Search Results (143)

Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework commits nations to protecting and conserving at least 30% of the world’s terrestrial and inland water areas and coastal and marine areas by 2030 (30 × 30). There can be significant overlap with Indigenous and traditional territories (ITTs) and protected areas. We explore if and/or how ITTs are currently recognized and reported as contributors to national protection targets by analyzing whether these territories are counted as standalone conservation areas, integrated into government-led protected and conserved area networks or systems, or neither, in 18 countries. Our analysis reveals critical linkages between tenure regimes, ITTs and their recognition in reporting to global area-based conservation databases. Legal recognition of tenure rights, particularly ownership and stewardship rights, emerged as the strongest predictor of whether ITTs are formally being accounted for in these databases. Our findings also reveal that the contribution of ITTs to national protection targets not only depend on tenure type but also on governance rights, despite the way it is reported. We categorize systemic barriers and opportunities that have implications for the contribution of ITTs to 30 × 30 goals. Full article

This review examines sustainable cascading biorefinery strategies for the green alga Ulva, which is globally prevalent in eutrophic marine waters and often forms extensive “green tides.” These blooms cause substantial environmental and economic damage to coastal communities. The primary target products within an Ulva biorefinery typically encompass salts, lipids, proteins, cellulose, and ulvan. Each of these components possesses unique properties and diverse applications, contributing to the economic robustness of the biorefinery. Salts can be repurposed for agricultural or even human consumption. Lipids offer high-value applications in nutraceuticals and animal feed. Proteins present significant potential as plant-based nutritional supplements. Cellulose can be transformed into various advanced materials. Finally, ulvan, a polyanionic oligosaccharide unique to Ulva, holds promise due to its distinct properties, particularly in the biomedical field. Furthermore, state-of-the-art chemical modifications of ulvan are presented with the aim of tailoring its properties and broadening its potential applications. Future research should prioritize optimizing these integrated extraction and fractionation processes. Furthermore, a multi-product biorefining approach, integrated with robust Life Cycle Assessment studies, is vital for transforming this environmental challenge into a significant opportunity for sustainable resource valorization and economic growth. Full article

Marine archaea play crucial roles in global biogeochemical cycles and climate regulation, yet their ecological functions in many coastal environments remain poorly understood. Jinhae Bay (JB), a eutrophic and environmentally stressed coastal system in Korea, has attracted growing attention; however, its archaeal community composition has not been characterized. In this preliminary study, we investigated the summer archaeal community structure in JB water columns based on a survey conducted in July 2018. We identified 5 archaeal phyla—primarily Euryarchaeota and Thaumarchaeota—along with 11 classes and 18 orders, with Nitrosopumilales and Methanobacteriales as dominant orders. Several ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), including Candidatus Nitrosopumilus adriaticus, Candidatus Nitrosopumilus salaria, Candidatus Nitrosopumilus sediminis, and unclassified Nitrosopumilus spp., were detected. Additionally, the presence of methane-oxidizing archaea (MOA) such as Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens, although at low relative abundance, suggests potential roles in nitrogen and methane cycling. These findings provide initial insights into the archaeal contributions to biogeochemical processes in JB, highlighting the need for further seasonal and functional investigations. Full article

Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are important sinks in the global mercury (Hg) cycle, and in the marine environment, inorganic Hg can be converted by bacteria to monomethylmercury (MeHg), a highly bioavailable and toxic compound that biomagnifies along food webs. In the Southern Ocean, higher concentrations of Hg and MeHg have typically been reported in the coastal waters of the Ross and Amundsen Seas, where katabatic winds can transport Hg from the Antarctic Plateau and create coastal polynyas, which results in spring depletion events of atmospheric Hg. However, some studies on MeHg biomagnification in Antarctic marine food webs have reported higher Hg concentrations in penguins from sub-Antarctic waters and, unexpectedly, higher levels in juvenile krill than those in adult Antarctic krill. In light of recent estimates of the phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass and distribution in the Southern Ocean, this review suggests that although most studies on MeHg biomagnification refer to the short diatom–krill–vertebrate food chain, alternative and more complex pelagic food webs exist in the Southern Ocean. Thus, juvenile krill and micro- and mesozooplankton grazing on very small autotrophs and heterotrophs, which have high surface-to-volume ratios for MeHg ad-/absorption, may accumulate more Hg than consumers of large diatoms, such as adult krill. In addition, the increased availability of Hg and the different diet contribute to a greater metal accumulation in the feathers of Adélie penguins from the Ross Sea than that of those from the sub-Antarctic. Full article

