Nitrogen cycling in coastal marine ecosystems

It is generally considered that nitrogen availability is one of the major factors regulating primary production in temperate coastal marine environments. Coastal regions often receive large anthropogenic inputs of nitrogen that cause eutrophication. The impact of these nitrogen additions has a profound effect in estuaries and coastal lagoons where water exchange is limited. Such increased nutrient loading promotes the growth of phytoplankton and fast growing pelagic macroalgae while rooted plants (sea-grasses) and benthic are suppressed due to reduced light availability. This shift from benthic to pelagic primary production introduces large diurnal variations in oxygen concentrations in the water column. In addition oxygen consumption in the surface sediments increases due to the deposition of readily degradable biomass. In this review the physico-chemical and biological factors regulating nitrogen cycling in coastal marine ecosystems are considered in relation to developing effective management programmes to rehabilitate seagrass communities in lagoons currently dominated by pelagic macroalgae and/or cyanobacteria.     

Organization of marine phenology data in support of planning and conservation in ocean and coastal ecosystems

Among the many effects of climate change is its influence on the phenology of biota. In marine and coastal ecosystems, phenological shifts have been documented for multiple life forms; however, biological data related to marine species' phenology remain difficult to access and is under-used. We conducted an assessment of potential sources of biological data for marine species and their availability for use in phenological analyses and assessments. Our evaluations showed that data potentially related to understanding marine species' phenology are available through online resources of governmental, academic, and non-governmental organizations, but appropriate datasets are often difficult to discover and access, presenting opportunities for scientific infrastructure improvement. The developing Federal Marine Data Architecture when fully implemented will improve data flow and standardization for marine data within major federal repositories and provide an archival repository for collaborating academic and public data contributors. Another opportunity, largely untapped, is the engagement of citizen scientists in standardized collection of marine phenology data and contribution of these data to established data flows. Use of metadata with marine phenology related keywords could improve discovery and access to appropriate datasets. When data originators choose to self-publish, publication of research datasets with a digital object identifier, linked to metadata, will also improve subsequent discovery and access. Phenological changes in the marine environment will affect human economics, food systems, and recreation. No one source of data will be sufficient to understand these changes. The collective attention of marine data collectors is needed—whether with an agency, an educational institution, or a citizen scientist group—toward adopting the data management processes and standards needed to ensure availability of sufficient and useable marine data to understand marine phenology.     

Microorganisms, Australia and the Convention on Biological Diversity

The Convention on Biological Diversity arose as an international agreement for the conservation and continued exploitation of Earth's biological diversity (biodiversity). It directly affects those involved in conservation, exploitation and investigation of biodiversity in all its forms, as well as affecting the viability of all life. Australia is one of more than 170 countries that have ratified the Convention. Its involvement in this Convention will be considered in terms of the National Strategy for the Conservation of Biological Diversity with a focus on the coverage of microorganisms within this strategy. Microorganisms represent a major part of the biodiversity on Earth but, as yet, remain relatively unknown. Among those microorganisms that have been described, many, originating from a range of countries, have been deposited in culture collections worldwide. The Convention contains articles that impact on ex situ collections, although precise protocols are not set out therein. An international code of conduct is now being formulated to ensure ongoing access to and exchange of microorganisms in the interests of sustainable development in industrialised and developing nations.     

Ecological restoration in the Convention on Biological Diversity targets

Ecological restoration has been incorporated into several Multilateral Environmental Agreements, including the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Target 15 of the Aichi Targets for 2020 sets a numerical goal of restoration of 15 percent of degraded ecosystems; however, the CBD has not established a clear statement defining restoration within this context. Without such a definition, the CBD will be unable to measure progress against the goal. The adopted definition of ecological restoration would have to allow for measurement against the numerical target, or the target should be modified to match the chosen definition.     

红树林湿地在海岸生态系统维护中的功能*

综述了红树林湿地在海岸生态系统中所具有的维护生物多样性、防风消浪、促淤护岸、防灾减灾、净化海水、调节大气和美化海岸带景观等方面的功能。探讨了广东及华南沿海红树林的分布状况和存在问题,指出了华南沿海现存的红树林湿地正在遭受严重的威胁和破坏。华南沿海现存红树林湿地面积仅有1.5×10⁵hm²,比历史最大面积减少了70%;广东省的红树林湿地由10年前的1.47×10⁴hm²减少到现在的9100hm²,减少了38%。提出了建立和完善红树林自然保护网络系统、积极实施红树林湿地生态修复工程、注重红树林的引种和种苗培育技术研究、充分评估红树林湿地的巨大生态效价等对策与建议。     

