{"title":"Implications of Long-Term Climate Change for Biogeography and Ecological Processes in the Southern Ocean","authors":"C. McQuaid","doi":"10.1201/9780429454455-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429454455-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54693,"journal":{"name":"Oceanography and Marine Biology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82516373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Animals living in the Southern Ocean have evolved in a singular environment. It shares many of its attributes with the high Arctic, namely low, stable temperatures, the pervading effect of ice in its many forms and extreme seasonality of light and phytobiont productivity. Antarctica is, however, the most isolated continent on Earth and is the only one that lacks a continental shelf connection with another continent. This isolation, along with the many millions of years that these conditions have existed, has produced a fauna that is both diverse, with around 17,000 marine invertebrate species living there, and has the highest proportions of endemic species of any continent. The reasons for this are discussed. The isolation, history and unusual environmental conditions have resulted in the fauna producing a range and scale of adaptations to low temperature and seasonality that are unique. The best known such adaptations include channichthyid icefish that lack haemoglobin and transport oxygen around their bodies only in solution, or the absence, in some species, of what was only 20 years ago termed the universal heat shock response. Other adaptations include large size in some groups, a tendency to produce larger eggs than species at lower latitudes and very long gametogenic cycles, with egg development (vitellogenesis) taking 18–24 months in some species. The rates at which some cellular and physiological processes are conducted appear adapted to, or at least partially compensated for, low temperature such as microtubule assembly in cells, whereas other processes such as locomotion and metabolic rate are not compensated, and whole-animal growth, embryonic development, and limb regeneration in echinoderms proceed at rates even slower than would be predicted by the normal rules governing the effect of temperature on biological processes. This review describes the current state of knowledge on the biodiversity of the Southern Ocean fauna and on the majority of known ecophysiological adaptations of coldblooded marine species to Antarctic conditions. It further evaluates the impacts these adaptations have on capacities to resist, or respond to change in the environment, where resistance to raised temperatures seems poor, whereas exposure to acidified conditions to end-century levels has comparatively little impact.
{"title":"Antarctic Marine Biodiversity: Adaptations, Environments and Responses to Change","authors":"L. Peck","doi":"10.1201/9780429454455-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429454455-3","url":null,"abstract":"Animals living in the Southern Ocean have evolved in a singular environment. It shares many of its attributes with the high Arctic, namely low, stable temperatures, the pervading effect of ice in its many forms and extreme seasonality of light and phytobiont productivity. Antarctica is, however, the most isolated continent on Earth and is the only one that lacks a continental shelf connection with another continent. This isolation, along with the many millions of years that these conditions have existed, has produced a fauna that is both diverse, with around 17,000 marine invertebrate species living there, and has the highest proportions of endemic species of any continent. The reasons for this are discussed. The isolation, history and unusual environmental conditions have resulted in the fauna producing a range and scale of adaptations to low temperature and seasonality that are unique. The best known such adaptations include channichthyid icefish that lack haemoglobin and transport oxygen around their bodies only in solution, or the absence, in some species, of what was only 20 years ago termed the universal heat shock response. Other adaptations include large size in some groups, a tendency to produce larger eggs than species at lower latitudes and very long gametogenic cycles, with egg development (vitellogenesis) taking 18–24 months in some species. The rates at which some cellular and physiological processes are conducted appear adapted to, or at least partially compensated for, low temperature such as microtubule assembly in cells, whereas other processes such as locomotion and metabolic rate are not compensated, and whole-animal growth, embryonic development, and limb regeneration in echinoderms proceed at rates even slower than would be predicted by the normal rules governing the effect of temperature on biological processes. This review describes the current state of knowledge on the biodiversity of the Southern Ocean fauna and on the majority of known ecophysiological adaptations of coldblooded marine species to Antarctic conditions. It further evaluates the impacts these adaptations have on capacities to resist, or respond to change in the environment, where resistance to raised temperatures seems poor, whereas exposure to acidified conditions to end-century levels has comparatively little impact.","PeriodicalId":54693,"journal":{"name":"Oceanography and Marine Biology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81271537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Keesing, A. Gartner, M. Westera, G. Edgar, J. Myers, N. Hardman-Mountford, Mark Bailey
{"title":"Impacts and Environmental Risks of Oil Spills on Marine Invertebrates, Algae and Seagrass: A Global Review from an Australian Perspective","authors":"J. Keesing, A. Gartner, M. Westera, G. Edgar, J. Myers, N. Hardman-Mountford, Mark Bailey","doi":"10.1201/9780429454455-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429454455-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54693,"journal":{"name":"Oceanography and Marine Biology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84428792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2016-11-25DOI: 10.1201/9781315368597-12
