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Dune vegetation mediates dune-building through trapping wind-blown sand and reduces dune erosion by attenuating wave energy via above- and belowground biomass. Despite the role of vegetation in dune functions, the amount and distribution of biomass within a dune remains poorly quantified due to a lack of ample data. Our objectives were to determine the effects of management history and elevation on (1) dune belowground biotic structure and aboveground community composition and (2) to determine best predictors of belowground biomass. We sampled belowground biomass and sedimentology across the dune profile at sites in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA. Dunes were classified as either unmanaged (no anthropogenic interventions) or managed (sand fencing, vegetation planting, dune construction). Living belowground biomass was higher in unmanaged dunes and decreased with depth. Non-living belowground biomass was 50% higher than living biomass and with greater abundance in unmanaged dunes. Elevation was a significant covariate of living and non-living belowground biomass, vegetative cover and species richness. Plant community composition varied less in managed dunes and differed significantly from unmanaged dunes. Vegetative cover, species richness, elevation, sedimentology and management history were predictors of belowground biomass. These results underscore the influence of management and geomorphology on dune plant communities, which may influence erosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seaweeds are the most phylogenetically diverse group of multicellular organisms and rank foremost among marine keystone species. Due to their taxonomic diversity and functional importance, previous studies have classified seaweeds into functional groups based on qualitative or semi-quantitative traits, such as seaweed form, anatomy, and thickness. Despite the widespread use of seaweed functional groups from basic marine ecology to coastal monitoring, it is not known how accurate such morphology-based proposals are in grouping seaweeds by their form. To address this uncertainty at the foundations of seaweed biology, we surveyed and gathered all available data on seaweed forms using PRISMA protocols. We used the surface area to volume ratio (SA:V), a quantitative and universal measure of seaweed form, to assess the distribution and diversity of seaweed morphology across 99 species from three phyla. We show that seaweed surface area to volume ratio values span 3.64 orders of magnitude and follow a continuous and exponential distribution, without any significant gaps or clusters. We also tested current functional group schemes based on morphology and anatomy and showed that only 30% to 38% of their groups showed any significant pairwise differences in morphology. Our results challenge the basis of the current functional group approach in seaweed biology and suggest that a trait-based framework based on quantitative and continuous measures of seaweed form could provide a simpler and more accurate alternative to functionally assess seaweed ecology and physiology, as well as its implications for coastal ecosystem management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and nutrient enrichment are increasing the frequency of algal blooms, with sometimes significant impacts on coastal ecosystems. Haslea ostrearia blooms have been documented in oyster ponds and are not harmful, yet their effects in open environments remain underexplored. Marennine, a blue pigment produced by H. ostrearia, can display a range of biological properties in laboratory conditions, including antibacterial and allelopathic properties. Other blue Haslea species, forming blooms, synthesize bioactive marennine-like pigments. This study aims to understand if and how these blooms could affect the underlying community of microorganisms living in the biofilms. Morphological and molecular techniques were used to assess community dynamics during bloom events. Our findings indicate that blue Haslea blooms do not significantly alter the diatom or bacterial populations. However, they are paired with enhanced alpha diversity in the microbial communities. These observations suggest a complex interaction between bloom events and microbial dynamics. Additionally, this study expands our understanding of the bioactive properties of marennine-like pigments and their ecological roles, suggesting new avenues for biotechnological applications. This work underscores the importance of further research into the environmental and biological implications of blue Haslea blooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Johnson, M.E.; Lin, T.-Y., and Su, S.-J., 2024. Comparison of coastal geology and subtropical storms impacting Taiwan and Mexico's Baja California Sur around the Tropic of Cancer in the Pacific basin. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(5), 972–993. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. The Tropic of Cancer at 23°26′22″ arcs across the open Pacific Ocean over nearly 13,000 km between the tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula and the island of Taiwan off mainland China's coast. Major storms that affect Taiwan's east coast and Gulf of California shores on Mexico's Baja California peninsula are tropical depressions called typhoons in Asia and hurricanes in the Americas. Taiwan is in the path of typhoons that form over the equatorial Pacific to strike east Asia annually. In 2019, Super Typhoon Lekima became the third costliest storm in east Asia, affecting not only Taiwan but also east China and the Ryukyu Islands. Late in the storm season in October 2023, Hurricane Otis became the strongest disturbance on record to strike western Mexico, with winds up to 265 km/h during a Category 5 event. Despite the enormous distance separating them, the tectonically active shores of Taiwan and the Baja California peninsula share foundational bedrock geology dominated by andesite and feature similar patterns of ongoing coastal uplift. This review covers a range of analogous aspects expressed by coastal marine geology, including fossil and modern coral reefs, fossil and modern rhodolith banks, thermal activity in the form of hot springs, and progradation of fossil and modern deltas that emerge from high-elevation drainages. The population density of the Baja California peninsula and the narrow coastal plain of eastern Taiwan is low, but people and infrastructure are affected by storms of increasing intensity under global warming. The two regions represent instructive case studies related by similar geology under comparable factors of oceanic and atmospheric circulation concentrated around the Tropic of Cancer. The two regions also show enormous potential in the development of national parks and geoparks dedicated to the promotion of geoheritage for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coastal region of the Caribbean is notable for the chemical diversity found in its sponge products, resulting in the biosynthesis of a range of natural marine products, including polyketides. The objective of this manuscript is to summarize the isolated polyketides from sponges of the genus Plakortis located around the Caribbean coasts. This review provides a comprehensive overview of specimen location, isolation procedures, characterization methods, and biological assay studies of about 95 polyketides isolated from 1978 to 2024 in the Caribbean coasts of The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica, Martinique, Panamá, Puerto Rico, and Tobago. The Caribbean polyketides have been isolated from different types of Plakortis sp., such as