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Dr. Laura Airoldi
Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali and Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), University of Bologna, UO CoNISMa, Via San Alberto 163, Ravenna 48123, Italy

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0 Nature-based Solutions
0 Global climate change
0 Marine urbanization
0 Marine biodiversity conservation and restoration
0 Resilience of coastal and marine systems

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Journal article
Published: 31 August 2020 in Nature Sustainability
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The sprawl of marine construction is one of the most extreme human modifications to global seascapes. Nevertheless, its global extent remains largely unquantified compared to that on land. We synthesized disparate information from a diversity of sources to provide a global assessment of the extent of existing and projected marine construction and its effects on the seascape. Here we estimated that the physical footprint of built structures was at least 32,000 km2 worldwide as of 2018, and is expected to cover 39,400 km2 by 2028. The area of seascape modified around structures was 1.0–3.4 × 106 km2 in 2018 and was projected to increase by 50–70% for power and aquaculture infrastructure, cables and tunnels by 2028. In 2018, marine construction affected 1.5% (0.7–2.4%) of global Exclusive Economic Zones, comparable to the global extent of urban land estimated at 0.02–1.7%. This study provides a critical baseline for tracking future marine human development. Marine construction is sprawling globally. As of 2018, this study finds that the structures occupied 32,000 km2 but affected 1 to 3 million km2, a shadow expected to expand 50–70% by 2028.

ACS Style

A. B. Bugnot; M. Mayer-Pinto; L. Airoldi; E. C. Heery; E. L. Johnston; L. P. Critchley; E. M. A. Strain; R. L. Morris; L. H. L. Loke; M. J. Bishop; E. V. Sheehan; R. A. Coleman; K. A. Dafforn. Current and projected global extent of marine built structures. Nature Sustainability 2020, 4, 33 -41.

AMA Style

A. B. Bugnot, M. Mayer-Pinto, L. Airoldi, E. C. Heery, E. L. Johnston, L. P. Critchley, E. M. A. Strain, R. L. Morris, L. H. L. Loke, M. J. Bishop, E. V. Sheehan, R. A. Coleman, K. A. Dafforn. Current and projected global extent of marine built structures. Nature Sustainability. 2020; 4 (1):33-41.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. B. Bugnot; M. Mayer-Pinto; L. Airoldi; E. C. Heery; E. L. Johnston; L. P. Critchley; E. M. A. Strain; R. L. Morris; L. H. L. Loke; M. J. Bishop; E. V. Sheehan; R. A. Coleman; K. A. Dafforn. 2020. "Current and projected global extent of marine built structures." Nature Sustainability 4, no. 1: 33-41.

Journal article
Published: 20 February 2020 in Marine Pollution Bulletin
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Salt marshes in urban watersheds are prone to microplastics (MP) pollution due to their hydrological characteristics and exposure to urban runoff, but little is known about MP distributions in species from these habitats. In the current study, MP occurrence was determined in six benthic invertebrate species from salt marshes along the North Adriatic lagoons (Italy) and the Schelde estuary (Netherlands). The species represented different feeding modes and sediment localisation. 96% of the analysed specimens (330) did not contain any MP, which was consistent across different regions and sites. Suspension and facultative deposit-feeding bivalves exhibited a lower MP occurrence (0.5–3%) relative to omnivores (95%) but contained a much more variable distribution of MP sizes, shapes and polymers. The study provides indications that MP physicochemical properties and species' ecological traits could all influence MP exposure, uptake and retention in benthic organisms inhabiting European salt marsh ecosystems.

ACS Style

Stefania Piarulli; Brecht Vanhove; Paolo Comandini; Sara Scapinello; Tom Moens; Henk Vrielinck; Giorgia Sciutto; Silvia Prati; Rocco Mazzeo; Andy Booth; Carl Van Colen; Laura Airoldi. Do different habits affect microplastics contents in organisms? A trait-based analysis on salt marsh species. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2020, 153, 110983 .

AMA Style

Stefania Piarulli, Brecht Vanhove, Paolo Comandini, Sara Scapinello, Tom Moens, Henk Vrielinck, Giorgia Sciutto, Silvia Prati, Rocco Mazzeo, Andy Booth, Carl Van Colen, Laura Airoldi. Do different habits affect microplastics contents in organisms? A trait-based analysis on salt marsh species. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2020; 153 ():110983.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefania Piarulli; Brecht Vanhove; Paolo Comandini; Sara Scapinello; Tom Moens; Henk Vrielinck; Giorgia Sciutto; Silvia Prati; Rocco Mazzeo; Andy Booth; Carl Van Colen; Laura Airoldi. 2020. "Do different habits affect microplastics contents in organisms? A trait-based analysis on salt marsh species." Marine Pollution Bulletin 153, no. : 110983.

Journal article
Published: 22 October 2019 in Marine Pollution Bulletin
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Estimating the potential environmental risks of worldwide coastal recreational navigation on water quality is an important step towards designing a sustainable global market. This study proposes the creation of a global atlas of the environmental risk of marinas on water quality by applying the Marina Environmental Risk Assessment (MERA) procedure. Calculations integrate three main risk factors: Pressure, State and Response. Applying the MERA approach to 105 globally distributed marinas has confirmed the utility, versatility and adaptability of this procedure as a novel tool to compare the environmental risks within and among regions (i.e. for area-based management), to identify the world's best practices (i.e. to optimize existing management) and to understand and adjust global risks in future development (i.e. improved planning).

ACS Style

Paloma F. Valdor; Aina G. Gómez; José A. Juanes; Camille Kerléguer; Peter Steinberg; Edwina Tanner; Catriona MacLeod; Antony M. Knights; Rochelle D. Seitz; Laura Airoldi; Louise B. Firth; Tasman Crowe; Eva Chatzinikolaou; Alison Smith; Christos Arvanitidis; John A. Burt; Paul R. Brooks; Massimo Ponti; Abilio Soares-Gomes; Aida Ovejero; Gonzalo Méndez. A global atlas of the environmental risk of marinas on water quality. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2019, 149, 110661 .

