Recruitment, growth and mortality of an Antarctic hexactinellid sponge, Anoxycalyx joubini.

Polar ecosystems are sensitive to climate forcing, and we often lack baselines to evaluate changes. Here we report a nearly 50-year study in which a sudden shift in the population dynamics of an ecologically important, structure-forming hexactinellid sponge, Anoxycalyx joubini was observed. This is the largest Antarctic sponge, with individuals growing over two meters tall. In order to investigate life history characteristics of Antarctic marine invertebrates, artificial substrata were deployed at a number of sites in the southern portion of the Ross Sea between 1967 and 1975. Over a 22-year period, no growth or settlement was recorded for A. joubini on these substrata; however, in 2004 and 2010, A. joubini was observed to have settled and grown to large sizes on some but not all artificial substrata. This single settlement and growth event correlates with a region-wide shift in phytoplankton productivity driven by the calving of a massive iceberg. We also report almost complete mortality of large sponges followed over 40 years. Given our warming global climate, similar system-wide changes are expected in the future

Recruitment, Growth and Mortality of an Antarctic Hexactinellid Sponge, Anoxycalyx joubini

Polar ecosystems are sensitive to climate forcing, and we often lack baselines to evaluate changes. Here we report a nearly 50-year study in which a sudden shift in the population dynamics of an ecologically important, structure-forming hexactinellid sponge, Anoxycalyx joubini was observed. This is the largest Antarctic sponge, with individuals growing over two meters tall. In order to investigate life history characteristics of Antarctic marine invertebrates, artificial substrata were deployed at a number of sites in the southern portion of the Ross Sea between 1967 and 1975. Over a 22-year period, no growth or settlement was recorded for A. joubini on these substrata; however, in 2004 and 2010, A. joubini was observed to have settled and grown to large sizes on some but not all artificial substrata. This single settlement and growth event correlates with a region-wide shift in phytoplankton productivity driven by the calving of a massive iceberg. We also report almost complete mortality of large sponges followed over 40 years. Given our warming global climate, similar system-wide changes are expected in the future

Technologies of contraception and abortion

Soon to turn 60, the oral contraceptive pill still dominates histories of technology in the ‘sexual revolution’ and after. ‘The pill’ was revolutionary for many, though by no means all, women in the west, but there have always been alternatives, and looking globally yields a different picture. The condom, intrauterine device (IUD), surgical sterilization (male and female) and abortion were all transformed in the twentieth century, some more than once. Today, female sterilization (tubal ligation) and IUDs are the world's most commonly used technologies of contraception. The pill is in third place, followed closely by the condom. Long-acting hormonal injections are most frequently used in parts of Africa, male sterilization by vasectomy is unusually prevalent in Britain, and about one in five pregnancies worldwide ends in induced abortion. Though contraceptive use has generally increased in recent decades, the disparity between rich and poor countries is striking: the former tend to use condoms and pills, the latter sterilization and IUDs. Contraception, a term dating from the late nineteenth century and since then often conflated with abortion, has existed in many forms, and techniques have changed and proliferated over time. Diverse local cultures have embraced new technologies while maintaining older practices. Focusing on Britain and the United States, with excursions to India, China and France, this chapter shows how the patterns observed today were established and stabilized, often despite persistent criticism and reform efforts. By examining past innovation, and the distribution and use of a variety of tools and techniques, it reconsiders some widely held assumptions about what counts as revolutionary and for whom. Analytically, it takes up and reflects on one of the main issues raised by feminists and social historians: the agency of users as patients and consumers faced with choice and coercion. By examining practices of contraception alongside those of abortion, it revisits the knotty question of technology in the sexual revolution and the related themes of medical, legal, religious and political forms of control

ALDISA SANGUINEA COOPERI SUBSPEC. NOV. FROM THE COAST OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, WITH NOTES ON ITS FEEDING AND SPAWNING HABITS (NUDIBRANCHIA : DORIDIDAE : ALDISINAE)

