Marine Nature Research Articles

A comparative study of the accuracy and effectiveness of Line and Point Intercept Transect methods for coral reef monitoring in the southwestern Indian Ocean islands

Coral reefs around the world are facing increasing disturbance; however, the ability to monitor them is constrained by cost and experience factors. The Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method is usually used with an expert level of identification (30 benthic categories and sometimes coral genera), but these are time-consuming, require a high level of expertise and are therefore expensive. Over the last 20 years, surveys performed by non-specialist volunteers have provided data for increasing numbers of reefs, using simplified sampling methods and more basic levels of identification. In between these extremes, new stakeholders (e.g. environmental assessment agencies, consultancy firms, marine nature reserves, etc.) requiring an intermediate level of expertise and resolution are now carrying out coral reef surveys. Across all levels, it is desirable to identify monitoring methods that optimize the data provided and the ease of implementation according to the users’ needs. In this study on surveys from Réunion Island collected between 2003 and 2013, we used multivariate analyses to compare four increasing levels of identification using the LIT method. For each level, we studied the structure of the benthic community and its spatial (reef flat vs. outer slope) and temporal (before vs. after a cyclone) variation. The most basic level of identification showed differences between the reef flat and outer slope, but did not show a significant effect of the cyclone on the benthic community. The two highest levels of identification, both of which we rated ‘expert’, showed the highest differences in variation. The intermediate level of identification supplied the same information as the expert levels, but required less effort and was therefore less expensive. Next, we compared the LIT with the Point Intercept Transect (PIT) method. At a level of identification appropriate to the interval used, PIT supplied an almost equivalent level of information as LIT, while reducing the time spent underwater. Thus, when managing coastal areas or carrying out impact studies to monitor disturbance, it may be useful to (i) perform surveys with an intermediate level of identification, and (ii) using PIT rather LIT.

The invasive barnacle species, Austrominius modestus: Its status and competition with indigenous barnacles on the Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland

The invasive barnacle Austrominius (= Elminius) modestus has been present in Europe since the 1940s, and has recently been recorded to outnumber native barnacle species at some locations, including an Irish marine nature reserve. It has been suggested that these increases in abundance following a lag phase since establishment, represent the awakening of an ‘ecological sleeper’, due to changes in environmental conditions. Austrominius modestus was first recorded on the Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland in 1955, and was reported to be well established on the island by 2007. Since this location is close to the northern limit of the invaded range of A. modestus, it has been chosen as a site for the long term monitoring of this species. Quantitative and semi-quantitative surveys of the abundance of A. modestus, together with the native barnacle species Chthamalus montagui and Semibalanus balanoides, have been made on the island on a biannual basis since 2009. This study examined changes in the abundances of these three species from 2009 to 2013, and reports on the present status of this invasive species on the island. Austrominius modestus was found at all sites surveyed, but did not outnumber native barnacle species at any site. Semibalanus balanoides, a cold water boreal species, was the most abundant barnacle species at most sites from 2009 to 2013. All three barnacle species underwent a decline in 2011, but had increased in abundance by 2013. Despite undergoing the smallest increase in abundance between 2011 and 2013, S. balanoides remains the dominant barnacle species on the Isle of Cumbrae. Nearly sixty years after its initial discovery on the island, A. modestus is widespread, however it has not outnumbered native species, which continue to recruit at high densities. This competitive pressure makes it unlikely that A. modestus will outnumber native barnacle species at this location, close to its northern limit, in the near future.

