Climate change is altering ecosystems and fisheries throughout the world's oceans, demanding ... more Climate change is altering ecosystems and fisheries throughout the world's oceans, demanding climate‐adaptive governance for conserving and managing living marine resources. While in some regions fisheries management systems address wider ecosystem dynamics within management frameworks and decision‐making, which may facilitate resilience to climate change, there remains a shortfall in terms of directly incorporating climate change adaptation into fisheries management legislation and implementation. This review assesses the current state of implementation of climate change adaptation into fisheries management policies and legislation across 11 national case studies, based on government documents and the primary literature. The overarching goal is to understand the key elements and gaps in existing fisheries management policies and legislation in the context of climate change. Given recent reforms of fisheries management policies and/or legislation across the nations examined, political recognition of the need to address climate change adaptation in fisheries management appears to be increasing; albeit formal mandates of climate‐adaptation objectives in fisheries management are largely missing. Based on our review, recommendations for achieving climate‐adaptive fisheries management regimes are developed. Overall, this study will help to inform and broaden the scope of management approaches and tools to accelerate the move towards adaptive fisheries management that accounts for climate change impacts on fish stocks, fisheries and the societies that depend upon them.
Marine ecosystems have been influenced by human activities throughout history, with a general int... more Marine ecosystems have been influenced by human activities throughout history, with a general intensification and diversification of human impacts over time. Yet only recently have we begun to reconstruct the resulting changes in marine populations and ecosystems, and their consequences for human well-being. In this chapter, we present the use of ecological indicators and food-web models as tools to analyse historical changes in marine species and ecosystems. Because marine ecosystems are inherently complex, ecological indicators can help describe them and their changes in simpler terms. Commonly used indicators include species occurrence and abundance, functional group presence such as feeding types, habitat builders or filter feeders, as well as species traits such as body size or trophic ecology. These can be reconstructed for past time periods and used to analyse changes in individual populations or across multiple species over time, thereby providing insight into changes in marine species and ecosystems. A step further, food webs combine multiple species or functional groups and aim to represent the more complex relationships and interactions within marine ecosystems. These can range from qualitative, conceptual food-web illustrations to quantitative modelling approaches that can be used to analyse emerging food-web properties and changes in food-web structure and functioning. We provide a wide range of examples on how different indicators and models have been used and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches. Finally, we provide an outlook on their potential to advance marine historical research in the future.
Ambient temperature is very likely the most important environmental factor determining the distri... more Ambient temperature is very likely the most important environmental factor determining the distribution and diversity of life in the oceans. Hence, climate change is expected to alter marine biodiversity on a global scale. Here we review observed and predicted effects of climate change on the diversity of marine species. Overall, an increasing number of studies demonstrate that effects of climate change on marine biodiversity are already apparent from local to global scales. So far, long-term fish and plankton monitoring data have provided the most compelling evidence for climate-driven changes in species distribution and diversity, but studies involving other groups such as corals, seaweeds and mammals are increasing. As a general pattern, tropical regions often experience a loss of species due to elevated heat stress, whereas temperate regions increase in diversity, as species migrate poleward. Net increases in diversity are also expected in the polar regions, but so far there are few observations to support this. Complex patterns of change can emerge where ocean warming is accompanied by the effects of sea level rise, acidification, habitat change, changes in ocean circulation, stratification and other aspects of global change. From a management perspective, the conservation of biological diversity will provide insurance and resilience in the face of rapid global change. Cumulative impacts of exploitation, habitat destruction and other threats to biodiversity need to be minimized to maintain the adaptive capacity of marine ecosystems in the present and coming centuries. This might be particularly pressing in tropical regions and developing countries, which will face exceptional socioeconomic and climate-related pressures, as well as in the polar regions, which are faced with a multitude of emerging pressures.
Climate change is altering ecosystems and fisheries throughout the world's oceans, demanding ... more Climate change is altering ecosystems and fisheries throughout the world's oceans, demanding climate‐adaptive governance for conserving and managing living marine resources. While in some regions fisheries management systems address wider ecosystem dynamics within management frameworks and decision‐making, which may facilitate resilience to climate change, there remains a shortfall in terms of directly incorporating climate change adaptation into fisheries management legislation and implementation. This review assesses the current state of implementation of climate change adaptation into fisheries management policies and legislation across 11 national case studies, based on government documents and the primary literature. The overarching goal is to understand the key elements and gaps in existing fisheries management policies and legislation in the context of climate change. Given recent reforms of fisheries management policies and/or legislation across the nations examined, political recognition of the need to address climate change adaptation in fisheries management appears to be increasing; albeit formal mandates of climate‐adaptation objectives in fisheries management are largely missing. Based on our review, recommendations for achieving climate‐adaptive fisheries management regimes are developed. Overall, this study will help to inform and broaden the scope of management approaches and tools to accelerate the move towards adaptive fisheries management that accounts for climate change impacts on fish stocks, fisheries and the societies that depend upon them.
Marine ecosystems have been influenced by human activities throughout history, with a general int... more Marine ecosystems have been influenced by human activities throughout history, with a general intensification and diversification of human impacts over time. Yet only recently have we begun to reconstruct the resulting changes in marine populations and ecosystems, and their consequences for human well-being. In this chapter, we present the use of ecological indicators and food-web models as tools to analyse historical changes in marine species and ecosystems. Because marine ecosystems are inherently complex, ecological indicators can help describe them and their changes in simpler terms. Commonly used indicators include species occurrence and abundance, functional group presence such as feeding types, habitat builders or filter feeders, as well as species traits such as body size or trophic ecology. These can be reconstructed for past time periods and used to analyse changes in individual populations or across multiple species over time, thereby providing insight into changes in marine species and ecosystems. A step further, food webs combine multiple species or functional groups and aim to represent the more complex relationships and interactions within marine ecosystems. These can range from qualitative, conceptual food-web illustrations to quantitative modelling approaches that can be used to analyse emerging food-web properties and changes in food-web structure and functioning. We provide a wide range of examples on how different indicators and models have been used and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches. Finally, we provide an outlook on their potential to advance marine historical research in the future.
