Combining ecosystem indicators and life cycle assessment for environmental assessment of demersal trawling in Tunisia

The approach consisted of conducting LCA and calculating ecosystem indicators to provide a complete assessment of trawling’s environmental impacts and the ecosystem characteristics associated with seafood production. The functional unit for the LCA was set to 1 t of landed seafood, and system boundaries included several operational stages related to demersal trawling. Several ecosystem indicators from EwE were calculated. Demersal trawling in the exploited ecosystem of the Gulf of Gabes (southern Tunisia) was used as a case study to illustrate the applicability of the approach. Several management plans were simulated and their influence on environmental performance was assessed. Ecospace, the spatial module of EwE, was used to simulate management scenarios: establishment of marine protected areas, extension of the biological rest period, and decrease in the number of demersal trawlers

The Biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea: Estimates, Patterns, and Threats

The Mediterranean Sea is a marine biodiversity hot spot. Here we combined an extensive literature analysis with expert opinions to update publicly available estimates of major taxa in this marine ecosystem and to revise and update several species lists. We also assessed overall spatial and temporal patterns of species diversity and identified major changes and threats. Our results listed approximately 17,000 marine species occurring in the Mediterra- nean Sea. However, our estimates of marine diversity are still incomplete as yet—undescribed species will be added in the future. Diversity for microbes is substantially underestimated, and the deep-sea areas and portions of the southern and eastern region are still poorly known. In addition, the invasion of alien species is a crucial factor that will continue to change the biodiversity of the Mediterranean, mainly in its eastern basin that can spread rapidly northwards and westwards due to the warming of the Mediterra- nean Sea. Spatial patterns showed a general decrease in biodiversity from northwestern to southeastern regions following a gradient of production, with some exceptions and caution due to gaps in our knowledge of the biota along the southern and eastern rims. Biodiversity was also generally higher in coastal areas and continental shelves, and decreases with depth. Temporal trends indicated that overexploitation and habitat loss have been the main human drivers of historical changes in biodiversity. At present, habitat loss and degradation, followed by fishing impacts, pollution, climate change, eutrophication, and the establishment of alien species are the most important threats and affect the greatest number of taxonomic groups. All these impacts are expected to grow in importance in the future, especially climate change and habitat degradation. The spatial identification of hot spots highlighted the ecological importance of most of the western Mediterranean shelves (and in particular, the Strait of Gibraltar and the adjacent Alboran Sea), western African coast, the Adriatic, and the Aegean Sea, which show high concentrations of endangered, threatened, or vulnerable species. The Levantine Basin, severely impacted by the invasion of species, is endangered as well.Comisión Europea Marie Curie Call FP7-PEOPLE-04/01/2007-IOFMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovación GRACCIE C5D2007-00067Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación CGL2008-05407-C03-03Generalitat de Catalunya 2009SRG665 y 2009SGR484Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación CTM2007-6663

The Biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea: Estimates, Patterns, and Threats

The Mediterranean Sea is a marine biodiversity hot spot. Here we combined an extensive literature analysis with expert opinions to update publicly available estimates of major taxa in this marine ecosystem and to revise and update several species lists. We also assessed overall spatial and temporal patterns of species diversity and identified major changes and threats. Our results listed approximately 17,000 marine species occurring in the Mediterranean Sea. However, our estimates of marine diversity are still incomplete as yet—undescribed species will be added in the future. Diversity for microbes is substantially underestimated, and the deep-sea areas and portions of the southern and eastern region are still poorly known. In addition, the invasion of alien species is a crucial factor that will continue to change the biodiversity of the Mediterranean, mainly in its eastern basin that can spread rapidly northwards and westwards due to the warming of the Mediterranean Sea. Spatial patterns showed a general decrease in biodiversity from northwestern to southeastern regions following a gradient of production, with some exceptions and caution due to gaps in our knowledge of the biota along the southern and eastern rims. Biodiversity was also generally higher in coastal areas and continental shelves, and decreases with depth. Temporal trends indicated that overexploitation and habitat loss have been the main human drivers of historical changes in biodiversity. At present, habitat loss and degradation, followed by fishing impacts, pollution, climate change, eutrophication, and the establishment of alien species are the most important threats and affect the greatest number of taxonomic groups. All these impacts are expected to grow in importance in the future, especially climate change and habitat degradation. The spatial identification of hot spots highlighted the ecological importance of most of the western Mediterranean shelves (and in particular, the Strait of Gibraltar and the adjacent Alboran Sea), western African coast, the Adriatic, and the Aegean Sea, which show high concentrations of endangered, threatened, or vulnerable species. The Levantine Basin, severely impacted by the invasion of species, is endangered as well