Biocatalytic Synthesis of Enantiopure β‐Methoxy‐β‐arylalanine Derivatives

AbstractChiral β‐hydroxy‐β‐arylalanine and β‐methoxy‐β‐arylalanine derivatives, which occur widely in marine nature products, were stereoselectively synthesized with 99 % ee values. The two erythro isomers were prepared by L‐ or D‐aminoacylase‐catalyzed resolution of the corresponding N‐acetyl derivatives, whereas the two threo isomers were obtained only by D‐aminoacylase‐catalyzed resolution of the derivatives. erythro‐β‐Hydroxy‐β‐arylalanine derivatives were prepared by diastereoselective hydrogenation of ethyl 2‐(hydroxyimino)‐3‐oxo‐3‐arylpropanoates, which were in turn acquired by the oximation of ethyl 3‐oxo‐3‐arylpropanoates with ethyl nitrite in the presence of nano‐K2CO3 with yields of 72 % to 80 %. β‐Methoxy‐β‐arylalanine derivatives were synthesized through Williamson reactions between the corresponding β‐hydroxy‐β‐arylalanines and iodomethane with silver oxide as base.

Possible use ofLingulasp. (Phylum Brachiopoda) as a dissemination strategy to promote sustainable development in Fangchenggang mangrove, China

he economic marketability of a brachiopod, Lingula was studied at three coastal mangrove sites, specifically based on socioeconomic parameters from 10 villages that utilized Lingula along Pearl Bay, Beilun Estuary Marine Nature Reserve, China. The significantly highest density of Lingula was at Jiao Dong (48.2 ± 35.14 individual/m2) whereas the biomass of Lingula was highest (0.76 ± 0.22 g/individual) at Gui Lao Bu. The shell size of the largest specimen was still less than that in other references. The socioeconomic study of the population related to Lingula involved a small group, and no relationship could be determined among the parameters of age range, education level, occupation, and financial status. The total economic value (320,927.4 Yuan) was based on the value of consumption whereas the value from sales was very low as recorded from Shan Xin over a three-month season. Analysis of the results to determine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats was undertaken to identify the potential of Lingula sp. to be promoted and supported in the market as a novel source of income for the local community who are associated with mangrove resources; and also to examine its potential as a new food source for the rapidly growing population of China.

Temporal and spatial variability of zoobenthos recruitment in a north-east Atlantic marine reserve

Submerged artificial surface imitates newly available habitat for settlement of marine fauna. It also enables study of the timing of benthic larval settlement. Such knowledge is important if the model of possible recovery after disturbance in protected areas is to be assessed. During this study recruitment of sessile benthic invertebrate fauna at spatial and temporal scales was investigated using artificial panels submerged in the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve (Wales, UK). Panels were exchanged monthly between May 2009 and September 2011 (with the exclusion of winter time). Recruitment was highly variable with regard to time and distribution; abundance and number of recruiting species varied significantly between sites (about 2 km apart from each other), depths (6 and 12 m), position on panels (top or underside) and years without any obvious trends. The highest number of individuals and highest values of species richness were at Bernies Rocks, at the greater depth and on the underside surface of panels. Bryozoans were the dominant taxon on panels in each studied year and month. Most macrofaunal species noted on panels exhibit a colonial life strategy with short-lived, non-feeding larval stage. Although many species settle all year round, levels of settlement usually peak in summer months, showing a seasonal recruitment pattern (Bugula fulva, Spirobranchus triqueter, Chorizopora brongniartiandEscharoides coccinea). Some species had a pronounced settlement peak in spring (e.g.Electra pilosaandBalanus crenatus).

Analyses of sublittoral macrobenthic community change in a marine nature reserve using similarity profiles (SIMPROF)

