Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.5
3.4
Journals
Water
Special Issues
Marine Biology: Biodiversity and Conservation
share announcement

Marine Biology: Biodiversity and Conservation

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Oceans and Coastal Zones".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2020) | Viewed by 15208

Special Issue Editor

Dr. José Luis Sánchez-Lizaso

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
Interests: marine biology; seagrasses; management of marine ecosystems; fisheries; marine protected areas; pollution mitigation; desalination

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine ecosystems produce a significant amount of goods and services, although they are threatened by multiple natural and human-driven stressors that alter their function and reduce their biodiversity. However, efforts to protect these valuable ecosystems are increasing worldwide. The main goal of this Special Issue is to bring together current research and reviews on environmental impacts on marine biodiversity and how these can be mitigated and remediated. Submissions addressing new monitoring methods and discrimination between different stressors that may overlap in impacted areas, or that describe success experiences of environmental management that contribute to protect marine ecosystems and maintain their role as producers of goods and services, are also welcomed.

Dr. José Luis Sánchez-Lizaso
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

  • Marine biodiversity
  • Impacts on marine ecosystems
  • Marine conservation
  • Management
  • Monitoring and remediation
  • Climate change

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

18 pages, 5469 KiB  
Article
Biogeochemical Responses and Seasonal Dynamics of the Benthic Boundary Layer Microbial Communities during the El Niño 2015 in an Eastern Boundary Upwelling System
by Verónica Molina, Marcela Cornejo-D’Ottone, Eulogio H. Soto, Eduardo Quiroga, Guillermo Alarcón, Daniela Silva, Carla Acuña and Nelson Silva
Water 2021, 13(2), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13020180 - 13 Jan 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2674
Abstract
The Eastern South Pacific coastal zone is characterized by seasonal and interannual variability, driven by upwelling and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), respectively. These oceanographical conditions influence microbial communities and their contribution to nutrient and greenhouse gases recycling, especially in bottom waters due [...] Read more.
The Eastern South Pacific coastal zone is characterized by seasonal and interannual variability, driven by upwelling and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), respectively. These oceanographical conditions influence microbial communities and their contribution to nutrient and greenhouse gases recycling, especially in bottom waters due to oxygenation. This article addresses the seasonal hydrographic and biogeochemical conditions in the water and sediments during El Niño 2015. Bottom water active microbial communities, including nitrifiers, were studied using amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA (cDNA) and RT-qPCR, respectively. The results of the hydrographic analysis showed changes in the water column associated with the predominance of sub-Antarctic Waters characterized by warmed and low nutrients in the surface and more oxygenated conditions at the bottom in comparison with El Niño 2014. The organic matter quantity and quality decreased during fall and winter. The bottom water active microbial assemblages were dominated by archaea (Ca. Poseidoniales) and putative ammonia oxidizing archaea. Active bacteria affiliated to SAR11, Marinimicrobia and Nitrospina, and oxygen deficient realms (Desulfobacterales, SUP05 clade and anammox) suffered variations, possibly associated with oxygen and redox conditions in the benthic boundary layer. Nitrifying functional groups contributed significantly more during late fall and winter which was consistent with higher bottom water oxygenation. Relationships between apparent oxygen utilization nitrate and nitrous oxide in the water support the contribution of nitrification to this greenhouse gas distribution in the water. In general, our study suggests that seasonal oceanographic variability during an El Niño year influences the microbial community and thus remineralization potential, which supports the need to carry out longer time series to identify the relevance of seasonality under ENSO in Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems (EBUS) areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Biology: Biodiversity and Conservation)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 3279 KiB  
Article
Seasonal Photoacclimation and Vulnerability Patterns in the Brown Macroalga Lessonia spicata (Ochrophyta)
by Antonio Zúñiga, Claudio A. Sáez, Andrés Trabal, Félix L. Figueroa, Diego Pardo, Camilo Navarrete, Fernanda Rodríguez-Rojas, Fabiola Moenne and Paula S. M. Celis-Plá
Water 2021, 13(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13010006 - 23 Dec 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2451
Abstract
Fluctuations in solar radiation are one of the key factors affecting productivity and survival in habitat forming coastal macroalgae, in this regard, photoacclimation has a direct impact on the vulnerability and the capacity of seaweed to withstand, for instance, radiation excess. Here, we [...] Read more.
Fluctuations in solar radiation are one of the key factors affecting productivity and survival in habitat forming coastal macroalgae, in this regard, photoacclimation has a direct impact on the vulnerability and the capacity of seaweed to withstand, for instance, radiation excess. Here, we study ecophysiological responses through photosynthetic activity measurements under time-dependent (one year) fluctuations in solar radiation in the brown macroalga L. spicata. The responses presented seasonal patterns, with an increase in photosynthetic capacity during summer, expressed in greater maximal electron transport rate (ETRmax) and diminished thermal dissipation (NPQmax). Moreover, we studied photoprotective compounds (phenolic compounds) and total antioxidant capacity, which demonstrated an increase during periods of high solar radiation. In addition, content of photosynthetic pigment (Chla, Chlc and Carotenoids) increased under greater solar irradiance. The L. spicata can accumulate as reservoir photoprotective and antioxidant substances to withstand periods of high solar irradiance. All ecophysiological and biochemical responses in L. spicata indicate high photoacclimation and low vulnerability in the species, especially during with greater levels of solar irradiance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Biology: Biodiversity and Conservation)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 22271 KiB  