Effective governance of access and benefit-sharing under the Convention on Biological Diversity

Access and benefit-sharing (ABS) is a market-based approach aimed at preserving biodiversity. Its effectiveness has been questioned in international discussions for many years. It is evident that the approach’s success has fallen far short of what was expected: degradation of biodiversity continues, and only few benefits arising from the commercial use of biodiversity have been shared with the providers of biodiversity. The reason for this failure is a lack of incentives. However, an analytical assessment of the effectiveness of the concept is lacking so far. The present paper raises the question how ABS must be designed in order to be effective while also helping to protect biodiversity and promote a fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from its commercialization. This paper identifies six critical factors that determine the effectiveness of ABS governance and discusses under what circumstances a critical factor increases or decreases in effectiveness. Furthermore, the paper analyses so-called countermeasures that impact on these circumstances. In specifying the critical factors and their interplay with the countermeasures, the paper gives guidance on how to develop more effective ABS regimes.     

陆源人类活动对近海生态系统的影响

随着海岸带快速城市化和经济发展,人类活动对近海生态系统的影响日益增加。通过对国内外大量相关文献的分析和与国际专家的研讨,分别从海洋资源开发、海岸带城市化和环境变化等几个方面概述了陆源人类活动对近海生态系统的影响。目前陆源人类活动导致近海生态系统出现的主要问题有:海洋生物资源过度捕捞、海岸带富营养化、海洋酸化、珊瑚礁退化、海洋垃圾、以及海岸带矿产开采等高强度开发活动引发的重金属和持久性有机污染物污染等。这些问题会直接导致海洋生物群落结构变化、影响水质、降低海洋生物多样性,最终影响海洋生态系统服务功能,威胁海洋生态系统健康。这些问题的根源多来自陆地,必须将海洋和陆地作为一个有机整体,整合海陆系统相互作用的科学计划,推进海洋资源和近海生态系统的可持续管理。     

Safeguarding marine life: conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems

Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries - Marine ecosystems and their associated biodiversity sustain life on Earth and hold intrinsic value. Critical marine ecosystem services include maintenance of...     

《生物多样性公约》下的气候变化问题：谈判与焦点

近年来,生物多样性与气候变化的关系逐渐成为《生物多样性公约》下的焦点议题,各缔约方就此问题展开了激烈的多边谈判.本文梳理了《生物多样性公约》下气候变化问题谈判的发展历程,探讨了其中的焦点问题及各方的主要立场,指出以欧盟为代表的发达国家和以巴西、哥伦比亚、中国为代表的发展中生物多样性大国是针锋相对的两大主要谈判集团.谈判...     

《生物多样性公约》对遗传资源国际交流政策的影响

《生物多样性公约》于1992年在巴西里约热内卢签订,1993年生效。该公约提出了“国家对生物遗传资源拥有主权、获取生物遗传资源须事先得到资源所有者的知情同意、利用生物遗传资源所产生的利益应由资源所有者和开发者公平分享”三项基本原则,其生效与实施促进了各国生物多样性保护的立法行动,在维护资源原产国利益方面发挥了积极的作用,同时也给遗传资源的国际交流增添了一些障碍。本文介绍了《生物多样性公约》中有关生物遗传资源获取和利益分享的条款及其对国际交流政策的影响,并提出了加强遗传资源国际交换的对策和建议。     

Roles of experimental marine ecology in coastal management and conservation

The paper reviews the main findings of rocky shore and subtidal nearshore experimental marine ecology (EME) in cold and temperate marine ecosystems during the past four decades. It analyzes the role of EME in coastal management and conservation. The historical development of strategies for managing single or multispecies fisheries are reviewed. The published results show over-exploitation and depletion of more than 60% of the fish stocks and a lack of connection between the management of fisheries and results derived from experimental marine ecology. This is mainly due to: (a) the different temporal and spatial scale at which most marine ecologists and fishery managers operate; (b) the lack of long-term fishery monitoring and adaptive techniques for management; and (c) limitations in the design of experiments on fisheries. Large-scale oceanic perturbations, due to combinations of excessive resource exploitation and environmental variability coupled with present trends in management approaches are discussed. Modern approaches and tools for management of fisheries, such as Adaptive Management (AM), Territorial User Rights in Fisheries (TURFs), Individual Transferrable Quotas and Non-Transferrable Quotas (ITQs, INTQs) are discussed in the context of small-scale fisheries and EME. Published views on limits of applied ecological research with regards to management of fisheries are discussed. Linkages between EME, marine conservation and the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and experimental exclusions of humans are highlighted. Results derived from MPAs, such as: (a) species or community trophic cascades, and (b) the role of key-stone species and species interaction strengths, are discussed. It is concluded that the role of EME in conservation has been greater than has been the case in management of fisheries. The potential to link EME, conservation and the management of fisheries is exemplified through the proposed establishment in Chile of a connected network of Scientific Reserves, MPAs and TURFs sites. The final conclusion is that to cross-fertilize EME, conservation and management, there are three main challenges: (1) to end the traditional view of approaching the management of fisheries and marine conservation as contradictory/antagonizing issues; (2) to improve communications between experimental marine ecology and the management of fisheries through the implementation of experimentation and adaptive management; (3) to improve linkages between marine conservation, the management of fisheries and social sciences.     

