Potential contamination of polar regions due to increasing oil exploitation and transportation poses risks to marine species. Risk assessments for polar marine species or ecosystems are mostly based on toxicity data obtained for temperate species. Yet, it is unclear whether toxicity data of temperate organisms are representative for polar species and ecosystems. The present study compared sensitivities of polar and temperate marine species to crude oil, 2-methyl-naphthalene, and naphthalene. Species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) were constructed for polar and temperate species based on acute toxicity data from scientific literature, reports, and databases. Overall, there was a maximum factor of 3 difference in sensitivity to oil and oil components, based on the means of the toxicity data and the hazardous concentrations for 5 and 50% of the species (HC₅ and HC₅₀) as derived from the SSDs. Except for chordates and naphthalene, polar and temperate species sensitivities did not differ significantly. The results are interpreted in the light of physiological characteristics, such as metabolism, lipid fraction, lipid composition, antioxidant levels, and resistance to freezing, that have been suggested to influence the susceptibility of marine species to oil. As a consequence, acute toxicity data obtained for temperate organisms may serve to obtain a first indication of risks in polar regions.
Ecological impact assessment modeling systems are valuable support tools for managing impacts from commercial activities on marine habitats and species. The inclusion of toxic effects modeling in these systems is predicated on the availability and quality of ecotoxicology data. Here we report on a data gathering exercise to obtain toxic effects data on oil compounds for a selection of cold-water marine species of fish and plankton associated with the Barents Sea ecosystem. Effects data were collated from historical and contemporary literature resources for the endpoints mortality, development, growth, bioaccumulation and reproduction. Evaluating the utility and applicability of these data for modeling, we find that data coverage is limited to a sub-set of the required endpoints. There is a need for new experimental studies for zooplankton focused on the endpoints development and bioaccumulation and for larvae and juvenile fish focused on growth and development.
Abstract. Invasive alien species (IAS) are species whose introduction or spread outside their native range threatens biological diversity, ecosystem functioning, economy, and/or public health. The recent European Union (EU) regulation on the management of IAS emphasizes the need for a consistent approach to alien species assessment that will underpin international measures for the early identification of newly introduced IAS followed by rapid action aimed at the prevention of introduction, spread, and negative impacts. The goals of the present study were (1) to present the risk classifications of 18 aquatic alien species for The Netherlands using the Invasive Species Environmental Impact Assessment protocol, (2) to compare these with available risk classifications made for countries spanning similar climatic and biogeographical regions to the EU, and (3) to provide explanations for inconsistencies between different risk classifications. Five species were classified as high risk: Carassius gibelio (Prussian carp), Cyprinus carpio (common carp), Sander lucioperca (pike-perch), Cabomba caroliniana (fanwort), and Dreissena rostriformis bugensis (quagga mussel). Of the 14 species with existing risk classifications for countries spanning similar climatic and biogeographical regions to the EU, all but two of the assessed species (C. gibelio and D. rostriformis bugensis) were classified inconsistently. Reasons for these inconsistencies are the application of different risk assessment schemes, application on a national rather than biogeographical scale, differences in the definition and application of criteria, differences in habitat availability, and uncertainties that are intrinsic to risk assessment methodologies. Approaches that increase transparency by highlighting these methodological aspects, normative choices, and uncertainties are vital to the legitimacy of any risk assessment method and will increase acceptance among decision makers, nature managers, and stakeholders.
Management of invasive species, whether prevention, population reduction, or eradication, requires assessment of the invasive species' population status and an assessment of the probability of success of management options. Perceptions of a species' permanence in an environment or lack thereof frequently drives how limited time, financial, and personnel resources are allocated to such efforts. Language we use to describe a non-native species' status largely defines these perceptions and sets boundaries, real or perceived, to potential management actions. Here we discuss the use of a particular term-"established"when confronting management decisions for invasive species. Our objective is to contribute to bridging the gap between the realms of conceptual development and management with respect to use of the term "established". We find that although there are benefits of polysemy and synonymy to conceptual development they present an additional challenge to managers who must weigh the costs, benefits, and potential for success of particular management actions. We also examine how existing conceptual frameworks might be augmented to bridge the theoretical-practical gap, such as more precisely defining potential management actions and explicitly including assessment of risk.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.