1. |
- Jagers, Sverker C., 1967, et al.
(author)
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On the preconditions for large-scale collective action
- 2020
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In: Ambio. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 49:7, s. 1282-1296
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The phenomenon of collective action and the origin of collective action problems have been extensively and systematically studied in the social sciences. Yet, while we have substantial knowledge about the factors promoting collective action at the local level, we know far less about how these insights travel to large-scale collective action problems. Such problems, however, are at the heart of humanity's most pressing challenges, including climate change, large-scale natural resource depletion, biodiversity loss, nuclear proliferation, antibiotic resistance due to overconsumption of antibiotics, and pollution. In this paper, we suggest an analytical framework that captures the theoretical understanding of preconditions for large-scale collective action. This analytical framework aims at supporting future empirical analyses of how to cope with and overcome larger-scale collective action problems. More specifically, we (i) define and describe the main characteristics of a large-scale collective action problem and (ii) explain why voluntary and, in particular, spontaneous large-scale collective action among individual actors becomes more improbable as the collective action problem becomes larger, thus demanding interventions by an external authority (a third party) for such action to be generated. Based on this, we (iii) outline an analytical framework that illustrates the connection between third-party interventions and large-scale collective action. We conclude by suggesting avenues for future research.
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2. |
- Bednarsek, N., et al.
(author)
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Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Echinoderms
- 2021
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In: Frontiers in Marine Science. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-7745. ; 8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Assessing the vulnerability of marine invertebrates to ocean acidification (OA) requires an understanding of critical thresholds at which developmental, physiological, and behavioral traits are affected. To identify relevant thresholds for echinoderms, we undertook a three-step data synthesis, focused on California Current Ecosystem (CCE) species. First, literature characterizing echinoderm responses to OA was compiled, creating a dataset comprised of >12,000 datapoints from 41 studies. Analysis of this data set demonstrated responses related to physiology, behavior, growth and development, and increased mortality in the larval and adult stages to low pH exposure. Second, statistical analyses were conducted on selected pathways to identify OA thresholds specific to duration, taxa, and depth-related life stage. Exposure to reduced pH led to impaired responses across a range of physiology, behavior, growth and development, and mortality endpoints for both larval and adult stages. Third, through discussions and synthesis, the expert panel identified a set of eight duration-dependent, life stage, and habitat-dependent pH thresholds and assigned each a confidence score based on quantity and agreement of evidence. The thresholds for these effects ranged within pH from 7.20 to 7.74 and duration from 7 to 30 days, all of which were characterized with either medium or low confidence. These thresholds yielded a risk range from early warning to lethal impacts, providing the foundation for consistent interpretation of OA monitoring data or numerical ocean model simulations to support climate change marine vulnerability assessments and evaluation of ocean management strategies. As a demonstration, two echinoderm thresholds were applied to simulations of a CCE numerical model to visualize the effects of current state of pH conditions on potential habitat.
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3. |
- Behbehani, M., et al.
(author)
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Ocean Acidification-Mediated Food Chain Transfer of Polonium between Primary Producers and Consumers
- 2023
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In: Toxics. - : MDPI AG. - 2305-6304. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Phytoplankton and zooplankton are key marine components that play an important role in metal distribution through a food web transfer. An increased phytoplankton concentration as a result of ocean acidification and warming are well-established, along with the fact that phytoplankton biomagnify Po-210 by 3-4 orders of magnitude compared to the seawater concentration. This experimental study is carried out to better understand the transfer of polonium between primary producers and consumers. The experimental produced data highlight the complex interaction between the polonium concentration in zooplankton food, i.e. phytoplankton, its excretion via defecated fecal pellets, and its bioaccumulation at ambient seawater pH and a lower pH of 7.7, typical of ocean acidification scenarios in the open ocean. The mass of copepods recovered was 11% less: 7.7 pH compared to 8.2. The effects of copepod species (n = 3), microalgae species (n = 3), pH (n = 2), and time (n = 4) on the polonium activity in the fecal pellets (expressed as % of the total activity introduced through feeding) was tested using an ANOVA 4. With the exception of time (model: F-20,F- 215 = 176.84, p < 0.001; time: F-3 = 1.76, p = 0.16), all tested parameters had an impact on the polonium activity (copepod species: F-2 = 169.15, p < 0.0001; algae species: F-2 = 10.21, p < 0.0001; pH: F-1 = 9.85, p = 0.002) with complex interactions (copepod x algae: F-2 = 19.48, p < 0.0001; copepod x pH: F-2 = 10.54, p < 0.0001; algae x pH: F-2 = 4.87, p = 0.009). The experimental data underpin the hypothesis that metal bioavailability and bioaccumulation will be enhanced in secondary consumers such as crustacean zooplankton due to ocean acidification.