S. Purcell, C. Conand, S. Uthicke, M. Byrne
Sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) are large and abundant members of marine benthic communities. Overexploitation worldwide has raised concern because they have important functions within ecosystems. The ecological roles of commercially exploited sea cucumbers (Aspidochirotida and Dendrochirotida) are reviewed here, focusing on recent literature. Of the more than 70 species commercially exploited, at least 12 regularly bury into sand and mud, playing major roles in bioturbation. Most aspidochirotids are deposit-feeders, reducing the organic load and redistributing surface sediments, making them bioremediators for coastal mariculture. Sea cucumbers excrete inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, enhancing the productivity of benthic biota. This form of nutrient recycling is crucial in ecosystems in oligotrophic waters such as coral reefs. Feeding and excretion by sea cucumbers also act to increase seawater alkalinity which contributes to local buffering of ocean acidification. Sea cucumbers host more than 200 species of parasitic and commensal symbionts from seven phyla, thereby enhancing ecosystem biodiversity. They are preyed on by many taxa, thereby transferring animal tissue and nutrients (derived from detritus and microalgae) to higher trophic levels. Overexploitation of sea cucumbers is likely to decrease sediment health, reduce nutrient recycling and potential benefits of deposit-feeding to seawater chemistry, diminish biodiversity of associated symbionts, and reduce the transfer of organic matter from detritus to higher trophic levels. Ecosystem-based fisheries management needs to consider the importance of sea cucumbers in marine ecosystems and implement regulatory measures to safeguard their ecological roles.
{"title":"Ecological Roles of Exploited Sea Cucumbers","authors":"S. Purcell, C. Conand, S. Uthicke, M. Byrne","doi":"10.1201/9781315368597-12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315368597-12","url":null,"abstract":"Sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) are large and abundant members of marine benthic communities. Overexploitation worldwide has raised concern because they have important functions within ecosystems. The ecological roles of commercially exploited sea cucumbers (Aspidochirotida and Dendrochirotida) are reviewed here, focusing on recent literature. Of the more than 70 species commercially exploited, at least 12 regularly bury into sand and mud, playing major roles in bioturbation. Most aspidochirotids are deposit-feeders, reducing the organic load and redistributing surface sediments, making them bioremediators for coastal mariculture. Sea cucumbers excrete inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, enhancing the productivity of benthic biota. This form of nutrient recycling is crucial in ecosystems in oligotrophic waters such as coral reefs. Feeding and excretion by sea cucumbers also act to increase seawater alkalinity which contributes to local buffering of ocean acidification. Sea cucumbers host more than 200 species of parasitic and commensal symbionts from seven phyla, thereby enhancing ecosystem biodiversity. They are preyed on by many taxa, thereby transferring animal tissue and nutrients (derived from detritus and microalgae) to higher trophic levels. Overexploitation of sea cucumbers is likely to decrease sediment health, reduce nutrient recycling and potential benefits of deposit-feeding to seawater chemistry, diminish biodiversity of associated symbionts, and reduce the transfer of organic matter from detritus to higher trophic levels. Ecosystem-based fisheries management needs to consider the importance of sea cucumbers in marine ecosystems and implement regulatory measures to safeguard their ecological roles.","PeriodicalId":54693,"journal":{"name":"Oceanography and Marine Biology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79545255","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Benjamins, A. Dale, G. Hastie, J. Waggitt, M. Lea, B. Scott, B. Wilson
Energetic tidal-stream environments are characterized by frequent, variable, yet broadly predictable currents containing ephemeral flow structures that change across multiple spatio-temporal scales. Marine mammals and seabirds (marine megafauna) often frequent such sites, but increasingly these locations are targeted for renewable energy extraction; little is known, however, about how marine megafauna use these habitats and any potential impacts. This review aims to summarize existing knowledge concerning usage by marine megafauna and considers their wider ecological significance. The review describes the physical processes occurring within tidal-stream environments that generate the oceanographic structures of potential ecological relevance, such as jets, boils, eddies, and fronts. Important physical features of these environments include lateral transport, turbulence-driven 3-dimensional flow structure at various spatial scales, and upwelling. Foraging opportunities appear to be the main attractor to marine megafauna, likely driven by enhanced prey abundance, vulnerability, or diversity. Many megafauna associate with particular tidal phases, current strengths, and flow structures, most likely in response to tidally forced prey distribution and behaviours. Occupancy patterns, distributions, and foraging behaviours are discussed. Local site fidelity by ‘tidal-stream experts’ suggest non-uniform conservation risks within larger metapopulations. The review discusses data-gathering techniques and associated challenges, the significance of scaling, and information gaps.
