Bright spots as climate‐smart marine spatial planning tools for conservation and blue growth

Queirós, Ana M.; Talbot, Elizabeth; Somerfield, Paul J.; Kay, Susan; Pascoe, Christine; Dedman, Simon; Fernandes, José António; Jueterbock, Alexander; Miller, Peter; Sailley, Sévrine F.; Sarà, Gianluca; Carr, Liam M.; Austen, Melanie C.; Widdicombe, Steve; Rilov, Gil; Levin, Lisa A.; Hull, Stephen; Walmsley, S.; Aonghusa, Caitríona Nic

doi:10.1111/gcb.15827

Cited by 42 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 55 publications

(118 reference statements)

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“…This suggests that the former areas are more prone to climate-induced range expansion of non-native species than the latter. This is consistent with the hypothesis of climate change hotspots, which suggests that some coastal areas may be more susceptible to effects of climate change than others (Queiros et al, 2021).…”

Section: Non-indigenous Invertebratessupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Increasing sea surface temperature will strengthen stratification and enhance mineralisation of organic matter by microbes, which may increase the release of phosphorus from sediments (Puttonen et al, 2016) and lead to a "vicious circle of eutrophication" (Vahtera et al, 2007). The sheltered archipelago areas and enclosed bays may therefore become "climate change hotspots" (Queiros et al, 2021), where zoobenthic communities are most drastically changed as well.…”

Section: Benthic Invertebratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Assessing climate effects in a smaller spatial scale would be useful because shallow and sheltered bays, lagoons and estuaries may be more susceptible to climate change effects than deeper offshore areas, and may appear as "climate change hotspots", where climate change drives the ecosystem towards a new state (Queiros et al, 2021). The existing coupled oceanographic-biogeochemical modelling studies however typically have a horizontal resolution of 1 or 2 nautical miles (ca.…”

Section: Knowledge Gapsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Global climate change and the Baltic Sea ecosystem: direct and indirect effects on species, communities and ecosystem functioning

Viitasalo

Bonsdorff

2022

Earth Syst. Dynam.

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Abstract. Climate change has multiple effects on Baltic Sea species, communities and ecosystem functioning through changes in physical and biogeochemical environmental characteristics of the sea. Associated indirect and secondary effects on species interactions, trophic dynamics and ecosystem function are expected to be significant. We review studies investigating species-, population- and ecosystem-level effects of abiotic factors that may change due to global climate change, such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, nutrient levels, and the more indirect biogeochemical and food web processes, primarily based on peer-reviewed literature published since 2010. For phytoplankton, clear symptoms of climate change, such as prolongation of the growing season, are evident and can be explained by the warming, but otherwise climate effects vary from species to species and area to area. Several modelling studies project a decrease of phytoplankton bloom in spring and an increase in cyanobacteria blooms in summer. The associated increase in N:P ratio may contribute to maintaining the “vicious circle of eutrophication”. However, uncertainties remain because some field studies claim that cyanobacteria have not increased and some experimental studies show that responses of cyanobacteria to temperature, salinity and pH vary from species to species. An increase of riverine dissolved organic matter (DOM) may also decrease primary production, but the relative importance of this process in different sea areas is not well known. Bacteria growth is favoured by increasing temperature and DOM, but complex effects in the microbial food web are probable. Warming of seawater in spring also speeds up zooplankton growth and shortens the time lag between phytoplankton and zooplankton peaks, which may lead to decreasing of phytoplankton in spring. In summer, a shift towards smaller-sized zooplankton and a decline of marine copepod species has been projected. In deep benthic communities, continued eutrophication promotes high sedimentation and maintains good food conditions for zoobenthos. If nutrient abatement proceeds, improving oxygen conditions will first increase zoobenthos biomass, but the subsequent decrease of sedimenting matter will disrupt the pelagic–benthic coupling and lead to a decreased zoobenthos biomass. In the shallower photic systems, heatwaves may produce eutrophication-like effects, e.g. overgrowth of bladderwrack by epiphytes, due to a trophic cascade. If salinity also declines, marine species such as bladderwrack, eelgrass and blue mussel may decline. Freshwater vascular plants will be favoured but they cannot replace macroalgae on rocky substrates. Consequently invertebrates and fish benefiting from macroalgal belts may also suffer. Climate-induced changes in the environment also favour establishment of non-indigenous species, potentially affecting food web dynamics in the Baltic Sea. As for fish, salinity decline and continuing of hypoxia is projected to keep cod stocks low, whereas the increasing temperature has been projected to favour sprat and certain coastal fish. Regime shifts and cascading effects have been observed in both pelagic and benthic systems as a result of several climatic and environmental effects acting synergistically. Knowledge gaps include uncertainties in projecting the future salinity level, as well as stratification and potential rate of internal loading, under different climate forcings. This weakens our ability to project how pelagic productivity, fish populations and macroalgal communities may change in the future. The 3D ecosystem models, food web models and 2D species distribution models would benefit from integration, but progress is slowed down by scale problems and inability of models to consider the complex interactions between species. Experimental work should be better integrated into empirical and modelling studies of food web dynamics to get a more comprehensive view of the responses of the pelagic and benthic systems to climate change, from bacteria to fish. In addition, to better understand the effects of climate change on the biodiversity of the Baltic Sea, more emphasis should be placed on studies of shallow photic environments. The fate of the Baltic Sea ecosystem will depend on various intertwined environmental factors and on development of the society. Climate change will probably delay the effects of nutrient abatement and tend to keep the ecosystem in its “novel” state. However, several modelling studies conclude that nutrient reductions will be a stronger driver for ecosystem functioning of the Baltic Sea than climate change. Such studies highlight the importance of studying the Baltic Sea as an interlinked socio-ecological system.

