Sustainability assessment of coastal ecosystems: DPSIR analysis for beaches at the Northeast Coast of Vietnam

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The Northeastern coastal zone of Vietnam possesses high biodiversity and rich ecosystems like coral reefs, seagrasses, beaches and mangroves. It also...     

A framework for understanding climate change impacts on coral reef social–ecological systems

Corals and coral-associated species are highly vulnerable to the emerging effects of global climate change. The widespread degradation of coral reefs, which will be accelerated by climate change, jeopardizes the goods and services that tropical nations derive from reef ecosystems. However, climate change impacts to reef social–ecological systems can also be bi-directional. For example, some climate impacts, such as storms and sea level rise, can directly impact societies, with repercussions for how they interact with the environment. This study identifies the multiple impact pathways within coral reef social–ecological systems arising from four key climatic drivers: increased sea surface temperature, severe tropical storms, sea level rise and ocean acidification. We develop a novel framework for investigating climate change impacts in social–ecological systems, which helps to highlight the diverse impacts that must be considered in order to develop a more complete understanding of the impacts of climate change, as well as developing appropriate management actions to mitigate climate change impacts on coral reef and people.     

Distribution of (226)Ra-(210)Pb-(210)Po in marine biota and surface sediments of the Red Sea, Sudan

Activity concentration levels and ratios of (226)Ra, (210)Pb and (210)Po are presented in multicellular marine algae, molluscs, coral as well as in surface marine sediments collected from the shallower waters of the fringing reefs area extending towards north and south (Flamingo bay) of PortSudan harbour, Sudan. The analyses were performed adopting alpha-spectrometry, liquid scintillation and Cerenkov counting techniques. Surface sediments from this coastal region are poor in their radioactivity content in contrast to similar data reported from different coastal areas around the globe. There is surface enrichment of (210)Pb and (210)Po with respect to their progenitor (226)Ra as it is evident from the activity ratios of (210)Pb/(226)Ra (3.03+/-1.79) and (210)Po/(226)Ra (2.23+/-1.56). Among marine plants and animals investigated, the green algae species, Halimeda, and coral species, Favites, show substantial concentration of radium at 8.2Bq/kg and 21.9Bq/kg dry weight, respectively. Similarly, the highest concentration of (210)Po was met in Favites at 38.7Bq/kg followed by brown algae, Cystoseria sp., at 32.6Bq/kg. There is no variation seen among algal species for (210)Pb uptake, however, converse to radium and polonium, Favites (coral) was found to contain the minimum concentration of lead (3.88Bq/kg). In most species there is preferential accumulation of polonium over its parent radium as indicated by (210)Po:(226)Ra activity ratio with Cystoseria (brown algae) showing the highest value at 8.81. On the other hand, (210)Po:(210)Pb activity concentration ratio revealed that coral species Favites (9.97) and the brown algae Sargassum (1.85) have a greater tendency to accumulate (210)Po over (210)Pb, while in the rest of species; this ratio is less than unity.     

Radionuclides in marine macroalgae from Amchitka and Kiska Islands in the Aleutians: establishing a baseline for future biomonitoring

Levels of radionuclides in seven species of marine brown algae and Ulva were determined to establish a baseline for the Northern Pacific Ocean/Bering Sea (Aleutian Islands). There were differences in levels among algal species and locations (Amchitka Island vs Kiska Island). No values were above the minimum detectable activity (MDA) level for (137)Cs, (129)I, (60)Co, (152)Eu, (90)Sr, and (99)Tc. There were interspecific differences in some radionuclides: Ulva lactuca (=Ulva fenestrata) had the highest levels of (241)Am, Alaria fistulosa had the highest levels of (239,240)Pu, and Fucus distichus (=Fucus gardneri) had the highest levels of (234)U, (235)U, and (238)U. However, levels of all radionuclides were generally low and near the MDA for all isotopes. Although Amchitka Island had higher levels of (239,240)Pu than Kiska, the differences were very small and not significant biologically. The data indicate that algae can be useful bioindicators of actinides because they accumulate them at very low environmental levels, allowing them to provide early warning of any potential seepage of radionuclides into the marine environment. Further, the data indicate that some species (the intertidal Fucus) are better accumulators than others, and these should be used as bioindicators in future monitoring schemes.     

