Effects of offshore renewables on benthos: prioritizing the ‘known-unknowns’

International audienc

Effects of offshore renewables on benthos: prioritizing the ‘known-unknowns’

International audienc

Benthic effects of offshore renewables: identification of knowledge gaps and urgently needed research

As the EU’s commitment to renewable energy is projected to grow to 20% of energy generation by 2020, the use of marine renewable energy from wind, wave and tidal resources is increasing. This literature review (233 studies) (i) summarizes knowledge on how marine renewable energy devices affect benthic environments, (ii) explains how these effects could alter ecosystem processes that support major ecosystem services and (iii) provides an approach to determine urgent research needs. Conceptual diagrams were set up to structure hypothesized cause-effect relationships (i.e. paths). Paths were scored for (i) temporal and spatial scale of the effect, (ii) benthic sensitivity to these effects,(iii) the effect consistency and iv) scoring confidence, and consecutively ranked. This approach identified prominent knowledge gaps and research needs about (a) hydrodynamic changes possibly resulting in altered primary production with potential consequences for filter feeders, (b) the introduction and range expansion of non-native species (through stepping stone effects) and, (c) noise and vibration effects on benthic organisms. Our results further provide evidence that benthic sensitivity to offshore renewable effects is higher than previously indicated. Knowledge on changes of ecological functioning through cascading effects is limited and requires distinct hypothesis-driven research combined with integrative ecological modelling

Pituitary Society Delphi Survey: An international perspective on endocrine management of patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas

Purpose: In adults and children, transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) represents the cornerstone of management for most large or functioning sellar lesions with the exception of prolactinomas. Endocrine evaluation and management are an essential part of perioperative care. However, the details of endocrine assessment and care are not universally agreed upon. Methods: To build consensus on the endocrine evaluation and management of adults undergoing TSS, a Delphi process was used. Thirty-five statements were developed by the Pituitary Society\u2019s Education Committee. Fifty-five pituitary endocrinologists, all members of the Pituitary Society, were invited to participate in two Delphi rounds and rate their extent of agreement with statements pertaining to perioperative endocrine evaluation and management, using a Likert-type scale. Anonymized data on the proportion of panelists\u2019 agreeing with each item were summarized. A list of items that achieved consensus, based on predefined criteria, was tabulated. Results: Strong consensus ( 65 80% of panelists rating their agreement as 6\u20137 on a scale from 1 to 7) was achieved for 68.6% (24/35) items. If less strict agreement criteria were applied (ratings 5\u20137 on the Likert-type scale), consensus was achieved for 88% (31/35) items. Conclusions: We achieved consensus on a large majority of items pertaining to perioperative endocrine evaluation and management using a Delphi process. This provides an international real-world clinical perspective from an expert group and facilitates a framework for future guideline development. Some of the items for which consensus was not reached, including the assessment of immediate postoperative remission in acromegaly or Cushing\u2019s disease, represent areas where further research is needed