Benthic monitoring and sampling design and effort to detect spatial changes: A case study using data from offshore wind farm sites

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. The exploitation of renewable energies, in particular offshore wind farms (OWFs), is an expanding sector which involves activities that may adversely affect the marine benthic ecology. Fit-for-purpose monitoring is required with sufficient statistical power to detect ecologically meaningful changes, but to date there have been no studies on the suitability of monitoring programmes applied to OWFs. The theoretical relationship of sampling effort with precision in community estimates and sensitivity of the analysis in detecting spatial changes was investigated, this latter assessed through power analysis. Benthic community monitoring strategies and descriptors applied to UK OWFs were used to interrogate real data variability in the marine environment. There was a general lack of clarity in the survey rationale and hypotheses tested within OWF monitoring programmes hence a lack of rigour in the survey design and statistical testing. Consequently the statistical properties of monitoring strategies have been rarely assessed. Precision of mean estimates of benthic community descriptors and the sensitivity in detecting differences in the means increased with sampling effort. At the average sampling effort applied in the OWF case studies (4 stations per impact type area and 3 replicates per station), the studies had sufficient power to detect a ≥50% change between areas in mean benthic species richness (S; 5 species). Due to their higher variability than S, more stations per impact type area were required to reliably detect a ≥50% change between areas in mean benthic abundance (N; 5 stations) and mean biomass (B; 10 stations). Higher sensitivity and precision of estimates of S, N and B was achieved with transformation of data. Understanding the general implications of monitoring design on the sensitivity of the detection of spatial changes is important, particularly when monitoring effort has to be adjusted due to logistic and financial constraints. Although there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to marine environmental data acquisition, this study guides researchers, developers and regulators in optimising benthic monitoring strategies at OWFs

<i>Malmgrenia louiseae</i> sp. nov., a new scale worm species (Polychaeta: Polynoidae) from southern Europe with a key to European <i>Malmgrenia</i> species

International audienceMalmgrenia louiseae sp. nov. is described from both the Western Mediterranean in the Gulf of Lions, and the Northeast Atlantic from off Portugal and the Bay of Biscay. The species was found in muddy sediments in shallow water and is possibly associated with echiurids or synaptid holothurians. Malmgrenia louiseae sp. nov. can be clearly distinguished from all other known Malmgrenia species by the presence of an infra-acicular process in addition to the supra-acicular process on the acicular lobe of the neuropodia, the lack of microtubercules on the elytra, two kinds of notochaetae (stout with blunt tip and slender with fine pointed tip), and exclusively unidentate neurochaetae. An identification key to the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Malmgrenia species is provided

The ability of regional coordination and policy integration to produce coherent marine management : Implementing the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in the North-East Atlantic

The transboundary nature of the marine environment requires concerted actions among neighbouring countries to improve its quality in an effective way. Coordination at international level is particularly important during the implementation of environmental policies aimed at reducing the widespread pressures derived from activities, such as shipping and fishing. The European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) aims to protect and improve the status of a wide range of ecosystem components with a regional focus, promoting cooperation among countries and integration with other environmental policies. In 2014, the European Commission assessed the level of adequacy, consistency and coherence achieved by Member States during the implementation of the first phase of the MSFD and hence this paper focuses on the cross-border coherence and coordination within one marine region in order to achieve the goals of the Directive. In particular, it identifies and analyses the main differences among the results of the implementation of the first phase of the MSFD across the North-East Atlantic region. This analysis shows that, in general, the use of existing data, methodologies and targets from related environmental policies corresponds to the higher levels of coherence among countries while a limited use of such policies produces less coherence. This suggests that the European Commission, Regional Seas Conventions and Member States should work together to identify the real connection between the MSFD and other policies to make a proper use of existing data and approaches and to harmonise different policy objectives. In particular, the review shows what might be termed a 'paradox of coherence' amongst Member States where coherence of action has to be achieved within a European policy of subsidiarity, the act of Member States having control over the way they implement framework directives. This can be regarded as a fundamental flaw in having a 'Framework Directive' instead of the greater control in a 'Directive

Can national management measures achieve good status across international boundaries? : a case study of the Bay of Biscay and Iberian coast sub-region