With the increasing global population and migration toward coastal regions, and the rising demand for coastal urbanization, including the development of living spaces, ports, and tourism infrastructure, the need for coastal defense structures (CDSs) is also increasing. Traditional CDSs, such as breakwaters, typically composed of hard units designed to block and divert wave and current energy, often fail to support diverse and abundant marine communities because of their impact on current and sediment transport, the introduction of invasive species, and the loss of natural habitats. Marine ecoengineering aims at increasing CDS ecological services and the development of marine organisms on them. In this study, carried out in a coral reef environment, we examined the relationship between coral colony protection levels and three factors related to their development, namely, coral fragment survival rate, larval settlement, and water motion (flow rate), across three distinct niches: Exposed, Semi-sheltered, and Sheltered. Coral survivability was assessed through fragment planting, while recruitment was monitored using ceramic settlement tiles. Water motion was measured in all defined niches using plaster of Paris Clod-Cards. Additionally, concrete barrier structures were placed in Exposed niches to test whether artificially added protective elements could enhance coral fragment survival. No differences were found in coral settlement between the niches. Flow rate patterns remained similar in Exposed and Sheltered niches due to vortex formation in the Sheltered zones. Survival analysis revealed variability between niches, with the addition of artificial shelter barriers leading to the highest coral fragment survival on the breakwater. This study contributes to the development of ways to enhance coral development with the goal of transforming artificial barriers into functional artificial reefs. Full article

Harmful algal blooms can negatively impact freshwater, estuarine, and coastal marine systems globally and pose serious risks to water quality, human and ecosystem health, and food production. Algae can produce toxic compounds, directly interfere with aquaculture species through (e.g.,) the production of foam or mucilage, as well as causing diseases and disorders in fish, and can result in hypoxic conditions when the bloom senesces. Application of US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) registered algaecides can be effective, scalable, and inexpensive, but there is growing interest in plant- or bacterial-derived compounds that do not require the use of chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide or copper. The algaecide C7X1 is a plant-based organic algaecide that proves effective against a wide variety of algae, including harmful algal species such as Microcystis, Heterosigma, and Pseudo-nitzschia. Performance is comparable to other USEPA-registered algaecides, with low to moderate extracellular toxin release and a potential lifetime of weeks in treated waters. The mode of action is inhibition of photosynthesis, suggesting that direct off-target impacts on zooplankton and other organisms would be minimal. Full article

This study focused on microplastic pollution in the Bohai Sea, employing bibliometric analysis and meta-integration methods to systematically analyze its pollution characteristics and ecological risks. The results indicated that microplastics primarily originated from land-based inputs (62%) and marine activities (23%). Microplastic concentrations in the Bohai Sea’s coastal areas were significantly higher than in deep waters, and the abundance of microplastics in aquaculture sediments was three to five times that in non-aquaculture areas. Bioaccumulation demonstrated a significant trophic magnification effect, with top predators containing much higher microplastic concentrations than plankton. The combined toxicity of microplastics and pollutants severely impacted key species, leading to a 92% decrease in Chinese shrimp populations and a significant reduction in benthic biodiversity. To address this issue, a “four-in-one” prevention and control system was proposed, encompassing source reduction, intelligent monitoring, targeted treatment, and regional collaboration, with measures including policy, technological innovation, and ecological restoration. This aims to provide scientific evidence for Bohai Sea ecological security management and offer a reference for microplastic management in globally semi-enclosed seas. Full article

In recognition of the declining state of biodiversity, the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, signed in late 2022, committed countries to the protection of 30% of the Earth’s terrestrial and inland water areas and coastal and marine areas by 2030. Australia has committed to this target at a national level. The majority of public protected areas (e.g., national parks) in Australia are designated and managed by state and territory governments. The state of Victoria in southeastern Australia has a long history of regional assessments of public land to balance conservation (such as the declaration of protected areas), production of natural resources (e.g., timber harvesting, mineral extraction), and recreation, amongst other uses. The decision to phase out native forest timber harvesting on public land in Victoria presents the greatest opportunity in the state’s history to meet its statewide commitments, national commitments, and international targets, by establishing a comprehensive, adequate, and representative protected area system. We critique Victoria’s reliance on non-binding protections, such as Special Protection Zones in state forests over recent decades, and outline the principles and rationale for the expansion of the protected area system in state forests, recognizing that protected areas are part of a broader suite of future land uses for these public forests. Full article