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4. |
- Belivermis, M., et al.
(author)
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Physiological and gene expression responses of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis to low pH and low dissolved oxygen
- 2023
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In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. - : Elsevier BV. - 0025-326X. ; 187
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The prevalence and frequency of hypoxia events have increased worldwide over the past decade as a conse-quence of global climate change and coastal biological oxygen depletions. On the other hand, anthropogenic emissions of CO2 and consequent accumulation in the sea surface result in a perturbation of the seawater car-bonate system, including a decrease in pH, known as ocean acidification. While the effect of decreases in pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration is better understood, their combined effects are still poorly resolved. Here, we exposed adult mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) to two pHs (8.27 and 7.63) and DO concentrations (7.65 and 2.75 mg L- 1) over 17 days in a full-factorial design. These levels correspond to extremes of the present natural variability and are relevant in the context of ocean acidification and hypoxia. No mortality was observed during the experiment. However, sublethal effects were observed for clearance and oxygen consumption rates, as well as total haemocytes count and haemocytes viability and gene expression in mussels exposed to the combination of low pH and low DO. Respiration and excretion rates were not significantly impacted by low pH and DO, alone or in combination. Overall, low pH alone led to a decrease in all tested physiological parameters while low DO alone led to a decline in clearance rate, haemocyte parameters and an increase in carbohydrate content. Both pa-rameters led to up-or down-regulation of most of the selected genes. Not surprisingly, the combined effect of low pH and low DO could not be predicted by a simple arithmetic additive response at the effect level, highlighting more complex and non-linear effects.
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5. |
- Briddon, Charlotte L., et al.
(author)
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Acclimation to various temperature and pCO2 levels does not impact the competitive ability of two strains of Skeletonema marinoi in natural communities
- 2023
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In: Frontiers in Marine Science. - 2296-7745. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Understanding the long-term response of key marine phytoplankton species to ongoing global changes is pivotal in determining how oceanic community composition will respond over the coming decades. To better understand the impact of ocean acidification and warming, we acclimated two strains of Skeletonema marinoi isolated from natural communities to three pCO2 (400 μatm, 600 μatm and 1000 μatm) for 8 months and five temperature conditions (7°C, 10°C, 13°C, 16°C and 19°C) for 11 months. These strains were then tested in natural microbial communities, exposed to three pCO2 treatments (400 μatm, 600 μatm and 1000 μatm). DNA metabarcoding of the 16S and 18S gene for prokaryotes and eukaryotes respectively was used to show differences in abundance and diversity between the three CO2 treatments. We found there were no significant differences in acclimated S. marinoi concentrations between the three pCO2 treatments, most likely due to the high variability these strains experience in their natural environment. There were significant compositional differences between the pCO2 treatments for prokaryotes suggesting that indirect changes to phytoplankton-bacteria interactions could be a possible driver of bacterial community composition. Yet, there were no differences for eukaryotic community composition, with all treatments dominated by diatoms (but not the acclimated S. marinoi) resulting in similar biodiversity. Furthermore, strain-specific differences in community composition suggests interactions between prokaryotic and eukaryotic taxa could play a role in determining future community composition.
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6. |
- Clark, M. S., et al.
