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Implementation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Marine Ecosystem Management, 3rd Edition

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity and Functionality of Aquatic Ecosystems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 November 2025 | Viewed by 6959

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Genuario Belmonte

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Zoogeography and Fauna, DiSTeBA (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies), University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: plankton ecology; resurrection ecology; neuston; hyperbenthos; Copepoda Calanoida (freshwater and marine); zoogeography; submarine caves; aquariums and museums
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) in the early 2000s grouped ecosystem services into four categories: provisioning; regulating; supporting; and cultural. According to the MA project, biodiversity is a necessary underlying component of ecological goods and services. Biodiversity, sometimes referred to as an ecological good/service, undoubtedly also supports ecological goods and services. At a local and national scale, however, relatively limited information still exists on the status of many ecosystem services, with the lowest level of information coming from marine ecosystems.

New methodological approaches are necessary to fill in the existing knowledge gap between land and marine ecosystems. The perspective and/or the maintenance of human wellbeing necessarily asks for a bigger contribution (in terms of direct resources and indirect services) of the marine environment, which represents 71% of the Earth surface.

This Special Issue aims to showcase classical and innovative studies of the submarine world (e.g., the mesophotic–aphotic or the open sea), mostly parts from which new information (in terms of carbon sequestration, tourist attraction, fishery management, and new food sources) and biological products can be taken, other than the consciousness of where the most urban litter goes.

Prof. Dr. Genuario Belmonte
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ecosystem services
  • marine biodiversity
  • marine environment management
  • mesophotic environment
  • carbon sink
  • fishery and marine food
  • new marine based tourism
  • climate history
  • marine litter