Entomopathogenic Nematodes: Biodiversity, Geographical Distribution and the Convention on Biological Diversity

This paper addresses three major issues. Firstly, molecular taxonomy and its application to elucidate the biodiversity and biogeography of entomopathogenic nematodes is considered. Accurate identification is fundamental for understanding biodiversity, and because these nematodes are morphologically conservative, molecular techniques will provide the insights necessary to develop a robust, morphologically based taxonomy. Secondly, a review of the knowledge on their biogeography and habitat specificity, including a consideration of the limitations to the available data is given. Much of the information is presented in two tables which summarize the distributions of recognized species at continental and national levels. Thirdly, this paper provides a brief consideration of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its implications for future work with entomopathogenic nematodes and biological control.     

《生物多样性公约》传统知识议题的背景、进展与趋势

传统知识之所以成为《生物多样性公约》等国际公约的热点议题,主要源于其重要的研究价值、经济潜力以及特定的社会历史背景.《生物多样性公约》签署至今,在传统知识议题方面取得了许多进展,如:设立专门的传统知识工作组,为履行公约相关条款制定了工作方案和行动计划,推动特殊制度的谈判,达成一系列道德行为准则,以及通过了《生物多样性公约关于获取遗传资源和公正公平分享其利用所产生惠益的名古屋议定书》.根据公约第十次和第十一次缔约方大会达成的相关决议,习惯性可持续利用(customary sustainable use)、特殊制度(sui generis systems)、传统知识归还(repatriation)等将成为今后传统知识谈判的重点.我国需要加强生物多样性保护和知识产权等主管部门之间的协作,协调我国在不同国际法框架中传统知识议题的谈判立场;还需要开展习惯性可持续利用、特殊制度体系、传统知识就地或者活态保护(living protection)的研究.     

《生物多样性公约》介绍（之一）

《生物多样性公约》介绍（之一）白长波（国家环保局国际合作司,北京１０００３５）生物多样性公约》（英文为ＣｏｎｖｅｎｔｉｏｎｏｎＢｉｏｌｏｇｉｃａｌＤｉｖｅｒｓｉｔｙ,以下简称《公约》）按其结构来划分,共分为三个部分：序言部分、４２项条款和两个附件。同...     

中国履行生物多样性公约的成就和展望

2004年是生物多样性公约实施10周年。中国于1993年1月7日作为第7个国家正式加入“公约”。接着就由国家环境保护总局牵头组建国家履约协调组和许多联络点,下设办公室负责日常工作。可见,国家对生物多样性工作的重视和认真的态度。10年来,中国在履约方面做了大量工作,成绩显著。例如,完成了“中国生物多样性国情研究报告”和“中国生物多样性保护行动计划”等一大批重要文件,建立了“生物多样性委员会”、“生物多样性保护基金会”和相应的科学与教育部门,开展了许多科研项目和讲授相关的课程,出版了系列丛书和“中国生物多样性”学术刊物,重视开展学术交流,建立了生物多样性数据库和相关的管理政策,生物多样性保护实体和产业日益增加和发展等就是明显的事例。履约10年的经验在于下列三个方面(1)保护和发展必须密切结合;(2)“统一协调、分散管理”的方针需要进一步完善;(3)基础性和综合性研究需要加强。展望未来,只有在加强基础和综合研究以及提高管理水平方面下一番功夫,履约工作才能取得更大的成绩。     

《生物多样性公约》介绍（之三）

《生物多样性公约》介绍（之三）白长波（国家环保局国际合作司,北京１０００３５）《生物多样性公约》（以下简称《公约》）第２３条至第４２条,基本上可以归纳为《公约》的程序性规定部分。这部分共２０条,分别就《公约》的组织结构、有法律约束力的附属文件、法律程...     