{"title":"Confusion reigns? A review of marine megafauna interactions with tidal-stream environments","authors":"S. Benjamins, A. Dale, G. Hastie, J. Waggitt, M. Lea, B. Scott, B. Wilson","doi":"10.1201/B18733-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1201/B18733-2","url":null,"abstract":"Energetic tidal-stream \u0000environments are characterized by frequent, variable, yet broadly predictable \u0000currents containing ephemeral flow structures that change across multiple spatio-temporal \u0000scales. \u0000Marine mammals and seabirds (marine megafauna) often frequent such sites, but increasingly these \u0000locations are targeted for renewable energy extraction; little is known, however, about how marine \u0000megafauna use these habitats and any potential impacts. This review aims to summarize existing \u0000knowledge concerning usage by marine megafauna and considers their wider ecological significance. \u0000The review describes the physical processes occurring within tidal-stream \u0000environments that \u0000generate the oceanographic structures of potential ecological relevance, such as jets, boils, eddies, \u0000and fronts. Important physical features of these environments include lateral transport, turbulence-driven \u00003-dimensional flow structure at various spatial scales, and upwelling. Foraging opportunities \u0000appear to be the main attractor to marine megafauna, likely driven by enhanced prey abundance, \u0000vulnerability, or diversity. Many megafauna associate with particular tidal phases, current strengths, \u0000and flow structures, most likely in response to tidally forced prey distribution and behaviours. \u0000Occupancy patterns, distributions, and foraging behaviours are discussed. Local site fidelity by \u0000‘tidal-stream \u0000experts’ suggest non-uniform \u0000conservation risks within larger metapopulations. The \u0000review discusses data-gathering \u0000techniques and associated challenges, the significance of scaling, \u0000and information gaps.","PeriodicalId":54693,"journal":{"name":"Oceanography and Marine Biology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89735867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. Gowen, P. Tett, E. Bresnan, K. Davidson, April McKinney, P. Harrison, S. Milligan, D. Mills, J. Silke, Anne-Marie Crooks
{"title":"Anthropogenic nutrient enrichment and blooms of harmful phytoplankton","authors":"R. Gowen, P. Tett, E. Bresnan, K. Davidson, April McKinney, P. Harrison, S. Milligan, D. Mills, J. Silke, Anne-Marie Crooks","doi":"10.1201/B12157-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1201/B12157-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54693,"journal":{"name":"Oceanography and Marine Biology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76250623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Hassler, V. Schoemann, M. Boyé, A. Tagliabue, Mark J. Rozmarynowycz, R. McKay
{"title":"Iron bioavailability in the Southern Ocean","authors":"C. Hassler, V. Schoemann, M. Boyé, A. Tagliabue, Mark J. Rozmarynowycz, R. McKay","doi":"10.1201/b12157-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1201/b12157-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54693,"journal":{"name":"Oceanography and Marine Biology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81335725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jessica Stella, M. Pratchett, Pat Hutchings, Geoffrey P. Jones
The biodiversity of coral reefs is dominated by invertebrates. Many of these invertebrates live in close association with scleractinian corals, relying on corals for food, habitat or settlement cues. Given their strong dependence on corals, it is of great concern that our knowledge of coral associated invertebrates is so limited, especially in light of severe and ongoing degradation of coral reef habitats and the potential for species extinctions. This review examines the taxonomic extent of coral-associated invertebrates, the levels of dependence on coral hosts, the nature of associations between invertebrates and corals, and the factors that threaten coral-associated invertebrates now and in the future. There are at least 860 invertebrate species that have been described as coral associated, of which 310 are decapod crustaceans. Over half of coral-associated invertebrates appear to have an obligate dependence on live corals. Many exhibit a high degree of preference for one or two coral species, with species in the genera Pocillopora, Acropora and Stylophora commonly preferred. This level of habitat specialization may place coral-associated invertebrates at a great risk of extinction, particularly because preferred coral genera are those most susceptible to coral bleaching and mortality. In turn, many corals are also reliant on the services of particular invertebrates, leading to strong feed backs between abundance of corals and their associated invertebrates. The loss of even a few preferred coral taxa could lead to a substantial decline in invertebrate biodiversity and have far-reaching effects on coral reef ecosystem function. A full appreciation of the consequences of further coral reef degradation for invertebrate biodiversity awaits a more complete description of the diversity of coral-associated invertebrates, the roles they play in coral reef ecosystems, their contribution to reef resilience and their conservation needs.
