Understanding how Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) improve conservation outcomes across anthropogenic pressures can improve the benefits derived from them. Effects of protection for coral reefs in the western and central Indian Ocean were assessed using size-spectra analysis of fish and the relationships of trophic group biomass with human population density. Length-spectra relationships quantifying the relative abundance of small and large fish (slope) and overall productivity of the system (intercept) showed inconsistent patterns with MPA protection. The results suggest that both the slopes and intercepts were significantly higher in highly and well-protected MPAs. This indicates that effective MPAs are more productive and support higher abundances of smaller fish, relative to moderately protected MPAs. Trophic group biomass spanning piscivores and herbivores, decreased with increasing human density implying restoration of fish functional structure is needed. This would require addressing fisher needs and supporting effective MPA management to secure ecosystem benefits for coastal communities.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113010 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
From microalgae to gastropods: Understanding the kinetics and toxicity of silver nanoparticles in freshwater aquatic environment.
Environ Pollut
January 2025
Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, Section Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 66 Blvd Carl-Vogt, CH 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address:
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly used in various consumer products and industrial applications, raising concerns about their environmental impact on aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the physicochemical stability, trophic transfer, and toxic effects of citrate-coated AgNPs in a freshwater food chain including the diatom Cyclotella meneghiniana and the gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis. AgNPs remained stable in the exposure medium, with a minimal dissolution (<0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFactors Affecting Arsenic and Mercury Accumulation in Fish from the Colombian Caribbean: A Multifactorial Approach Using Machine Learning.
Environ Res
January 2025
Facultad de Ciencias Básicas. Universidad de Córdoba. Cra 6 # 77-305, Montería, 230002. Córdoba, Colombia. Electronic address:
In marine ecosystems, arsenic (As) and total mercury (T-Hg) represent two of the major pollutants, particularly in fish due to their ecology and the affinity of these metal(loid)s with biological cycles. This study assessed the influence of total length, total weight, relative condition factor, and trophic levels of ten marine fish species from the Colombian Caribbean on As and T-Hg accumulation in muscle tissue, as well as the differentiation in accumulated amounts based on fish habitat type. In this context, Balistes capriscus exhibited the highest As median (7949.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWater regulation weakens the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality: Insights from a highly managed Chinese lake.
J Environ Manage
January 2025
School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
Water diversions can mitigate water scarcities by strategically reallocating water resources. Despite their benefits, these interventions may profoundly affect biodiversity and multiple ecological functions ("multifunctionality") within highly managed lake systems. However, the specific impact of such interventions on the relationship between biodiversity and multifunctionality remains elusive, which limits our grasp of how water regulation shapes the dynamics of managed lake ecosystems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiogeochemical patterns in prey species reveal complex mercury exposure pathways from the environment to Aleutian Steller sea lions.
Mar Pollut Bull
December 2024
Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2090 Koyukuk Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA; Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2140 Koyukuk Dr, Fairbank, AK 99775, USA.
Several wildlife species exhibit marked spatial variation in toxicologically relevant tissue concentrations of mercury across the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, most notably the endangered Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus). To unravel potential environmental and trophic pathways driving mercury variation in this species of concern, we investigated spatiotemporal and ecological patterns in total mercury concentrations and stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen from muscle tissues of twelve mid-trophic level prey species of the region (n = 1461). Dividing samples into island groups explained biogeochemical variation better than larger spatial resolutions, with Amchitka Pass and Buldir Pass acting as strong geographic break points.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPotential feeding sites for seabirds and marine mammals reveal large overlap with offshore wind energy development worldwide.
J Environ Manage
December 2024
Department of Applied Biology, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Elche, Spain; Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Orihuela, Spain.
Offshore wind energy is experiencing accelerated growth worldwide to support global net zero ambitions. To ensure responsible development and to protect the natural environment, it is essential to understand and mitigate the potential impacts on wildlife, particularly on seabirds and marine mammals. However, fully understanding the effects of offshore wind energy production requires characterising its global geographic occurrence and its potential overlap with marine species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!