AMA Style

Paloma F. Valdor, Aina G. Gómez, José A. Juanes, Camille Kerléguer, Peter Steinberg, Edwina Tanner, Catriona MacLeod, Antony M. Knights, Rochelle D. Seitz, Laura Airoldi, Louise B. Firth, Tasman Crowe, Eva Chatzinikolaou, Alison Smith, Christos Arvanitidis, John A. Burt, Paul R. Brooks, Massimo Ponti, Abilio Soares-Gomes, Aida Ovejero, Gonzalo Méndez. A global atlas of the environmental risk of marinas on water quality. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2019; 149 ():110661.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Paloma F. Valdor; Aina G. Gómez; José A. Juanes; Camille Kerléguer; Peter Steinberg; Edwina Tanner; Catriona MacLeod; Antony M. Knights; Rochelle D. Seitz; Laura Airoldi; Louise B. Firth; Tasman Crowe; Eva Chatzinikolaou; Alison Smith; Christos Arvanitidis; John A. Burt; Paul R. Brooks; Massimo Ponti; Abilio Soares-Gomes; Aida Ovejero; Gonzalo Méndez. 2019. "A global atlas of the environmental risk of marinas on water quality." Marine Pollution Bulletin 149, no. : 110661.

Journal article
Published: 05 July 2019 in Regional Studies in Marine Science
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Artificial structures are sprawling along seashores due to growing populations, coastal use and greater need for coastal erosion and flood protection. The impacts of these anthropogenic modifications of coastlines on fish populations are poorly described, and little is known about factors affecting the ecological performance of these novel habitats for fish. We compared the abundance and community structure of fish assemblages associated with artificial coastal defence structures built in either rocky or sedimentary contexts at two locations along the coast of Sicily, to explore whether the performance of the artificial habitats for fish changed in relation to the characteristics of the surrounding natural habitat. We also quantified how fish associated with artificial structures in either habitat contexts differed from that at nearby natural rocky reefs. We found that fish assemblages differed in abundance and structure between artificial coastal defences deployed in sandy contexts vs natural rocky reefs, with different ecological taxa showing greater (i.e. benthic carnivorous) or lower (i.e. serranids) abundances in the artificial habitat. We also found that fish assemblages associated to artificial structures built on rocky bottoms had inconsistent outcomes, more frequently grouping with artificial sandy habitats at one location and with natural rocky reefs at the other. These results suggest that the surrounding environmental setting could have an overriding, and so far largely overlooked, importance in affecting the performance of artificial structures as habitats and in facilitating the development of fish assemblage with distinctive composition and structure.

ACS Style

Giulio Franzitta; Laura Airoldi. Fish assemblages associated with coastal defence structures: Does the surrounding habitat matter? Regional Studies in Marine Science 2019, 31, 100743 .

AMA Style

Giulio Franzitta, Laura Airoldi. Fish assemblages associated with coastal defence structures: Does the surrounding habitat matter? Regional Studies in Marine Science. 2019; 31 ():100743.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Giulio Franzitta; Laura Airoldi. 2019. "Fish assemblages associated with coastal defence structures: Does the surrounding habitat matter?" Regional Studies in Marine Science 31, no. : 100743.

Review
Published: 22 April 2019 in Environmental Pollution
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Microplastic (MP) has become ubiquitous in the marine environment. Its threat to marine organisms has been demonstrated under laboratory conditions, yet studies on wild populations still face methodological difficulties. We reviewed the methods used to separate MP from soft animal tissues and highlighted a lack of standardised methodologies, particularly critical for synthetic microfibres. We further compared enzymatic and a potassium hydroxide (KOH)-based alkaline digestion protocols on wild crabs (Carcinus aestuarii) collected from three coastal lagoons in the north Adriatic Sea and on laboratory-prepared synthetic polyester (PES) of different colour and polypropylene (PP). We compared the cost-effectiveness of the two methods, together with the potential for adverse quantitative or qualitative effects on MP that could alter the capability of the polymers to be recognised via microscopic or spectroscopic techniques. Only 5.5% of the 180 examined crabs contained MP in their gastrointestinal tracts, with a notably high quantitative variability between individuals (from 1 to 117 particles per individual). All MP found was exclusively microfibres, mainly PES, with a mean length (±SE) of 0.5 ± 0.03 mm. The two digestion methods provided comparable estimates on wild crabs and did not cause any visible physical or chemical alterations on laboratory-prepared microfibres treated for up to 4 days. KOH solution was faster and cheaper compared to the enzymatic extraction, involving fewer procedural steps and therefore reducing the risk of airborne contamination. With digestion times longer than 4 days, KOH caused morphological alterations of some of the PES microfibres, which did not occur with the enzymatic digestion. This suggests that KOH is effective for the digestion of small marine invertebrates or biological samples for which shorter digestion time is required, while enzymatic extraction should be considered as alternative for larger organisms or sample sizes requiring longer digestion times.

ACS Style

Stefania Piarulli; Sara Scapinello; Paolo Comandini; Kerstin Magnusson; Maria Granberg; Joanne X.W. Wong; Giorgia Sciutto; Silvia Prati; Rocco Mazzeo; Andy Booth; Laura Airoldi. Microplastic in wild populations of the omnivorous crab Carcinus aestuarii: A review and a regional-scale test of extraction methods, including microfibres. Environmental Pollution 2019, 251, 117 -127.

AMA Style

Stefania Piarulli, Sara Scapinello, Paolo Comandini, Kerstin Magnusson, Maria Granberg, Joanne X.W. Wong, Giorgia Sciutto, Silvia Prati, Rocco Mazzeo, Andy Booth, Laura Airoldi. Microplastic in wild populations of the omnivorous crab Carcinus aestuarii: A review and a regional-scale test of extraction methods, including microfibres. Environmental Pollution. 2019; 251 ():117-127.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefania Piarulli; Sara Scapinello; Paolo Comandini; Kerstin Magnusson; Maria Granberg; Joanne X.W. Wong; Giorgia Sciutto; Silvia Prati; Rocco Mazzeo; Andy Booth; Laura Airoldi. 2019. "Microplastic in wild populations of the omnivorous crab Carcinus aestuarii: A review and a regional-scale test of extraction methods, including microfibres." Environmental Pollution 251, no. : 117-127.

