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Range map data of marine ecosystem structuring species under global climate change
Publication . Gouvêa, Lidiane; Fragkopoulou, Eliza; Legrand, Térence; Serrao, Ester; Assis, Jorge
Data on contemporary and future geographical distributions of marine species are crucial for guiding conservation and management policies in face of climate change. However, available distributional patterns have overlooked key ecosystem structuring species, despite their numerous ecological and socioeconomic services. Future range estimates are mostly available for few species at regional scales, and often rely on the outdated Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios of climate change, hindering global biodiversity estimates within the framework of current international climate policies. Here, we provide range maps for 980 marine structuring species of seagrasses, kelps, fucoids, and cold-water corals under present-day conditions (from 2010 to 2020) and future scenarios (from 2090 to 2100) spanning from low carbon emission scenarios aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement (Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 1-1.9), to higher emissions under reduced mitigation strategies (SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5). These models were developed using state-ofthe-art and advanced machine learning algorithms linking the most comprehensive and quality-controlled datasets of occurrence records with high-resolution, biologically relevant predictor variables. By integrating the best aspects of species distribution modelling over key ecosystem structuring species, our datasets hold the potential to enhance the ability to inform strategic and effective conservation policy, ultimately supporting the resilience of ocean ecosystems.
Bio‐ORACLE v3.0. pushing marine data layers to the CMIP6 earth system models of climate change research
Publication . Assis, Jorge; Fernández Bejarano, Salvador Jesús; Salazar, Vinícius W.; Schepers, Lennert; Gouvêa, Lidiane; Fragkopoulou, Eliza; Leclercq, Frederic; Vanhoorne, Bart; Tyberghein, Lennert; Serrao, Ester; Verbruggen, Heroen; De Clerck, Olivier
Motivation: Impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity are often projected with species distribution modelling using standardized data layers representing physical, chemical and biological conditions of the global ocean. Yet, the available data layers (1) have not been updated to incorporate data of the Sixth Phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which comprise the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios; (2) consider a limited number of Earth System Models (ESMs), and (3) miss important variables expected to influence future biodiversity distributions. These limitations might undermine biodiversity impact assessments, by failing to integrate them within the context of the most up-to-date climate change projections, raising the uncertainty in estimates and misinterpreting the exposure of biodiversity to extreme conditions. Here, we provide a significant update of Bio-ORACLE, extending biologically relevant data layers from present-day conditions to the end of the 21st century Shared Socioeconomic Pathway scenarios based on a multi-model ensemble with data from CMIP6. Alongside, we provide R and Python packages for seamless integration in modelling workflows. The data layers aim to enhance the understanding of the potential impacts of climate change on biodiversity and to support well-informed research, conservation and management. Main Types of Variable Contained: Surface and benthic layers for, chlorophyll-a, diffuse attenuation coefficient, dissolved iron, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, ocean temperature, pH, phosphate, photosynthetic active radiation, total phytoplankton, total cloud fraction, salinity, silicate, sea-water direction, sea-water velocity, topographic slope, topographic aspect, terrain ruggedness index, topographic position index and bathymetry, and surface layers for air temperature, mixed layer depth, sea-ice cover and sea-ice thickness. Spatial Location and Grain: Global at 0.05 degrees resolution. Time Period and GrainDecadal from present-day to the end of the 21st century (2000-2100). Major Taxa and Level of Measurement: Marine biodiversity associated with surface and epibenthic habitats. Software Format: A package of functions developed for Python and R software.
A novel sexual system in male gametophytes of Laminaria pallida (Phaeophyceae)
Publication . Liboureau, Pierre; Pearson, Gareth; Serrao, Ester; Kreiner, Anja; Martins, Neusa
Brown algae (Phaeophyceae) exhibit a wide diversity of sexual systems, reproductive modes and life histories. The evolution of this diversity has often involved transitions between sexual systems, which may influence genetic diversity and diversification, and phenotypic evolution. This study reports a novel sexual system in kelp. We identified male gametophyte strains of Laminaria pallida that, despite presenting morphological features typical of a male, developed both antheridia and egg-like structures, which suggest an incomplete suppression of femaleness during sexual determination of gametophytes. The sperm released by these variant male gametophytes successfully fertilize eggs produced by female gametophytes, developing into sporophytes with normal morphologies. However, morphologically abnormal sporophytic offspring were formed in isolated variant male gametophytes, indicating that the egg-like structures were not successfully self-fertilized by sperm. The causes of the unsuccessful intragametophytic selfing are unknown, but absence of pheromone production by the egg-like structures is a hypothesis suggested by available evidence. Partial co-sexuality is clearly inherited, as all male gametophyte strains descended from the same sporophyte developed egg-like structures. Further investigation into the genetics and maturation of male partheno-sporophytes will help to estimate the potential effects of this mechanism on natural populations.
Marine biodiversity exposed to prolonged and intense subsurface heatwaves
Publication . Fragkopoulou, Eliza; Sen Gupta, Alex; Costello, Mark John; Wernberg, Thomas; Araújo, Miguel B.; Serrao, Ester; De Clerck, Olivier; Assis, Jorge
Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are becoming increasingly common, with devastating ecosystem impacts. However, MHW understanding has almost exclusively relied on sea surface temperature with limited knowledge about their subsurface characteristics. Here we estimate global MHWs from the surface to 2,000 m depth, covering the period 1993-2019, and explore biodiversity exposure to their effects. We find that MHWs are typically more intense in the subsurface at 50-200 m and their duration increases up to twofold with depth, although with large spatial variability linked to different oceanographic conditions. Cumulative intensity (a thermal stress proxy) was highest in the upper 250 m, exposing subsurface biodiversity to MHW effects. This can be particularly concerning for up to 22% of the ocean, where high cumulative intensity overlapped the warm range edge of species distributions, thus being more sensitive to thermal stress. Subsurface MHWs can hence drive biodiversity patterns, with consequent effects on ecological interactions and ecosystem processes.
The authors estimate the intensity, duration and number of global marine heatwaves from 1993 to 2019, from the surface to 2,000 m. They show generally higher intensity of marine heatwaves at 50-200 m, but increased duration with depth, and predict ocean regions of higher biodiversity exposure.
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Funding agency
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Funding programme
Concurso Transnacional Conjunto de 2020 da ERA-NET Cofund BiodivRestore “Conservation and restoration of degraded ecosystems and their biodiversity, including a focus on aquatic systems”
Funding Award Number
DivRestore/0013/2020