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Percorrer por autor "Cook, Kevan"

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  • Recent trend reversal for declining European seagrass meadows
    Publication . de los Santos, Carmen B.; Krause-Jensen, Dorte; Alcoverro, Teresa; Marbà, Nuria; Duarte, Carlos M.; Van Katwijk, Marieke; Pérez, Marta; Romero, Javier; Sánchez Lizaso, José Luis; Roca, Guillem; Jankowska, Emilia; Perez-Llorens, Jose Lucas; Fournier, Jérôme; Montefalcone, Monica; Pergent, Gérard; Ruiz, Juan M.; Cabaço, Susana; Cook, Kevan; Wilkes, Robert J.; Moy, Frithjof E.; Trayter, Gregori Muñoz-Ramos; Arañó, Xavier Seglar; Jong, Dick J. de; Fernández-Torquemada, Yolanda; Auby, Isabelle; Vergara, Juan J.; Santos, Rui
    Seagrass meadows, key ecosystems supporting fisheries, carbon sequestration and coastal protection, are globally threatened. In Europe, loss and recovery of seagrasses are reported, but the changes in extent and density at the continental scale remain unclear. Here we collate assessments of changes from 1869 to 2016 and show that 1/3 of European seagrass area was lost due to disease, deteriorated water quality, and coastal development, with losses peaking in the 1970s and 1980s. Since then, loss rates slowed down for most of the species and fast-growing species recovered in some locations, making the net rate of change in seagrass area experience a reversal in the 2000s, while density metrics improved or remained stable in most sites. Our results demonstrate that decline is not the generalised state among seagrasses nowadays in Europe, in contrast with global assessments, and that deceleration and reversal of declining trends is possible, expectingly bringing back the services they provide.
    2019-07-26Artigo científico Acesso aberto Ver mais
  • A survey-based assessment of seagrass status, management and legislation in Europe
    Publication . de los Santos, Carmen B.; Sigurðardóttir, Ragnhildur; Cunha, Alexandra; Cook, Kevan; Wiktor, Józef M.; Tatarek, Agnieszka; Santos, Rui
    Seagrass meadows are ranked amongst the most productive ecosystems on Earth, providing high-value ecosystem services in coastal areas. Yet, seagrass habitats are declining worldwide at an unprecedented rate as a consequence of both anthropogenic and natural pressures, which suggests an inefficient management. Seagrasses are widespread along European coasts and the knowledge on their conservation status and management has been increased in the last decade although an overall view for the whole Europe is lacking. The general aim of this survey-based study was to assess the present status of seagrass habitat conservation, management and legislation in Europe based on the expert judgement of 25 participants from 19 coastal European countries. We specifically assessed the seagrass ecological status and their major threats; the level of awareness; the effort in mapping, monitoring and restoration; and the state of management plans and policy in each country. We furthermore reviewed the legislation for seagrass habitats in order to assess the protection status of seagrasses in Europe. The survey-based assessment revealed great differences among seagrass species and countries regarding their awareness, ecological status, mapping, monitoring and management. Several good examples of seagrass management, in cooperation with scientists, were identified although many countries still lack the fundamental tools for a proper management. A consistent body of legislation was compiled for most European countries, yet their implementation was reported to be rather variable and weak. The results of this study will provide guidelines for a more effective seagrass management and policy in Europe.
    2014Documento de conferência Acesso aberto Ver mais