Sublittoral macrobenthic communities in the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve (SMNR), Pembrokeshire, Wales, were sampled at 10 stations in 1993, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2007 and 2009 using a Day grab and a 0.5 mm mesh. The time series is analysed using Similarities Profiles (SIMPROF) tests and associated methods. Q-mode analysis using clustering with Type 1 SIMPROF addresses multivariate structure among samples, showing that there is clear structure associated with differences among years. Inverse (r-mode) analysis using Type 2 SIMPROF decisively rejects a hypothesis that species are not associated with each other. Clustering of the variables (species) with Type 3 SIMPROF identifies groups of species which covary coherently through the time-series. The time-series is characterised by a dramatic decline in abundances and diversity between the 1993 and 1996 surveys. By 1998 there had been a shift in community composition from the 1993 situation, with different species dominating. Communities had recovered in terms of abundance and species richness, but different species dominated the community. No single factor could be identified which unequivocally explained the dramatic changes observed in the SMNR. Possible causes were the effects of dispersed oil and dispersants from the Sea Empress oil spill in February 1996 and the cessation of dredge-spoil disposal off St Annes Head in 1995, but the most likely cause was severe weather. With many species, and a demonstrable recovery from an impact, communities within the SMNR appear to be diverse and resilient. If attributable to natural storms, the changes observed here indicate that natural variability may be much more important than is generally taken into account in the design of monitoring programmes.

The Potential Biomedical Application of Cyclopeptides from Marine Natural Products

The largely unexplored marine would represent a unique and excellent resource of new natural products. The chemical and biological diversity of the marine environment formed a practically unlimited resource of new bioactive substances. Marine natural products captured the attention of natural products chemists because they exhibit significant and extremely potent biological activities. With the development of technologies and methodologies for structure elucidation, organic synthesis and biological assay, more and more marine natural products are isolated and investigated, ranging from simple peptides to macrocyclicpolyethers. Due to its bioactive property, marine natural products have yielded a considerable number of drug candidates. Some are already on the market or will be approved soon, such as Ziconotide (Prialt; Elan Pharmaceuticals), the first marine-derived compound approved in the United States for the treatment of pain. This compound is a peptide originally discovered in a tropical cone snail, while most of them are still in preclinical development. Naturally occurring cyclopeptides, in particular, exhibit a wide variety of potent biological activities. Some exhibit potent insecticidal activity and antimicrobial activity, while others have strong antifungal and antiproliferative activity. Hence, cyclopepiptides can be potential drug candidates. This review highlights the potential biomedical application of cyclopeptides from marine nature products. Keywords: Biomedical application, cyclopeptide, marine natural product.

Components of information support of marine activity and nature use in the Far East region of Russia

Components of information support of marine activity and nature use in the Far East region of Russia

Carbon Stored on Seagrass Community in Marine Nature Tourism Park of Kotania Bay, Western Seram, Indonesia

Currently, the function of seagrass community as carbon storage has been discussed in line with “blue carbon” function of that seagrass has. Seagrass bed are a very valuable coastal ecosystem, however, seagrass bed is threatened if compared to other coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves and coral reefs. The threatened seagrass experienced also contributes to its capacity in absorbing CO2 emission from greenhouse gasses such as CO2 emission Temporal estimation shows that CO2 emission will increase in the coming decade. On the other side, efforts to decrease climate change can be influenced by the existence of seagrass. Informations about existence of seagrass as carbon storage are still very rare or limited. This study was aimed to estimate carbon storage on seagrass community in Marine Nature Tourism Park of Kotania Bay Area, Western Seram, Maluku Province. The quadrat transect method of 0.25 m2 for each plot was used to collect seagrass existence. The content of carbon in the sample of dry biomass of seagrass was analyzed in the laboratory using Walkley & Black method. The results showed that total carbon stored was higher in both Osi and Burung Islands of Kotania Bay than other studied areas (Buntal and Tatumbu Islands, Marsegu Island, Barnusang Peninsula, Loupessy and Tamanjaya Village). The average carbon stored in Kotania Bay waters was 2.385 Mg C ha-1, whereas the total of carbon stored was 2054.4967 Mg C.

