Search Results (86)

Stress states are increasing with global urbanization, but evidence on the physiological impact of urban blue-space exposure remains limited compared to green spaces. In this randomized within-subject crossover study, we examined the physiological effects of seascape viewing from the 29th floor of an office building in 44 healthy young adults. Each participant underwent visual stimulation with a seascape window view (blue space) and a blind-covered window (control) for 90 s each after a 60 s rest. Prefrontal cortex activity was recorded using near-infrared spectroscopy, and the left–right difference (LRD) in Δoxy-Hb concentrations was used as an indicator. Autonomic nervous system activity was assessed using heart rate variability, and psychological outcomes were measured using a semantic differential scale and the Profile of Mood States—2 short form. Seascape viewing significantly increased LRD, indicating left-dominant prefrontal activation relative to the control. It also increased comfort and relaxation and improved mood states. Correlation analyses showed that LRD was positively correlated with comfort and relaxation. These findings suggest that intentional window-view design, including exposure to high-rise blue-space views, represents a promising environmental approach to support occupants’ well-being and provide practical implications for window-view design and operation in high-rise office environments. Full article

The reproductive biology of the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), the world’s largest fish, remains poorly understood, in large part due to the rarity of observations of neonates and of breeding behaviours. Although several regions in Indonesia, including Saleh Bay (West Nusa Tenggara Province), have been identified as aggregation and sighting sites for juvenile whale sharks (2–7 m total length, TL), smaller individuals from these potential nursery areas have not been previously documented. In August 2024, fishermen operating lift-net fishing vessels (bagans) in eastern Saleh Bay reported five separate sightings of a small whale shark estimated at 1.2–1.5 m TL and approximately four months old. Subsequently, on 6 September 2024, a male neonate measuring approximately 135–145 cm TL, estimated to be around four months old, was incidentally caught inside a bagan lift-net. These observations represent the first records of neonatal whale sharks in Indonesia and among the smallest free-swimming individuals ever documented globally, and suggest that Saleh Bay may serve as a pupping and early nursery area for whale sharks. These findings highlight the ecological significance of Saleh Bay for the early life stages of whale sharks and underscore the importance of collaborative monitoring and citizen science involving bagan fishermen in advancing the research and conservation of this endangered species. Full article

Environmental filtering studies have revealed immense oceanic microbial diversity, yet the Southeast Pacific remains comparatively undersampled. We characterize the molecular diversity of phytoplankton across two biogeographic domains with contrasting oceanography—fjords and channels (41–53° S) versus the open Pacific (36–42° S)—where the frequency and intensity of harmful algal blooms (HABs) have increased. Using SSU rRNA metabarcoding, we retrieved community composition and biogeographic patterns for micro-phytoplankton. Diversity signals indicated broadly overlapping communities between domains with subtle shifts along hydrographic and nutrient gradients rather than sharp breaks. Phylogenetic resolution within bloom-forming genera recovered well-supported clades, and multiple ASVs matched historically relevant HAB taxa, including representatives of the Alexandrium complex, Dinophysis, Pseudo-nitzschia, and Karenia. Together, these results suggest that regional environmental filtering acts modestly at the community level while preserving clear signals of taxa of management concern. By providing a regionally resolved, DNA-based baseline for southern Chile’s fjords and adjacent open coast, this study helps fill the molecular diversity gap for the Southeast Pacific and supports improved HAB surveillance and ecosystem forecasting in a climate-sensitive seascape. Full article

Recruitment is a crucial process for the recovery of coral populations after large-scale disturbances causing mass mortality events such as coral bleaching. This study examined the juvenile coral community of the remote Huvadhoo Atoll (southern Maldives, Indian Ocean) 11 years apart (2009 and 2020). Coral recruits (≤5 cm) and juveniles (5–15 cm) were surveyed at eight reef sites located in both lagoon- and ocean-facing environments, under the hypothesis that density and survival of recruits differ with respect to exposure. The total mean number of recruits differed slightly between years, with densities of 25 individuals·m⁻² in 2009 and 30 individuals·m⁻² in 2020. However, Acropora populations, which represented 60% of juvenile corals in 2009, halved in 2020, particularly in ocean reefs. The decrease in Acropora recruits seems to have favoured other corals: Pocillopora doubled compared to 2009, and species with massive growth morphologies became dominant. In all, the juvenile coral community structure underwent substantial changes between the two surveys. The comparison between the number of recruits and that of juvenile corals suggested higher survival of the species with massive growth morphologies. Whether branching corals will also have the ability to adapt to increasingly frequent climatic disturbances deserves attention in the future. Full article