{"title":"CoRAl-ASSoCIATED INvERTEbRATES: DIvERSITy, EColoGICAl IMPoRTANCE AND vulNERAbIlITy To DISTuRbANCE","authors":"Jessica Stella, M. Pratchett, Pat Hutchings, Geoffrey P. Jones","doi":"10.1201/B11009-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1201/B11009-4","url":null,"abstract":"The biodiversity of coral reefs is dominated by invertebrates. Many of these invertebrates live in close association with scleractinian corals, relying on corals for food, habitat or settlement cues. Given their strong dependence on corals, it is of great concern that our knowledge of coral associated invertebrates is so limited, especially in light of severe and ongoing degradation of coral reef habitats and the potential for species extinctions. This review examines the taxonomic extent \u0000of coral-associated invertebrates, the levels of dependence on coral hosts, the nature of associations between invertebrates and corals, and the factors that threaten coral-associated invertebrates now and in the future. There are at least 860 invertebrate species that have been described as coral associated, of which 310 are decapod crustaceans. Over half of coral-associated invertebrates appear to have an obligate dependence on live corals. Many exhibit a high degree of preference for one or two coral species, with species in the genera Pocillopora, Acropora and Stylophora commonly preferred. \u0000 \u0000This level of habitat specialization may place coral-associated invertebrates at a great risk of extinction, particularly because preferred coral genera are those most susceptible to coral bleaching and mortality. In turn, many corals are also reliant on the services of particular invertebrates, leading to strong feed backs between abundance of corals and their associated invertebrates. The loss of even a few preferred coral taxa could lead to a substantial decline in invertebrate biodiversity and \u0000have far-reaching effects on coral reef ecosystem function. A full appreciation of the consequences of further coral reef degradation for invertebrate biodiversity awaits a more complete description of the diversity of coral-associated invertebrates, the roles they play in coral reef ecosystems, their contribution to reef resilience and their conservation needs.","PeriodicalId":54693,"journal":{"name":"Oceanography and Marine Biology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89494284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-07-01DOI: 10.1201/EBK1439821169-C2
D. Morrisey, A. Swales, S. Dittmann, M. Morrison, C. Lovelock, C. Beard
Previous reviews of mangrove biology focused on the more extensive and diverse tropical examples, with those of temperate regions generally relegated to a footnote. Temperate mangroves are distinctive in several ways, most obviously by the lower diversity of tree species. Their occurrence in relatively developed countries has created different issues for mangrove management from those in the tropics. Mangroves in several temperate areas are currently expanding, due to changes in river catchments, in contrast to their worldwide decline. Information derived from the greater body of research from tropical regions has sometimes been applied uncritically to the management of temperate mangroves. The growing body of information on the ecology of temperate mangroves is reviewed, with emphasis on productivity, response to anthropogenically enhanced rates of sediment accumulation, and potential effects of climate change. There is no unique marine or estuarine fauna in temperate mangroves, but the poorly known terrestrial fauna includes mangrove-dependent species. Although productivity generally declines with increasing latitude, there is overlap in the range of reported values between temperate and tropical regions and considerable within-region variation. This, and variation in other ecologically important factors, makes it advisable to consider management of temperate mangroves on a case-by-case basis, for example, when responding to expansion of mangroves at a particular location.