Carbon Stored on Seagrass Community in Marine Nature Tourism Park of Kotania Bay, Western Seram, Indonesia

Carbon Stored on Seagrass Community in Marine Nature Tourism Park of Kotania Bay, Western Seram, Indonesia

A Redescription of Pontoppidania Pontica (Acari, Astigmatina, Acaridae) Inhabiting Algal Debris on Seashores of Black and Azov Seas of Crimea (Ukraine)

Abstract A Redescription of Pontoppidania pontica (Acari, Astigmatina, Acaridae) Inhabiting Algal Debris on Seashores of Black and Azov Seas of Crimea (Ukraine). Maslov, S. I. - A male and female of a littleknown species of mites Pontoppidania pontica (Volgin et Shchur, 1974) is redescribed based on material from algal debris of seashores of marine nature reserves of Crimea. A key to species of the genus Pontoppidania Oudemans, 1923 of the world is provided.

Problems of Water Quality Management in Marine Nature Reserve of Fujian Province and the Countermeasures

The gap between the requirements on water quality management in Marine Nature Reserves and the actual situation means a great many difficulties in management. Using Marine Nature Reserves in Fujian Province as an example, this article discusses the problems of water quality management and their causes, and proposes the countermeasures.

A Hydrodynamic Modelling Framework for Strangford Lough Part 1: Tidal Model

Hydrodynamic models are a powerful tool that can be used by a wide range of end users to assist in predicting the effects of both physical and biological processes on local environmental conditions. This paper describes the development of a tidal model for Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, a body of water renowned for the location of the first grid-connected tidal turbine, SeaGen, as well as the UK’s third Marine Nature Reserve. Using MIKE 21 modelling software, the development, calibration and performance of the model are described in detail. Strangford Lough has a complex flow pattern with high flows through the Narrows (~3.5 m/s) linking the main body of the Lough to the Irish Sea and intricate flow patterns around the numerous islands. With the aid of good quality tidal and current data obtained throughout the Lough during the model development, the surface elevation and current magnitude between the observed and numerical model were almost identical with model skill >0.98 and >0.84 respectively. The applicability of the model is such that it can be used as an important tool for the prediction of important ecological processes as well as engineering applications within Strangford Lough.

Components of Marine Activity and Nature Management Information Support in the Far Eastern Region of Russia

Components of Marine Activity and Nature Management Information Support in the Far Eastern Region of Russia

Influence of coralline algae on biodiversity of macrobenthic community in intertidal zone of Nanji Islands

With an aim of describing the influence of coralline algae on other macroalgae and benthic invertebrates in the intertidal zone of the Nanji Islands, an investigation of such organism assemblages was conducted in the Nanji Archipelago Marine Nature Reserve between May 2012 and February 2013. Shannon-Wiener index and Pielou's evenness indices were calculated for macroalgae (including coralline algae), non-Corallinaceae macroalgae (excluding coralline algae) and benthic invertebrates. In addition, the functional diversity of the benthic community was estimated using Rao's Q. Our results are as follows: (1) A total of 52 species of macroalgae belonging to 3 phyla, 3 classes, 16 orders, 21 families and 41 genera were found; 5 species among them belonged to coralline algae; (2) The dominance of coralline algae has reached a high level in the intertidal zone of the Nanji Islands except in the high tidal zone where relatively few macroalgae exist. The biomass of coralline alga accounted for 68.9% of the total algae biomass. Shannon-Wiener indices of macroalgae diversity varied from 1.638–4.044, and non-Corallinaceae macroalgae varied from 1.495– 3.809, while benthic invertebrates’ varied from 5.2890–6.917. Pielou’s evenness of macroalgae communities 第 5 期 汤雁滨等: 珊瑚藻类对南麂列岛潮间带底栖生物群落多样性的影响 641 varied from 0.819–0.971, and non-Corallinaceae macroalgae varied from 0.930–0.973; benthic invertebrates ranged from 0.967 to 0.988; (3) Regression analyses between dominance of coralline algae and Shannon-Wiener and Pielou's evenness indices of macroalgae communities suggested that coralline algae may be reducing the species diversity of macroalgae. The result of correlation analysis between dominance of coralline algae and Shannon-Wiener index, Pielou's evenness of benthic invertebrates showed no significant correlation. (4) The dominance of coralline algae and Rao's Q of benthic invertebrates in low tidal zone were both higher than those in middle tidal zone, but the correlation analysis showed no significant correlation between them. Based on our results, we concluded that: well-adapted coralline algae species may have reduced the species diversity of other macroalgae in these systems via interspecific competition; meanwhile, the benthic invertebrates, perhaps because of their higher dispersal abilities and more diverse life histories relative to macroalgae, were not affected in terms of species or functional diversity by coralline algae.