Estuaries represent quintessential coupled human–natural systems (CHNS) where the dynamic interplay between ecological processes and anthropogenic pressures (e.g., shipping, water use exploitation) challenges conventional static spatial planning approaches. Focusing on the Yangtze River Estuary—a globally significant yet intensely utilized ecosystem—this study develops an adaptive management (AM)-oriented spatial planning framework for estuarine protected areas. Our methodology integrates systematic identification of optimal zones using multi-criteria assessments of biodiversity indicators (e.g., flagship species habitats), ecological metrics (e.g., ecosystem services), and management considerations; delineation of a three-tier adaptive zoning system (Control–Functional–Seasonal) to address spatiotemporal pressures; and dynamic management strategies to mitigate human-environment conflicts. The proposed phased conservation boundary (Phase I: 664.38 km²; Phase II: 1721.94 km²) effectively balances ecological integrity with socio-economic constraints. Spatial–temporal analysis of shipping activities over five years demonstrates minimal operational interference, confirming the framework’s efficacy in reconciling conservation and development priorities. By incorporating ecological feedback mechanisms into spatial planning, this work advances a transferable model for governing contested seascapes, contributing to CHNS theory through practical tools for adaptive, conflict-sensitive conservation. The framework’s implementation in the Yangtze context provides empirical evidence that science-driven, flexible spatial planning can reduce sectoral conflicts while maintaining ecosystem functionality, offering a replicable pathway for sustainable water management of similarly complex human–natural systems worldwide. Full article

Coral reef ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots that provide essential ecological and environmental services but are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pressure and climate change. Effective conservation of reef systems within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can be enhanced using spatially explicit approaches that integrate habitat mapping and ecological metrics at seascape scales. In this study, we characterized the benthic seascape of Cayo Arenas and identified optimal priority conservation zones in one of the core zones of the recently established Southern Gulf of Mexico Reefs National Park (SGMRNP). In July 2023, ground-truthing was performed to quantify the cover of sand, calcareous matrix, macroalgae, hard corals and octocorals. Cluster analysis of quantitative data and ecological similarity between classes was used to identify the main benthic habitat classes. Object-based and supervised classification algorithms on a PlanetScope image were used to construct a thematic map of the benthic reef system. Based on the thematic map, habitat connectivity, β-diversity, patch compactness, and availability for commercial species were estimated. In addition, a benthic change analysis (2017–2013), based on the spectral characteristics of PlanetScope images, was performed. The layers obtained were then used to perform an iterative weighted overlay analysis (WOA) using 126 combinations. Six main habitat classes, with different coverages of hard corals, calcareous matrix, macroalgae, and sand, were identified. Habitats with calcareous matrix and sandy substrates dominated the seascape. High habitat compactness, connectivity, and β-diversity values were observed, suggesting habitat stability and ecologically dynamic areas. Based on the WOA, eight optimal priority areas for conservation were recognized. These areas are characterized by heterogeneous habitats, moderate coral cover, and high connectivity. We provide a spatially explicit approach that can strengthen conservation planning within the SGMRNP and other MPAs, particularly by assisting zonation and sub-zonation processes. Full article

