The destruction of the ‘animal forests’ in the oceans: Towards an over-simplification of the benthic ecosystems

Rossi, Sergio

doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2013.07.004

Cited by 145 publications

(104 citation statements)

References 78 publications

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“…While potential harm is likely caused by both pressures on key ecological and economic species like molluscs and gorgonians (Gazeau et al 2013;Cerrano et al 2000;Bramanti et al 2013), other organisms such as seagrasses and jellyfish may present some tolerance or even respond favourably (Attrill et al 2007;Kroeker et al 2013). Underwater marine life scenery may thus alter considerably, possibly involving a loss of habitat complexity, weaker trophic interactions, and changes in species dominance patterns (Hall-Spencer et al 2008;Rossi 2013;Fabricius et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Cost of Mediterranean Sea Warming and Acidification: A Choice Experiment Among Scuba Divers at Medes Islands, Spain

Rodrigues

Bergh

Loureiro

et al. 2015

Environ Resource Econ

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A choice experiment is undertaken to elicit preferences of scuba divers in the Marine Protected Area of Medes Islands (Spain). This is the first non-market valuation study of a typical Mediterranean habitat, the Coralligenous, which is characterized by high biodiversity, geomorphologic complexity and iconic species like gorgonians. This habitat is not only very attractive for scuba diving, but is also threatened by climate change and ocean acidification, which is our motivation for undertaking this valuation study. Choice attributes include the number of divers on a diving trip, underwater landscape, presence of jellyfish species, expected state of gorgonians, and price of a dive. Results of multinomial and random parameter logit models indicate a decrease in the attractiveness of Coralligenous areas for scuba diving as a result of both environmental pressures. Estimates of welfare values show that the local extinction of gorgonians had the highest negative effect on utility equivalent to a cost of e60 per dive, followed by abundance of stinging jellyfish with a cost of e26 per dive. Choice probabilities for the selection of different dive experiences indicate the highest rejection rates for the combined sea warming and acidification scenarios.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Cost of Mediterranean Sea Warming and Acidification: A Choice Experiment Among Scuba Divers at Medes Islands, Spain

Rodrigues

Bergh

Loureiro

et al. 2015

Environ Resource Econ

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“…Differences observed between the two species could be related to their feeding preferences and behaviour. Favourable conservation statuses of ‘sea benthic forests’ and other habitat‐forming species are essential to maintain and increase the nutritional condition of fishing stocks (Rossi ), which may affect populations' persistence. Consequently, the future viability of fish populations in MPAs will also depend on the complexity and diversity of these structures, which may be affected not only by the design and conservation plans of the MPA, but also by stochastic events.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional condition of two coastal rocky fishes and the potential role of a marine protected area

Viladrich¹,

Rossi²,

López‐Sanz

et al. 2015

Marine Ecology

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Knowledge of the nutritional conditions of coastal commercial fish populations is key to understanding stock health status, and is essential when making reasonable exploitation and management plans. Here, we present the first results on the condition and feeding preferences of two coastal fish species, Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Pagellus erythrinus (Linnaeus, 1758). Using stable isotope and biochemical analyses, we tested the potential effects of a marine protected area (MPA) and the occurrence of a dramatic coastal storm on the condition and quality of nutrition. The results suggest that both condition (lipids) and nutrition quality (fatty acids, FAs) in P. erythrinus and D. sargus depend upon on food availability in the area in which they were captured. Pagellus erythrinus individuals inside the MPA stored higher quantities of lipids [46.73 AE 19.00 lg lipidÁmg organic matter (OM) À1 ] than those outside the MPA (15.63 AE 5.30 lg lipidÁmg OM À1 ) only before the storm. Diplodus sargus showed different FA signatures inside and outside the MPA before and after the storm. These results suggest that D. sargus increased their quality of nutrition inside (16.62 AE 3.17 lg FAÁmg OM À1 ) versus outside (7.88 AE 2.36 lg FAÁmg OM À1 ) the MPA, owing to increased food diversity and availability. Conversely, P. erythrinus did not show differences in nutritional quality inside (18.12 AE 1.13 lg FAÁmg OM À1 ) or outside (18.81 AE 1.42 lg FAÁmg OM À1 ) the MPA, possibly because of the increase in ingestion not affecting the studied parameters. In P. erythrinus, the FA concentration decreased after the storm, but in D. sargus, a change in lipid composition was observed. These results suggest that P. erythrinus appears to be more impacted by food quality (different saturated and unsaturated FAs) than D. sargus, owing to a more restrictive diet. We hypothesize that the observed differences between inside and outside the MPA are not only related to the degree of protection, but also to the feeding preferences and behaviour of both fishes.

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“…Sponges are being affected in term of abundance and diversity all over the world, apparently in relation to climate change Maldonado et al 2010;Hil 2007, Wulff 2006b), but, owing to their unconsolidated skeleton, the decline of sponges can be recorded only by long-term observations conducted in their natural habitat (Di Camillo and Cerrano 2015;Wulff 2006b). This is a silent but continuous process which, considering the functional role of sponges, can have unexpected cascade effects in the benthic pelagic coupling (Ellison et al 2005;Maldonado et al 2012;Rossi 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Living inside a sponge skeleton: the association of a sponge, a macroalga and a diatom

et al. 2016

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The relationships between sponges and macroalgae have been poorly investigated, especially in temperate waters. This work describes the consortium between the dictyoceratid sponge Dysidea pallescens and the red alga Acrochaetium spongicola permeating spongin fibres in the Mediterranean Sea; moreover, this is the first report of a diatom, Amphora pediculus, living also inside the spongin skeleton. The annual trend of the total algal biomass did not vary over time in relation to the temperature, irradiance and incorporation of foreign bodies. Our analyses, conducted by light and electron microscopy, suggest that both the macroalga and the diatom invade the skeleton of the sponge from the external environment, and that the benthic diatom, epiphyte of the macroalga, is passively carried inside the fibres through the growth of Acrochaetium spongicola. All the examined samples of D. pallescens showed that the macroalga permeated at least some fibres, while the presence of the diatom was occasional. The superficial layer of the sponge, thin and reticulate, likely allows the passage of the light and ensures the algal survival inside the sponge tissue. The high occurrence of the association with A. spongicola, together with the morphological adaptations of the sponge favouring the algal life, suggest that the relationship is mutualistic. The possible benefits for the involved partners are hypothesized. The taxonomy and ecology of endozoic Acrochaetiales are controversial due to the reduced size of thalli, the absence of peculiar diagnostic characters and unknown reproductive structures. Therefore, detailed studies on the relationships between the algae and their hosts will provide helpful information for the algal identification.

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The destruction of the ‘animal forests’ in the oceans: Towards an over-simplification of the benthic ecosystems

Cited by 145 publications

References 78 publications

The Cost of Mediterranean Sea Warming and Acidification: A Choice Experiment Among Scuba Divers at Medes Islands, Spain

The Cost of Mediterranean Sea Warming and Acidification: A Choice Experiment Among Scuba Divers at Medes Islands, Spain

Nutritional condition of two coastal rocky fishes and the potential role of a marine protected area

Living inside a sponge skeleton: the association of a sponge, a macroalga and a diatom

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