P. simplex, P. halichondroides, P. zyggompha, and P. angulospiculatus, which have demonstrated antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, and antiviral activities. A variety of linear polyketides with different functionalities have been reported, including endoperoxides (1,2-dioxane), lactones, indane-type bicyclics (spiculane and zyggomphic), alcohols, alkenes, styryl groups, α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids, and ketones, as well as related natural products of biosynthetic origin. The aim is to encourage further exploration by researchers in the Caribbean's coastal marine environments, promoting the discovery and investigation of novel polyketide cyclic peroxides and related secondary metabolites to identify additional bioactive medicinal natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the frequency of tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and their impact on Bangladesh. The extent of environmental harm led to the selection of two specific areas: the Panpatty Union and Galachipa Upzilla in the Patuakhali district, and the Sariakat Union and Swandip Upzilla in the Chittagong district. The results indicate that cyclonic storms are more common in May and November. The results also demonstrate that the studied regions are vulnerable to the effects of tropical cyclones and suffer significant consequences. The differences in influence between the two locations are statistically significant with a confidence level of 90%. The findings have significant ramifications for policymaking decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, land use structure information has been employed extensively for ecological risk assessment (ERA) purpose in regional/landscape scales; in contrast, land use function (LUF) information-based ERA research is still scarce. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out more ERA case studies in macroscale with the help of pertinent LUF indicators. As an important way to construct production-living-ecology LUF indexes, this study employs the weighted stacking method and related economic statistical data for regional ecological risk assessment (RERA) purpose within Yellow River Delta High-efficiency Eco-economic Zone (YRDHEZ), China. This YRDHEZ-RERA research pointed out that (1) it was rational to use a series of economic statistical data to more comprehensively and precisely characterize regional production and living function grades in YRDHEZ. (2) The Yellow River Delta had lower agriculture and non-agriculture production functions, whereas the rest of the zone had higher production functions. (3) Most people lived in the south part, whereas north coastal zone had very low population density; the east part had higher per capita disposable income of urban/rural households than that of west. (4) The south part of the zone had higher production/living functions and integrated ecological risk source intensity than those of north coastal zone, whereas the coastal zone had higher ecology function, eco-environmental vulnerability, and final integrated ecological risk than those of inland region. As for regional ecological risk management, establishing nature reserve with strict spatial governance for coastal/estuarine wetlands and coordinating production/ecology functions of coastal salterns/breeding ponds are relevant feasible measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harbor seals, Phoca vitulina, play a critical role in regulating the biodiversity of coastal ecosystems in the North Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. We conducted a preliminary ecological study of harbor seals in Casco Bay, Maine using SealNet, a newly developed facial recognition software. We captured images of seals on nine haul-out sites to create a database of 768 seals in Middle Bay. We used photo ID techniques with facial recognition technology to record the location of individuals at each haul-out site. We calculated a range of 9% site fidelity to the Middle Bay inlet across years and 25% and 36% seasonal site fidelity to haul-out sites within 2020 and 2021, respectively. Preliminary estimates of the local seal abundance within Middle Bay ranged from 1562 (single haul-out site) to 2533 seals (across sites and years). In addition, our results suggest that the number of seals at haul-out sites is greatest from two hours before low tide to two hours after low tide and during high cloud cover conditions. We found no significant impacts of water or air temperature, level of boat traffic, or wind speed on haul-out site abundance. Our study supports the use of facial recognition technology as an effective method to monitor dynamic coastal species. The aim of future research will focus on a more systematic, longitudinal study design to monitor specific haul-out sites with the aim of providing more extensive connectivity data between sites and more refined estimates of site fidelity, turnover, and population size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change effects on coastal ecosystems vary on large spatial scales, but can also be highly site dependent at the regional level. The Wadden Sea in the south-eastern North Sea is warming faster than many other temperate coastal areas, with surface seawater temperature increasing by almost 2 °C over the last 60 years, nearly double the global ocean mean increase. Climate warming is accompanied by rising sea levels, which have increased by approximately 2 mm yr−1 over the last 120 years. For this sedimentary coast, the predicted acceleration of sea-level rise will have profound effects on tidal dynamics and bathymetry in the area. This paper synthesises studies of the effects of ocean warming and sea level rise in the northern Wadden Sea, largely based on research conducted at the Wadden Sea Station Sylt of the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research. An increasing rate of sea level rise above a critical threshold will lead to coastal erosion and changes in sediment composition, and may cause the transition from a tidal to lagoon-like environment as tidal flats submerge. This involves changes to coastal morphology, and the decline of important habitats such as muddy tidal flats, salt marshes and seagrass meadows, as well as their ecological services (e.g. carbon sequestration). Ocean warming affects plankton dynamics and phenology, as well as benthic community structure by hampering cold-adapted but facilitating warm-adapted species. The latter consist mostly of introduced non-native species originating from warmer coasts, with some epibenthic species acting as ecosystem engineers that create novel habitats on the tidal flats. Warming also changes interactions between species by decoupling existing predator–prey dynamics, as well as forming new interactions in which mass mortalities caused by parasites and pathogens can play an understudied but essential role. However, Wadden Sea organisms can adapt to changing abiotic and biotic parameters via genetic adaptation and phenotypic plasticity, which can also be inherited across generations (transgenerational plasticity), enabling faster plastic responses to future conditions. Important research advances have been made using next-generation molecular tools (-omics), mesocosm experiments simulating future climate scenarios, modelling approaches (ecological network analysis), and internet-based technologies for data collection and archiving. By synthesising these climate change impacts on multiple levels of physical and biological organisation in the northern Wadden Sea, we reveal knowledge gaps that need to be addressed by future investigations and comparative studies in other regions in order to implement management, mitigation and