Review
Published: 12 March 2019 in Environmental Evidence
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Shallow nearshore marine ecosystems are changing at an increasing rate due to a range of human activities such as urbanisation and commercial development. As a result, an increasing number of structural modifications occur in coastal nursery and spawning habitats of fish. Concomitant to this increase, there have been declines in many coastal fish populations and changes in the composition of fish communities. As requested by Swedish stakeholders, this review aimed to synthesise scientific evidence of the impact on fish recruitment of structural modifications in temperate coastal areas. We searched for peer-reviewed and grey literature on such impacts in English, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, German, Swedish and Spanish. Searches were performed in bibliographic databases, specialist websites, bibliographies of review articles. We also contacted stakeholder to find relevant literature. Eligible studies included small- and large-scale field studies in marine systems and large lakes (> 10,000 km2) in temperate regions of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Included replicated comparisons of fish recruitment between altered and unaltered control areas, comparisons before and after an alteration, or both. Relevant outcomes (response variables) included measures of recruitment defined as abundance of juvenile fish in coastal habitats. All fish species were considered. Articles were screened for eligibility by title, abstract and full text. Eligible studies were critically appraised based on their external and internal validity. From each eligible study of sufficient validity, we extracted information on study design, measured outcomes, exposure, type of comparator, effect modifiers and study findings. Study findings were synthesised narratively. We searched for eligible studies in 15 databases, 24 specialist websites, Google Scholar, and bibliographies of 11 review articles. The review finally included 37 studies that were eligible and of sufficient validity to be considered for final synthesis. Most studies (23 of 37) were from the Northern Hemisphere. Studies varied in design, spatial resolution, target fish species, and type of structural habitat change. This high level of variation did not allow for a quantitative synthesis and prevented us from drawing general conclusions on the impact of structures or structural modifications on fish recruitment. In this review we provide a narrative synthesis of the evidence base and classify eligible studies into six categories (based on type of exposure and comparator). The categories are as follows: the impacts on fish recruitment of: (1) artificial structures in coastal areas, (2) structures designed as fish attractors, (3) large scale urban sprawl, (4) ‘novel’ habitats, (5) habitat loss, and (6) restoration. This review revealed a very limited evidence base for how structural modifications and marine urban sprawl can affect fish recruitment. Thus, there is a substantial mismatch between stakeholder...

ACS Style

Biljana Macura; Pär Byström; Laura Airoldi; Britas Klemens Eriksson; Lars Rudstam; Josianne G. Støttrup. Impact of structural habitat modifications in coastal temperate systems on fish recruitment: a systematic review. Environmental Evidence 2019, 8, 14 .

AMA Style

Biljana Macura, Pär Byström, Laura Airoldi, Britas Klemens Eriksson, Lars Rudstam, Josianne G. Støttrup. Impact of structural habitat modifications in coastal temperate systems on fish recruitment: a systematic review. Environmental Evidence. 2019; 8 (1):14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Biljana Macura; Pär Byström; Laura Airoldi; Britas Klemens Eriksson; Lars Rudstam; Josianne G. Støttrup. 2019. "Impact of structural habitat modifications in coastal temperate systems on fish recruitment: a systematic review." Environmental Evidence 8, no. 1: 14.

Journal article
Published: 20 December 2018 in Science of The Total Environment
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Marine harbours are the focus of a diverse range of activities and subject to multiple anthropogenically induced pressures. Support for environmental management options aimed at improving degraded harbours depends on understanding the factors which influence people's perceptions of harbour environments. We used an online survey, across 12 harbours, to assess sources of variation people's perceptions of harbour health and ecological engineering. We tested the hypotheses: 1) people living near impacted harbours would consider their environment to be more unhealthy and degraded, be more concerned about the environment and supportive of and willing to pay for ecological engineering relative to those living by less impacted harbours, and 2) people with greater connectedness to the harbour would be more concerned about and have greater perceived knowledge of the environment, and be more supportive of, knowledgeable about and willing to pay for ecological engineering, than those with less connectedness. Across twelve locations, the levels of degradation and modification by artificial structures were lower and the concern and knowledge about the environment and ecological engineering were greater in the six Australasian and American than the six European and Asian harbours surveyed. We found that people's perception of harbours as healthy or degraded, but not their concern for the environment, reflected the degree to which harbours were impacted. There was a positive relationship between the percentage of shoreline modified and the extent of support for and people's willingness to pay indirect costs for ecological engineering. At the individual level, measures of connectedness to the harbour environment were good predictors of concern for and perceived knowledge about the environment but not support for and perceived knowledge about ecological engineering. To make informed decisions, it is important that people are empowered with sufficient knowledge of the environmental issues facing their harbour and ecological engineering options.

ACS Style

E.M.A. Strain; K.A. Alexander; S. Kienker; R. Morris; R. Jarvis; R. Coleman; B. Bollard; L.B. Firth; A.M. Knights; J.H. Grabowski; L. Airoldi; B.K.K. Chan; S.Y. Chee; Z. Cheng; R. Coutinho; R.G. de Menezes; M. Ding; Y. Dong; C.M.L. Fraser; A.G. Gómez; J.A. Juanes; P. Mancuso; L.V.R. Messano; L.P.D. Naval-Xavier; S. Scyphers; P. Steinberg; S. Swearer; P.F. Valdor; J.X.Y. Wong; J. Yee; M.J. Bishop. Urban blue: A global analysis of the factors shaping people's perceptions of the marine environment and ecological engineering in harbours. Science of The Total Environment 2018, 658, 1293 -1305.

AMA Style

E.M.A. Strain, K.A. Alexander, S. Kienker, R. Morris, R. Jarvis, R. Coleman, B. Bollard, L.B. Firth, A.M. Knights, J.H. Grabowski, L. Airoldi, B.K.K. Chan, S.Y. Chee, Z. Cheng, R. Coutinho, R.G. de Menezes, M. Ding, Y. Dong, C.M.L. Fraser, A.G. Gómez, J.A. Juanes, P. Mancuso, L.V.R. Messano, L.P.D. Naval-Xavier, S. Scyphers, P. Steinberg, S. Swearer, P.F. Valdor, J.X.Y. Wong, J. Yee, M.J. Bishop. Urban blue: A global analysis of the factors shaping people's perceptions of the marine environment and ecological engineering in harbours. Science of The Total Environment. 2018; 658 ():1293-1305.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E.M.A. Strain; K.A. Alexander; S. Kienker; R. Morris; R. Jarvis; R. Coleman; B. Bollard; L.B. Firth; A.M. Knights; J.H. Grabowski; L. Airoldi; B.K.K. Chan; S.Y. Chee; Z. Cheng; R. Coutinho; R.G. de Menezes; M. Ding; Y. Dong; C.M.L. Fraser; A.G. Gómez; J.A. Juanes; P. Mancuso; L.V.R. Messano; L.P.D. Naval-Xavier; S. Scyphers; P. Steinberg; S. Swearer; P.F. Valdor; J.X.Y. Wong; J. Yee; M.J. Bishop. 2018. "Urban blue: A global analysis of the factors shaping people's perceptions of the marine environment and ecological engineering in harbours." Science of The Total Environment 658, no. : 1293-1305.

