Occurrence and public perception of jellyfish along the German Baltic coastline

Jellyfish accumulations are often problematic for tourism and fisheries both along European coastlines and overseas. They damage the reputation of several seaside resorts and cause serious economic losses. On the German Baltic coast, jellyfish accumulations are well known, too. Besides population increase due to anthropogenic effects, normal hydrodynamic processes are notable key factors when it comes to jellyfish accumulations. Along German Baltic coastlines, moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) occur most frequently but also stinging lion??s mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) appear regularly, however not as abundant. The objectives of our study were a) to screen when, where, how many and which jellyfish species occur on German Baltic coasts, b) to find the causes for jellyfish accumulations and c) to evaluate how beach visitors perceive native medusae and whether information can influence their perception. Different methods where combined: systematic jellyfish observations in cooperation with lifeguards, investigations of jellyfish abundance in shallow water zones, and interviews with beach visitors. Our results suggest that jellyfish occurrence along the German Baltic coast correlates with offshore wind or shore-parallel wind, which cause upwelling events. In contrast, there is no evidence that frequency of jellyfish occurrence was dependent on water temperature in summer. In regard to tourism, we found that beach visitors who received information about jellyfish stated to feel significantly less bothered by medusae. Overall, this article addresses different methods to learn more about jellyfish accumulations and it shows information strategies in terms of improved beach management.     

Morphology and development of benthic and pelagic life stages of North Sea jellyfish (Scyphozoa, Cnidaria) with special emphasis on the identification of ephyra stages

Jellyfish blooms or invasions could be detected in an early phase of development if the youngest medusa stages (ephyrae) and their early growth stages (post-ephyrae) were identifiable in plankton samples but a useful identification key for ephyrae in early growth stages is lacking for most species. In the present study, the identification characteristics of adult North Sea scyphomedusae (Aurelia aurita, Cyanea capillata, Cyanea lamarckii, Chrysaora hysoscella, Rhizostoma octopus) collected around the island of Helgoland (German Bight) in July?CAugust 2003 and 2004 are described. Planula larvae were measured and reared to polyps in the laboratory. The process of ephyrae development asexually produced by the polyps (strobilation) was photo-documented. Photographs of the ephyrae growth stages were combined with drawings of features useful for the species identification. The provided identification key allows discrimination among post-ephyrae from plankton samples, probably leading to conclusions on the development of jellyfish blooms and their causes.     

On modelling temporal patterns in stressed ecosystems — Recreation in a coniferous forest

A system of ordinary differential equations is presented as being appropriate for modelling the impact of stress on the temporal behaviour of certain components within an ecosystem. The modelling problem is fist discussed in general terms and then in terms specifically relating to the impact of recreational activities (hunting, fishing, sightseeing, etc.) on a coniferous forest ecosystem.Using crude data, the model is used to simulate over a 3-year period the biomass levels of four compartments of the ecosystem (viz, timber, deer, fish and forage) in the absence of recreational activities. These results are then contrasted with simulation results obtained by introducing a “moderate” and then “high” degree of recreational activity, as well as the response of the system under moderate recreation to management strategies involving the construction of dams and the harvesting of timber.     

Importance of life cycle events in the population dynamics of Gonyaulax tamarensis

Life cycle changes that allow populations of the toxic dinoflagellate Gonyaulax tamarensis Lebour to inhabit the benthos and the plankton alternately are important factors regulationg the initiation and decline of blooms in restricted embavments. When the dynamics of these estuarine populations were monitored during “bloom” and “non bloom” years, it was shown that: (1) each year, germination of benthie cysts inoculated the overlying waters during the vernal warming period, but a large residual population remained in the sediments throughout the blooms; (2) the resulting planktonic population began growth under suboptimal temperature conditions; (3) the populations developed from this inoculum through asexual reproduction until sexuality (and cyst formation) were induced; (4) encystment was not linked to any obvious environmental cue and occurred under apparently optimal conditions; and (5) an increase in the number of non-mitotic swimming cells (planozygotes, the precursors to dormant cysts) accompanied the rapid decline of the planktonic population. Thus encystment, in combination with hypothesized losses due to advection and grazing, contributed substantiatly to the decline of the vegetative cell population. We conclude that the encystment/excystment cycle temporally restricts the occurrence of the vegetative population and may not be optimized for rapid or sustained vegetative growth and bloom formation in shallow embayments. The factors that distinguish “bloom” from “non-bloom” years thus appear to be operating on the growth of the planktonic population.     