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Section: Non-indigenous Invertebratessupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Benthic Invertebratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Knowledge Gapsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Global climate change and the Baltic Sea ecosystem: direct and indirect effects on species, communities and ecosystem functioning

Viitasalo

Bonsdorff

2022

Earth Syst. Dynam.

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“…Research and monitoring are also essential to iteratively advancing the process. This can contribute to generating more refined maps of biodiversity features, including ecosystem types, as well as better including adaptation to global change by identifying some climate-smart biodiversity priority areas (Queirós et al, 2021). Incorporation of local indigenous knowledge can also be helpful in refining priorities, and for including human dimensions and culturally significant areas in MSP (CBD-SBSTTA, 2016;Gee et al, 2017;Pennino et al, 2021).…”

Section: Looking Aheadmentioning

confidence: 99%

Practical Marine Spatial Management of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas: Emerging Lessons From Evidence-Based Planning and Implementation in a Developing-World Context

et al. 2022

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Identifying key sites of marine biodiversity value and implementing the required practical spatial management measures is critical for safeguarding marine biodiversity and maintaining essential ecological processes, especially in the face of accelerating global change and expanding ocean economies. Delineating Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) has been catalytic in progressing toward this aim. However, the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME; comprising three developing countries: Angola, Namibia, and South Africa) is one of few places where practical action to secure biodiversity in EBSAs has followed their description. We aim to document the process of moving from biodiversity priority areas to implemented conservation actions, and distil broadly applicable emerging lessons. EBSAs in the BCLME were reviewed using a systematic conservation planning approach, supplemented with expert input. In this data- and knowledge-driven process, the boundaries and descriptions of existing EBSAs were refined, and gaps filled with new EBSAs. The status of 29 EBSAs was assessed by determining the ecological condition, ecosystem threat status, and ecosystem protection level of constituent ecosystem types. Also, current human uses and their respective impacts were systematically reviewed per EBSA. Management recommendations were proposed by dividing EBSAs into zones with associated multi-sector sea-use guidelines. Throughout the process, facilitated by a regional cooperation project, there was stakeholder engagement, and national, regional, and international review. BCLME States are currently implementing enhanced EBSA management in their respective marine spatial planning and marine protected area processes, noting that there are different but valid outcomes for securing marine biodiversity in each country. Further, the regional approach allowed for cross-border alignment of priorities and management between countries, as well as pooled expertise, technical support, and capacity development. Although full implementation is still underway, the lessons to date highlight some key factors required for a successful process that could guide similar initiatives elsewhere.

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“…Marine SESs which address climate change, for example through climate smart marine spatial planning [104], will be fundamental to conservation, restoration and sustainable use. Knowledge of effectiveness of protection will depend on understanding baselines of ecosystem degradation and progress towards restauration and ecological recovery.…”

Section: Conclusion and Challenges Aheadmentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine protected areas in the context of climate change: key challenges for coastal social-ecological systems

Schmidt

Pieraccini

Evans

2022

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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Climate and ecological emergencies play out acutely in coastal systems with devastating impacts on biodiversity, and the livelihoods of communities and their cultural values. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are one of the key management and regulatory tools against biodiversity loss, playing a role in strengthening bio-cultural diversity and sustainability of coastal social-ecological systems. What is unclear though is the effectiveness of static protections under climate change as species move. Next to ecological uncertainty, regulatory uncertainty may play a role in weakening marine conservation. We asked whether MPAs are ecologically effective now and can sustain or improve to be so in the future while facing key climate and regulatory uncertainties. MPAs can support the protection of cultural values and have an impact on activities of sea-users and the sustainability of social-ecological systems. As such, questions surrounding their legitimacy under a changing climate and increased uncertainty are pertinent. We argue that MPA governance must be cognisant of the interdependency between natural and human systems and their joint reaction to climate change impacts based on an integrated, co-developed, and interdisciplinary approach. Focusing on the UK as a case study, we highlight some of the challenges to achieve effective, adaptive and legitimate governance of MPAs. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Nurturing resilient marine ecosystems’.

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Bright spots as climate‐smart marine spatial planning tools for conservation and blue growth

Abstract: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creat ive Commo ns Attri butio n-NonCo mmerc ial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.

Cited by 42 publications

References 55 publications

Global climate change and the Baltic Sea ecosystem: direct and indirect effects on species, communities and ecosystem functioning

Global climate change and the Baltic Sea ecosystem: direct and indirect effects on species, communities and ecosystem functioning

Practical Marine Spatial Management of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas: Emerging Lessons From Evidence-Based Planning and Implementation in a Developing-World Context

Marine protected areas in the context of climate change: key challenges for coastal social-ecological systems

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