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing significantly threatens marine ecosystems, disrupts the ecological balance of the oceans, and poses serious challenges to global fisheries management. This contribution presents the efficacy of China’s summer fishing moratorium using BeiDou vessel monitoring system (VMS) data from 2805 fishing vessels in the East China Sea and Yellow Sea, integrated with a deep learning framework for spatiotemporal analysis. A preprocessing protocol addressing multidimensional noise in raw VMS datasets was developed, incorporating velocity normalization and gap filling to ensure data reliability. The CNN-BiLSTM hybrid model emerged as optimal for fishing behavior classification, achieving 89.98% accuracy and an 87.72% F1 score through synergistic spatiotemporal feature extraction. Spatial analysis revealed significant policy-driven reductions in fishing intensity during the moratorium (May–August), with hotspot areas suppressed to sporadic coastal distributions. However, concentrated vessel activity in Zhejiang’s nearshore waters suggested potential illegal fishing. Post-moratorium, fishing hotspots expanded explosively, peaking in October and clustering in Yushan, Zhoushan, and Yangtze River estuary fishing grounds. Quarterly patterns identified autumn–winter 2021 as peak fishing seasons, with hotspots covering >80% of East China Sea grounds. The framework enables real-time fishing state detection and adaptive spatial management via dynamic closure policies. The findings underscore the need for strengthened surveillance during moratoriums and post-ban catch regulation to mitigate overfishing risks. Full article

In this study, we investigate the diversity and spatiotemporal distribution of gelatinous zooplankton (GZ) in the central Baltic Sea (coastal waters of Gotland and adjacent Eastern and Western Gotland Basins), a region characterised by low salinity and ecological sensitivity. Despite the Baltic Sea being the largest brackish water body globally, knowledge about its GZ, specifically, medusae and ctenophores, is limited. Our research synthesises the existing literature, open-access data, and local reports. Three to five GZ species occur within the studied area, with the common jellyfish Aurelia aurita dominating. Peak sightings of A. aurita happen between July and October, whereas the ctenophore Mertensia ovum and scyphozoan Cyanea capillata display sporadic occurrences. We identify notable gaps in understanding GZ phenology and food web impacts due to historical neglect and insufficient monitoring, particularly under low-salinity conditions (between 5 and 8), which restricts species richness. Jellyfish and ctenophores fall under the Essential Ocean Variable (EOV) “Zooplankton Biomass and Diversity” governed by the Global Ocean Observing System, UNESCO-IOC. EOVs are an approach for globally usable data and adhere to Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) data principles. Including EOVs in routine collection and reporting would significantly enhance regional and global understanding, contributing to a holistic ecosystem view. Thus, we advocate for global ocean observation frameworks to comprehensively monitor GZ populations and their ecological, biogeochemical, and socioeconomic roles. Our findings serve as a crucial step towards understanding the implications of climate change for GZ assemblages in the Baltic Sea, promoting a holistic approach to marine ecosystem management. Full article

In December 2022, 196 countries adopted the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Global Biodiversity Framework outlines four ambitious global goals and 23 targets for the world to address the loss of biodiversity and the more sustainable use of natural resources. One of those targets—Target 3—commits to achieving the protection of at least 30% of terrestrial and inland water areas and of marine and coastal areas by 2030 (the “30 × 30 protection target”). This is one of the largest conservation commitments that countries around the world have made. Prior to the signing of the Global Biodiversity Framework, a survey of residents in seven countries (Australia, Barbados, Colombia, Germany, Kenya, Mongolia, and the USA) was conducted to understand their level of awareness and gauge their support for the 30 × 30 protection target. In the seven countries surveyed in late 2022, a strong majority of respondents in each country rated the target favorably and were likely to support their government making commitments on it. This survey is the only multi-country pre-Global Biodiversity Framework survey and provides a useful baseline to track changes in opinion on 30 × 30 over time. Full article

Marine microplastics are a global environmental issue, and understanding their distributions in estuaries and coastal areas is a critical prerequisite for the effective and sustainable management of microplastic pollution. Owing to the lack of methods that exist for quantifying microplastic content, characterizing the distribution of microplastics is difficult. The mass concentration of microplastics is an objective indicator that reflects their distribution. Therefore, a formula for calculating the microplastic mass concentration is proposed through the parameters of the number concentration, microplastic size, and mesh size, in addition to the proportions of particles with different sizes and shapes. On the basis of the large amount of existing measured data, the mass concentrations of microplastics in estuaries and coastal areas are calculated. It can be concluded that polypropylene (PP; 72%) and polyethylene (PE; 67%) are the most abundant microplastics in the ocean. Additionally, marine microplastics are more common in estuaries (10²–10³ mg/L) than in the open sea (0–10 mg/L). The maximum concentration of microplastics in surface water is approximately 8.0 g/L. Moreover, the concentration of microplastic pollution has significantly increased in areas surrounding sewage treatment plants and aquaculture farms. Full article

