Changes in Genetic Structure of Posidonia oceanica at Monterosso al Mare (Ligurian Sea) and Its Resilience Over a Decade (1998–2009)

Genetic differences in the Posidonia oceanica meadow of Monterosso al Mare (NW Mediterranean, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) "Cinque Terre") were compared in three stations, at an increasing distance from a source of impact (beach nourishment) in the recent decade. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis showed a higher genetic variability (>20?%) in the area directly subjected to the stress, increasing with time. Clone integration, confirmed by phenotypic analysis, showed increases both in shoot density and leaf length connected to genetic differences observed in DNA fingerprints of new shoots. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed 45?% individual differences within populations and 54?% among the populations. The fixation index (F (ST)?=?0.54), of the genetic differentiation, showed a marked difference between the populations at different temporal scales. Over a decade AMOVA indicated genetic variations from 28?% (1998) to 54?% (2009). These results make it clear that in the P. oceanica population examined the environment had, in ten years, selected those clones which were more resistant to the anthropogenic impact, despite being subjected to the effects of the resuspension of fine sediments. These findings could help to explain both the survival of the regressed Mediterranean P. oceanica meadows in areas subjected to moderate impacts and the extreme variability in success of revegetation experiments. Management of the ecological disturbance here described indicates also the timescale in population response to stress and its increased resilience in MPAs.     

Toxicity of synthetic pyrethroid insecticides to the grass shrimp,Palaemonetes pugio,parasitized with the bopyrid isopod,Probopyrus pandalicola

The grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, plays a large role in the marine ecosystem, serving as a vital link in the food web between many other species. Marine parasites such as the bopyrid isopod, Probopyrus pandalicola, reduce shrimp growth and reproductive output and may also cause P. pugio to be more vulnerable to the lethal effects of contaminants. The purpose of this study was to determine the toxicity of resmethrin and bifenthrin on the grass shrimp, P. pugio, infected with the bopyrid isopod, Probopyrus pandalicola. A 96-h static renewal test was conducted to determine the toxicity of the pyrethroid insecticides resmethrin and bifenthrin to grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, parasitized with the bopyrid isopod, Probopyrus pandalicola. The results were then compared to similar tests utilizing unparasitized P. pugio. Parasitized P. pugio had lower 24-h LC₅₀ (1.08 μg/L) and 96-h LC₅₀ (0.43 μg/L) values for resmethrin than unparasitized P. pugio. However, LC₅₀ ratio tests found that there was no significant difference between parasitized and unparasitized shrimp when affected by resmethrin (p = 0.1751 and 0.1108, respectively). In contrast, an LC₁₀ ratio test indicated that there was a significant difference between parasitized and unparasitized P. pugio after 96 h (p < 0.0001). When subjected to bifenthrin, parasitized P. pugio had a higher 24-h LC₅₀ (0.049 μg/L6) than unparasitized P. pugio. The LC₅₀ ratio test established that the effects of bifenthrin on parasitized P. pugio when compared to unparasitized P. pugio were significantly different at 24 h (p = 0.0065). However, there were no significant differences between parasitized and unparasitized after 96 h (p = 0.4229). In conclusion, both resmethrin and bifenthrin are toxic to the grass shrimp, P. pugio, regardless of parasite presence, and parasitized shrimp may be more susceptible to lower doses of resmethrin (when exposed in the field).     

Metal bioaccumulation in the greater white-toothed shrew, Crocidura russula, inhabiting an abandoned pyrite mine site

Hepatic and renal concentrations of iron, magnesium, zinc, lead, copper, manganese, mercury, cadmium, molybdenum, chromium, and nickel were quantified in shrews (Crocidura russula) inhabiting a pyrite mine site in Portugal. Several morphological parameters (body weight, residual index, and relative weights) were also examined to clarify the physiological effects of pollution. Shrews from the mine showed increased bioavailability of Fe, Pb, Hg, Cd, Mo, and Ni in comparison with reference specimens. Adult shrews had the highest Cd levels while Cr and Ni concentrations diminished. Intersexual differences were found for Mo and Ni. As a consequence of metal pollution, the relative hepatic weight was higher in shrews from the mine site when compared with reference specimens. These data indicate that C. russula is a good bioindicator of metal pollution. We also evaluated the toxic effects of Pb, Hg, Cd, and Ni, because several shrews from the polluted site showed high concentrations of these metals. To approximate at the real biological impact of abandoned mines, after this first step it is necessary to associate the bioaccumulation levels and morphological effects with other physiological, ecological and genetical biomarkers.     