To cope or to sustain? Eroding long-term sustainability in an Indonesian coral reef fishery

Small-scale fisheries in coral reef areas support the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide. Anthropogenic impacts such as overfishing and climate change increasingly threaten both the reef ecosystem and the livelihood security of the people that depend on the reefs. Adaptive management strategies are needed to adequately deal with these threats, but they require an understanding of the underlying drivers, which often originate and act on multiple levels. Using a social-ecological system approach, the coral reef fishery of the Spermonde Archipelago in South Sulawesi/Indonesia is assessed to identify key drivers and strategic leverage points for management. Under the influence of international markets and technological changes, several export-oriented fisheries have developed in the area that led to distinct subsequent peaks in fishing activity in a pattern of sequential marine resource exploitation. In response to stressors such as seasonality and overfishing of individual locations or species, a number of coping strategies have developed locally. These include extensive borrowing from fishing patrons, diversification of fishing methods, fishing migrations, and the crafting of local institutions to regulate fishing activity. However, the coping strategies hinder, and even decrease, the capacity of the system to adapt to future stressors and undermine the sustainability of the fishery. Potential strategies that target different levels of the fishery system in order to strengthen adaptive management are identified.     

Effect of insolation and overhead canopy on macrozoobenthos of tropical freshwater ponds

Distribution and abundance of macrozoobenthic species were investigated in open and shaded sites of tropical freshwater pond ecosystems in Kolkata. Water temperature of open sites was higher than the shaded sites but transparency value was lower at the lighted sites presumably related with the production of phytoplankton in the presence of sunlight. Diversity of species was recorded highest (26 species) along with total benthos density (5999 no/m²) at slightly illuminated open site. Mean biomass was also highest at the slightly illuminated open site. Total benthos density of macrozoobenthos was lower at the fully shaded and fully lighted sites. The greater occurrence and abundance of most macrozoobenthic species-including total benthos density and biomass at the slightly illuminated open site was probably associated with microhabitat suitability supported by moderate presence of macrophytes. Higher quality food (algae and algal detritus) and thermal suitability as well as phototactic attraction of motile epibenthic gastropods and other organisms contribute to the greater abundance and production of biomass at this site.     

Restoring ecosystems,restoring community: socioeconomic and cultural dimensions of a community-based coral reef restoration project

Environmental restoration projects are commonly touted for their ecological positives, but such projects can also provide significant socioeconomic and cultural benefits to local communities. We assessed the social dimensions of a large-scale coral reef restoration project in Maunalua Bay, O‘ahu, where >1.32 million kg of invasive marine macroalgae was removed from 11 hectares (90,000 m²; 23 acres) of impacted coral reef in an urbanized setting. We interviewed 131 community stakeholders and analyzed both quantitative and qualitative data to assess human uses of the environment, assess perceptions of environmental health, and characterize social dimensions (+/?) associated with the invasive algae removal effort. Results indicate substantial direct economic benefits, including the creation of more than 60+ jobs, benefiting more than 250 individuals and 81 households. The project helped develop a skilled workforce in a local business dedicated to environmental restoration and increased the capacity of community organizations to address other threats to reefs and watersheds. Other major benefits include revitalization of Native Hawaiian cultural practices and traditions and the successful use of harvested invasive algae as compost by local farmers. Our results show the project heightened community awareness and a broader sense of stewardship in the area, creating enabling conditions for collective community action. Our findings show that restoration projects that explicitly incorporate efforts to build community awareness, involvement, and a shared responsibility for a site may ultimately create the long-term capacity for sustainable stewardship programs. We conclude by discussing lessons learned for engaging productively with communities in environmental restoration and stewardship, which remains a central focus in conservation worldwide.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of Pu in the Northwest Pacific Ocean using modern coral archives

Historical ²³⁹Pu activity concentrations and ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu atom ratios were determined in skeletons of dated modern corals collected from three locations (Chuuk Lagoon, Ishigaki Island and Iki Island) to identify spatial and temporal variations in Pu inputs to the Northwest Pacific Ocean. The main Pu source in the Northwest Pacific is fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapons testing which consists of global fallout and close-in fallout from the former US Pacific Proving Grounds (PPG) in the Marshall Islands. PPG close-in fallout dominated the Pu input in the 1950s, as was observed with higher ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu atom ratios (> 0.30) at the Ishigaki site. Specific fallout Pu contamination from the Nagasaki atomic bomb and the Ivy Mike thermonuclear detonation at the PPG were identified at Ishigaki Island from the ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu atom ratios of 0.07 and 0.46, respectively. During the 1960s and 1970s, global fallout was the major Pu source to the Northwest Pacific with over 60% contribution to the total Pu. After the cessation of the atmospheric nuclear tests, the PPG again dominated the Pu input due to the continuous transport of remobilised Pu from the Marshall Islands along the North Equatorial Current and the subsequent Kuroshio Current. The Pu contributions from the PPG in recent coral bands (1984 onwards) varied over time with average estimated PPG contributions between 54% and 72% depending on location.     