Essay
Published: 04 September 2018 in PLOS Biology
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Habitat-forming species sustain biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in harsh environments through the amelioration of physical stress. Nonetheless, their role in shaping patterns of species distribution under future climate scenarios is generally overlooked. Focusing on coastal systems, we assess how habitat-forming species can influence the ability of stress-sensitive species to exhibit plastic responses, adapt to novel environmental conditions, or track suitable climates. Here, we argue that habitat-former populations could be managed as a nature-based solution against climate-driven loss of biodiversity. Drawing from different ecological and biological disciplines, we identify a series of actions to sustain the resilience of marine habitat-forming species to climate change, as well as their effectiveness and reliability in rescuing stress-sensitive species from increasingly adverse environmental conditions.

ACS Style

Fabio Bulleri; Britas Klemens Eriksson; Ana Queirós; Laura Airoldi; Francisco Arenas; Christos Arvanitidis; Tjeerd J. Bouma; Tasman P. Crowe; Dominique Davoult; Katell Guizien; Ljiljana Iveša; Stuart Jenkins; Richard Michalet; Celia Olabarria; Gabriele Procaccini; Ester Serrao; Martin Wahl; Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi. Harnessing positive species interactions as a tool against climate-driven loss of coastal biodiversity. PLOS Biology 2018, 16, e2006852 .

AMA Style

Fabio Bulleri, Britas Klemens Eriksson, Ana Queirós, Laura Airoldi, Francisco Arenas, Christos Arvanitidis, Tjeerd J. Bouma, Tasman P. Crowe, Dominique Davoult, Katell Guizien, Ljiljana Iveša, Stuart Jenkins, Richard Michalet, Celia Olabarria, Gabriele Procaccini, Ester Serrao, Martin Wahl, Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi. Harnessing positive species interactions as a tool against climate-driven loss of coastal biodiversity. PLOS Biology. 2018; 16 (9):e2006852.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fabio Bulleri; Britas Klemens Eriksson; Ana Queirós; Laura Airoldi; Francisco Arenas; Christos Arvanitidis; Tjeerd J. Bouma; Tasman P. Crowe; Dominique Davoult; Katell Guizien; Ljiljana Iveša; Stuart Jenkins; Richard Michalet; Celia Olabarria; Gabriele Procaccini; Ester Serrao; Martin Wahl; Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi. 2018. "Harnessing positive species interactions as a tool against climate-driven loss of coastal biodiversity." PLOS Biology 16, no. 9: e2006852.

Journal article
Published: 11 July 2018 in Scientific Reports
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Climate-driven range-shifts create evolutionary opportunities for allopatric divergence and subsequent contact, leading to genetic structuration and hybrid zones. We investigate how these processes influenced the evolution of a complex of three closely related Cystoseira spp., which are a key component of the Mediterranean-Atlantic seaweed forests that are undergoing population declines. The C. tamariscifolia complex, composed of C. tamariscifolia s.s., C. amentacea and C. mediterranea, have indistinct boundaries and natural hybridization is suspected. Our aims are to (1) infer the genetic structure and diversity of these species throughout their distribution ranges using microsatellite markers to identify ancient versus recent geographical populations, contact zones and reproductive barriers, and (2) hindcast past distributions using niche models to investigate the influence of past range shifts on genetic divergence at multiple spatial scales. Results supported a single, morphologically plastic species the genetic structure of which was incongruent with a priori species assignments. The low diversity and low singularity in northern European populations suggest recent colonization after the LGM. The southern Iberian genetic hotspot most likely results from the role of this area as a climatic refugium or a secondary contact zone between differentiated populations or both. We hypothesize that life-history traits (selfing, low dispersal) and prior colonization effects, rather than reproductive barriers, might explain the observed genetic discontinuities.

ACS Style

Ricardo Bermejo; Rosa M. Chefaoui; Aschwin H. Engelen; Roberto Buonomo; João Neiva; Joana Ferreira-Costa; Gareth A. Pearson; Núria Marbà; Carlos M. Duarte; Laura Airoldi; Ignacio Hernández; Michael D. Guiry; Ester A. Serrão. Marine forests of the Mediterranean-Atlantic Cystoseira tamariscifolia complex show a southern Iberian genetic hotspot and no reproductive isolation in parapatry. Scientific Reports 2018, 8, 10427 .

AMA Style

Ricardo Bermejo, Rosa M. Chefaoui, Aschwin H. Engelen, Roberto Buonomo, João Neiva, Joana Ferreira-Costa, Gareth A. Pearson, Núria Marbà, Carlos M. Duarte, Laura Airoldi, Ignacio Hernández, Michael D. Guiry, Ester A. Serrão. Marine forests of the Mediterranean-Atlantic Cystoseira tamariscifolia complex show a southern Iberian genetic hotspot and no reproductive isolation in parapatry. Scientific Reports. 2018; 8 (1):10427.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ricardo Bermejo; Rosa M. Chefaoui; Aschwin H. Engelen; Roberto Buonomo; João Neiva; Joana Ferreira-Costa; Gareth A. Pearson; Núria Marbà; Carlos M. Duarte; Laura Airoldi; Ignacio Hernández; Michael D. Guiry; Ester A. Serrão. 2018. "Marine forests of the Mediterranean-Atlantic Cystoseira tamariscifolia complex show a southern Iberian genetic hotspot and no reproductive isolation in parapatry." Scientific Reports 8, no. 1: 10427.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2018 in Marine Environmental Research
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Coastal areas have been transformed worldwide by urbanization, so that artificial structures are now widespread. Current coastal development locally depletes many native marine species, while offering limited possibilities for their expansion. Eco-engineering interventions intend to identify ways to facilitate the presence of focal species and their associated functions on artificial habitats. An important but overlooked factor controlling restoration operations is overgrazing by herbivores. The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of different potential feeders on Cystoseira amentacea, a native canopy-forming alga of the Mediterranean infralittoral fringe, and test whether manipulation of grazing pressure can facilitate the human-guided installation of this focal species on coastal structures. Results of laboratory tests and field experiments revealed that Sarpa salpa, the only strictly native herbivorous fish in the Western Mediterranean Sea, can be a very effective grazer of C. amentacea in artificial habitats, up to as far as the infralittoral fringe, which is generally considered less accessible to fishes. S. salpa can limit the success of forestation operations in artificial novel habitats, causing up to 90% of Cystoseira loss after a few days. Other grazers, such as limpets and crabs, had only a moderate impact. Future engineering operations intended to perform forestation of canopy-forming algae on artificial structures should consider relevant biotic factors, such as fish overgrazing, identifying cost-effective techniques to limit their impact, as is the usual practice in restoration programmes on land.