The dorid nudibranch, first collected from the coast of the state of Washington and observed by the first author, was identified by the second author with Aldisa sanguinea (COOPER, 1862), the species common on California coasts, but at the same time separated from this as a subspecies for differences mainly in pattern of black spots. Then, the Japanese specimens which were collected from the north to south of the country and identified in 1940 by the second author as Aldisa sanguinea should be placed under the present new subspecies. In this paper, the second author is responsible for taxonomic descriptions and discussions, while the first author is so for biological notes; of course, however, the new subspecies is proposed here on the agreement of both authors

Natural Resource Damage Assessment of the Shell Oil Spill at Martinez, California

ABSTRACT On April 23, 1988 about 400,000 gallons (9,500 barrels) of San Joaquin Valley crude oil were accidentally released from the Shell Oil Company Martinez Manufacturing Complex. The oil flowed into Peyton Slough, Suisun Bay, and Carquinez Strait of the San Francisco Bay system. Approximately one week after the oil spill, discussions on assessing the injury to natural resources were initiated between Shell and the federal and state agencies that were trustees of the affected resources. At this time, the trustees and Shell agreed that a single cooperative study should be conducted, managed by a contractor acceptable to all concerned parties. The lead trustee was the California Department of Fish and Game. However, within one month after the spill, the Attorney General's office of the State of California assumed responsibility for the damage assessment. Subsequently, legal considerations and constraints imposed by the state Attorney General's office prevented active participation in the study by the agencies. The work agreed upon included video and aerial photographic surveys, and mapping of the areas affected by the spill; a study of fish and macroinvertebrate abundance and distribution; hydrocarbon analyses of fish and clam tissue; a comparison of the effects of oil on marsh vegetation; a survey of the distribution and abundance of the benthos; an ambient aquatic toxicity study; a survey of endangered species (birds and mammals); chemical analyses of the sediment and water; chemical and physical characterizations of San Joaquin Valley crude oil; and a study of the weathering of the oil. A preliminary study to estimate natural resource damages (economic analysis) also was conducted.</jats:p

SPILL IMPACTS AND SHORELINE CLEANUP OPERATIONS ON ARCTIC AND SUB-ARCTIC COASTS

ABSTRACT Spill response operations in ice-infested or Arctic environments must take into account environmental factors or constraints that are not applicable in more temperate climates. In particular, the potential impact of oil on biological habitats or communities must be evaluated carefully in terms of species distributions and population abundance at the time of a spill. The potential natural recovery from spilled oil is reduced because of the modifying effects of ice on mechanical (wave) processes at the shoreline. Stranded oil is likely to persist longer because of reduced thermal and mechanical energy levels and would, therefore, have a longer potential adverse effect on biological communities. Environmental conditions may constrain operational response in areas of ice-infested waters or of low temperatures. These climatic conditions have not favored human activities so that many Arctic regions are remote and response resources are greatly limited. The development of spill response decisions in Arctic regions must focus on (1) the necessity for cleanup versus natural recovery, (2) assigning priorities for the protection and/or cleanup of specific sections of coast, and (3) consideration of logistic or other operational constraints resulting from climatic conditions.</jats:p

NATURAL RECOVERY: A PRACTICAL NATURAL RESOURCE RESTORATION OPTION FOLLOWING OIL SPILLS

ABSTRACT This paper evaluates the role of natural recovery in the restoration of populations, communities, and ecosystems following natural and anthropogenic disturbances, especially oil spills. Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, options for the restoration of natural resources and services injured by oil spills range from natural recovery to aggressive methods requiring human intervention. Natural recovery is defined herein as the return of natural resources to a dynamic baseline with no active human intervention. Populations, communities, and ecosystems are a product of biological responses to a wide variety of natural and anthropogenic disturbances. In an oil spill, biological communities will generally recover naturally to baseline conditions about as quickly and effectively as they will with active human interventions, and at a lower cost and lower commitment of people, equipment, and materials. Therefore, natural recovery should be considered a primary restoration alternative for each oil spill incident. Natural recovery should also be the standard or benchmark restoration alternative against which all active restoration alternatives are compared for cost-effectiveness and probable success in restoring natural resources and services. We conclude that natural recovery is a cost-effective, efficient process that, in most oil spills, restores natural resources to baseline about as quickly as would the most aggressive active restoration alternative.</jats:p