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Related Special Issues

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3439 KiB  
Article
Ecological Implications of Posidonia oceanica Banquette Removal: Potential Loss of Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services
by Ilaria Dentamare, Ludovica Capasso, Elena Chianese, Rosalia Calicchio, Pier Paolo Franzese, Umberto Grande, Giovanni Fulvio Russo and Elvira Buonocore
Water 2025, 17(9), 1362; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17091362 - 1 May 2025
Viewed by 433
Abstract
Posidonia oceanica is an endemic seagrass of the Mediterranean Sea, forming extensive meadows and providing valuable ecosystem services underwater as well as on the shore. P. oceanica constantly generates new leaves while shedding the older ones. The latter may be deposited on the [...] Read more.
Posidonia oceanica is an endemic seagrass of the Mediterranean Sea, forming extensive meadows and providing valuable ecosystem services underwater as well as on the shore. P. oceanica constantly generates new leaves while shedding the older ones. The latter may be deposited on the shoreline, forming “banquettes” that exhibit variable thickness, ranging from a few centimeters to several meters. These deposits act as natural barriers against coastal erosion, preventing sand loss and dissipating wave energy. Moreover, the degradation of the washed-up leaves releases large amounts of nutrients, relevant for the coastal food web. However, the presence of banquettes in touristic areas is often perceived as a nuisance, thus leading to their removal by local administrations. This study proposes a multidisciplinary approach for the assessment of P. oceanica banquettes along the coastline of the Campania region (Southern Italy), estimating their biomass and the associated concentrations of nutrients and other chemical elements, with the final aim to assess the potential loss of natural capital and ecosystem services due to their removal. Regional estimates show that approximately 40 tons of C are stored annually in the beached biomass, representing a potential carbon loss associated with their removal. The results highlight the crucial role that P. oceanica banquettes play in the blue carbon cycle and provide valuable insights to support their sustainable management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Implementation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Marine Ecosystem Management, 3rd Edition)
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17 pages, 5128 KiB  
Article
Nursing Effects of Large-Scale Floating Raft Aquaculture Habitats on Conger myriaster: A Perspective from Marine Ranching
by Jintao Yu, Zhenhua Wang, Shouyu Zhang, Pengyu Cai, Jiaxuan Mao and Jingjing Li
Water 2025, 17(3), 431; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17030431 - 4 Feb 2025
Viewed by 582
Abstract
This study assessed the growth characteristics of Conger myriaster in large-scale floating raft aquaculture habitats and natural habitats. Monthly sampling in aquaculture and control areas, combined with biological and morphological data analyses, were used to investigate the growth, morphological differences, and seasonal distribution [...] Read more.
This study assessed the growth characteristics of Conger myriaster in large-scale floating raft aquaculture habitats and natural habitats. Monthly sampling in aquaculture and control areas, combined with biological and morphological data analyses, were used to investigate the growth, morphological differences, and seasonal distribution of Conger myriaster in different habitats. The results showed that the floating raft aquaculture habitat was dominated by juveniles, with a higher abundance compared to the control areas. The juveniles exhibited favorable levels of growth and ecological performance in the floating raft aquaculture habitat and experienced less environmental stress. This research shows that the floating raft aquaculture habitat provides a critical stage habitat for juvenile Conger myriaster in island reef areas, providing refuge from predation and facilitating juvenile development. The integration of surface floating rafts and bottom-set artificial reefs in marine ranching can create a fisheries model that focuses on the protection of juveniles and the exploitation of adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Implementation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Marine Ecosystem Management, 3rd Edition)
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14 pages, 3336 KiB  
Article
Ichthyoplankton Assemblages from the Coasts of Hamsilos Nature Park, Sinop, Southern Black Sea: Biodiversity, Abundance, and Relationships with Environmental Variables
by Orçin Uygun and Funda Üstün
Water 2024, 16(18), 2670; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16182670 - 19 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1023
Abstract
This study was conducted using monthly data collected between July 2015 and June 2016 in the marine area of Hamsilos Nature Park, located in Sinop, Southern Black Sea. The primary objectives were to determine the diversity of ichthyoplankton assemblages, examine seasonal variations, assess [...] Read more.
This study was conducted using monthly data collected between July 2015 and June 2016 in the marine area of Hamsilos Nature Park, located in Sinop, Southern Black Sea. The primary objectives were to determine the diversity of ichthyoplankton assemblages, examine seasonal variations, assess spatial differences between the inner and outer parts of Hamsilos Bay, and highlight the ecological relationships of the predominant species with environmental factors. The comprehensive collection during the study resulted in a mean abundance of 2217 eggs.10 m2 and 2743 larvae.10 m2, with 28 species belonging to 21 families identified. Specifically, Engraulis encrasicolus is the most abundant in spring and summer, Gaidropsarus mediterraneus is the most abundant in autumn, and Sprattus sprattus is the most abundant in winter. A temporal analysis revealed the highest abundances in August, September, and July, with the lowest in April, May, and February. Significant seasonal differences in abundance and diversity were detected. No spatial differences were found between the inner and outer areas of Hamsilos Bay. Small pelagic species dominated the ichthyoplankton community, while demersal species, though diverse, were less abundant. According to the results of the DistLM analysis, the structure of the ichthyoplankton community is influenced by temperature and salinity. During the study, the water temperature ranged from 8.35 °C in February to 25.50 °C in August, and the salinity varied from 17.67 psu in September to 19.04 psu in May. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Implementation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Marine Ecosystem Management, 3rd Edition)
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11 pages, 2032 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Low Temperatures on the Hatching Success of Eurytemora pacifica (Copepoda, Calanoida) Resting Eggs