Coral reef and their ecological services of food production and shoreline protection are threatened by unsustainable use. To better understand their status, multiple approaches to estimating fisheries sustainability were compared, namely fisheries-independent stock biomass and recovery rates, fisheries-dependent landed catches, balanced harvest and gear use metrics, and fish length measurements. A community biomass recovery was established over a 45-year no-fishing stock recovery time series from seven fisheries reserves and compared to catch- and length-based estimates of sustainability. The logistic production rates (r = 0.09 ± 0.06 95% confidence interval (CI)) and maximum equilibrium total biomass (~150 ± 30 tons/km²) indicated a broad range of potential maximum sustainable yields, with a likely range of 1.1 to 3.9 (95% CI; mean = 3.8) tons/km²/year. In contrast, the mean annual linear biomass growth rates in reserves were lower but less variable than logistic surplus production estimates, ranging from 2.1 to 3.5 (mean = 2.8 tons/km²/year). Realized catches at landing sites were lower still, ranging from 1.43 to 1.52 (mean = 1.48 ± 0.2 tons/km²/y). Differences between production estimates and capture were largely attributable to changes in taxonomic composition and an imbalance in the estimated proportionality of production potential versus actual capture rates. Lost potential capture was likely due to differences in the vulnerability of taxa to fishing and a lack of compensatory increased production among fishing-resistant taxa. Large proportional losses of catch were measured among snappers, unicorn fish, sweetlips, goatfish, and soldierfish, while smaller proportional gains in the catch samples were found among resident herbivorous rabbitfish, parrotfish, and groupers. Many of these declining taxa have vulnerable schooling life histories that are likely to require special habitat and reserve characteristics. Evaluations of sustainability from length measurements found 17 or 7% of total and 12% of caught species had sample sizes minimally sufficient for evaluation (>30 individuals from 413 catches, 2284 captured individuals composed of 144 species) of length and spawning metrics of sustainability. Seven of these species met length-based and three met spawning potential ratio thresholds for sustainability. Consequently, length-based evaluations had poor species coverage and therefore we were unable to evaluate the sustainability of the larger fish community. Recommendations for future research include a better understanding of the consequences of variability in spillover and proportionality of production potential for sustainability. Management recommendations are to focus management on the recovery of species abundant in unfished locations but not contributing to fisheries yield. Full article

Initiatives such as the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and Seabed 2030 promote seabed mapping worldwide. In Brazil, especially on the Espírito Santo Continental Shelf, high-resolution seabed mapping has revealed an unknown complex seascape. Circular depressions (CDs) were mapped for the first time in the Costa das Algas Marine Protection Area. Herein, we aim to present the CD metrics characteristics and discuss their relationship with morphology and relevance as a habitat based on multibeam bathymetry and ground truthing. A total of 3660 depressions were mapped between 46 and 85 m in depth, reaching an area of 460 m² and 5 m relief. The continental shelf morphology was subdivided into three sectors based on morphology: inter-valleys, valley edges, and valley flanks, and eleven sites were selected for direct sampling/imaging at the CDs along the sectors. The direct sampling was carried out by scuba-diving with video images and sediment samples collected inside and outside the depressions. The deeper central parts of the circular depressions appear to function as a sink, presenting aggregations of rhodoliths or other carbonate fragments. In most inter-valley depressions, mounds were observed along the edges of the depression. We did not have any indication of gas seeps and no clear sedimentological or morphological control on their occurrence. We first hypothesize that their origin results from combined diachronous processes. The circular depressions mapped at high resolution could be related to sea level processes acting during the last glacial period and shelf exposure, i.e., relict features. The CDs are responsible for biomass aggregation and fish bioturbation, forming holes and rubble mounds, representing a modern process occurring on a centimetric scale. The data collected so far indicate that this fine-scale feature is an important habitat for different fish species. The modern maintenance of these structures could be due to low sedimentation regime areas shaped by biotic excavation. Full article