restoration strategies to preserve the uniqueness of this ecosystem of global importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coastal zone of the Red Sea had been seriously subjected to enduring impacts including; petroleum exploration and production, overpopulation, and severe land-based enterprises. Heavy metal (HM) pollution in the marine ecosystem has become a severe ecological problem due to its damaging effects and persistence in the environment. Therefore, 41 surface sediment samples were collected from the frontal marine areas off the megacities of the Egyptian Red Sea to investigate the HMs contamination using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The recorded HM averages (μg/g) were follow the order of; Fe (6545.72) > Mn (177.76) > Zn (48.61) > Ni (20.96) ≥ Pb (20.84) > Cu (11.31) > Cd (1.38). Except for Cu, Ni, and Pb, the mean values of HMs in the examined samples surpassed the low reference values observed in the different sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), demonstrating these HMs have a rare risk to the aquatic population. The results of single pollution indices revealed that all investigated areas were unpolluted by Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Ni, and minimal to mildly contaminated by Pb and Cd. However, the pollution load index (PLI) indicated that the seafloor sediments of all studied cities were clearly unpolluted by HMs (PLI < 1). Additionally, correlations revealed that the observed HMs originated from comparable (terrigenous) origins, except for Ni, which could have accumulated from another anthropogenic source. In addition to providing global insights, this study will give Egypt a road map for working together to protect the northern Red Sea's coastal ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Dune vegetation mediates dune-building through trapping wind-blown sand and reduces dune erosion by attenuating wave energy via above- and belowground biomass. Despite the role of vegetation in dune functions, the amount and distribution of biomass within a dune remains poorly quantified due to a lack of ample data. Our objectives were to determine the effects of management history and elevation on (1) dune belowground biotic structure and aboveground community composition and (2) to determine best predictors of belowground biomass. We sampled belowground biomass and sedimentology across the dune profile at sites in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA. Dunes were classified as either unmanaged (no anthropogenic interventions) or managed (sand fencing, vegetation planting, dune construction). Living belowground biomass was higher in unmanaged dunes and decreased with depth. Non-living belowground biomass was 50% higher than living biomass and with greater abundance in unmanaged dunes. Elevation was a significant covariate of living and non-living belowground biomass, vegetative cover and species richness. Plant community composition varied less in managed dunes and differed significantly from unmanaged dunes. Vegetative cover, species richness, elevation, sedimentology and management history were predictors of belowground biomass. These results underscore the influence of management and geomorphology on dune plant communities, which may influence erosion resistance.

This article examines the roles of coastal environments in prehispanic settlement patterns and land use within the lower Río Verde Valley, Oaxaca, México using interdisciplinary methods. We first compare population levels in the coastal zone—including areas by the estuaries and sea—to inland habitats such as the floodplain. Second, we discuss resource extraction and trade associated with the coastal zone. Excavations and a 224 km2 full-coverage survey indicate that, except during the initial Early Formative period (1600–1350 BC), coastal zone habitats were not a settlement focus. Land use concentrated on the extraction of resources such as fish, salt, and ornamental shell. These goods were consumed locally and exchanged via long-distance networks for obsidian, pottery, and during the Postclassic period (AD 800–1522), copper items. Archaeofaunal and isotopic data suggest that aquatic resources from estuarine and marine environments constituted a small proportion of the total caloric input, but may have been important sources of protein. Finally, we compare settlement patterns between the lower Verde and other Mesoamerican coastal regions. Lower Verde population in the coastal zone was low, especially relative to areas which practiced mixed subsistence into the Middle/Late Formative periods (ca. 700–150 BC). This is related to the proximity of arable lands to estuaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines processes of 'more-than-economic dispossession' arising from pollution in the interconnected forests, tides, canals, rivers and humid airs – the fluid commons – of the shipbreaking region Sitakunda. It ethnographically explores how minority Zele fishermen and shipbreaking workers are experiencing three interrelated forms of 'more-than-economic' dispossession. First, extra-economic means of accumulating profits by dismantling ships in cheaper countries enables dispossession by pollution in coastal ecologies. Second, more-than-economic points to the structures of political power inequalities making marginalised Bangladeshis exposed to toxics in ways that cannot be economically compensated. Lastly, more-than-economic draws on 'more-than-human' ethnographies: affective experiences of sensing, tasting, hearing and smelling pollution reveal how toxic residues biophysically damage the health of both human and more-than-human, resulting in the loss of ability to 'sustain life'. It thus joins the growing body of anthropological scholarship that expands on pollution as 'matter out of place' by taking its materiality seriously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southeastern United States Coastal Plain ecosystem contains baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) swamps and grass‐dominated marshes. These ecosystems also occurred on the exposed continental shelf during lower sea levels but are rarely preserved due to the mechanically erosive nature of transgression and regression. Two presently marine sites on the northeastern Gulf of Mexico's continental shelf contain well‐preserved woody terrestrial sediments that were the subject of previous studies. This study continues the investigation using geochemical (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S) and palynological characteristics of these formerly terrestrial sediments to determine if swamps and/or marshes existed at the time of deposition. The first site is located ∼20 km southeast of Horn Island, Mississippi (MS) and the core has terrestrial sediments radiocarbon dated to 11,066–10,228 (2σ) calibrated years BP (early Holocene). The second site is the "Alabama Underwater Forest" located ∼13 km south of Gulf Shores, Alabama (AL) and the cores have terrestrial sediments optically stimulated luminescence dated to 63 ka (±10 ka, 2σ) to 72 ka (±16 ka, 2σ) (late Pleistocene). Geochemical results for the MS sediments indicate a swamp‐to‐freshwater marsh transitional series, whereas the AL sediments indicate a swamp‐to‐saltwater marsh transitional series, both supported by palynological results. Further exploration of the geochemical results using linear discriminant analysis, trained with published geochemical data, supports the swamp and marsh interpretations. We conclude that the near‐pristine preservation of these woody deposits is not solely due to physical mechanisms, such as rapid burial, but is also coupled with anoxia‐ and euxinia‐driven biogeochemical