Empfehlung des Länder-Arbeitskreises “Bioindikation/Wirkungsermittlung” für die landesweite Erhebung von Immissionswirkungen mit Bioindikatoren

The working group on “boindication/assessment of effects” is made up of specialists active in the fields of bioindication and emission ecology for the German Federal administrative offices concerned with the protection of the environment and for the Geman Environmental Protection Agency. In April 1996, this working group adopted the recommendation for a “countrywide survey on the effects of emissions using bioindicatiors”. The goal of this national survey is to determine the geographic distribution and the development over time of such emissions, as well as to document the effects of background emissions. In order to achieve these goals, the development of national measuring networks and permanent observation stations is mandatory. A minimal demand of investigations and of investigative procedures is required in order to compare the results of the individual Federal States and to consequently combine these findings as an overall picture for the entire Federal Republic of Germany. Mosses and lichens are recommended for passive biological monitoring, while standardized grass cultures, kale, stinging nettle and tobacco are suggested for active biomonitoring. In addition, detailed methodical recommendations concerning the use of standardized grass cultures and kale are discussed.     

Teil VI: Die Ökobilanz der Universität Osnabrück

Within the development of the “Osnabrück Environmental Management Model for Universities,” an environmental audit for the university has been carried out for the first time. It was implemented by way of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) based on ISO 14 040. Following this, an LCA includes the four steps:goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, impact assessment andinterpretation. The impact assessment phase of the LCA was carried out following the ”UBA-Method” of the German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) which is based on the method of impact categories described in ISO 14 040 and implemented in the software Umberto^®. The most significant results are that the University contributes “considerably” towards both categories, “Depletion of fossil energy resources” and “Climate change”. The main causes of this are electricity and heat consumption as well as traffic. In order to improve its environmental situation, the university has been recommended to reduce its CO₂ emissions, its consumption of fossil energy resources and its methane emissions.     

Public Attitudes and Knowledge about Ecosystem Management on Department of Defense Land in Florida

New ecosystem management policies at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, emphasize the need for public education and involvement in the changing focus of natural resource practices. To collect baseline information for ecosystem management, we measured and compared the knowledge, attitudes, and interests of critical Eglin audiences: recreational users and neighboring citizens. Factor analysis of surveys of 700 permitted recreational users and 1000 neighboring citizens revealed four content areas for measuring knowledge and attitudes: (1) native and endangered species, (2) fire ecology, (3) forest resources, and (4) ecosystem management. Overall, both audiences lacked basic ecological knowledge and held neutral to slightly positive attitudes toward the key content areas. Recreational users were significantly more knowledgeable than general citizens about native and endangered species, fire ecology, and forests. However, citizens held significantly more positive attitudes toward native and endangered species conservation and ecosystem management concepts. Eglin's consumptive recreationists (hunters and anglers) held the most negative views. Sociodemographic information from the surveys suggest that the recreational users and neighboring citizens are a stable, educable population that would respond positively to programs aimed at improving knowledge of and attitudes toward ecosystem management goals at Eglin.     