Chapitre 20. Les océans : un lieu de rencontre pour les Objectifs de développement durable

Les océans jouent un rôle crucial pour la sécurité alimentaire mondiale, la régulation climatique, le cycle de l’eau et de nombreux autres services écosystémiques. L’ODD 14 entend conserver et exploiter de manière durable les océans, les mers et les ressources marines aux fins du développement durable. Cet Objectif devra se réaliser en articulant les objectifs liés à la conservation et à l’exploitation des ressources marines avec plusieurs autres ODD de l’Agenda 2030. Cette perspective permet de coupler les préoccupations environnementales, mais aussi sociales et économiques, et de recentrer les thèmes de recherche dans un cadre plus intégrateur. Les problématiques environnementales, économiques et sociales ne pourront être traitées qu’avec cet effort d’intégration et de réorientation de nos objectifs

Les Océans : un lieu de rencontre pour les objectifs du Développement Durable de l’Agenda 2030

International audienceLes océans jouent un rôle crucial pour la sécurité alimentaire mondiale, la régulation climatique, le cycle de l’eau et de nombreux autres services écosystémiques. L’ODD14 entend conserver et exploiter de manière durable les océans, les mers et les ressources marines aux fins du développement durable. Cet objectif devra se réaliser en articulant les objectifs liés à la conservation et l’exploitation des ressources marines avec plusieurs autres ODDs de l’agenda 2030. Cette perspective permet de coupler les préoccupations environnementales mais aussi sociales et économiques et de recentrer les thèmes de recherche dans un cadre plus intégrateur. Les problématiques environnementales, économiques et sociales ne pourront être traitées qu’avec cet effort d’intégration et de réorientation de nos objectifs

Les Océans : un lieu de rencontre pour les objectifs du Développement Durable de l’Agenda 2030

International audienceLes océans jouent un rôle crucial pour la sécurité alimentaire mondiale, la régulation climatique, le cycle de l’eau et de nombreux autres services écosystémiques. L’ODD14 entend conserver et exploiter de manière durable les océans, les mers et les ressources marines aux fins du développement durable. Cet objectif devra se réaliser en articulant les objectifs liés à la conservation et l’exploitation des ressources marines avec plusieurs autres ODDs de l’agenda 2030. Cette perspective permet de coupler les préoccupations environnementales mais aussi sociales et économiques et de recentrer les thèmes de recherche dans un cadre plus intégrateur. Les problématiques environnementales, économiques et sociales ne pourront être traitées qu’avec cet effort d’intégration et de réorientation de nos objectifs

Un modèle conceptuel intégré pour caractériser les effets des parcs éoliens en mer sur les services écosystémiques