reactions promoting wood and woody debris preservation in swamp and marsh environments. Plain Language Summary: Scientists have studied unique sites offshore of Alabama and Mississippi that contain soils, peat, wood, and tree stumps. Scientists have determined that the trees from the Alabama site are between 42,000 and 72,000 years old and were alive during the last ice age when sea levels were much lower than today. The Mississippi site contains woody peat sediments about 11,000 years old and occurred when sea levels were rapidly rising globally. These types of formally land‐based sediments are eroded as the sea level rises at the end of the glacial periods. Furthermore, wood and plant matter decay after the plant dies and become part of the soil. We investigated the chemistry of the preserved soils to understand the conditions that lead to their preservation. Chemical and pollen analyses found that these deposits are past swamp and marsh ecosystems that occurred on land similar to those occurring along the United States Gulf Coast today. Swamps and marshes have still waters with little oxygen that stop decay leading to the preservation of the wood and tree stumps. Swamps occur in depressions where water can collect and over time they fill with sediments. These preserved swamp deposits are time capsules from the past. Key Points: Multiple paleo‐terrestrial deposits containing wood and peat are preserved offshore in the northeastern Gulf of MexicoGeochemical and microfossil analyses find that these deposits are past swamp and marsh ecosystemsSwamps and marshes that are anoxic and/or euxinic promote the biogeochemical preservation of woody and organic matter [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is the minutes from the ESA Winter 2024 Governing Board Meeting. The meeting was attended by various members of the Ecological Society of America, including the President, President-Elect, and Vice President for Finance, as well as guests and ESA staff. The meeting covered topics such as strategic and operational updates, reports from the President and Executive Director, committee reports, and approval of nominations and awards. The meeting also discussed updates on journals and upcoming meetings. The minutes concluded with a wrap-up and motion to adjourn the meeting. [Extracted from the article]

Public satellite platforms offer regular observations for global coastal monitoring and climate change risk management strategies. Unfortunately, shoreline positions derived from satellite imagery, representing changes in intertidal topography, are noisy and subject to tidal bias that requires correction. The seaward‐most vegetation boundary reflects a change indicator which shifts on event–decadal timescales, and informs coastal practitioners of storm damage, sediment availability and coastal landform health. We present and validate a new open‐source tool VedgeSat for identifying vegetation edges (VEs) from high (3 m) and moderate (10–30 m) resolution satellite imagery. The methodology is based on the CoastSat toolkit, with streamlined image processing using cloud‐based data management via Google Earth Engine. Images are classified using a newly trained vegetation‐specific neural network, and VEs are extracted at subpixel level using dynamic Weighted Peaks thresholding. We performed validation against ground surveys and manual digitisation of aerial imagery across eroding and accreting open coasts and estuarine environments at a site in Scotland. Smaller‐than‐pixel vegetation boundary detection was achieved across 83% of Sentinel‐2 imagery (Root Mean Square Error of 9.3 m). An overall RMSE of 19.0 m was achieved across Landsat 5 & 8, Sentinel‐2 and PlanetScope images. Performance varied by coastal geomorphology, with highest accuracies across sandy open coasts owing to high spectral contrast and less false positives from intertidal vegetation. The VedgeSat tool can be readily applied in tandem with waterlines near‐globally, to support adaptation decisions with historic coastal trends across the whole shoreface, even in normally data‐scarce areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Scotland, residents have fought open-net salmon farms and their toll on human and nonhuman bodies for decades. This paper recollects seven years of work in Skye and Raasay, two islands off the northwest coast of the country, developing strategies to divest away from salmon aquaculture. Addressing the contemporary wave of underwater clearances created by UK's top food export industry, it unpacks the implementation of a transition into alternative horizons by embracing the legacies of toxicity inherited from salmon extractivist industries. CLIMAVORE, a framework developed as a research-led artistic practice by the authors, investigates how to eat in the new seasons of the climate crisis. In a season of marine dead zones, it facilitates new approaches to aquaecology and coastal care that cultivate coastal livelihoods. CLIMAVORE began with a new public forum, shaped as a multispecies intertidal table, established in Skye in 2017 to envision environmentally regenerative and socially reparative forms of food production based on metabolic interactions between humans and depleted landscapes that benefit a plethora of species. CLIMAVORE's site responsive methodology relies on a socially-engaged art practice, consisting of fieldwork, interviews, working groups, oral histories, performative meals, cooking and building apprenticeships, tidal gardening, material testing and public art installations. Ongoing collaboration with residents, scientists, and policymakers critically explores ways of living not only on but with the coast. This new holistic approach to coastal nourishment provides methodologies for ecological praxis as well as a platform for researchers and the general public to imagine an alternative ecological future: the tidal commons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A day-to-day temperature (DTD) variability metric was used to detect marine coastal climates in the province of Ontario, Canada. Eleven of fourteen climate stations on islands, most in the Great Lakes and two in other large water bodies, displayed marine characteristics using a day-to-day temperature metric threshold developed for ocean coastal locations in China and Canada with values below 2.35 for the daily minimum temperature variability. Detailed comparisons with neighbouring coastal stations were conducted for six focal areas in the Great Lakes and the marine effect on the local climate was unambiguously demonstrated in a statistically significant manner. Those displaying marine characteristics were all island climate stations, usually at an elevation close to the lake level, and the marine influence, as measured by day-to-day temperature variability, dropped off rapidly with distance and elevation from the local water body. The DTD metric was compared to a diurnal temperature range (DTR) metric. While DTR was able to distinguish in a statistically significant manner between islands and inland stations, an unambiguous threshold between the two was not possible, unlike DTD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microscopic eukaryotes are important components of coastal wetland ecosystems. The goal of this study was to investigate the diversity of microeukaryotes in the tidal pools of a New Jersey salt marsh and to compare the assemblages of natural and artificial pools excavated for controlling mosquito populations. We evaluated microeukaryotic assemblages using the amplicon sequencing of 18S and rbcL DNA markers and the microscopic identification of diatoms in water and sediment samples. 