Conservation of Marine Megafauna through Minimization of Fisheries Bycatch

Abstract: Many populations of marine megafauna, including seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals, and elasmobranchs, have declined in recent decades due largely to anthropogenic mortality. To successfully conserve these long‐lived animals, efforts must be prioritized according to feasibility and the degree to which they address threats with the highest relative impacts on population dynamics. Recently, Wilcox and Donlan (2007, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment) and Donlan and Wilcox (2008, Biological Invasions) proposed a conservation strategy of “compensatory mitigation” in which fishing industries offset bycatch of seabirds and sea turtles by funding eradication of invasive mammalian predators from the terrestrial reproductive sites of these marine animals . Although this is a creative and conceptually compelling approach, we find it flawed as a conservation tool because it has narrow applicability among marine megafauna, it does not address the most pervasive threats to marine megafauna, and it is logistically and financially infeasible. Invasive predator eradication does not adequately offset the most pressing threat to most marine megafauna populations—fisheries bycatch. For seabird populations, fisheries bycatch and invasive predators infrequently are overlapping threats. Invasive predators have limited population‐level impacts on sea turtles and marine mammals and no impacts on elasmobranchs, all of which are threatened by bycatch. Implementing compensatory mitigation in marine fisheries is unrealistic due to inadequate monitoring, control, and surveillance in the majority of fleets. Therefore, offsetting fisheries bycatch with eradication of invasive predators would be less likely to reverse population declines than reducing bycatch. We recommend that efforts to mitigate bycatch in marine capture fisheries should address multiple threats to sensitive bycatch species groups, but these efforts should first institute proven bycatch avoidance and reduction methods before considering compensatory mitigation.     

Rise of toxic cyanobacterial blooms in temperate freshwater lakes: causes,correlations and possible countermeasures

The progressive degradation of surface freshwater quality due to the mass proliferation of toxic cyanobacterial blooms is of growing global concern. The occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms is not a new phenomenon. However, a global increase in the frequency, duration, and distribution of toxic cyanobacterial blooms could be observed in the past decades. Evidence suggests that this trend might be attributed to a complex interplay of direct and indirect anthropogenic influences. The underlying causes and interrelations for this development have not been fully clarified. Nonetheless, all evidence points to the fact that mitigation of toxic cyanobacterial blooms will be a key challenge of the twenty-first century. This review addresses the underlying causes for the increased incidence of toxic cyanobacteria in temperate freshwater lakes and attempts to reveal possible reciprocities between bloom promoting factors. Selected approaches for the prevention of toxic cyanobacterial blooms as well as the mitigation of their potential negative impacts on humans will be presented.     

Physical and biological controls of algal blooms in the Río de la Plata

Coupled three-dimensional hydrodynamic and ecological numerical simulations were used to investigate the role of transport, stagnation zones and dispersion on inter-annual blooms of the diatom Aulacoseira sp. in the vicinity of the drinking water intakes of the Buenos Aires city (Argentina) in the upper Río de la Plata. Three different summer events were analyzed. First, a mild biomass bloom year (2006–2007), second, a high biomass bloom year (2007–2008) and third, a “normal” no bloom year (2009–2010). Simulated water height, water temperature, suspended solids and chlorophyll \(a\) concentrations patterns compared well with field data. Results revealed that the advection of phytoplankton cells via inflows to the Río de la Plata triggered Aulacoseira sp. blooms in the domain. In addition, excessive growth observed near the drinking water intakes, along the Argentinean margin, were associated with long retention times (stagnant region) and weak horizontal dispersion. Increased concentrations of suspended solids in the water column, in response to re-suspension events, did not prevent the blooms, however, were found to also play a key role in controlling the rate of phytoplankton growth. Finally, a non-dimensional parameter, R, that considers phytoplankton patch size, e-folding growth and dispersion time scales is shown to determine the potential bloom occurrences, as well as bloom intensity; R values higher than 5.7 suggest intense phytoplankton growth. For the mild biomass bloom year, \(R = 7.5\) , for the high biomass bloom year, \(R = 11\) and for the “normal” no bloom year \(R= 0.4\) .     