Bikes and bike networks are for younger fit bicyclists, and the U.S. continues to not serve older individuals, with and without dementia, and caregivers. Biking is a sustainable form of transportation, and expanding the biking population would address climate change while improving health. To our knowledge, research has not been conducted in which seniors indicate their preferences for bike styles and networks, health concerns, and desires to bike. Conducted in four senior-living communities in New England, the Visual and Verbal Preference Survey involved 178 participants (female—50%/male—29.8%; age 20–85 52.8%; age > 85 41.6% with 19.6% missing gender and 5.6% missing age). Bike test riding in two senior communities involved 50 participants (female—50%/male—40%; age 66–75 14%; 76–85 60%; age 86–95 16% with 10% missing gender and age). Seniors preferred the adult tricycle, followed by the three- and four-wheeled two-seated bikes, and to bicycle for 30 min 2 days a week, have a bathroom break every hour, and have a bicycle loop. Balance and fear of falling were major concerns, but they wanted to bicycle with family, children, and grandchildren. In two of the communities, seniors test rode three senior-friendly Van Raam bikes. The results mirrored the pre-test survey responses, where the adult tricycle (Easy Rider) was most preferred, followed by the three-wheeled two-seater bike (Fun2Go) and the low-step regular bike (Balance Bike). One community purchased the Fun2Go. Full article

Long kept in the British Library, a liturgical manuscript from the port of Haicheng, Fujian, holds details of the rich system of beliefs that Chinese sailors held. Originally untitled, the text by the shelfmark OR12693/18 is usually referred to as “Libation Ritual (for Ship Safety)” ([An Chuan] Zhuoxian Ke [(安船)酌献科]). Formerly, it was given scholarly attention mostly due to its addended lists of maritime placenames, which follows Qing-era sea routes across China’s coasts and to the South China Sea. Further inquiry into the manuscript’s terminology, deity names, and maritime knowledge confirms its deep relation to sailors’ lore. By tracing this text into a wide range of sources, this paper demonstrates how manuscript OR12693/18 reflects a cohesive maritime system of beliefs and knowledge. Manifested within the prayer are a hierarchical pantheon, ritual practices, and a perceived sacred seascape. Moreover, it is evident that the manuscript belonged to a tradition of sailing ritual masters who were regular members of the crew onboard junks. As such, this paper offers an analysis of a religious-professional tradition with trans-local aspects, shedding new light on seafaring in pre-modern China. Full article

Coastal ecosystems are vital for numerous demersal and benthopelagic species, offering critical habitats throughout their life cycles. Effective monitoring of these species in complex coastal environments is essential, yet traditional survey methodologies are often impractical due to environmental constraints like strong currents and high wave regimes. This study introduces a new cost-effective Baited Remote Underwater Video System (BRUVS) design featuring a vertical structure and 360° cameras developed to overcome limitations of traditional BRUVS, such as system anchoring, overturning, and restricted frame view. The new design was compared against a previous one used on the northwest Iberian coast. Key performance metrics included species detection, habitat identification, and operational efficiency under complex hydrodynamic conditions. Findings reveal that the two designs can effectively identify the common species typically observed in the study area. However, the new design outperformed the previous by significantly reducing equipment losses and anchoring issues. This enhancement in field operations’ simplicity, operability, portability, and resiliency underscores the new system’s potential as a cost-effective and efficient tool for demersal and benthopelagic ecological surveys in challenging coastal seascapes. This innovative BRUVS design offers advanced monitoring solutions, improving habitat assessment accuracy and responsiveness. Full article

Fishing is a socioeconomic activity with highly visible impacts on the water–land interface of cities. Tourism, the number and type of visitors, and attractions depend on the image and experience of coastal places. How has fishing evolved over time? How has planning attempted to influence and adapt the land use and built-up structures, leading to the activity’s development and commercialization? It utilizes three pairwise cases to analyze the land use transformations associated with fishing activities in cities and some of their most important structures, with impacts on tourism activities such as fish markets, waterfront and pier restaurants, festival marketplaces, and recreational facilities. The three pairwise cases are in three different regions of the world (i.e., North America, Southern Europe, and the Pacific Rim). New Bedford, Massachusetts (USA) and Figueira da Foz (Portugal) are utilized to analyze the land use transformations associated with fishing activities in cities. Fish markets in Tokyo (Japan) and Sydney (Australia) are analyzed to study built-up structures where fish are commercialized. Finally, the last pairwise waterfronts consisting of San Francisco (California, USA) and Fremantle (Western Australia) are examined to understand their fish consumption. The research design and methods comprised in loco visits to the six case studies; discussions with stakeholders; visual documentation and analysis; and a distillation of implications for public policy. The findings demonstrate that more attention needs to be paid to land use changes, the co-existence of working harbor operations with recreational uses, the accessibility to those areas, the “publicness” of the areas in terms of public spaces and other coastal amenities, and the impacts of mixed-use developments on adjacent residential areas. Many waterfronts have suffered radical changes and ought to be made more accessible, authentic, and livable not through the effects of nature or markets alone but with planning and urban design interventions. Full article