{"title":"THE ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF TEMPERATE MANGROVES","authors":"D. Morrisey, A. Swales, S. Dittmann, M. Morrison, C. Lovelock, C. Beard","doi":"10.1201/EBK1439821169-C2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1201/EBK1439821169-C2","url":null,"abstract":"Previous reviews of mangrove biology focused on the more extensive and diverse tropical examples, with those of temperate regions generally relegated to a footnote. Temperate mangroves are distinctive in several ways, most obviously by the lower diversity of tree species. Their occurrence in relatively developed countries has created different issues for mangrove management from those in the tropics. Mangroves in several temperate areas are currently expanding, due to changes in river catchments, in contrast to their worldwide decline. Information derived from the greater body of research from tropical regions has sometimes been applied uncritically to the management of temperate mangroves. The growing body of information on the ecology of temperate mangroves is reviewed, with emphasis on productivity, response to anthropogenically enhanced rates of sediment accumulation, and potential effects of climate change. There is no unique marine or estuarine fauna in temperate mangroves, but the poorly known terrestrial fauna includes mangrove-dependent species. Although productivity generally declines with increasing latitude, there is overlap in the range of reported values between temperate and tropical regions and considerable within-region variation. This, and variation in other ecologically important factors, makes it advisable to consider management of temperate mangroves on a case-by-case basis, for example, when responding to expansion of mangroves at a particular location.","PeriodicalId":54693,"journal":{"name":"Oceanography and Marine Biology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73600449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Estuaries are vital ecosystems that have sustained human and marine life since earliest times. Yet, no other part of the ocean has been so fundamentally shaped by human activities. Understanding the magnitude, drivers and consequences of past changes is essential to determine current trends and realistic management goals. This review provides a detailed account of human-induced changes in Massachusetts, Delaware, Chesapeake, Galveston and San Francisco Bays and Pamlico Sound. Native Americans have lived off these estuaries for millennia, yet left few signs of local resource depletion. European colonisation, commercialisation and industrialisation dramatically depleted and degraded valuable species, habitats and water quality. Exploitation and habitat loss were the main factors depleting 95% of valued species, with 35% being rare and 3% extirpated. Twentieth century conservation efforts enabled 10% of species to recover. Such profound changes in species diversity have altered the structure and functions of estuarine ecosystems as well as their services for human well-being. Thus, undesirable health risks and societal costs have increased over past decades. Protecting and restoring the diversity and vitality of estuaries will enhance their resilience towards current and future disturbances, yet require better governance of these often-neglected ecosystems. Their documented historical richness and essential role for marine life and people may increase the necessary awareness and appreciation.
{"title":"Historical reconstruction of human-induced changes in U.S. estuaries","authors":"H. Lotze","doi":"10.1201/EBK1439821169-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1201/EBK1439821169-5","url":null,"abstract":"Estuaries are vital ecosystems that have sustained human and marine life since earliest times. Yet, no other part of the ocean has been so fundamentally shaped by human activities. Understanding the magnitude, drivers and consequences of past changes is essential to determine current trends and realistic management goals. This review provides a detailed account of human-induced changes in Massachusetts, Delaware, Chesapeake, Galveston and San Francisco Bays and Pamlico Sound. Native Americans have lived off these estuaries for millennia, yet left few signs of local resource depletion. European colonisation, commercialisation and industrialisation dramatically depleted and degraded valuable species, habitats and water quality. Exploitation and habitat loss were the main factors depleting 95% of valued species, with 35% being rare and 3% extirpated. Twentieth century conservation efforts enabled 10% of species to recover. Such profound changes in species diversity have altered the structure and functions of estuarine ecosystems as well as their services for human well-being. Thus, undesirable health risks and societal costs have increased over past decades. Protecting and restoring the diversity and vitality of estuaries will enhance their resilience towards current and future disturbances, yet require better governance of these often-neglected ecosystems. Their documented historical richness and essential role for marine life and people may increase the necessary awareness and appreciation.","PeriodicalId":54693,"journal":{"name":"Oceanography and Marine Biology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86588849","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}