Uncovering the volatile nature of tropical coastal marine ecosystems in a changing world

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), in particular dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and isoprene, have fundamental ecological, physiological and climatic roles. Our current understanding of these roles is almost exclusively established from terrestrial or oceanic environments but signifies a potentially major, but largely unknown, role for BVOCs in tropical coastal marine ecosystems. The tropical coast is a transition zone between the land and ocean, characterized by highly productive and biodiverse coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves, which house primary producers that are amongst the greatest emitters of BVOCs on the planet. Here, we synthesize our existing understanding of BVOC emissions to produce a novel conceptual framework of the tropical marine coast as a continuum from DMS‐dominated reef producers to isoprene‐dominated mangroves. We use existing and previously unpublished data to consider how current environmental conditions shape BVOC production across the tropical coastal continuum, and in turn how BVOCs can regulate environmental stress tolerance or species interactions via infochemical networks. We use this as a framework to discuss how existing predictions of future tropical coastal BVOC emissions, and the roles they play, are effectively restricted to present day ‘baseline’ trends of BVOC production across species and environmental conditions; as such, there remains a critical need to focus research efforts on BVOC responses to rapidly accelerating anthropogenic impacts at local and regional scales. We highlight the complete lack of current knowledge required to understand the future ecological functioning of these important systems, and to predict whether feedback mechanisms are likely to regulate or exacerbate current climate change scenarios through environmentally and ecologically mediated changes to BVOC budgets at the ecosystem level.     

Identification of marine and coastal biodiversity conservation priorities in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is recognized as one of the most diverse countries in species and ecosystems, in their terrestrial realm as well as in the marine. Besides this relevance, the country presents a delay on conservation and management of marine and coastal biodiversity, with respect to terrestrial. For 2006, the marine protected surface was 5,208.8 km2, with 331.5 km of coastline, in 20 protected areas. The country has made progress on the conservation priority sites identification for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity, with few efforts on marine planning. This research presents the analysis and results of the gap identification process, for marine and coastal biodiversity conservation in the protected areas system of Costa Rica. The analysis was built with the spatial information available on the presence and distribution of coastal and marine biodiversity, the establishment of the conservation goals and a threat analysis over the ecological integrity of this biodiversity. The selection of high-priority sites was carried out using spatial optimization techniques and the superposition over the current shape of marine protected areas, in order to identify representation gaps. A total of 19,076 km2 of conservation gaps were indentified, with 1,323 km2 in the Caribbean and 17,753 km2 in the Pacific. Recommendations are aimed at planning and strengthening the marine protected areas system, using the gaps identified as a framework. It is expected that the results of this study would be the scientific base needed for planning and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the country.     

《生物多样性公约》审查机制的现状、挑战和展望

生物多样性丧失是全球共同面临的一项重大挑战, 强化《生物多样性公约》的执行是生物多样性全球治理当前面临的迫切问题, 而推进审查机制建设则是强化执行的一项重要议题, 引起国际社会高度关注。《生物多样性公约》框架下已初步建立起一套涉及多个维度的审查机制, 不断审查《生物多样性公约》及其有关议定书和其他法律文书的执行情况。然而, 审查机制面临着参与审查并强化问责的政治意愿尚显不足、国家信息投入有待加强、审查结论有待助力强化《生物多样性公约》执行、各类审查工具需加强统筹协调等主要问题, 由此也制约了审查工作的完善性和有效性。本文概述了《生物多样性公约》框架下的执行机制, 并重点梳理了审查机制的主要环节和内容, 分析了当前面临的主要障碍, 并就审查机制的进一步建设与强化提出建议, 以期为开展《生物多样性公约》履约与制度建设, 以及有关的研究工作提供参考。在战略层面, 本文认为应当在整体、全面和平衡地推进构建“2020年后全球生物多样性框架”的前提下推进《生物多样性公约》审查机制建设, 应当加强高层政治推动并调动各方行动意愿, 为发展中国家适用一定的和必要的灵活性; 在技术层面, 本文认为应当强化作为《生物多样性公约》审查机制前端的国家信息汇报, 应鼓励缔约方参与具有促进性的审查工作, 为国家自主评估执行情况提供重要补充, 并且审查内容也应当全面和平衡, 可以考虑采取全球盘点机制助力各方弥合执行差距并提升执行力度。