18S unique amplicon sequence variants (ASV) representing ciliates, dinoflagellates, diatoms, and cercozoans were the most diverse, while the reads of dinoflagellates, diatoms, ciliates, and nematodes were the most abundant. The dominant ASVs were attributed to organisms that are characteristic of coastal plankton and sediments or those known for their resistance to salinity, desiccation, hypoxia, and UV stress. The sediment assemblages were more diverse compared to those from the water column and contained a larger portion of ASVs that were not assigned to any low-rank taxa, reflecting the current gaps in understanding the diversity of microeukaryotes. Most taxonomic groups were significantly different in their abundance and composition between natural and artificial pools. Dinoflagellates, haptophytes, chrysophytes, pelagophytes, and raphidophytes—the groups that include a large proportion of mixotrophic taxa and species known for forming harmful algal blooms—were more abundant in the artificial than in the natural pools. Fungi, labyrinthulomycetes, and peronosporomycetes were also more abundant in artificial pools, which may be related to organic matter enrichment. Diatoms and foraminifera showed an opposite trend of higher abundance in natural pools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal birds that rely on sandy beaches for breeding are vulnerable to catastrophic flooding events resulting from tropical cyclones. The effects of storm surge on annual productivity depend on the propensity and success of renesting attempts post-storm. From 2017 to 2021, I investigated the effects of storm surge on Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) annual productivity, renesting probability, and nest and chick survival after storms on Mississippi's Gulf of Mexico Coast. Tropical cyclones made landfall during peak breeding period in 3 of these years, resulting in complete overwash of all colonies. Observers monitored daily nest survival, productivity (maximum fledge count per maximum nest count), and frequency of disturbance from avian predators at each colony. Total annual productivity (fledge count per nest count across the study area) summed across colonies ranged from 0.00 to 0.07 in storm years and from 0.29 to 0.66 in non-storm years. Probability of colony re-occupation declined as a function of storm date and increased with pre-storm nest success. Disturbance rate from avian predators did not increase post-storm compared to pre-storm periods. Nest survival increased with colony size and decreased in both late-season (non-storm) and post-storm time periods. Mean probability of chick survival was 0.20 ± 0.06 (mean ± SD) for peak nesting period in non-storm years, whereas mean predicted chick survival was 0.003–0.004 in storm years and in renesting periods in all years. Storm surge resulted in nearly complete loss of Least Tern breeding productivity despite renesting attempts and colony re-occupation after storms. I found no evidence that avian predation increased post-storm as a result of habitat changes; rather, similarly low productivity was observed for late-season breeding attempts in non-storm years. Repeated storm surge events could pose a serious threat to the viability of Mississippi's coastal-nesting Least Tern population, and protection of Least Terns during early and peak nesting seasons is critical for ensuring breeding success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mysids, besides krill, play a significant role in energy transfer and carbon sequestration. The ecology of coastal species is better understood than that of deep dwelling species such as Boreomysis arctica. The objectives of this study were to quantify spatiotemporal variations in body condition and the trophic level of B. arctica in autumn and winter, under sea-ice conditions in the St. Lawrence system, using a multimarker approach. We sampled along a 1000 km transect. Mean abundances in winter were higher in the estuary compared to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Body condition, measured as total lipid content, was higher in winter than in autumn. Lipids of B. arctica were mainly composed of wax esters, thereby B. arctica is richer in energetic lipids compared to the three dominant krill species. We also observed seasonal differences in the trophic level of B. arctica, revealing carnivorous behavior in autumn compared to omnivory in winter. High intra-specific variability in both energetic strategy and feeding behavior was found that is potentially due to opportunistic feeding. Energy rich reserves suggest that B. arctica could act as a valuable prey for both benthic and pelagic consumers and thus playing a key role in bentho-pelagic energy transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Picophytoplankton are a ubiquitous component of marine plankton communities and are expected to be favored by global increases in seawater temperature and stratification associated with climate change. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic picophytoplankton have distinct ecology, and global models predict that the two groups will respond differently to future climate scenarios. At a nearshore observatory on the Northeast US Shelf, however, decades of year‐round monitoring have shown these two groups to be highly synchronized in their responses to environmental variability. To reconcile the differences between regional and global predictions for picophytoplankton dynamics, we here investigate the picophytoplankton community across the continental shelf gradient from the nearshore observatory to the continental slope. We analyze flow cytometry data from 22 research cruises, comparing the response of picoeukaryote and Synechococcus communities to environmental variability across time and space. We find that the mechanisms controlling picophytoplankton abundance differ across taxa, season, and distance from shore. Like the prokaryote, Synechococcus, picoeukaryote division rates are limited nearshore by low temperatures in winter and spring, and higher temperatures offshore lead to an earlier spring bloom. Unlike Synechococcus, picoeukaryote concentration in summer decreases dramatically in offshore surface waters and exhibits deeper subsurface maxima. The offshore picoeukaryote community appears to be nutrient limited in the summer and subject to much greater loss rates than Synechococcus. This work both produces and demonstrates the necessity of taxon‐ and site‐specific knowledge for accurately predicting the responses of picophytoplankton to ongoing environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science. It discusses the biogeochemical responses to physical processes in the North Pacific and its adjacent marginal seas. The editorial highlights the importance of understanding the effects of physical processes, such as wind-driven mixing, boundary currents, and upwelling, on ocean chemical compounds, primary productivity, and carbon sequestration. The document also mentions eight research articles included in the special volume, which cover various aspects of biogeochemical responses to physical processes, including the impact of tropical cyclones on nutrient supply and phytoplankton blooms, the influence of mesoscale eddies on biological activity, and the driving factors of red tides. The editorial concludes by emphasizing the complexity of marine biogeochemical responses to physical processes and the need for further research in this field. [Extracted from the article]