Long-term trends and short-term variability of water quality in Skive Fjord, Denmark – nutrient load and mussels are the primary pressures and drivers that influence water quality

Nineteen years of monitoring data from the eutrophic Skive Fjord, Denmark were examined for linkages to external pressures and drivers, including nutrient inputs, meteorology and stocks of blue mussels. Linkages were examined by: 1) time-series analysis to document effects of nutrient reduction programs, 2) Pearson Rank correlations, 3) multivariate statistical analysis (PLS) to identify water quality variables with high predictability and their linkages to pressures, and 4) regression analysis to quantify relationships between pressures and water quality. Freshwater input, nitrogen load and phosphorus load showed decreasing trends through the period 1984–2002. The load reductions were only partially translated into trends in water quality: phosphorus decreased in most seasons, while total nitrogen decreased during winter and spring only. Phosphorus concentration had the highest predictability (explained by seasonal temperature variation) followed by transparency, silicate, tot-N, chlorophyll-a, primary productivity, phytoplankton diversity and phytoplankton turnover. The variation in pressures other than nutrient input confounded the relations between loads and water quality. High biomass of mussels led to reduced chlorophyll-a and increased transparency, while short-term variability in water column mixing led to changes in chlorophyll-a due to nutrient entrainment and coupling to benthic mussels.     

Effects of Fragmentation of Araucarian Vine Forest on Small Mammal Communities

Abstract: Habitat loss and fragmentation are major threats to the survival of forest-dependent fauna. We examined the abundance of small mammal species in forests, corridors, remnants of araucarian vine forest, and Araucaria cunninghamii plantations and pastures. None of the forest mammal species persisted following conversion of forest to pasture. Plantations supported lowered abundances of a subset of forest species that were mainly habitat generalists with respect to their occurrence in different floristic types of undisturbed native forest. Within plantations, an increased subcanopy cover was associated with a more forest-like small mammal assemblage. Species' responses to habitat fragmentation varied. The floristic habitat generalists were largely tolerant of habitat fragmentation, their abundance being similar in forests, corridors, and remnants, and were capable of persisting in remnants a few hectares in area. Floristic habitat specialists were vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and thus were abundant in continuous forest, were less abundant in corridors, and were generally absent from remnants. Species that avoid the corridor matrix and are therefore constrained to the corridor may be disadvantaged by the linearity of the habitat, consistent with the predictions of central-place foraging theory. Although small remnants and corridors provide habitat for some species, those that are more specialized in their use of undisturbed habitat types require the retention or reestablishment of large intact areas.     

Shared ways of thinking in Brazil about the science–practice interface in ecology and conservation

The debate in the literature on the science–practice interface suggests a diversity of opinions on how to link science and practice to improve conservation. Understanding this diversity is key to addressing unequal power relations, avoiding the consideration of only dominant views, and identifying strategies to link science and practice. In turn, linking science and practice should promote conservation decisions that are socially robust and scientifically informed. To identify and describe the viewpoints of scientists and decision makers on how the science–practice interface should work in order to improve conservation decisions, we interviewed Brazilian scientists (ecologists and conservation scientists, n = 11) and decision makers (n = 11). We used Q methodology and asked participants to rank their agreement with 48 statements on how the science–practice interface should work in order to improve conservation decisions. We used principal component analysis to identify shared viewpoints. The predominant viewpoint, shared by scientists and decision makers, was characterized by valuing the integration of scientific and strategic knowledge to address environmental problems. The second viewpoint, held mostly by decision makers, was distinguished by assigning great importance to science in the decision-making process and calling for problem-relevant research. The third viewpoint, shared only by scientists, was characterized by an unwillingness to collaborate and a perception of scientists as producers of knowledge that may help decision makers. Most participants agreed organizations should promote collaboration and that actors and knowledge from both science and practice are relevant. Disagreements concerned specific roles assigned to actors, willingness to collaborate, and organizational and institutional arrangements considered effective to link science and practice. Our results suggest there is ample room for collaborations and that impediments lie mainly in existing organizations and formal institutional arrangements rather than in negative attitudes between scientists and decision makers.     

Governance and Standardization in Fish Value Chains: Do They Take Care of Key Animal Welfare Issues?

Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics - Innovation in fisheries is a global development that focuses on a broad range of aims. One example is a project that aims to develop technology...     

COVID-19: the impact of a global crisis on sustainable development teaching

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global crisis, one which also influences the ways sustainability is being taught at universities. This paper...     

Embryonic development and maternal–embryo relationships of the Portuguese dogfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Centroscymnus coelolepis</Emphasis>

The embryonic development and the level of dependency of the embryos from the maternal organism were investigated for Centroscymnus coelolepis. During the development, there is a 22–32% loss of organic matter and gains of 95–122% and 29–46% on moisture and inorganic matter, respectively. Only 28–48% of the initial yolk energy is conserved in embryos, being the remaining used in catabolism. In late pregnancy, the epithelium thickness of uterine villi decreases and vascularity increases. Results suggest that only water and minerals are transferred from the mother to the embryos. Monounsaturated fatty acids are the main type of fatty acids representing 48% of the total yolk fatty acid content, followed by polyunsaturated (30%) and saturated fatty acids (18–21%).