ACS Style

Fabrizio Gianni; Fabrizio Bartolini; Laura Airoldi; Luisa Mangialajo. Reduction of herbivorous fish pressure can facilitate focal algal species forestation on artificial structures. Marine Environmental Research 2018, 138, 102 -109.

AMA Style

Fabrizio Gianni, Fabrizio Bartolini, Laura Airoldi, Luisa Mangialajo. Reduction of herbivorous fish pressure can facilitate focal algal species forestation on artificial structures. Marine Environmental Research. 2018; 138 ():102-109.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fabrizio Gianni; Fabrizio Bartolini; Laura Airoldi; Luisa Mangialajo. 2018. "Reduction of herbivorous fish pressure can facilitate focal algal species forestation on artificial structures." Marine Environmental Research 138, no. : 102-109.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2018 in Marine Environmental Research
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Climate change is inducing shifts in species ranges across the globe. These can affect the genetic pools of species, including loss of genetic variability and evolutionary potential. In particular, geographically enclosed ecosystems, like the Mediterranean Sea, have a higher risk of suffering species loss and genetic erosion due to barriers to further range shifts and to dispersal. In this study, we address these questions for three habitat-forming seaweed species, Cystoseira tamariscifolia, C. amentacea and C. compressa, throughout their entire ranges in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. We aim to 1) describe their population genetic structure and diversity, 2) model the present and predict the future distribution and 3) assess the consequences of predicted future range shifts for their population genetic structure, according to two contrasting future climate change scenarios. A net loss of suitable areas was predicted in both climatic scenarios across the range of distribution of the three species. This loss was particularly severe for C. amentacea in the Mediterranean Sea (less 90% in the most extreme climatic scenario), suggesting that the species could become potentially at extinction risk. For all species, genetic data showed very differentiated populations, indicating low inter-population connectivity, and high and distinct genetic diversity in areas that were predicted to become lost, causing erosion of unique evolutionary lineages. Our results indicated that the Mediterranean Sea is the most threatened region, where future suitable Cystoseira habitats will become more limited. This is likely to have wider ecosystem impacts as there is a lack of species with the same ecological niche and functional role in the Mediterranean. The projected accelerated loss of already fragmented and disturbed populations and the long-term genetic effects highlight the urge for local scale management strategies that sustain the capacity of these habitat-forming species to persist despite climatic impacts while waiting for global emission reductions.

ACS Style

Roberto Buonomo; Rosa Chefaoui; Ricardo Bermejo Lacida; Aschwin H. Engelen; Ester A. Serrão; Laura Airoldi. Predicted extinction of unique genetic diversity in marine forests of Cystoseira spp. Marine Environmental Research 2018, 138, 119 -128.

AMA Style

Roberto Buonomo, Rosa Chefaoui, Ricardo Bermejo Lacida, Aschwin H. Engelen, Ester A. Serrão, Laura Airoldi. Predicted extinction of unique genetic diversity in marine forests of Cystoseira spp. Marine Environmental Research. 2018; 138 ():119-128.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Roberto Buonomo; Rosa Chefaoui; Ricardo Bermejo Lacida; Aschwin H. Engelen; Ester A. Serrão; Laura Airoldi. 2018. "Predicted extinction of unique genetic diversity in marine forests of Cystoseira spp." Marine Environmental Research 138, no. : 119-128.

Journal article
Published: 01 April 2018 in Marine Pollution Bulletin
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We analyzed the occurrence and status of infralittoral fringe populations of Cystoseira spp. (Fucales) at thirteen rocky sites around the Italian coastline, and explored the relationships with relevant environmental and anthropogenic variables. We found Cystoseira populations at 11 sites: most were scattered and comprised monospecific stands of C. compressa, and only 6 sites also supported sparse specimens of either C. amentacea var. stricta or C. brachycarpa. Coastal human population density, Chlorophyll a seawater concentrations, sea surface temperature, annual range of sea surface temperature and wave fetch explained most of the variation of the status of C. compressa. We hypothesize a generally unhealthy state of the Italian Cystoseira infralittoral fringe populations and identify multiple co-occurring anthropogenic stressors as the likely drivers of these poor conditions. Extensive baseline monitoring is needed to describe how Cystoseira populations are changing, and implement a management framework for the conservation of these valuable but vulnerable habitats.

ACS Style

F.P. Mancuso; E.M.A. Strain; E. Piccioni; O. De Clerck; G. Sarà; L. Airoldi. Status of vulnerable Cystoseira populations along the Italian infralittoral fringe, and relationships with environmental and anthropogenic variables. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2018, 129, 762 -771.

AMA Style

F.P. Mancuso, E.M.A. Strain, E. Piccioni, O. De Clerck, G. Sarà, L. Airoldi. Status of vulnerable Cystoseira populations along the Italian infralittoral fringe, and relationships with environmental and anthropogenic variables. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2018; 129 (2):762-771.

Chicago/Turabian Style

F.P. Mancuso; E.M.A. Strain; E. Piccioni; O. De Clerck; G. Sarà; L. Airoldi. 2018. "Status of vulnerable Cystoseira populations along the Italian infralittoral fringe, and relationships with environmental and anthropogenic variables." Marine Pollution Bulletin 129, no. 2: 762-771.