This document is an editorial titled "The importance of understanding benthic ecosystem functioning" published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science. The editorial highlights the significance of benthic habitats, which are the largest ecosystems on Earth, in providing valuable ecosystem services. It discusses the threats posed by the climate crisis and human activities to benthic ecosystems and emphasizes the need to understand the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The editorial presents different research articles that explore topics such as functional diversity, species interactions, and human-induced changes in benthic ecosystems. It concludes by suggesting the need for systematic reviews and meta-analyses to further investigate the links between biological traits and ecosystem functioning. [Extracted from the article]

Banding is the main method used to mark and identify individual birds, and to study populations, migration, age, and behavior. Banding birds also plays an important role in rehabilitation efforts, as their recapture provides good information about the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment, allowing constant review of the rehabilitation protocols used. This study compiles information on banded birds retrieved at the Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project (Projeto de Monitoramento de Praias da Bacia de Santos, PMP-BS), and it reviews the ecological and behavioral aspects involved in species' movements that contributed to their arrival at the beach. We also provide results of autopsies and clinical information on rehabilitation. Herein, we report on 235 banded birds (16 found more than once) between Rio de Janeiro (Saquarema) and Santa Catarina (Laguna), southeast Brazil, between August 2015 and February 2021. Eighteen species are represented, belonging to four orders and nine families. Among the causes of weakness or death, anthropic interactions (e.g., fishing, aggression, and garbage ingestion) and exhaustion (mainly in migratory species) stand out. Our findings highlight the importance of banding and recapturing birds as an efficient and effective method to better understand the ecology and displacement of mobile species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seawater intrusion (SWI) is a consequence of communication between the ocean and inland groundwater entailed by overexploitation and has been a global issue harming production, life and ecology in coastal regions. This paper established a numerical model to identify SWI features in a wider space under different pumping-well layouts based on the number of wells (N), distance between the coastline and wells (Dcw), and distance between wells (Dww) and further researched the influence of the location of the screen (Ls) and calculated S as an index inferring the SWI degree. An evaluation index (EI) was proposed considering two contradictory parameters: the corresponding total critical pumping rate (Qc) indicated the critical situation in which saltwater was almost pumped, played a good role as the resource function, and S referred the negative environmental impact. Sensitivity analysis was performed to explore the relationship between the evaluation indexes and the parameters of pumping well layouts. The results revealed how seawater intruded inland groundwater under different pumping well layouts and the anthropogenic impact factors influencing the SWI process. Sensitivity analysis verified that Dcw was the key factor in optimizing pumping well layouts to maximize the quantity of groundwater resources and minimize the environmental damage of SWI. Research on Ls revealed that a higher location of the screen of the well could effectively abate SWI. This research fully explained SWI characteristics under different pumping well layouts and proposed the key factors during coastal groundwater exploitation work, which enhanced the understanding of SWI and contributed to the arrangement of realworld water pumping activities in coastal regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Jurnal Ilmu dan Teknologi Kelautan Tropis is the property of IPB University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Remote Sensing is the property of Editorial Office of Journal of Remote Sensing & Science Publishing Co. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of this study was to explain how the heterogeneous elements embedded in the Jimei Peninsula affect the transformation of the production landscape into a consumption landscape and the connection between urban governance and economic transformation. The study took a qualitative approach, utilizing historical literature analysis, a field investigation, and in-depth interviews to explore the driving forces and impacts of coastal-zone functional transformation. A total of 26 residents were interviewed individually or collectively, the current situation in the coastal zone with a length of about 16.1 km was recorded in detail, and all the collected elements were divided into six landscape categories for analysis. The results indicate that urban positioning, economic development, policies, and residents are the main factors driving the continuous advancement of the Jimei Peninsula zone. The coast has completed the functional transformation from meeting the residents' survival needs to tourists' sightseeing needs. The traditional fishing culture in this area is slowly disappearing with the tide of time, and navigation technology is being passed down through the Jimei School Village. This study reveals the dynamic process of the transformation of coastal functions in representative coastal tourism cities in China, bringing attention to coastal ecology and local fishing culture, and raising people's awareness of cautious coastal development and sustainable blue-economy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonnative species may display unique life history traits when established in habitats with distinctive environmental and biotic contexts compared with their native ecosystems. Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis), native to coastal habitats of the Gulf of Mexico, are established in several inland river systems where they pose a potential threat to native fishes. In the Pecos River, Texas, nonnative Gulf killifish have shown a high rate of piscivory compared with native coastal populations; otherwise, little is known about the ecology of the species in inland systems. We examined reproductive characteristics, size, and age of Gulf killifish in the Pecos River. We found that reproduction takes place approximately between late March and September, with the gonadosomatic index of females showing a large and extended peak in spring and a second minor peak in late August–September. Our age estimations indicate that this population consists mostly of fish <2 years old, similarly to that reported for coastal populations. Total length ranged 11.9–143.4 mm for males and 32.3–162.5 mm for females, indicating a sexually dimorphic size structure with Pecos River individuals reaching larger sizes compared with coastal populations. The relatively large size and piscivorous nature of Gulf killifish, along with tolerance for a wide range of environmental conditions, are attributes in nonnative species hypothesized to promote invasion success and replacement of native species. Las especies no nativas pueden mostrar características ecológicas únicas cuando se establecen en hábitats con contextos ambientales y bióticos distintivos en comparación con sus ecosistemas nativos. Los Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis), nativos de los hábitats costeros del Golfo de México, se establecen en varios sistemas fluviales interiores donde representan una amenaza potencial para los peces nativos. En el río Pecos, Texas, los Gulf killifish no nativos han mostrado un alto nivel de piscivoría en comparación con las poblaciones costeras nativas; de lo contrario, se