Amidst the rapid global urbanization and economic integration, coastal cities have undergone significant changes in urban spatial patterns. These changes have further worsened the complex urban thermal environment, making it crucial to study the interaction between human-driven development and natural climate systems. To address the insufficient quantification of marine elements in the urban planning of subtropical coastal zones, this study takes Xiamen, a typical deep-water port city, as an example to construct a spatial analysis framework integrating marine boundary layer parameters. This research employs interpolation simulation, atmospheric correction, and other techniques to simulate the inversion of land use and Landsat 8 data, deriving urban morphological elements and Land Surface Temperature (LST) data. These data were then assigned to 500 m grids for analysis. A bivariate spatial auto-correlation model was applied to examine the relationship between urban carbon emission and LST. The study area was categorized based on the influence of marine factors, and the spatial relationships between urban morphological elements and LST were analyzed using a multiscale geographically weighted regression model. Three Xiamen-specific discoveries emerged: (1) the marine exerts a significant thermal mitigation effect on the city, with an average influence range of 7.94 km; (2) the relationship between urban morphology and the thermal environment exhibits notable spatial heterogeneity across different regions; and (3) to mitigate urban thermal environments, connected green corridors should be established in the southern coastal areas of outer districts in regions significantly influenced by the ocean. In areas with less marine influence, spatial complexity should be introduced by disrupting relatively intact blue–green spaces, while regions unaffected by the ocean should focus on increasing green spaces and reducing impervious surfaces and water bodies. These findings directly inform Xiamen’s 2035 Master Plan for combating heat island effects in coastal special economic zones, providing transferable metrics for similar maritime cities. Full article

Nautilus pompilius, a ‘living fossil’ of the oceans, is crucial to the study of biological evolution and paleontology. However, the species’ habitat has been severely impacted by global climate change. Based on this, species distribution models and conservation gap analyses were conducted under current and future climate scenarios. The results revealed that the current habitats for N. pompilius were primarily located in the coastal waters of Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 scenario, suitable habitat is projected to decline by 4.8% in the 2050s and 5.3% in 2100s. This loss is expected to intensify under higher emission scenarios, particularly RCP 8.5, where the reduction could reach 15.4% in the 2100s. Conservation gap analysis indicates that while nearly 30% of suitable habitats fall within marine protected areas (MPAs), many vulnerable regions remain unprotected. Future MPA establishment should strategically address these conservation gaps, particularly in coastal waters such as the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Arafura Sea, and the southern edge of the Timor Sea. This study provides critical insights into the distribution patterns and conservation needs of N. pompilius, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts to protect this endangered species. Full article

The number of studies on submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and the evidence of its significance in biogeochemical cycling and potential impacts on the chemical and ecological status of coastal waters is increasing globally. Here, we briefly present SGD studies from the Baltic Sea identified along the coastlines of Denmark, Finland, Germany, Poland, Sweden and Russia in the southwestern, southern and north–northeastern parts of the Baltic Sea. We introduce a digital SGD map viewer and information platform enabling easy overview and access to information on identified SGD sites in the coastal areas of the Baltic Sea. SGDs potentially transport critical pollutants from urban and agricultural areas on land to the marine environment. The pollutants include nutrients, dissolved organic and inorganic carbon, metals, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging contaminants, potentially harming marine ecosystems and biodiversity and possibly contributing to the poor chemical or ecological status of coastal waters, affecting human and environmental health. We focus on case studies from Finland, Germany, Poland and Denmark that include the results and interpretations from the applied geochemical, geophysical and geological methods, as well as bionic autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for locating, investigating, modelling and visualizing SGD sites in 2D and 3D. The potential Pan-European or even global SGD information platform established within the European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI) enables the easy combination and comparison of map layers such as seabed sediment types and coastal habitats. The EGDI map viewer provides easy access to information from SGD studies and may serve as an entry point to relevant information on SGDs, including contents of pollutants, for the scientific community and policy-makers. The information potentially includes the results of model simulations, data from near real-time sensors at permanently installed monitoring stations and surveys in time and space conducted by AUVs. The presented digital SGD information platform is particularly pertinent to the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 14, which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources. Full article