Original paper
Published: 16 February 2018 in Biological Invasions
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Non-native Spartina spp. have invaded many coastal saltmarshes worldwide. Introduced Spartina may cause problems like displacement of native vegetation and hybridisation with native species, leading to changes to relevant ecosystem services and saltmarsh geomorphology. Here we report the extensive and so far overlooked replacement of the native Spartina maritima by non-native S. anglica and S. townsendii along 400 km of the coast of the north-western Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea). We analysed the distribution of both native and non-native Spartina spp. along the six main saltmarsh areas in the region, and produced maps of their presence by using a combination of genetic tools, morphological analysis and geotagged photographs, complemented with field observations. We also reviewed historical herbaria from the region to explore when the first non-native introductions could have occured. We found that S. anglica and S. townsendii are unexpectedly widespread, having established along the whole study region, in one lagoon totally replacing the local native species. Its introduction happened virtually unnoticed, and misidentified herbarium specimens date back as early as 1987. We discuss the ecological implications of this overlooked extensive replacement, and the need for a comprehensive assessment of the status of the saltmarshes in this region, both to protect the few remaining patches of the native S. maritima and control the spread of the non-native species across the Mediterranean Sea.

ACS Style

Joanne X. W. Wong; Federica Costantini; Nicola Merloni; Lorenzo Savelli; Danny Geelen; Laura Airoldi. The widespread and overlooked replacement of Spartina maritima by non-indigenous S. anglica and S. townsendii in north-western Adriatic saltmarshes. Biological Invasions 2018, 20, 1687 -1702.

AMA Style

Joanne X. W. Wong, Federica Costantini, Nicola Merloni, Lorenzo Savelli, Danny Geelen, Laura Airoldi. The widespread and overlooked replacement of Spartina maritima by non-indigenous S. anglica and S. townsendii in north-western Adriatic saltmarshes. Biological Invasions. 2018; 20 (7):1687-1702.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Joanne X. W. Wong; Federica Costantini; Nicola Merloni; Lorenzo Savelli; Danny Geelen; Laura Airoldi. 2018. "The widespread and overlooked replacement of Spartina maritima by non-indigenous S. anglica and S. townsendii in north-western Adriatic saltmarshes." Biological Invasions 20, no. 7: 1687-1702.

Letter
Published: 01 December 2017 in Environmental Research Letters
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Urban areas have broad ecological footprints with complex impacts on natural systems. In coastal areas, growing populations are advancing their urban footprint into the ocean through the construction of seawalls and other built infrastructure. While we have some understanding of how urbanisation might drive functional change in terrestrial ecosystems, coastal systems have been largely overlooked. This study is one of the first to directly assess how changes in diversity relate to changes in ecosystem properties and functions (e.g. productivity, filtration rates) of artificial and natural habitats in one of the largest urbanised estuaries in the world, Sydney Harbour. We complemented our surveys with an extensive literature search. We found large and important differences in the community structure and function between artificial and natural coastal habitats. However, differences in diversity and abundance of organisms do not necessarily match observed functional changes. The abundance and composition of important functional groups differed among habitats with rocky shores having 40% and 70% more grazers than seawalls or pilings, respectively. In contrast, scavengers were approximately 8 times more abundant on seawalls than on pilings or rocky shores and algae were more diverse on natural rocky shores and seawalls than on pilings. Our results confirm previous findings in the literature. Oysters were more abundant on pilings than on rocky shores, but were also smaller. Interestingly, these differences in oyster populations did not affect in situ filtration rates between habitats. Seawalls were the most invaded habitats while pilings supported greater secondary productivity than other habitats. This study highlights the complexity of the diversity-function relationship and responses to ocean sprawl in coastal systems. Importantly, we showed that functional properties should be considered independently from structural change if we are to design and manage artificial habitats in ways to maximise the services provided by urban coastal systems and minimise their ecological impacts.

ACS Style

M Mayer-Pinto; V J Cole; Emma Johnston; Ana Bugnot; H Hurst; Laura Airoldi; T M Glasby; Katherine Dafforn. Functional and structural responses to marine urbanisation. Environmental Research Letters 2017, 13, 014009 .

AMA Style

M Mayer-Pinto, V J Cole, Emma Johnston, Ana Bugnot, H Hurst, Laura Airoldi, T M Glasby, Katherine Dafforn. Functional and structural responses to marine urbanisation. Environmental Research Letters. 2017; 13 (1):014009.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M Mayer-Pinto; V J Cole; Emma Johnston; Ana Bugnot; H Hurst; Laura Airoldi; T M Glasby; Katherine Dafforn. 2017. "Functional and structural responses to marine urbanisation." Environmental Research Letters 13, no. 1: 014009.

Primary research paper
Published: 17 October 2017 in Hydrobiologia
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This study investigated the influence of physical and chemical conditions and biotic factors on the distribution and diversity of meiofauna in intertidal zone along a geographical gradient. At 11 sites along the Italian coast, we studied the concurring role of environmental variables, trophic resources and the presence of habitat-forming species (macroalgae vs. mussels) in controlling the meiofaunal communities. The increase of water temperature combined with local thermal conditions was associated with a decrease in nematodes and copepods, with a consequent decrease in meiofaunal abundance towards the south. However, the increase in salinity, as geographical gradient decreases, and local thermal conditions favoured the settlement of a greater number of taxa, influencing communities’ composition. The presence of macroalgae or mussels differently influenced the community structure of meiofauna on intertidal substrates and their response to environmental factors. From our results, the presence of macroalgae coverage appeared to reduce the impact of thermal stress on meiofauna and was associated with higher levels of meiofaunal diversity with respect to mussels. This work highlighted the importance of considering the interplay among biotic and abiotic factors, resulting in local combinations of environmental conditions, in order to understand the pattern of diversity and distributions of marine organisms.

ACS Style

Francesca Ape; Gianluca Sarà; Laura Airoldi; Francesco Paolo Mancuso; Simone Mirto. Influence of environmental factors and biogenic habitats on intertidal meiofauna. Hydrobiologia 2017, 807, 349 -366.

AMA Style

Francesca Ape, Gianluca Sarà, Laura Airoldi, Francesco Paolo Mancuso, Simone Mirto. Influence of environmental factors and biogenic habitats on intertidal meiofauna. Hydrobiologia. 2017; 807 (1):349-366.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesca Ape; Gianluca Sarà; Laura Airoldi; Francesco Paolo Mancuso; Simone Mirto. 2017. "Influence of environmental factors and biogenic habitats on intertidal meiofauna." Hydrobiologia 807, no. 1: 349-366.