sabe poco sobre la ecología de la especie en los sistemas interiores. Examinamos las características reproductivas, el tamaño y la edad de los Gulf killifish en el río Pecos. Encontramos que la reproducción ocurre aproximadamente entre finales de marzo y septiembre, con un índice gonadosomático de hembras que muestra un pico grande y prolongado en primavera y un segundo pico menor a finales de agosto-septiembre. Nuestras estimaciones de edad sugieren que esta población se compone principalmente de peces de menos de dos años, como se ha informado para las poblaciones costeras. La longitud total osciló entre 11,9 y 143,4 mm para los machos y entre 32,3 y 162,5 mm para las hembras, lo que sugiere una estructura de tamaño sexualmente dimórfica con individuos del río Pecos que alcanzan tamaños más grandes en comparación con las poblaciones costeras. El tamaño relativamente grande y el comportamiento piscívoro de los Gulf killifish, junto con la tolerancia a una amplia gama de condiciones ambientales, son atributos de las especies no nativas que se supone que promueven el éxito de la invasión y el reemplazo de las especies nativas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental issues have become one of the important topics affecting China and the world. As the world's most populous country and the second-largest economy, China's environmental conditions have significant impacts on global ecosystems and sustainable development. To accurately determine the relationship between economic development and the environment, explore the non-coordination and spatial characteristics between the two, and promote regional sustainable development. This study is based on land-use data from four periods: 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. It uses the dynamic measurement and value equivalent method to explore the characteristics of land-use changes and measure the value of ecosystem services in the Central Yunnan Urban Agglomeration. At the same time, the study uses the non-coordination degree model and hotspot analysis tools to identify the non-coordination between Ecosystem Service Value and economic development (Gross Domestic Product), and explore the spatial characteristics between them. The research results show that: (1) The main land-use types include cultivated land, forest land, and grassland, which account for more than 90% of the total proportion. The land types with a small proportion in the region are water areas, construction land, and unused land. (2) The development level of ecosystem service value presents four types of changes: fluctuating increase, fluctuating decrease, continuous increase, and continuous decrease. The regional spatial distribution shows obvious regional heterogeneity, overall presenting a spatial distribution pattern of "low in the middle, high around." (3) The average index of non-coordination degree from 1990 to 2020 is 0.591, 0.635, 0.584, and 0.565, showing a coordinated non-coordination coupling type. The regional space presents a spatial pattern of "high in the central and western regions, low in the northeastern and southern regions." (4) The hotspots of non-coordination are mainly concentrated in the central and northwest regions of the Central Yunnan Urban Agglomeration, while the coldspots of non-coordination are mainly distributed in the northeastern, western, and southern regions of the Central Yunnan Urban Agglomeration, showing a regular agglomeration distribution. This study suggests that it is necessary to balance and coordinate the relationship between regional economic development and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Distributional data on planktonic, benthic and sympagic copepods collected in the framework of the XXXIV Expeditions of the Italian National Antarctic Programme (PNRA) to the Ross Sea sector from 2018-2019 are here provided. These occurrences correspond to specimens collected from the 25 µm filters used in the desalination plant of the Italian research station "Mario Zucchelli" (MZS), located in the Terra Nova Bay area (TNB; Ross Sea, Antarctica). This dataset is a contribution to the Antarctic Biodiversity Portal, the thematic Antarctic node for both the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (AntOBIS) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility Antarctic Biodiversity Information Facility (ANTABIF). The dataset was uploaded and integrated with the SCAR-AntOBIS database (the geospatial component of SCAR-MarBIN). New information: We describe the diversity of marine copepods Terra Nova Bay sampled by the filters installed in the desalination unit (DU) of the Italian research station "Mario Zucchelli" described in recent work. The opening of the intake pipe of the DU is positioned at a depth of 4 m and allowed a total of 2,116 specimens to be sampled and recognised. In addition, new occurrence records of copepod genera and species are reported in the same zone. We provide an overview of the marine copepod diversity reported for TNB. The total of 2,116 individuals corresponds to 14 genera and 15 species and is represented by 136 occurrence records in this dataset. Around 52% of the total number of species are new records for the TNB area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers how to rethink ecological restoration as a process tethered to ongoing formulations of racial and environmental justice. It is situated in the context of coastal Louisiana's wetland loss crisis and the state's unprecedented investment in large-scale wetland restoration projects as a technoscientific fix that comes at the expense of several small, Black and Indigenous bayou communities. Critical of approaching restoration as a practice predicated on loss and return, this article builds upon scholarship in Black and Indigenous ecologies and ethnographic fieldwork among Black coastal communities in southeast Louisiana to reimagine restoration as an intergenerational, socioecological set of practices grounded in cultivating cultural continuity and community care across time and space. Working with the Black feminist geographic concepts of the plot and the shoal, the article develops the notion alternative restorations—or restoration otherwise—around three reformulations of restoration: As a practice of cultural continuity, as a mode of cultivating self-reliance, and as a scientific practice of integrity and humility. It concludes by reflecting the ways Black ecological practices and values can shift the course of restoration science toward sustaining Black life in the era of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal mountain rivers export disproportionately high quantities of terrestrial organic carbon (OC) directly to the ocean, feeding microbial communities and altering coastal ecology. To better predict and mitigate the effects of wildfires on aquatic ecosystems and resources, we must evaluate the relationships between fire, hydrology, and carbon export, particularly in the fire‐prone western United States. This study examined the spatiotemporal export of particulate and dissolved OC (POC and DOC, respectively) and particulate and dissolved black carbon (PBC and DBC, respectively) from five coastal mountain watersheds following the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fires (California, USA). Despite high variability in watershed burn extent (20–98%), annual POC, DOC, PBC, and DBC concentrations remained relatively stable among the different watersheds. Instead, they correlated significantly with watershed discharge. Our findings indicate that hydrology, rather than burn extent, is a primary driver of post‐fire carbon export in coastal mountain watersheds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Journal