Ontogenetic switch between alternative antipredatory strategies in the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius): defensive threat versus escape

Ontogenetic changes in antipredator behavior optimize survival of growing animals. Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) respond to a simulated predator either by postural and vocal threats, sometimes followed by biting, or alternatively by a rapid escape. The former “confrontational” and the latter “avoidance” behavior rarely occurs in a sequence; in fact, they represent mutually exclusive defensive strategies. We examined 552 individuals of a leopard gecko (E. macularius) of various ages, from hatching up to adulthood (31 months). Each experimental animal was exposed to a sequence of five “water-spraying” and ten “stick” (stick poking on base of the tail) stimuli, and the emitted behavior was recorded. We analyzed the effects of age, body size, body condition, adult–juvenile coloration, and sex on observed behavioral traits. The results showed that in the case of water-spraying stimulus, the usage of deterrent vocalization or escape tactic was affected by age and condition. In addition to that, using deterrent vocalization was influenced by the coloration of the animal. Stick stimulus evokes antipredator strategies that correspond with age and coloration (deterrent vocalization) and also with standardized body size (escape). Thus, leopard geckos exhibit clear ontogenetic change of defensive strategies, from threat–vocalization–bite strategy prevailing in juveniles to an escape strategy typical for adults. This behavioral change is accompanied by the ontogenetic switch of coloration from presumably warning contrasting light–dark banded pattern of juveniles to a cryptic spotted coloration of the adults.     

Recreational diving impacts and the use of pre-dive briefings as a management strategy on Florida coral reefs

Ecotourism often is promoted as an ecologically sustainable activity, but some ecotourism activities negatively impact coastal ecosystems. Impacts of intensive diving tourism on coral reefs remain poorly understood, especially in the Florida Keys. We determined patterns of recreational dive frequency, diver behaviour, and coral damage on reefs near Key Largo, and assessed how pre-dive briefings and other factors affect these damage rates. Recreational divers contacted live stony corals ~ 18 times per scuba dive; most contacts deposited sediment onto corals, but also caused abrasion to coral tissues and fracture of coral skeletons. Divers who received pre-dive ecological briefings caused significantly less coral damage than those who did not, and divers with cameras and/or gloves caused the most damage. The proportion of damaged corals increased significantly with the estimated rate of recreational diving on each reef, and the percent cover of live corals decreased. We conclude that current rates of recreational diving in Key Largo are unsustainable, resulting in damage to >80 % of coral colonies and reduction of live coral cover to <11 % at heavily-dived sites. We recommend that dive tour operators administer pre-dive ecological briefings to all recreational divers, provide extra briefings to camera and glove users, and employ underwater dive guides who intervene when divers inadvertently damage live stony corals. This study provides a scientific basis to support management of intensive ecotourism on Florida coral reefs.     

Representation of tourist interest in the Opal Coast by local populations, English and Belgian Dutch-speaking populations

The purpose of the exploratory study is to describe the perception of the “Opal Coast (North of France)” among French native populations or remaining population for tourist reasons. A discussion (a) based on quantitative and qualitative equivalences and differences on perceiving the characteristics and love of the area according to nationality is proposed (b) confronting the perceptions measured of the national stereotypes is evoked, (c) considering the tourist communication in the area as a self confirmation of the identity of the tourist visiting is outlined.     

Multisensory vocal communication in primates and the evolution of rhythmic speech

The integration of the visual and auditory modalities during human speech perception is the default mode of speech processing. That is, visual speech perception is not a capacity that is “piggybacked” on to auditory-only speech perception. Visual information from the mouth and other parts of the face is used by all perceivers to enhance auditory speech. This integration is ubiquitous and automatic and is similar across all individuals across all cultures. The two modalities seem to be integrated even at the earliest stages of human cognitive development. If multisensory speech is the default mode of perception, then this should be reflected in the evolution of vocal communication. The purpose of this review is to describe the data that reveal that human speech is not uniquely multisensory. In fact, the default mode of communication is multisensory in nonhuman primates as well but perhaps emerging with a different developmental trajectory. Speech production, however, exhibits a unique bimodal rhythmic structure in that both the acoustic output and the movements of the mouth are rhythmic and tightly correlated. This structure is absent in most monkey vocalizations. One hypothesis is that the bimodal speech rhythm may have evolved through the rhythmic facial expressions of ancestral primates, as indicated by mounting comparative evidence focusing on the lip-smacking gesture.     