Journal article
Published: 12 September 2017 in Marine Environmental Research
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We investigated how lateral erosion control, measured by novel photogrammetry techniques, is modified by the presence of Spartina spp. vegetation, sediment grain size, and the nutrient status of salt marshes across 230 km of the Italian Northern Adriatic coastline. Spartina spp. vegetation reduced erosion across our study sites. The effect was more pronounced in sandy soils, where erosion was reduced by 80% compared to 17% in silty soils. Erosion resistance was also enhanced by Spartina spp. root biomass. In the absence of vegetation, erosion resistance was enhanced by silt content, with mean erosion 72% lower in silty vs. sandy soils. We found no relevant relationships with nutrient status, likely due to overall high nutrient concentrations and low C:N ratios across all sites. Our results contribute to quantifying coastal protection ecosystem services provided by salt marshes in both sandy and silty sediments.

ACS Style

V.B. Lo; T.J. Bouma; J. van Belzen; C. Van Colen; L. Airoldi. Interactive effects of vegetation and sediment properties on erosion of salt marshes in the Northern Adriatic Sea. Marine Environmental Research 2017, 131, 32 -42.

AMA Style

V.B. Lo, T.J. Bouma, J. van Belzen, C. Van Colen, L. Airoldi. Interactive effects of vegetation and sediment properties on erosion of salt marshes in the Northern Adriatic Sea. Marine Environmental Research. 2017; 131 ():32-42.

Chicago/Turabian Style

V.B. Lo; T.J. Bouma; J. van Belzen; C. Van Colen; L. Airoldi. 2017. "Interactive effects of vegetation and sediment properties on erosion of salt marshes in the Northern Adriatic Sea." Marine Environmental Research 131, no. : 32-42.

Journal article
Published: 20 July 2017 in Scientific Reports
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Canopy-forming algae are declining globally due to multiple disturbances. This decline has recently been on the increase due to the spread of some tropical herbivorous fishes. This new phenomenon has drawn attention to the effects of fish herbivory in temperate areas, which have been assumed to be negligible compared to that of invertebrates, such as sea urchins. In this study, the impact of a Mediterranean native herbivorous fish (Sarpa salpa, salema) was assessed on the canopy-forming seaweed Cystoseira amentacea var. stricta. Cystoseira amentacea forms belts in the infralittoral fringe of wave-exposed shores, which has so far been considered a refuge from fish herbivory. To test the effects of salema feeding on natural C. amentacea belts, an innovative herbivore deterrent device was conceived. Salema had a significant effect on C. amentacea by decreasing algal size, biomass and fertility, by up to 97%. The results suggest that the contribution of salema feeding to the loss of Cystoseira forests in the Mediterranean may have been overlooked. In addition, the analysis of temporal and spatial patterns of salema landings in the Mediterranean Sea suggests that salema abundance may have increased recently. Thus, along with invertebrate herbivory and anthropogenic stressors, fish herbivory may also represent a potential threat to algal forests in temperate areas.

ACS Style

Fabrizio Gianni; Fabrizio Bartolini; Alexis Pey; Mathieu Laurent; Gustavo M. Martins; Laura Airoldi; Luisa Mangialajo. Threats to large brown algal forests in temperate seas: the overlooked role of native herbivorous fish. Scientific Reports 2017, 7, 6012 .

AMA Style

Fabrizio Gianni, Fabrizio Bartolini, Alexis Pey, Mathieu Laurent, Gustavo M. Martins, Laura Airoldi, Luisa Mangialajo. Threats to large brown algal forests in temperate seas: the overlooked role of native herbivorous fish. Scientific Reports. 2017; 7 (1):6012.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fabrizio Gianni; Fabrizio Bartolini; Alexis Pey; Mathieu Laurent; Gustavo M. Martins; Laura Airoldi; Luisa Mangialajo. 2017. "Threats to large brown algal forests in temperate seas: the overlooked role of native herbivorous fish." Scientific Reports 7, no. 1: 6012.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2017 in Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
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© 2017 The Authors Extensive development and construction in marine and coastal systems is driving a phenomenon known as “ocean sprawl”. Ocean sprawl removes or transforms marine habitats through the addition of artificial structures and some of the most significant impacts are occurring in sedimentary environments. Marine sediments have substantial social, ecological, and economic value, as they are rich in biodiversity, crucial to fisheries productivity, and major sites of nutrient transformation. Yet the impact of ocean sprawl on sedimentary environments has largely been ignored. Here we review current knowledge of the impacts to sedimentary ecosystems arising from artificial structures. Artificial structures alter the composition and abundance of a wide variety of sediment-dependent taxa, including microbes, invertebrates, and benthic-feeding fishes. The effects vary by structure design and configuration, as well as the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the environment in which structures are placed. The mechanisms driving effects from artificial structures include placement loss, habitat degradation, modification of sound and light conditions, hydrodynamic changes, organic enrichment and material fluxes, contamination, and altered biotic interactions. Most studies have inferred mechanism based on descriptive work, comparing biological and physical processes at various distances from structures. Further experimental studies are needed to identify the relative importance of multiple mechanisms and to demonstrate causal relationships. Additionally, past studies have focused on impacts at a relatively small scale, and independently of other development that is occurring. There is need to quantify large-scale and cumulative effects on sedimentary ecosystems as artificial structures proliferate. We highlight the importance for comprehensive monitoring using robust survey designs and outline research strategies needed to understand, value, and protect marine sedimentary ecosystems in the face of a rapidly changing environment

ACS Style

Eliza C. Heery; Melanie Bishop; Lincoln P Critchley; Ana Bugnot; Laura Airoldi; Mariana Mayer-Pinto; Emma V. Sheehan; Ross Coleman; Lynette Loke; Emma Johnston; Valeriya Komyakova; Rebecca L. Morris; Elisabeth M.A. Strain; Larissa A. Naylor; Katherine Dafforn. Identifying the consequences of ocean sprawl for sedimentary habitats. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2017, 492, 31 -48.