International audienceOffshore wind farm development has become a key measure of energy transition in recent years. Coastal territories are particularly favorable to the development of offshore wind farms due to their high energy potential. However, these areas are also hotspots of biodiversity, provide attractive landscapes and are under strong anthropogenic pressures. Preserving and sharing the natural and cultural resources of coastal territories while intensifying renewable marine energies, represents one of the most important challenges for future management of coastal environments. Consequently, systemic models that consider all the effects of offshore wind farms on ecosystems and society are essential. Here, we propose a conceptual model for studying these effects, by mobilizing the concept of ecosystem service in a systemic and integrated assessment approach. To that aim, we reviewed the literature and compiled experts' knowledge in order to characterize the effects of offshore wind farms on food webs during the construction and operation phases. Then, we analyzed the contribution of trophic compartments on ecosystem functions, ecosystem services and beneficiaries, and how offshore wind farms modify the relationships between these compartments of the marine coastal social-ecological systems. Our approach helps identify the causal chains that generate the most important modifications in this system. This information could then be used to predict impacts of offshore wind farms on ecosystem services, and to suggest management trade-offs. This study reveals the need for further studies relating marine biodiversity to ecosystem services, and developing systemic approaches at different scales. The analysis of the effects of offshore wind farms on ecosystem services is crucial since it is linked to strong ecological, socioeconomic and political issues

Diversité ichtyologique en Méditerranée (patrons, modélisation et projections dans un contexte de réchauffement global)

La mer Méditerranée est un écosystème particulier de par son isolement, sa grande richesse spécifique, son fort taux d'endémisme et les invasions exotiques qui y surviennent. Malgré l'intérêt qui a été porté à la Méditerranée depuis l'antiquité, aucune étude des patrons de diversité ichtyologique n'a été menée à grande échelle et sur l'ensemble des espèces et n'a proposé de simulations de scénarii face au changement global. Dans ce travail nous avons donc, dans un premier temps, étudié les patrons de la diversité ichtyologique en Méditerranée et leurs déterminants. A cet effet, nous avons construit la première base de données exhaustive concernant les distributions géographiques des 619 espèces de poissons en Méditerranée. Nous avons mené des analyses spatiales afin de déterminer la part relative des contingences historiques, géométriques et environnementales dans l'explication des patrons de diversité. Nous nous sommes intéressés, dans un second temps, aux déterminants du succès de dispersion des espèces exotiques et nous avons évalué la congruence spatiale avec l'ichtyofaune endémique dans un contexte de réchauffement global. Enfin, nous avons modélisé les enveloppes climatiques actuelles des espèces méditerranéennes les plus vulnérables, à savoir les espèces endémiques, et nous les avons projetées selon un scénario de réchauffement global afin d'identifier les espèces gagnantes et perdantes ainsi que les régions qui connaîtront un changement dans les assemblages d'espèces. Nous avons ainsi mis en évidence le rôle des contraintes géométriques ainsi qu'une influence positive de la production primaire et de la température sur la richesse spécifique. Il est aussi apparu que le climat et l'année d'introduction sont les déterminants clés du succès de dispersion des espèces Lessepsiennes. Dans un contexte de réchauffement, nos résultats ont révélé une congruence spatiale croissante entre espèces exotiques et endémiques, et pour ces dernières une modification profonde de leurs assemblages aux horizons 2041-2060 et 2070-2099. Il est apparu que les espèces endémiques sont soumises à une pression biotique exercée par les espèces exotiques et à une pression abiotique exercée par le réchauffement des eaux. Les deux pressions peuvent s'additionner voire entrer en synergie pour augmenter la vulnérabilité des espèces endémiques.Due to its semi-enclosed shape, to its high species richness and high endemism levels and to its invasiveness, the Mediterranean Sea is one of the most particular and critical ecosystems of the world. The Mediterranean has been intensively studied since the Antiquity, yet foundations underlying fish diversity patterns have been overlooked. In this study, as a first step, we studied fish diversity patterns in the Mediterranean and their determinants. Towards this objective, we built the first comprehensive database on the spatial distributions of the 619 Mediterranean fish species. We then carried out spatial analyses in order to assess the relative contribution of historical and geometric contingencies as well as environmental influences in shaping fish biodiversity patterns. In a second step, we analyzed the correlates of dispersal success of exotic species and we assessed the spatial congruence with the endemic ichtyofauna within a global warming context. Finally, we modeled the present climatic envelopes of the most vulnerable Mediterranean fish species, i.e. the endemic species. We used those models to project expected spatial distributions of endemic species according to a global warming scenario in order to identify winner versus loser species as well as areas where a strong species turnover would occur. We showed that geometric constraints, primary production and temperature have an influence on species diversity patterns. It also appeared that the climate and the year of introduction into the Mediterranean are key determinants of the dispersal success of Lessepsian species. Within a global warming context, our results revealed an increasing spatial congruence between endemic and exotic fish faunas and for the latter, deep modifications in their assemblages expected in 2041-2060 and 2070-2099. In sum our results suggest that endemic species undergo a biotic pressure via exotic species and an abiotic pressure via global warming. The additional and potentially the synergetic effect of those pressures is likely to increase endemic species vulnerability.MONTPELLIER-BU Sciences (341722106) / SudocSudocFranceF