Ambient temperature is very likely the most important environmental factor determining the distri... more Ambient temperature is very likely the most important environmental factor determining the distribution and diversity of life in the oceans. Hence, climate change is expected to alter marine biodiversity on a global scale. Here we review observed and predicted effects of climate change on the diversity of marine species. Overall, an increasing number of studies demonstrate that effects of climate change on marine biodiversity are already apparent from local to global scales. So far, long-term fish and plankton monitoring data have provided the most compelling evidence for climate-driven changes in species distribution and diversity, but studies involving other groups such as corals, seaweeds and mammals are increasing. As a general pattern, tropical regions often experience a loss of species due to elevated heat stress, whereas temperate regions increase in diversity, as species migrate poleward. Net increases in diversity are also expected in the polar regions, but so far there are few observations to support this. Complex patterns of change can emerge where ocean warming is accompanied by the effects of sea level rise, acidification, habitat change, changes in ocean circulation, stratification and other aspects of global change. From a management perspective, the conservation of biological diversity will provide insurance and resilience in the face of rapid global change. Cumulative impacts of exploitation, habitat destruction and other threats to biodiversity need to be minimized to maintain the adaptive capacity of marine ecosystems in the present and coming centuries. This might be particularly pressing in tropical regions and developing countries, which will face exceptional socioeconomic and climate-related pressures, as well as in the polar regions, which are faced with a multitude of emerging pressures.
"Today’s Wadden Sea is a heavily human-altered ecosystem. Shaped by natural forces since its orig... more "Today’s Wadden Sea is a heavily human-altered ecosystem. Shaped by natural forces since its origin 7,500 years ago, humans gradually gained dominance in influencing ecosystem structure and functioning. Here,
we reconstruct the timeline of human impacts and the history of ecological changes in the Wadden Sea. We then discuss the ecosystem and societal consequences of observed changes, and conclude with management implications. Human influences have intensified and multiplied over time. Large-scale habitat transformation over the last 1,000 years has eliminated diverse terrestrial, freshwater, brackish and marine habitats. Intensive
exploitation of everything from oysters to whales has depleted most large predators and habitat-building species since medieval times. In the twentieth century, pollution, eutrophication, species invasions and, presumably, climate change have had marked impacts on the Wadden Sea flora and fauna. Yet habitat loss and overexploitation were the two main causes for the
extinction or severe depletion of 144 species (20% of total macrobiota). The loss of biodiversity, large predators, special habitats, filter and storage capacity, and degradation in water quality have led to a simplification
and homogenisation of the food web structure and ecosystem functioning that has affected the Wadden Sea ecosystem and coastal societies alike. Recent conservation efforts have reversed some negative trends by enabling some birds and mammals to recover and by creating new economic options for society. The Wadden Sea history provides a unique long-term perspective on ecological change, new objectives for conservation, restoration and management, and an ecological baseline that allows us to envision a rich, productive and diverse Wadden Sea ecosystem and coastal society."
Marine environmental history analyses the changing relationships between human societies and mari... more Marine environmental history analyses the changing relationships between human societies and marine natural resources over time. This is the first book which deals in a systematic way with the theoretical backgrounds of this discipline. Major theories and methods are introduced by leading scholars of the field. The book seeks to encapsulate some of the major novelties of this fascinating new discipline and its contribution to the management, conservation and restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems as well as the cultural heritages of coastal communities in different parts of the world.
Marine environmental history analyses the changing relationships between human societies and mari... more Marine environmental history analyses the changing relationships between human societies and marine natural resources over time. This is the first book which deals in a systematic way with the theoretical backgrounds of this discipline. Major theories and methods are introduced by leading scholars of the field. The book seeks to encapsulate some of the major novelties of this fascinating new discipline and its contribution to the management, conservation and restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems as well as the cultural heritages of coastal communities in different parts of the world.
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Papers by Heike K Lotze
we reconstruct the timeline of human impacts and the history of ecological changes in the Wadden Sea. We then discuss the ecosystem and societal consequences of observed changes, and conclude with management implications. Human influences have intensified and multiplied over time. Large-scale habitat transformation over the last 1,000 years has eliminated diverse terrestrial, freshwater, brackish and marine habitats. Intensive
exploitation of everything from oysters to whales has depleted most large predators and habitat-building species since medieval times. In the twentieth century, pollution, eutrophication, species invasions and, presumably, climate change have had marked impacts on the Wadden Sea flora and fauna. Yet habitat loss and overexploitation were the two main causes for the
extinction or severe depletion of 144 species (20% of total macrobiota). The loss of biodiversity, large predators, special habitats, filter and storage capacity, and degradation in water quality have led to a simplification
and homogenisation of the food web structure and ecosystem functioning that has affected the Wadden Sea ecosystem and coastal societies alike. Recent conservation efforts have reversed some negative trends by enabling some birds and mammals to recover and by creating new economic options for society. The Wadden Sea history provides a unique long-term perspective on ecological change, new objectives for conservation, restoration and management, and an ecological baseline that allows us to envision a rich, productive and diverse Wadden Sea ecosystem and coastal society."
systematic way with the theoretical backgrounds of this discipline. Major theories and methods are introduced by leading scholars of the field. The book seeks to encapsulate
some of the major novelties of this fascinating new discipline and its contribution to the management, conservation and restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems as well as the cultural heritages of coastal communities in different parts of the world.