AMA Style

Eliza C. Heery, Melanie Bishop, Lincoln P Critchley, Ana Bugnot, Laura Airoldi, Mariana Mayer-Pinto, Emma V. Sheehan, Ross Coleman, Lynette Loke, Emma Johnston, Valeriya Komyakova, Rebecca L. Morris, Elisabeth M.A. Strain, Larissa A. Naylor, Katherine Dafforn. Identifying the consequences of ocean sprawl for sedimentary habitats. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 2017; 492 ():31-48.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Eliza C. Heery; Melanie Bishop; Lincoln P Critchley; Ana Bugnot; Laura Airoldi; Mariana Mayer-Pinto; Emma V. Sheehan; Ross Coleman; Lynette Loke; Emma Johnston; Valeriya Komyakova; Rebecca L. Morris; Elisabeth M.A. Strain; Larissa A. Naylor; Katherine Dafforn. 2017. "Identifying the consequences of ocean sprawl for sedimentary habitats." Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 492, no. : 31-48.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2017 in Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
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© 2017 The Authors The growing number of artificial structures in estuarine, coastal and marine environments is causing “ocean sprawl”. Artificial structures do not only modify marine and coastal ecosystems at the sites of their placement, but may also produce larger-scale impacts through their alteration of ecological connectivity - the movement of organisms, materials and energy between habitat units within seascapes. Despite the growing awareness of the capacity of ocean sprawl to influence ecological connectivity, we lack a comprehensive understanding of how artificial structures modify ecological connectivity in near- and off-shore environments, and when and where their effects on connectivity are greatest. We review the mechanisms by which ocean sprawl may modify ecological connectivity, including trophic connectivity associated with the flow of nutrients and resources. We also review demonstrated, inferred and likely ecological impacts of such changes to connectivity, at scales from genes to ecosystems, and potential strategies of management for mitigating these effects. Ocean sprawl may alter connectivity by: (1) creating barriers to the movement of some organisms and resources - by adding physical barriers or by modifying and fragmenting habitats; (2) introducing new structural material that acts as a conduit for the movement of other organisms or resources across the landscape; and (3) altering trophic connectivity. Changes to connectivity may, in turn, influence the genetic structure and size of populations, the distribution of species, and community structure and ecological functioning. Two main approaches to the assessment of ecological connectivity have been taken: (1) measurement of structural connectivity - the configuration of the landscape and habitat patches and their dynamics; and (2) measurement of functional connectivity - the response of organisms or particles to the landscape. Our review reveals the paucity of studies directly addressing the effects of artificial structures on ecological connectivity in the marine environment, particularly at large spatial and temporal scales. With the ongoing development of estuarine and marine environments, there is a pressing need for additional studies that quantify the effects of ocean sprawl on ecological connectivity. Understanding the mechanisms by which structures modify connectivity is essential if marine spatial planning and eco-engineering are to be effectively utilised to minimise impacts

ACS Style

Melanie Bishop; Mariana Mayer-Pinto; Laura Airoldi; Louise Firth; Rebecca L. Morris; Lynette Loke; Stephen J. Hawkins; Larissa Naylor; Ross Coleman; Su Yin Chee; Katherine Dafforn. Effects of ocean sprawl on ecological connectivity: impacts and solutions. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2017, 492, 7 -30.

AMA Style

Melanie Bishop, Mariana Mayer-Pinto, Laura Airoldi, Louise Firth, Rebecca L. Morris, Lynette Loke, Stephen J. Hawkins, Larissa Naylor, Ross Coleman, Su Yin Chee, Katherine Dafforn. Effects of ocean sprawl on ecological connectivity: impacts and solutions. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 2017; 492 ():7-30.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Melanie Bishop; Mariana Mayer-Pinto; Laura Airoldi; Louise Firth; Rebecca L. Morris; Lynette Loke; Stephen J. Hawkins; Larissa Naylor; Ross Coleman; Su Yin Chee; Katherine Dafforn. 2017. "Effects of ocean sprawl on ecological connectivity: impacts and solutions." Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 492, no. : 7-30.

Journal article
Published: 25 May 2017 in Journal of Ecology
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1. Changing climate threatens the structure and function of saltmarshes, which are often severely degraded by other human perturbations. Along the Mediterranean coastline, increasing temperature and decreasing rainfall have been hypothesised to trigger habitat shifts from perennial grasses to annual succulents in fragile saltmarsh ecosystems, such as those fringing the North Adriatic coastline. 2. We used manipulative field experiments to investigate the effects of increased temperature, decreased precipitation and increased inundation period associated with rising sea levels on the dominant species in the lower marsh, the perennial grass Spartina spp. and the annual succulent Salicornia veneta. 3. At ambient inundation, the combined effects of increased temperature and decreased precipitation enhanced soil temperature and decreased soil moisture, resulting in an increased number of plants, height and live biomass of S. veneta, as well as greater dead biomass of Spartina spp. compared with current conditions. Increased inundation reduced the soil redox potential, and resulted in losses of both Spartina spp. and S. veneta, but these negative effects were much more pronounced for S. veneta. An inundation tolerance test confirmed that S. veneta is significantly more vulnerable to rapid increases in inundation than Spartina spp. 4. We conclude that at current inundation, the increasing drought conditions in the North Adriatic Sea are favouring the spread of the annual succulent S. veneta. The increasing spread of these succulents could reduce the future capability of the system to respond to projected increasing sea levels, as S. veneta is highly vulnerable to increased inundation. 5. Synthesis. Our results highlight the complex interactions between different components of changing climate. Management strategies for saltmarshes in the Mediterranean and other microtidal locations facing similar changes in climate should focus on maintaining the freshwater and coastal channels free from blockages to ameliorate the effects of episodic drought/heatwave conditions and increasing the sediment supply and preventing coastal squeeze to enhance the resilience of the system to the continuous threat of sea level rise

ACS Style

Elisabeth M. A. Strain; Jim van Belzen; Paolo Comandini; Joanne Wong; Tjeerd J. Bouma; Laura Airoldi. The role of changing climate in driving the shift from perennial grasses to annual succulents in a Mediterranean saltmarsh. Journal of Ecology 2017, 105, 1374 -1385.

AMA Style

Elisabeth M. A. Strain, Jim van Belzen, Paolo Comandini, Joanne Wong, Tjeerd J. Bouma, Laura Airoldi. The role of changing climate in driving the shift from perennial grasses to annual succulents in a Mediterranean saltmarsh. Journal of Ecology. 2017; 105 (5):1374-1385.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elisabeth M. A. Strain; Jim van Belzen; Paolo Comandini; Joanne Wong; Tjeerd J. Bouma; Laura Airoldi. 2017. "The role of changing climate in driving the shift from perennial grasses to annual succulents in a Mediterranean saltmarsh." Journal of Ecology 105, no. 5: 1374-1385.