of Asian Christianity, Volume 7, No. 1, features a collection of articles and book reviews that explore various aspects of Christianity in Asia. Topics covered include the examination of a Christian periodical from South Asia, the migration of Telugu Catholics in Madras Presidency, the symbolic meaning of the 'Church' of Jacobites in Kerala, the socio-theological inquiry into the Christian fisherfolk of South Asia, and contextual theological studies in a maritime society in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The journal also includes notes from the field, such as a perspective on church music and faith formation from a Korean Presbyterian viewpoint. Additionally, there are book reviews on various topics related to Christianity in Asia. The subsequent volume, Volume 7, No. 2, continues the exploration of Asian Christianity with articles on Vietnamese Catholics and French personalism, decolonizing theology in the Philippines and Korea, the politics of morality in the Philippines, conversion to Hinduism and Christianity in Northeast India, and the multifunctional role of Tamil material Catholicism. The journal also includes notes from the field, such as an ethnography of Christian prayer meetings in Kolkata, and book reviews on topics including Christianity in the Middle East, Palestinian liberation theology, and Chinese Christianity. [Extracted from the article]

This article studies a Christian fishing community on the southwest coast of the Indian peninsula and explores how it negotiates the deteriorating marine ecosystem. In this process, we get an insight into the inner world of this community whose life, occupation, and faith are deeply intertwined with the ocean and its changes. The fisherfolk's indigenous wisdom, skill, and religious heritage help them face the threats around them. The article argues that the coastal worldview has much to offer the contemporary world amidst the threat of environmental crisis. The issues raised can offer new perspectives on Christian faith life and show the direction for a rich theology of the ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is a book review of "Set Adrift: Capitalist Transformation and Community Politics along Mumbai's Shore" by Gayatri Nair. The book explores the interplay between caste, rights, and spatial politics in urban India, focusing on the struggles of the Koli community engaged in artisanal fishing in Mumbai. It examines the pressures of changing fish markets, the politics of development projects, and the changing demographics and practices in the fishing industry. The book also discusses the tensions between the Koli community and migrant workers, as well as the impact of policy and urban change on the coastal commons. It concludes by emphasizing the need to build solidarities between marginalized communities. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the mass disappearance of intertidal mussels in eastern Canada after an unusual winter cold snap in February 2023. The decline in mussel abundance is concerning due to its impact on coastal biodiversity. The cold snap, which saw temperatures drop below -20°C, is believed to be the main driver of the mass disappearance. Other factors such as predation, ice scour, and wave action were ruled out as causes. The article highlights the potential implications of climate change on the future of coastal ecosystems and emphasizes the need to study the frequency of extreme weather events. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a compilation of scientific articles and journals that examine the effects of salinity and temperature on the physiological and biochemical responses of marine algae. The research explores how these stressors impact the growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant capacity, and other properties of various algae species. The findings highlight the adaptability and resilience of marine algae in the face of changing environmental conditions. This information is valuable for understanding the potential impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and the ability of algae to respond to environmental stressors. [Extracted from the article]

An abrasion of the coastal areas has occurred at Sidangoli Gam Village, West Halmahera of North Maluku. The original condition was planted mangroves for coastal areas protection. However, it has recently been abraded due to big waves from the Pacific Ocean. Local people and the government constructed a conventional dike using coral stone and wooden piles. Nonetheless, this dike construction is designed without physical meaning. On the other hand, local people cannot be moved to another location because they have fishermen, and this place is very familiar to them. This research aimed to study the identification factor of coastal abrasion area in the field, such as observation in length, abrasion in width, the measured elevation of land, taken coordinates by using GPS (Global Positioning System) for two points and measuring the slope of the land, lithology of the soil layer, land use, and also enquire about how long people have lived in the nearby coastline area. Therefore, the index of susceptibility to abrasion, called IKP, will be presented. The index of susceptibility of abrasion (CVI) results are obtained at 48,99, a moderate vulnerability condition. This value is considered as shoreline change of 4.0, visually observed of 5.0, abrasion in the length of 1.0, abrasion in width of 4.0, green belt width of 4.0, soil lithology of 4.0, land use of 4.0 and slope on land of 5.0. These results may be conducted using coastal dikes to avoid big and high waves from the Pacific Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Biologia Marina y Oceanografía (RBMO) is the property of Universidad de Valparaiso, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although sandy islands in arid environments are vital protection sites for endemic species, they face constant natural and anthropogenic hazards, such as storm surge impacts and the occasional presence of off-road vehicles. Monitoring the sedimentary dune-beach displacement and balance is essential because sediment transportation usually does not depend on external sources, such as rivers. The latest generation of geomatic applications may be relevant to understanding coastal vulnerability due to their ability to acquire and process spatial data at unprecedented scales. The objective of this study was to analyze the sedimentary dynamics of a distinctive dune corridor on Altamura Island in the Gulf of California, Mexico. We compared three ultra-high spatial resolution digital surface models (DSMs) with geomorphic change detection (DoD), covering the 1150 m coastal stretch. We used light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and analyzed changes in the coastline with the semi-automatic CoastSat tool. Although the orthomosaics and the DSM collected in April, June, and October 2021 show different conditions in sediment distribution along the beach-dune interface, depending on the direction and intensity of the wind, the two DoDs showed a constant sediment distribution balance of ~13 M m3 between April and June and June and October. LiDAR data along the 40-km length of the sandy island indicate that the entire island could present a similar sedimentation pattern between the dune and beach interface. The CoastSat data indicate a constant accretion of 125 m in the beach-ocean interface between 2015 and 2022. This study demonstrates that the sediment balance between the dune and the beach on arid sandy islands is vital for conserving their shoreline and all associated coastal ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]