(author)
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Deciphering mollusc shell production: the roles of genetic mechanisms through to ecology, aquaculture and biomimetics
- 2020
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In: Biological Reviews. - : Wiley. - 1464-7931 .- 1469-185X. ; 95:6, s. 1812-37
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Most molluscs possess shells, constructed from a vast array of microstructures and architectures. The fully formed shell is composed of calcite or aragonite. These CaCO(3)crystals form complex biocomposites with proteins, which although typically less than 5% of total shell mass, play significant roles in determining shell microstructure. Despite much research effort, large knowledge gaps remain in how molluscs construct and maintain their shells, and how they produce such a great diversity of forms. Here we synthesize results on how shell shape, microstructure, composition and organic content vary among, and within, species in response to numerous biotic and abiotic factors. At the local level, temperature, food supply and predation cues significantly affect shell morphology, whilst salinity has a much stronger influence across latitudes. Moreover, we emphasize how advances in genomic technologies [e.g. restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-Seq) and epigenetics] allow detailed examinations of whether morphological changes result from phenotypic plasticity or genetic adaptation, or a combination of these. RAD-Seq has already identified single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with temperature and aquaculture practices, whilst epigenetic processes have been shown significantly to modify shell construction to local conditions in, for example, Antarctica and New Zealand. We also synthesize results on the costs of shell construction and explore how these affect energetic trade-offs in animal metabolism. The cellular costs are still debated, with CaCO(3)precipitation estimates ranging from 1-2 J/mg to 17-55 J/mg depending on experimental and environmental conditions. However, organic components are more expensive (similar to 29 J/mg) and recent data indicate transmembrane calcium ion transporters can involve considerable costs. This review emphasizes the role that molecular analyses have played in demonstrating multiple evolutionary origins of biomineralization genes. Although these are characterized by lineage-specific proteins and unique combinations of co-opted genes, a small set of protein domains have been identified as a conserved biomineralization tool box. We further highlight the use of sequence data sets in providing candidate genes forin situlocalization and protein function studies. The former has elucidated gene expression modularity in mantle tissue, improving understanding of the diversity of shell morphology synthesis. RNA interference (RNAi) and clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats - CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) experiments have provided proof of concept for use in the functional investigation of mollusc gene sequences, showing for example that Pif (aragonite-binding) protein plays a significant role in structured nacre crystal growth and that theLsdia1gene sets shell chirality inLymnaea stagnalis. Much research has focused on the impacts of ocean acidification on molluscs. Initial studies were predominantly pessimistic for future molluscan biodiversity. However, more sophisticated experiments incorporating selective breeding and multiple generations are identifying subtle effects and that variability within mollusc genomes has potential for adaption to future conditions. Furthermore, we highlight recent historical studies based on museum collections that demonstrate a greater resilience of molluscs to climate change compared with experimental data. The future of mollusc research lies not solely with ecological investigations into biodiversity, and this review synthesizes knowledge across disciplines to understand biomineralization. It spans research ranging from evolution and development, through predictions of biodiversity prospects and future-proofing of aquaculture to identifying new biomimetic opportunities and societal benefits from recycling shell products.
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7. |
- Clements, J. C., et al.
(author)
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Animal size and sea water temperature, but not pH, influence a repeatable startle response behaviour in a wide-ranging marine mollusc
- 2021
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In: Animal Behaviour. - : Elsevier BV. - 0003-3472. ; 173, s. 191-205
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Startle response behaviours are important in predator avoidance and escape for a wide array of animals. For many marine invertebrates, however, startle response behaviours are understudied, and the effects of global change stressors on these responses are unknown. We exposed two size classes of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis x trossulus) to different combinations of temperature (15 and 19 degrees C) and pH (8.2 and 7.5 pH(T)) for 3 months and subsequently measured individual time to open following a tactile predator cue (i.e. startle response time) over a series of four consecutive trials. Time to open was highly repeatable in the short term and decreased linearly across the four trials. Individuals from the larger size class had a shorter time to open than their smaller-sized counterparts. High temperature increased time to open compared to low temperature, while pH had no effect. These results suggest that bivalve time to open is repeatable, related to relative vulnerability to predation and affected by temperature. Given that increased closure times impact feeding and respiration, the effect of temperature on closure duration may play a role in the sensitivity to ocean warming in this species and contribute to ecosystem level effects. (C) 2020 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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8. |
- Clements, J. C., et al.