Conservation planning is the process of locating, implementing, and maintaining areas that are managed to promote the persistence of biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human use. In this review, we analyze the ways in which social processes have been integrated into Marxan, a spatially explicit conservation planning tool used as one step in a broader process to select the location and size of protected areas. Drawing on 89 peer-reviewed articles published between 2005 and 2020, we analyzed the ways in which human activity, values, and processes are spatialized in the environment, something we call socialscape ecology. A socialscape ecology approach to conservation planning considers not only the spatial configuration of human activity in a land or seascape but also the underlying drivers of these activities, how resource use rights and access operate in an area, and how resource users contribute to data collection and decision making. Our results show that there has been a small but statistically significant increase in the total number of cost variables into Marxan analysis over time, with uneven performance across seven of the nine categories assessed. One notable area of improvement has been the increase over time in number of studies integrating socio-environmental change (e.g., climate change) in their analysis. Including accurate, context-specific, and detailed accounts of social features and processes within land and seascapes is essential for developing conservation plans that are cost-effective, ecologically sound, socially desirable, and just. Full article

In response to the severe fragmentation of Elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 1816), stands caused by a major winter swell (“Holy Swell”) in March 2008, an emergency community-based low-tech restoration was initiated in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. Over a 15-year period, coral demographic performance and fish assemblages were monitored across four restored and four control (non-restored) 100 m² plots. The restoration effort proved to be highly successful, leading to successful coral survival and growth, and to sustained recovery of fish assemblages, particularly herbivore guilds. Significantly increased abundance, biomass, and diversity were observed across all trophic functional groups, fishery target species, and geo-ecological functional groups in both restored and control plots. These positive outcomes were attributed to enhanced spatial complexity by long-term coral growth, “nutrient hotspots” within restored plots, the refugia effect from enhanced benthic spatial complexity, and the recovery of fish dispersal paths promoting spillover effects from restored to adjacent non-restored areas. Restoring herbivore guilds and geo-ecological functional groups played a crucial role in restoring vital ecological processes promoting reef ecosystem resilience. Recommendations include integrating fish assemblage recovery into coral restoration strategies, establishing natural coral nursery plots for future coral sourcing, and incorporating the concept of nursery seascapes for a holistic and ecosystem-based approach to restoration. Full article

Coastal urbanization and the consequent proliferation of artificial structures greatly impact rocky reef communities, productive and diverse marine environments that play a crucial role in the functioning of broader coastal ecosystems. This study, conducted along a 7 km stretch of coastline at increasing distance from the port of Genoa (Ligurian Sea), investigated whether the alternating presence of artificial and natural reefs leads to discernible differences in the biota inhabiting these two reef types. The study area is one of the most anthropized areas of the Mediterranean Sea, exhibiting nearly 60% coastal artificialization, which severely impacts coastal ecosystems, favouring the replacement of sensitive species with more tolerant species. Ten reefs (5 natural and 5 artificial) were surveyed by scuba diving at about a 6-m depth, employing quadrats of 50 cm × 50 cm to estimate visually the percent cover of conspicuous sessile organisms. The artificial reefs hosted a similar number of species (18) to their natural counterparts (19) but exhibited a distinct community composition: the former were especially characterized by Jania rubens and filamentous algae, with the latter characterized by Peyssonnelia squamaria and Mesophyllum lichenoides. This difference, however, became negligible where coastal habitat fragmentation (here measured with a purposely devised Fragmentation Index) was minimal. Reducing fragmentation may therefore represent a management strategy to minimize the potential impact of artificial structures on marine biodiversity. Full article