an important component of king penguin diets), icefish (Channichthyidae spp.) and painted noties (Lepidonotothen larseni). Penguins did not dive as deep as DSLs, but their prey-encounter depth-distributions, as revealed by biologging, overlapped at fine scale (10s of m) with depths of acoustically detected fish schools. We used neural networks to predict local scale (10 km) fish echo intensity and depth distribution at penguin dive locations based on environmental correlates, and developed models of habitat use. Habitat modelling revealed that king penguins preferentially foraged at locations predicted to have shallow and dense (high acoustic energy) fish schools associated with shallow and dense DSLs. These associations could be used to predict the distribution of king penguins from other colonies at South Georgia for which no tracking data are available, and to identify areas of potential ecological significance within the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands marine protected area.

Gabriel A. Juma, Gabriel A. Juma, Adiel M. Magana et al.

Seagrass and associated blue carbon ecosystems are important carbon sinks, and hence understanding their spatial and temporal variability is vital in appreciating their potential roles in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Indo-Pacific region has the highest seagrass biodiversity, yet little focus has been made to compare seagrass habitat extent and carbon dynamics with their temperate counterparts. The present study assessed habitat characteristics and seagrass species distribution, diversity, and carbon storage in Eastern (marine) and Western (estuarine) mangrove-fringed creeks of Gazi Bay, Kenya. Data on species composition, canopy cover, biomass, and sediment organic carbon were collected in 80 plots of 0.25 × 0.25 m laid along transects established perpendicular to the waterline. Five species formation, viz., Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Enhalus acoroides, and Thalassidendron ciliatum, were encountered as either single or mixed stands. There was a significant difference in total seagrass biomass between creeks (p < 0.01), with the Eastern creek recording a mean of 10.2 ± 0.6 Mg C ha–1 while the Western creek recording 4.3 ± 0.3 Mg C ha–1. In addition, sediment carbon to 1-m depth varied significantly (p < 0.01) between species in the two creeks and ranged from 98 to 302 Mg C ha–1, with the Eastern and Western creeks recording means of 258 ± 90 and 107 ± 21 Mg C ha–1, respectively. The total carbon stock from 50 ha of seagrasses in the Eastern creek was 13,420 Mg C, whereas in the 70 ha of the Western creek it was 7,769 Mg C. The study shows that seagrass community attributes such as species composition and productivity can vary dramatically over a small spatial extent due to differences in biophysical conditions and caution estimations of site-specific carbon stocks using generalized global values.

L. Pataro, Rafael Molina‐Venegas, J. Calatayud et al.

P. Kraufvelin, Z. Pekcan-Hekim, U. Bergström et al.