Potential marine benthic colonisers of offshore wind farms in the English channel: A functional trait-based approach

International audienceHighlights Communities of hard substrates in English Channel differed from those of offshore wind farms and oil and gas platforms. 157 taxa have been identified as potential colonisers of Dunkirk's offshore wind farms Functional profiles of potential colonisers were created based on the categories of functional traits represented most in each community. Communities of young offshore wind farms (< 3 y) and hard substrates had similar functional volumes, while that of oil and gas platforms was the smallest.Offshore wind farms (OWFs) have gained attention as a promising alternative to conventional energy sources. However, their installation and operation may have multiple ecological impacts on the marine environment, including the “reef effect”. The reef effect is the colonisation of wind turbines and other artificial substrates by benthic organisms, which has a major impact on marine biodiversity as it changes community assemblages and ecosystem functioning. We conducted a two-step study to predict the reef effect of a future OWF (Dunkirk, northern France). First, we explored similarities between colonisers of existing OWFs and those of other hard substrates (oil and gas platforms (O&GP) and hard substrates in the English Channel (HSEC)). We then analysed functional traits to determine a trait profile of potential colonisers of Dunkirk's OWF. Statistical analyses revealed that OWF and O&GP communities were more similar to each other than to that of HSEC. Comparing the three communities revealed that they shared 157 taxa, which could be potential colonisers of Dunkirk's future OWF. The functional profile revealed that OWF colonisers were species ranging from 10 to 100 mm in size, with gonochoric reproduction, pelagic and planktotrophic larvae, a life span of less than 2 years or 5–20 years, were sessile, and were carnivores or suspension feeders. Functional trait analysis revealed that during their intermediate stage of development, OWF benthic communities have a functional richness and diversity (0.68 and 0.53, respectively) similar to those of HSEC communities (0.54 and 0.50, respectively). However, based on using O&GP as a long-term view of the colonisation of OWFs, functional richness and diversity could decrease during the climax stage (0.07 and 0.42, respectively)

Reconstruction of Marine fisheries catches for Tunisia (1950-2010)

International audienceThe reconstructed total domestic marine catches for Tunisia’s fisheries, including large-scale and small-scale commercial catches and recreational catch, as well as major discards, have been estimated for the 1950-2010 period, and increased from approximately 14,500 t·year-1 in the 1950s to over 98,800 t·year-1 in the 2000s. The estimated total domestic catches within Tunisia’s EEZ are 1.13 times the national data. Foreign flag industrial catches were estimated to increase from almost7,800 t in 1950 to a peak of just under 19,200 t in 1975, and then decline to 560 t in 2010. Domestic landings were obtained from official reports of the department of fisheries at the Tunisian agricultural ministry and from the Tunisian National Institute of Statistics. Foreign flag catches anddomestic discards were estimated based on independent studies and recreational catches were reconstructed based on information provided by the Tunisian Federation of Sport Fishing and other surveys