Coastal countries have historically implemented management measures to improve the status of their national marine waters and little effort has been made to take coordinated actions to improve the status of the entire region or sub- region of which they are part. At the European level, the adoption of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) aims to remedy this deficiency and to promote coordination among countries and an integrated management of the marine environment. The MSFD requires each country to propose and adopt a programme of measures to achieve Good Environmental Status of the regional seas. This study compares the programmes of measures of the three countries of the Bay of Biscay and Iberian coast sub-region – France, Portugal and Spain – presenting a novel use of multivariate analyses using semi-quantitative policy information. Among the four North-East Atlantic sub-regions, this study area was chosen because it showed the lowest levels of coherence during the first phase of the implementation of the MSFD, according to the European Commission assessment. The results show the differences among the three programmes, confirming the difficulties that neighbouring countries face when they are required to adopt common approaches in the implementation of this multi-sectoral Directive. Most of the measures developed in the sub-region address marine biodiversity but this is through a wide range of actions, covering different pressures and different species/habitats. The integration with other legislation is more similar between Spain and France and differs between these and Portugal. The three countries also recognise the lack of knowledge to perform the economic analysis, in particular in quantifying the costs of and social benefits derived from their measures. It is concluded here that a better use of the regional and European coordination structures is needed to fill the gaps in knowledge and to exchange good practices. More political will is necessary to take action at European and international level to mitigate the impact of those socio-economic activities through joint programmes, for which Community funding is available

Benefits and impediments for the integrated and coordinated management of European seas

New multi-sectoral policies with a regional implementation are developed when maritime states recognise the importance of managing the marine environment under an ecosystem-perspective rather than a use-perspective. In Europe, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is the first attempt to promote an integrated management of the seas from the coastline to the limit of the Exclusive Economic Zone. This paper shows that, nine years from the MSFD adoption, there remain several ecological, economic, social and governance challenges. Using information gathered in a dedicated survey of the European Union Marine Strategy Coordination Group and in the recent literature the paper identifies the obstacles preventing a successful regional cooperation and policy integration. The survey indicates that the MSFD coordination structures are, in general, well-developed but there is an apparent lack of political will to coordinate actions at the regional level. Member States request greater flexibility to implement the Directive but they put their national interests before the benefit of a coherent and integrated approach for the entire region. Differences in budget, economic sector predominance, lack of staff and the MSFD short time-scale are identified as the factors that can hamper cooperation. These have produced recommendations of possible strategies for optimising regional coordination structures which respect the subsidiarity principle underpinning the MSFD

EFFECT OF MYCORRHIZAL INOCULATION AND SUBSTRATE COMPOSITION ON SEEDLING GROWTH OF TWO ATLANTIC FOREST TREE SPECIES

The search for more efficient biotechnological tools for forest regeneration has increased over the past decades. Mycorrhizal inoculation is a valuable strategy to promote seedling growth, but its efficiency depends on the substrate used. This study aimed to investigate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation and different types of substrates on the growth of Pseudobombax grandiflorum and Apuleia leiocarpa seedlings. Experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions in a completely randomized 6 × 2 factorial design (six substrates and two inoculation levels) with six replications of 12 treatments. Both species showed similar growth patterns. Plants grown in inoculated substrates composed of 70% Cambisol and 30% bovine manure or 80% Cambisol and 20% Biomix showed improved nutritional status. These substrates had good physical and chemical characteristics (pH and P and N levels), which favored plant development and mycorrhizal symbiosis. P. grandiflorum seedlings showed enhanced growth in inoculated substrate composed of 80% Cambisol and 20% Biomix and in inoculated Cambisol fertilized with P. For A. leiocarpa, the best results were observed for seedlings grown in inoculated substratescomposed of 80% Cambisol and 20% Biomix, 70% Cambisol and 30% bovine manure, or Cambisol fertilized with P

Impediments to achieving integrated marine management across borders : The case of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Several initiatives have been taken worldwide to promote international coordination and integrated approach in marine management. At the European level, ten years after the adoption of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the Member State strategies still present some ecological, economic and social challenges. This review identifies the minor, intermediate and major impediments (respectively defined as ‘bottlenecks, showstoppers and train-wrecks’) to marine management, resulting from a 4-year analysis of national, regional and European reports. Most of the problems are linked to the resistance of countries to collaborate and to the inability to integrate the work already carried out under other pieces of legislation. The European countries will need to better integrate and coordinate their actions in marine management in the second cycle of the MSFD, in order to achieve its final goal of Good Environmental Status as well as the objectives of other environmental policies

Molecular analysis of bacterial communities and detection of potential pathogens in a recirculating aquaculture system for Scophthalmus maximus and Solea senegalensis