Management Effectiveness of Southeast Aru Islands Marine Conservation Area

Southeast Aru Islands Marine Conservation Area (SE Aru MCA) has been existed for nearly 21 years, a period that long enough for a timely evaluation about how far improvement of management has been made in the area in question, i.e. whether management has improved situation of local communities and marine resources availability in the area. This study, therefore, aims at assessing management effectiveness and impacts of SE Aru MCA. Results suggest that the MCA, which was originally established as a marine nature reserve (Cagar Alam Laut, CAL) in 1991 and changed status into marine sanctuary in 2009, has not yet produced the expected positive impacts. Assessment using available tools indicated that the management level of SE Aru MCA is at level 1, with percentage of 34.12%, meaning it is still at initiation stage and less effective in terms of management outcomes. Index of conservation area effectiveness with a value of 0.387 shows that the overall conservation area in the 3 categories mentioned above is less effective, therefore conservation effect has not been able to solve area problems. It is concluded that, after more than 20 years exists in the area, few benefits have been produced by SE Aru MCA for local people associated with it and biological resources in it.

The Analysis of the Evaluation of the Marine Nature Reserve-Ecosystem Services

The evaluation of the Marine Nature Reserve-ecosystem services is the key to set the criterion of the Marine Nature Reserve ecological compensation. Therefore, this paper identified and classified the Marine Nature Reserve-ecosystem services first. It pointed out that the Marine ecosystem services referred to the products and services that gained from the Marine Nature Reserve ecosystem, and were necessary for human to survive and develop, including the supplying services, regulating services, cultural services and supporting services. After that, this paper discussed the problems to evaluate ecosystem. Finally, it studied the evaluation methods and models of the Marine Nature Reserve-ecosystem services.

The Sanya Coral Reef National Marine Nature Reserve, China: A governance analysis

This paper examines the governance of the Sanya Coral Reef National Marine Nature Reserve (SCR-NMNR) in China in the context of a rapidly growing local economy, driven mainly by recent growth in the tourism sector. The governance approach adopted in the SCR-NMNR is characterised by significant decentralisation, i.e. many roles have been devolved to the local government. However, this has led to the undermining of strategic conservation objectives by local economic development priorities, through the rapid development of mass tourism involving both the private sector and the local government. This reliance on economic incentives has provided alternative livelihoods and resources for the management of the MPA, but has also incurred environmental and social costs. Overall, it can be argued that the current governance approach cannot effectively address the full spectrum of challenges encountered, in that these costs appear to outweigh the benefits. In order to improve the governance of the SCR-NMNR towards more effective and equitable outcomes, strengthened leadership from the central state will be needed, as well as a sense of community stewardship towards the MPA.

Sequence Stratigraphic Evolution and Cyclicity of An Ancient Coastal Desert System: The Pennsylvanian-Permian Lower Cutler Beds, Paradox Basin, Utah, U.S.A