Phytocenotic organization of algal groups as a possible indicator of the trophic status of bog ecosystems

In the soils of bog ecosystems studied in Plesetskii raion of Arkhangelsk oblast, 169 species and infraspecific taxa of algae have been recorded. Their flora includes typical divisions of soil algae and is dominated by Chlorophyta, which is typical for the soil–climatic conditions of the taiga zone in general and bog ecosystems in particular. The phytocenotic organization of algal groups can serve as an indicator of bog trophicity, since a certain trophicity level is characterized by an individual combination of dominant species, life forms, morphotypes, and ecological groups of soil algae.     

嘉陵江下游江段春季浮游藻类特征及污染现状

2006年春季,通过水质分析和浮游藻类调查,应用污生谱分析法及生物多样性指数法,对嘉陵江下游江段春季浮游藻类特征及污染现状进行了研究。结果发现,该江段共有浮游藻类7门42属85种（包括变种）;优势种群并不单一,以黄藻、绿藻和硅藻占优势,优势种为黄藻门中的黄丝藻,绿藻门中的小球藻和硅藻门中的小环藻。5月份藻类的种类和个数均比4月份有所减少,可能与5月份降雨量比4月份多有关;流速最快的石门大桥具有最低的藻类细胞密度,流速最慢的化龙桥具有较高的藻类细胞密度,说明流速对浮游藻类种类和数量产生一定的影响。嘉陵江下游沿岸一带的氨氮含量都很高,氨氮已经形成全江段水系的主要污染,磷酸盐含量也较高,均超过水体富营养化的氮、磷含量最低限制标准,该江段水质污染较严重。污生谱分析法及生物多样性指数法的评价结果表明,该江段整体污染状况为中度污染,农业和工业污染不容忽视。〖     

A social and ecological imperative for ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change in the Pacific Islands

Climate change is predicted to have a range of impacts on Pacific Island ecosystems and the services they provide for current and future development. There are a number of characteristics that can make adaptation approaches that utilise the benefits of ecosystems a compelling and viable alternative to other adaptation approaches. The objective of this paper is to determine what level of relative influence technical and planning considerations currently have in guiding the recognition and application of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) approaches in the Pacific Islands context. The technical feasibility of EbA in relation to the expected impacts of climate change and the compatibility of adaptation planning processes of the Pacific Islands with EbA requirements was considered. The main barrier to fully implementing EbA in the Pacific Islands is not likely to be financial capital, but a combination of stable technical capacity within government departments to advise communities on EbA opportunities and the compatibility of planning frameworks.     

人工控制条件下水流速对香溪河库湾浮游植物影响的初步研究

为了揭示三峡水库不同藻类对水流速度的响应，2008年8月，利用香溪河库湾原水进行了人工控制条件下水流速度对浮游植物生长和群落组成影响的研究。结果表明，在水温、光照及营养盐相同的条件下，水流条件对藻类的细胞密度和组成会产生显著的影响。单因素方差分析的S N K多重比较结果表明，在实验设定的流速范围内针杆藻(Synedra sp.)在高流速(0139 m/s)下的细胞密度显著高于其他流速组(p<005)，相对密度最高；盘星藻(Pediastrumspp.)在中流速(0075 m/s)下的细胞密度显著高于其他各处理组(p<005)；微囊藻(Microcystisspp.)各实验组间细胞密度无显著差异（p>005），但在低流速（0046 m/s）下的细胞密度和相对密度均高于其他各组；小环藻(Cyclotella sp.)细胞密度在水流动组间无显著差异（p>005），但都显著高于0 m/s实验组的细胞密度（p<005     

Impacts of super-typhoon Yolanda on Philippine reefs and communities

Regional Environmental Change - This report presents super-typhoon Yolanda’s impacts on coral reefs of Eastern Samar, Philippines, and evaluates its implications on resource management in the...     

Basic Tendencies in the Structural Dynamics of Phytoplanktonic and Benthic Communities in the Sea of Azov

New data on the present-day state of planktonic and benthic communities in the Sea of Azov were obtained during an expedition organized in 1997 and 1998. The analysis of their species composition and quantitative indices of biomass and abundance revealed two obvious tendencies in the structural dynamics of biocenoses. The first is directly produced by disturbances of the environment under anthropogenic impact, and the second reflects the effect of global natural factors.     

乌江梯级电站开发对大型底栖无脊椎动物群落结构和多样性的影响

为了解乌江贵州段的底栖动物资源现状以及梯级电站开发对底栖动物群落结构和多样性的影响，对18个断面的底栖动物进行了调查。底栖动物多样性通过Shannon Wiener多样性指数进行计算。结果显示：自然河段中，底栖动物物种丰富，以节肢动物占优势，物种丰富度和密度均以思南断面最高，生物多样性则以沿河二桥断面最高；群落类型复杂，环节动物 软体动物 节肢动物为优势群落，软体动物为群落中的优势类群。梯级水库的修建使底质环境差异变小，底栖动物物种丰度、密度和生物多样性降低，群落类型趋于简单，优势类群表现不明显，并且水库建成的年代越久,底栖动物的丰度、密度就越低,群落的组成类群就越少，物种组成以寡毛类和摇蚊类为主。研究表明,梯级电站的修建对底栖动物的物种组成、密度分布、多样性、群落类型等都造成了负面影响。〖     