The present study combined a DGGE and barcoded 16S rRNA pyrosequencing approach to assess bacterial composition in the water of a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) with a shallow raceway system (SRS) for turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and sole (Solea senegalensis). Barcoded pyrosequencing results were also used to determine the potential pathogen load in the RAS studied. Samples were collected from the water supply pipeline (Sup), fish production tanks (Pro), sedimentation filter (Sed), biofilter tank (Bio), and protein skimmer (Ozo; also used as an ozone reaction chamber) of twin RAS operating in parallel (one for each fish species). Our results revealed pronounced differences in bacterial community composition between turbot and sole RAS, suggesting that in the systems studied there is a strong species-specific effect on water bacterial communities. Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum in the water supply and all RAS compartments. Other important taxonomic groups included the phylum Bacteriodetes. The saltwater supplied displayed a markedly lower richness and appeared to have very little influence on bacterial composition. The following potentially pathogenic species were detected: Photobacterium damselae in turbot (all compartments), Tenacibaculum discolor in turbot and sole (all compartments), Tenacibaculum soleae in turbot (all compartments) and sole (Pro, Sed and Bio), and Serratia marcescens in turbot (Sup, Sed, Bio and Ozo) and sole (only Sed) RAS. Despite the presence of these pathogens, no symptomatic fish were observed. Although we were able to identify potential pathogens, this approach should be employed with caution when monitoring aquaculture systems, as the required phylogenetic resolution for reliable identification of pathogens may not always be possible to achieve when employing 16S rRNA gene fragments.Patricia Martins benefited from a PhD grant (SFRH/BD/73889/2010) provided by the Portuguese FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia). This study has been carried out with the financial support of project AQUASAFE - Development of new technologies to anticipate and diagnose disease outbreaks in aquaculture (PROMAR 31-03-05-FEP-0016) (PROMAR, a Portuguese instrument for the sectors of fisheries and aquaculture funded by the European Fisheries Fund). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.publishe

Fatores determinantes da saúde mental das mães de crianças com Transtorno do Espectro Autista: Determining factors of the mental health of mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Pessoas com Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA) têm como característica principal déficits sociocomunicativos, necessitando, dependendo do grau, de um acompanhante para um suporte intenso e em tempo integral que, geralmente, vem da sua mãe biológica. Em decorrência dos comportamentos ansiosos, hiperativos, déficits de adaptação, déficits de comunicação e interação do autista há prejuízos no seu desenvolvimento, comunicação e socialização, além de interferir na rotina da família e, principalmente, na saúde mental e física da mãe. O recebimento do diagnóstico pode ser um alívio ou um sofrimento, gerando repercussões negativas ou positivas na percepção materna. Essas mulheres passam por um processo de aceitação do diagnóstico e da condição dos seus filhos. As críticas negativas, exclusão social, regras de gênero e sobrecarga de deveres favorecem o surgimento de acometimentos psiquiátricos na mãe de filho com TEA. Além do próprio transtorno, comorbidades frequentes também dificultam o manejo dessas crianças pela progenitora. Dependendo do significado dado ao diagnóstico do seu filho, as cuidadoras podem ter diversas formas de lidar com a vivência diária, mas sabe-se que isso interfere diretamente na saúde de suas mentes. Deve ser ressaltada a importância dos profissionais de saúde para nortear essas mães, uma vez que elas os vêem como autoridades de informação e se baseiam nos dados informados para tomada de decisão. Eles fazem parte das formas de apoio fornecidas e percebidas pelas mulheres que exercem a maternidade de filhos com o transtorno. A forma, tipo, qualidade e intimidade envolvidos no apoio são significativos para a percepção do suporte pela mãe. São necessários mais estudos para entender melhor a situação dessas mães no Brasil e no mundo, pois a literatura nacional é escassa. Dessa forma será possível cuidar de quem cuida

O perfil semiológico do paciente portador de hemorragia digestiva alta

OBJETIVO: O seguinte estudo objetivou descrever a semiologia do paciente portador de hemorragia digestiva alta, considerando como determinante na avaliação de potencias focos hemorrágicos. METODOLOGIA: Foram realizadas buscas nas plataformas do SciELO, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus e Google Scholar,utilizando os descritores gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcerous disease e varicose hemorrhage, sendo identificados 35 estudos, dos quais foram incluídos 13 artigos completos. Desses estudos, 5 avaliaram as principais etiologias, 2 o surgimento de novos testes diagnósticos, 2 analisaram os aspectos epidemiológicos e 1 a sintomatologia apresentada pelo acometimento da hemorragia digestiva alta. Observou-se inicialmente a abundâncias de informações conceituais sobre o sangramento, como um transtorno clínico comum, acompanhada de inúmeras manifestações, considerando que o foco hemorrágico pode ocorrer em qualquer porção do trato gastrointestinal. Neste estudo, todas as publicações eleitas apresentaram o quadro semiológico composto por algia abdominal, indícios de choque hipovolêmico e taquicardia, alguns exibiram quedas abruptas da pressão arterial, odinofagia, êmese, náuseas e estado ictérico. Os pacientes implicados, cronicamente, já manifestaram ocorrências prévias, devido ao caráter recidivante torna-se essencial investigar a existência de varizes, fístula aorto-entérica, angiodisplasia e doença ulcerosa. CONCLUSÃO: Elucida-se que a hemorragia digestiva alta representa a principal causa de sangramento do trato gastrointestinal, majoritamente manifesta-se como hematêmese ou melena e cursam com o quadro sintomatológico que auxilia na avaliação da gravidade deste e o embasamento de potenciais focos de sangramento e que contribuam para disseminação de informações e intervenções futuras