Abstract The lower Cutler beds comprise a 200-m-thick succession of at least 12 repeating cyclic packages of strata, each 10–18 m thick, that are of mixed eolian, fluvial, and shallow marine origin. These accumulated during the latest Pennsylvanian to early Permian in the Paradox foreland basin of southeast Utah. Each depositional cycle comprises a lower unit composed of a bioclastic wackestone or a bioclastic sandy calcarenite facies, both of shallow marine origin. The upper units in each cycle are of nonmarine eolian (dune and interdune) and fluvial (channel and floodplain) origin. The mixed nonmarine and shallow marine nature of the inferred paleoenvironments of the lower Cutler beds is significant because the preserved expression of the nonmarine eolian and fluvial units in each cycle demonstrates an external climatic control on system development, whereas the marine units in each cycle (together with associated transgressive and regressive surfaces) demonstrate repeated episodes of relative sea-level change. Key stratigraphic surfaces have been traced from the continentally dominated northeastern portion of the basin into apparently contemporaneous, shallow-marine dominated sections in the southwest of the basin. Interdependent changes in both climate and relative sea-level change are shown to have generated the preserved cycles, which are interpreted to represent high-frequency sequences that are bounded by erosional unconformities (sequence boundaries) and paraconformities (diastems). Relative sea-level lowstand was coincident with climatic aridity at which time exposure of a broad, low-relief coastal plain enabled the generation of a substantial eolian sediment supply that was available for transport by a paleowind aligned parallel to the trend of the paleocoastline, resulting in dune-field construction and accumulation along a coastal belt. Episodes of relative sea-level rise were coincident with a transition to a more humid paleoclimate, during which the eolian sediment supply was greatly reduced, resulting in dune-field deflation and associated expansion of the fluvial system across the deflated former dune-field surface. Marine transgression occurred first in a series of estuarine embayments via the back-flooding of broad but shallow fluvially incised valley systems. Later transgression culminated in marine incursion over the former low-relief floodplain. Episodes of relative sea-level highstand were coincident with maximum climatic humidity. The high-frequency sequences make up a composite sequence set, which itself records a longer-term relative sea-level cycle. At this larger scale, a lowstand systems tract is recorded in the lower part of the studied lower Cutler beds succession, whereas a substantial transgressive systems tract is developed in the upper part. A regionally extensive maximum flooding surface defines the top of the lower Cutler beds. The preserved thickness and number of high-frequency cycles, together with their relation to the long-term subsidence trend of the Paradox Basin, records a periodic switching of both climate and relative sea level, the temporally linked nature of which demonstrates that glacio-eustasy exerted a dominant control on the origin of the preserved succession. The lower Cutler beds preserve evidence for the linkage and feedback between combined climatic and eustatic allogenic controls on sedimentation, and their role in generating high-frequency Milankovitch-style cycles in mixed clastic–carbonate successions.

Tracking shallow marine red beds through geological time as exemplified by the lower Telychian (Silurian) in the Upper Yangtze Region, South China

Marine red beds occur frequently in China through geological time. Despite their complex environments, the red beds are found in three depositional settings: 1) oceanic, deep water, as in the Upper Cretaceous of southern Tibet; 2) outer shelf, deeper water, as in the Lower-Middle Ordovician of South China; and 3) inner shelf, shallow water, as in the Silurian and Triassic in South China. The Silurian marine red beds are recurrent in the lower Telychian, upper Telychian, and upper Ludlow. This paper is to document the marine nature of the lower Telychian red beds (LRBs) in the Upper Yangtze Region and to discuss the spatial and temporal distribution of the LRBs and their depositional environments. The LRBs are best developed on the north side of the Cathaysian Oldland, which can be interpreted as the source area. It is inferred that they were deposited during a marine regression, characterized by the lack of upwelling, low nutrition and organic productivity with a decrease of biodiversity and a high rate of sedimentation. The iron-rich sediments may have been transported by rivers on the oldland into the Upper Yangtze Sea, as rates of deposition were rapid enough to counteract normal reducing effect around sediment-water interface. The LRBs are different from the off-shore, deeper water red beds of lower Telychian in Avalonia and Baltica and further from the oceanic, deep water red beds of Upper Cretaceous in southern Tibet chiefly in palaeogeographic settings, biotic assemblages and marine environments.