(author)
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Roll, right, repeat: short-term repeatability in the self-righting behaviour of a cold-water sea cucumber
- 2020
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In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0025-3154 .- 1469-7769. ; 100:1, s. 115-120
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For many benthic marine invertebrates, inversion (being turned upside-down) is a common event that can increase vulnerability to predation, desiccation and unwanted spatial transport, and requires behavioural 'self-righting' to correct. While self-righting behaviour has been studied for more than a century, the repeatability (R) - the portion of behavioural variance due to inter-individual differences - of this trait is not well understood. Heritability and the evolution of animal behaviour rely on behavioural repeatability. Here, we examined the self-righting technique of a cold-water holothurid, Parastichopus tremulus, and assessed the repeatability of this behaviour. Under laboratory conditions, P. tremulus consistently used muscle contractions to curl its body and roll itself back to an upright position, which provided for rapid (x +/- SD = 96.7 +/- 49.8 s) and highly repeatable (R = 0.75) self-righting in the short term that varied between individuals (range of individual average righting times = 34.8-217.0 s). Righting time tended to increase with animal size; however, substantial variation was evident at comparable sizes, as average righting time ranged from 34.8-155.5 s for animals similar to 20 cm in body length. Contrary to previous studies on other echinoderms, we found no evidence of improved righting times for P. tremulus over time. This study ultimately provides the first detailed documentation of self-righting behaviour for P. tremulus and suggests that this species displays a high degree of repeatability for this trait in the short term.
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9. |
- Clements, J. C., et al.
(author)
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"Urchin pinning": Behavioural observations reveal how hungry urchins actively prey upon their sea star predators
- 2021
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In: Ethology. - : Wiley. - 0179-1613 .- 1439-0310. ; 127:6, s. 484-489
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Green sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) are dominant components of benthic ecosystems that form aggregations and can transform entire kelp forests into barren systems. While these urchins are known to unwittingly consume practically anything in their path while grazing, detailed descriptions of active predatory behaviour on known predators (i.e., predator-prey reversal) are undocumented. Here, we use laboratory observations to describe the behavioural tactics used by starved S. droebachiesis to actively attack and consume sea stars, Crossaster papposus-a known predator of S. droebachiensis. We observed urchins preying on three separate sea stars, with one being substantially consumed by urchins within 24 hr. Urchins exhibited a direct mode of attack on sea stars by individually mounting and consuming the tips of the arms. Interestingly, we did not observe any conflict between individual urchins for attacking the sea star despite there being approximate to 80 starving urchins in the tank (and only 10-12 arms on the sea stars). Some sea stars did not attempt to escape urchin predation at all, while others attempted to escape by fleeing and lifting arms on top of the urchins. Given that sensory perception in sea stars is largely derived from the arm tips, we suggest that urchins directly attack and consume many sea star arm tips in an attempt to "pin" sea stars before consuming them. As such, we term this predatory behaviour "urchin pinning." These observations ultimately provide the first detailed behavioural documentation of how urchins actively prey on a known predator and provide a basis for a wealth of future research.
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10. |
- Cossa, Damboia, et al.
(author)
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Hidden cost of pH variability in seagrass beds on marine calcifiers under ocean acidification
- 2024
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 915
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Coastal ecosystems experience large environmental variability leading to local adaptation. The key role of variability and adaptation in modulating the biological sensitivity to ocean acidification is increasingly acknowledged. Monitoring and understanding the ecological niche at the right spatio-temporal scale is key to understand the sensitivity of any organism and ecosystems. However, the role of the variability in relevant carbonate chemistry parameters as a driver is often overlooked. For example, the balance between photosynthesis and respiration over the day/night cycle is leading to high pH/pCO2 variability in seagrass beds. We hypothesized that (i) the calcifying larvae of the sea urchin Echinus esculentus exposed to seagrass-driven variability would have some physiological mechanisms to respond to such variability; and (ii) these mechanisms would reach their limit under ocean acidification. We compared the presence and absence of the seagrass Zostera marina in flow through mesocosms fed with seawater with 4 pHs. The carbonate chemistry was monitored and biological response of a sea urchin larvae was documented over 3 weeks. Growth and net calcification rates were measured twice a day to encompass diurnal variability. Our results show that larvae growth rate significantly decreased with decreasing average pHT in both absence and presence of seagrass. Moreover, sea urchin larvae showed a slower growth rate in presence of seagrass, only visible in the lowest pH conditions. In addition, larvae raised in presence of seagrass, maximized calcification during the day, and lower their calcification during the night. In contrast, no significant difference was observed between day and night for the net calcification rate in larvae raised in absence of seagrass. Our results demonstrate the limit of local adaptation to the present range of variability under ocean acidification conditions. It also demonstrates that photosynthetic ecosystems such as seagrass may not play a role of refuge against future ocean acidification.
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