Relationship between the Biodiversity of phyto- and zoobenthos in the continuum of the model mountain river Komarovka (Primorye,Russia)

The structure of benthic communities was studied in the continuum of the model mountain river Komarovka, which flows in the conifer-broadleaf forest subzone in the southwest of the Silkhote-Alin Mountain Range (Primorye, Russia). The lowest species diversity of phyto- and zoobenthos was recorded in the upper reaches of the river, in a heterotrophic area; the highest species diversity, in the central part of autotrophic area. At the same time, the Shannon index for algal communities had the highest values in the heterotrophic area, while that for bottom invertebrate communities, within the autotrophic area. Thus, the increase in invertebrate species diversity in the river continuum was accompanied by complication of the structure of zoobenthos, while the increase in the taxonomic diversity of phytobenthos took place against the background of increasing dominance of a few algal species.     

转基因鲤鱼对大型底栖动物群落及多样性的影响

为了对转基因(CAgcGH)鲤的生态风险评估提供参考依据，于2004~2006年在梁子湖畔的人工隔离湖泊开展了转基因鲤对其主要饵料生物--底栖动物群落结构及多样性影响的研究。结果表明：投放转基因鲤1 a后，底栖动物物种组成、丰度和多样性指数均出现不同程度下降。底栖动物总物种数从65种下降为36种；总密度从4973 ind/m2下降到3707 ind/m2；总生物量(湿重)从77136 g/m2上升到97558 g/m2。单因素方差分析显示：总物种数、寡毛类、毛翅目和摇蚊科物种数有显著降低。寡毛类、毛翅目和腹足类密度有显著下降。毛翅目生物量有显著下降。幽蚊〖WTBX〗(Chaoborus 〖WTBZ〗sp.)和环棱螺〖WTBX〗(Bellamya 〖WTBZ〗sp.)取代纹沼螺(〖WTBX〗Parafossarulus striatulus)和苏氏尾鳃蚓(Branchiura sowerbyi)〖WTBZ〗成为优势种。底栖动物多样性呈现显著下降，3种多样性指数平均减少19%~44％，物种丰富度则减少了38%。〖WTBX〗K〖WTBZ〗优势曲线显示了同样结果。转基因鱼与对照鱼在捕食压力和摄食选择偏好上的差异，可能是造成隔离湖泊内底栖动物群落结构和多样性变化的重要原因之一.     

Effects of acidification on aquatic ecosystems

Effects of acidification on aquatic ecosystems are analyzed on the basis of an analytical synopsis of relevant data. Major active agents influencing aquatic organisms and main trends in the reorganization of microbial, phyto- and zooplanktonic, benthic, and fish communities in an acidified environment are described. A generalized concept of changes in ecosystems caused by acid precipitation and accompanying factors is formulated. These changes include the reduction of biodiversity of all structural elements due to the disappearance of species sensitive to acidification, modification of trophic structure, and decrease of fish stock.Translated from Ekologiya, No. 2, 2005, pp. 110–119.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Moiseenko.     

Specific features of bird community formation depending on the degree of anthropogenic impact

The population density and relative abundance of some bird species reach the highest values in the communities of habitats with a high degree of anthropogenic transformation. The species diversity of birds shows an inverse correlation with the index of anthropogenic impact (in grades) calculated with regard to a number of parameters. Relevant correlations change periodically, with the correlation coefficient reaching the highest values in the nesting period and decreasing to a minimum during the flight period.     

Governance objectives and instruments,ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation: the Chianti case study

The complex relationships between governance processes, ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation are receiving growing attention by the scientific community. The scope of research in this field is generally that of identifying main governance factors leading to success or failure in the sustainable management of ecosystems and biodiversity conservation, so to develop appropriate sectoral and intersectoral policies fostering sustainable use of natural resources. In this paper, a methodological approach is first presented and then applied to analyse the impacts of agriculture and rural policies on agro-ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation in the central hills of Tuscany, the Chianti area. This approach is focusing in particular on governance objectives and instruments used in the management of ecosystem services. A share-farming system based on multifunctional agriculture ruled Chianti until World War II. Then, after the abandonment of rural areas by share-farmers, governance objectives and ecosystem management were oriented towards the production of commodities such as wine and olive oil almost ignoring the provision of public goods such as soil erosion and water run-off control and biodiversity conservation. In order to achieve a more sustainable ecosystems management in Chianti, there is the need to develop a multifaceted governance strategy to reward appropriately the supplying of environmental goods and services by farmers.