Geography and Recovery under the U.S. Endangered Species Act

Abstract: The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) defines an endangered species as one “at risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.” The prevailing interpretation of this phrase, which focuses exclusively on the overall viability of listed species without regard to their geographic distribution, has led to development of listing and recovery criteria with fundamental conceptual, legal, and practical shortcomings. The ESA's concept of endangerment is broader than the biological concept of extinction risk in that the “esthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational, and scientific” values provided by species are not necessarily furthered by a species mere existence, but rather by a species presence across much of its former range. The concept of “significant portion of range” thus implies an additional geographic component to recovery that may enhance viability, but also offers independent benefits that Congress intended the act to achieve. Although the ESA differs from other major endangered‐species protection laws because it acknowledges the distinct contribution of geography to recovery, it resembles the “representation, resiliency, and redundancy” conservation‐planning framework commonly referenced in recovery plans. To address representation, listing and recovery standards should consider not only what proportion of its former range a species inhabits, but the types of habitats a species occupies and the ecological role it plays there. Recovery planning for formerly widely distributed species (e.g., the gray wolf [Canis lupus]) exemplifies how the geographic component implicit in the ESA's definition of endangerment should be considered in determining recovery goals through identification of ecologically significant types or niche variation within the extent of listed species, subspecies, or “distinct population segments.” By linking listing and recovery standards to niche and ecosystem concepts, the concept of ecologically significant type offers a scientific framework that promotes more coherent dialogue concerning the societal decisions surrounding recovery of endangered species.     

Nachhaltigkeit in der Pflanzenproduktion

Part I gives an overview on the origin and the development of the term “sustainability” in general and for agriculture in particular. This overview shows that the term “sustainability” is used widely in discussing ecological, social and economic aspects; however, there is no generally accepted definition for this term neither for the different aspects, nor for a concept including all the discussed aspects of “sustainability”. This makes a determination and practical implementation of the term “sustainability” difficult. Therefore a definition for a sustainable crop production from the ecological point of view is elaborated based on the discussion of the development of the term and on the identification of the most important applied aspects. This definition forms the basis for a methodological approach to the practical implementation of a sustainable crop production (»part II).     

The Belgian Coastal Atlas: moving from the classic static atlas to an interactive data-driven atlas

The Belgian Coastal Atlas was first published in hardback in 2004, with no intention to move towards a web version. The many requests for maps encouraged the developers to launch a web-based atlas in 2005. The interactive-nature of the maps was kept simple and the look of the maps was considered more important than the possibilities that GIS applications offered. Three years on, the Coordination Centre on ICZM would like to move from the more or less static web atlas to an interactive data-driven atlas, where sustainability indicators for the coast play a prominent role. The final product will be a policy supporting tool that will back the ICZM process for a wide range of coastal actors, planners and managers.     

Application of Modified Threat Reduction Assessments in Lebanon

Abstract: Worldwide efforts have concentrated on developing monitoring methods that would enhance the assessment of progress toward achieving the 2010 conservation objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Threat reduction assessment is one such method. It provides an indirect measure of the effects of a conservation project by evaluating changes in human‐induced direct threats to protected areas. We applied modified threat reduction assessments and the 2008 International Union for Conservation of Nature standardized lexicon for classification of threats to Horsh Ehden and Al‐Shouf Cedar nature reserves in Lebanon. Our goal was in part to test the suitability of this tool for improving monitoring and management effectiveness of protected forests in Lebanon. In Horsh Ehden, composite threats decreased by 24% from 1997 to 2002, and then increased from 2002 to 2009 by 78% in the core area of the reserve and by 118% in the reserve's buffer zone (surrounds core area, conservation and recreational activities allowed). In Al‐Shouf Cedar reserve threats decreased by 51% from 2006 to 2009. Management teams from both reserves have integrated the use of this method to prioritize actions for new management plans. We believe that in Lebanon and other countries with limited resources and weak monitoring programs or that are experiencing political instability threat reduction assessments could be used to improve the effectiveness of protected areas management.