by Seo Yeol Choi, Genuario Belmonte, Eun Hye Lee, Kyoung Yeon Kim, Min Ho Seo, Seok Hyun Youn, Kyung Woo Park, Min-Chul Jang and Ho Young Soh
Water 2024, 16(17), 2425; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16172425 - 28 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1021
Abstract
This study investigated the tolerance of resting eggs of Eurytemora pacifica to storage under low temperatures, which is of particular interest in light of the recent use of nauplii as living food in aquaculture, other than conditions experienced also in the wild during [...] Read more.
This study investigated the tolerance of resting eggs of Eurytemora pacifica to storage under low temperatures, which is of particular interest in light of the recent use of nauplii as living food in aquaculture, other than conditions experienced also in the wild during winter cold events in the Northern Hemisphere. Sediment samples collected in August 2020 were used to store the resting eggs at two different freezing temperatures (−5 and −20 °C) for five different durations (1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months). The mean hatching success rates of the resting eggs after one month of storage were 85.3 ± 1.5% (−5 °C) and 85.0 ± 3.6% (−20 °C), with no significant difference between freezing temperatures. However, significant differences emerged over time, with the mean hatching success rate remaining at 85.0 ± 3.6% at −5 °C after three months, while it dropped sharply to 1.7 ± 2.1% at −20 °C. For the non-freezing conditions, the hatching success at 10 °C increased gradually over the one-month incubation period, ultimately reaching 71.0%. These findings demonstrate the remarkable cold tolerance of E. pacifica but also indicate a limit to this tolerance at longer durations. These results underscore the importance of considering the adoption of storage freezing for resting eggs to be used for aquaculture and also suggest the possibility of the species better surviving the extreme weather events in comparison with other species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Implementation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Marine Ecosystem Management, 3rd Edition)
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16 pages, 891 KiB  
Article
Influence of Temperature on the Toxic Effects of Carbamazepine on the Copepod Tigriopus fulvus: A Transgenerational Full Life Cycle Study
by Isabella Parlapiano, Ermelinda Prato, Giuseppe Denti and Francesca Biandolino
Water 2024, 16(14), 2051; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16142051 - 19 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1345
Abstract
Coastal areas are increasingly exposed to global warming and emerging contaminants from anthropogenic activities; however, the interactive effects of these stress factors in shaping the offspring’s vulnerability to them are poorly understood. The present study aimed to assess the influence of temperature on [...] Read more.
Coastal areas are increasingly exposed to global warming and emerging contaminants from anthropogenic activities; however, the interactive effects of these stress factors in shaping the offspring’s vulnerability to them are poorly understood. The present study aimed to assess the influence of temperature on the toxicity of the pharmaceutical carbamazepine (CBZ) in the parental (F0) and in the first (F1) generation of Tigriopus fulvus, through a full life cycle study, measuring several biological parameters. At control temperature (20 °C), exposure to CBZ significantly inhibited larval development, especially in the F1 generation. In contrast, under warmer conditions (27 °C), even after exposure to CBZ, the development was stimulated, proving that temperature was the main factor influencing it. As regards the other investigated life traits (body length, sex ratio, and fecundity), both temperature and generation modulated toxic effects of CBZ, which is evidenced by the onset of higher alterations in F1 co-exposed copepods. Our findings suggest that temperature and contaminants could increase the long-term vulnerability to stressors of T. fulvus, potentially affecting the population structure over multiple generations of exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Implementation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Marine Ecosystem Management, 3rd Edition)
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13 pages, 5076 KiB  
Article
Unraveling the Sea Slug Fauna from an Extremely Variable Environment, The ‘Passetto’ Rocky Tide Pools (North Adriatic Sea)
by Yann Toso, Francesco Martini, Agnese Riccardi and Giulia Furfaro
Water 2024, 16(12), 1687; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121687 - 13 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1680
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea is known to be a hot spot for marine biodiversity, especially if considering the highly specialized Heterobranchia mollusks. In recent years, there has been increasing effort to fill some knowledge gaps existing on Mediterranean heterobranch diversity, but, to date, several [...] Read more.
The Mediterranean Sea is known to be a hot spot for marine biodiversity, especially if considering the highly specialized Heterobranchia mollusks. In recent years, there has been increasing effort to fill some knowledge gaps existing on Mediterranean heterobranch diversity, but, to date, several potentially interesting habitats remain unexplored. In fact, most studies have been focused on sea slugs inhabiting coastal areas and lakes, but those living in extremely variable areas like Mediterranean rocky tide pools remain almost completely ignored even if it is reported worldwide that they can host a high sea slug diversity. In this context, the rocky tide pool system near the ‘Passetto’ urban beach (Ancona, Italy) in the North Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea) represents a biodiversity hot spot, highlighting the importance of the conservation of this peculiar habitat. A preliminary quantitative survey on the associated Heterobranchia unveiled a thriving community residing in this limited and fragile habitat, and it inspired a more detailed investigation as performed in the present study. In order to reveal the presence of species that have gone unnoticed, an in-depth study was carried out between 2018 and 2022, which aimed to amplify the knowledge on this vulnerable environment and the fauna associated with this as yet poorly known habitat. Tide pooling activities corroborated by photographic analyses allowed the recording of 45 taxa in total and the addition of 25 species to the previously known list. Within those, (i) two species were potentially new to science, (ii) one was recorded in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time, (iii) two species were added to the Italian fauna, and (iv) one species constituted a new record for Sector 9 of the Italian Seas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Implementation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Marine Ecosystem Management, 3rd Edition)
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