Article
Spatial and Temporal Variability of Posidonia oceanica Monitoring Indicators, Valencian Community, Spain
by Yolanda Fernández-Torquemada, Marta Díaz-Valdés, Andrés Izquierdo-Muñoz, José Luis Sánchez-Lizaso and Alfonso A. Ramos-Esplá
Water 2020, 12(11), 3235; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113235 - 18 Nov 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1716
Abstract
This article presents the results from the long-term Water Framework Directive monitoring of Posidonia oceanica in the Valencian Community, Spain. A total of six areas where Posidonia occurs were studied. Locations were characterized by a different ecological condition: degraded Posidonia meadows; meadows in [...] Read more.
This article presents the results from the long-term Water Framework Directive monitoring of Posidonia oceanica in the Valencian Community, Spain. A total of six areas where Posidonia occurs were studied. Locations were characterized by a different ecological condition: degraded Posidonia meadows; meadows in good conditions; meadows close to the best reference conditions. The spatiotemporal variability of different indicators were sampled from 2005 to 2017. Lower quality meadows are characterized by a lower density and coverage of Posidonia, a higher proportion of dead Posidonia, a higher proportion of plagiotropic rhizomes, smaller shoots, and higher epiphyte biomass, as well as the presence of foliar necrosis marks. For all study sites, the temporal trends indicated a decrease in the quality of the meadows from 2005 to 2011 and a recovery from 2012 to 2017. Some variability observed in the indicators such as P. oceanica cover in patchy meadows, could not be explained by changes in the meadow health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Biology: Biodiversity and Conservation)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 1180 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Mediterranean Shallow Coastal Fish Communities along a Gradient of Marine Protection
by Anthony R. Marshak, Just Cebrian, Kenneth L. Heck, Jr., Crystal L. Hightower, Andrea M. Kroetz, Aaron Macy, Shanna Madsen, Trey Spearman and José-Luis Sánchez-Lizaso
Water 2020, 12(6), 1537; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12061537 - 28 May 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2833
Abstract
The importance of habitat factors in designing marine reserves and evaluating their performance over time has been regularly documented. Over three biennial sampling periods, we examined the effects of vegetated coverage and habitat diversity (i.e., patchiness) on fish density, community composition, and species-specific [...] Read more.
The importance of habitat factors in designing marine reserves and evaluating their performance over time has been regularly documented. Over three biennial sampling periods, we examined the effects of vegetated coverage and habitat diversity (i.e., patchiness) on fish density, community composition, and species-specific patterns along a gradient of protection from harvest in the shallow Spanish southern Mediterranean, including portions of the Tabarca marine reserve. With the exception of two herbivores (Sarpa salpa and Symphodus tinca), vegetated cover did not significantly affect fish densities, while habitat diversity was an influential factor across all three sampling periods. Overall, fish density was more positively associated with more continuous vegetated or unvegetated habitats, and was greatest in areas of highest protection (Tabarca II – Isla Nao site). These patterns were usually observed for four abundant fish species (Boops boops, Chromis chromis, Oblada melanura, and S. salpa). Fish community composition was distinct in the most protected portion of the Tabarca reserve, where it was also most stable. Our findings align with previous investigations of the Tabarca reserve and its surrounding areas, and demonstrate its continued effectiveness in conserving fish biomass and habitat. Together with effective management, marine reserves can facilitate greater species abundance, more stable biological communities, and resilient ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Biology: Biodiversity and Conservation)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 3579 KiB  
Article
Biodiversity of Calanoida Copepoda in Different Habitats of the North-Western Red Sea (Hurghada Shelf)
by Hamdy Abo-Taleb, Mohamed Ashour, Ahmed El-Shafei, Abed Alataway and Mahmoud M. Maaty
Water 2020, 12(3), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12030656 - 29 Feb 2020
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4713
Abstract
Little is known about the diversity of Calanoida, Copepoda, in different habitats of the north-western Red Sea. In this study, biodiversity of Calanoida, Copepoda, during the cold and warm seasons of 2017, were observed at 12 stations belonging to four different habitats (coral [...] Read more.
Little is known about the diversity of Calanoida, Copepoda, in different habitats of the north-western Red Sea. In this study, biodiversity of Calanoida, Copepoda, during the cold and warm seasons of 2017, were observed at 12 stations belonging to four different habitats (coral reef (CR), sheltered shallow lagoons (SSL), seagrass (SG), and open deep-water (ODW) habitats) in the Hurghada shelf, north-western Red Sea. SSL habitats were the most affected by environmental conditions, especially temperature, salinity, and depth. Some calanoid species were restricted to certain habitats, others were adapted to live in more than one habitat, while some species showed a wide distribution in all habitats. ODW habitats showed maximum diversity and density of the calanoid species. The effects of temperature and salinity were distinct in the SG and SSL. The results clearly showed that different Red Sea habitats affected the biodiversity of calanoid copepods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Biology: Biodiversity and Conservation)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop