Social–environmental drivers inform strategic management of coral reefs in the Anthropocene

Without drastic efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate globalized stressors, tropical coral reefs are in jeopardy. Strategic conservation and management requires identification of the environmental and socioeconomic factors driving the persistence of scleractinian coral assemblages—the foundation species of coral reef ecosystems. Here, we compiled coral abundance data from 2,584 Indo-Pacific reefs to evaluate the influence of 21 climate, social and environmental drivers on the ecology of reef coral assemblages. Higher abundances of framework-building corals were typically associated with: weaker thermal disturbances and longer intervals for potential recovery; slower human population growth; reduced access by human settlements and markets; and less nearby agriculture. We therefore propose a framework of three management strategies (protect, recover or transform) by considering: (1) if reefs were above or below a proposed threshold of >10% cover of the coral taxa important for structural complexity and carbonate production; and (2) reef exposure to severe thermal stress during the 2014–2017 global coral bleaching event. Our findings can guide urgent management efforts for coral reefs, by identifying key threats across multiple scales and strategic policy priorities that might sustain a network of functioning reefs in the Indo-Pacific to avoid ecosystem collapse

Raindrop impactation on buildings and the icing of a cable

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:D65942/86 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

The effects of temperature on larval size in the western king prawn, Penaeus (Melicertus) latisulcatus Kishinouye, from Spencer Gulf, South Australia: implications for fishery management

Temperature, salinity and food availability are generally considered to have the most influence on larval growth and survival in penaeid species. Larval size has previously been used as a measure of animal quality in a range of crustacean species. The aim of this project was to investigate the effects of temperature (17°C, 20°C, 22.5°C and 25°C) on stage-specific larval size in Penaeus latisulcatus collected from the Spencer Gulf, in South Australia. Five different measurements of larval size were assessed: body length, body width, antenna length, carapace length and abdomen length. Results showed that larval growth rate was dependant on temperature, with growth rate greater at higher temperatures. Despite this, larvae reared at 20°C reached the largest size, while those at the temperature extremes (17°C and 25°C) were smallest. When considering average annual temperature, the spawning time that would most likely maximise larval size in the Spencer Gulf is approximately December. This coincides with current management arrangements for the fishery that protect the spawning biomass at this time of year

Impacts of increased ocean temperatures on a low-latitude coral reef fish - processes related to oxygen uptake and delivery

Increasing temperatures are expected to significantly affect the physiological performance of ectotherms, particularly in tropical locations. The shape of an organism's thermal reaction norm can provide important information on its capacity to persist under climate change scenarios; however, difficulty lies in choosing a measurable trait that best depicts physiological performance. This study investigated the effects of elevated temperatures on processes related to oxygen uptake and delivery, including oxygen consumption, haematology, and tissue health for a low-latitude population of coral reef damselfish. Acanthochromis polyacanthus were collected from the Torres Strait (10 degrees 31-46'S, 142 degrees 20-35'E) and maintained at current average ocean temperatures (+0 C; seasonally cycling), + 1.5 degrees C and + 3 degrees C higher than present day temperatures for 10 months. Aerobic performance indicated a limit to metabolic function at + 3 degrees C (33 degrees C), following an increase in aerobic capacity at + 1.5 degrees C (31.5 degrees C). Neither haematological parameters nor gill morphology showed the same improvement in performance at + 1.5 degrees C. Gill histopathology provided the first indicator of a decline in organism health, which corresponded with mortality observations from previous research. Findings from this study suggest thermal specialisation in this low-latitude population as well as variation in thermal sensitivity, depending on the physiological trait

Erratum: Prevalence of Dementia in the United States: The Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study

<i>Aim:</i> To estimate the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias in the USA using a nationally representative sample. <i>Methods:</i> The Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study sample was composed of 856 individuals aged 71 years and older from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS) who were evaluated for dementia using a comprehensive in-home assessment. An expert consensus panel used this information to assign a diagnosis of normal cognition, cognitive impairment but not demented, or dementia (and dementia subtype). Using sampling weights derived from the HRS, we estimated the national prevalence of dementia, AD and vascular dementia by age and gender. <i>Results:</i> The prevalence of dementia among individuals aged 71 and older was 13.9%, comprising about 3.4 million individuals in the USA in 2002. The corresponding values for AD were 9.7% and 2.4 million individuals. Dementia prevalence increased with age, from 5.0% of those aged 71–79 years to 37.4% of those aged 90 and older. <i>Conclusions:</i> Dementia prevalence estimates from this first nationally representative population-based study of dementia in the USA to include subjects from all regions of the country can provide essential information for effective planning for the impending healthcare needs of the large and increasing number of individuals at risk for dementia as our population ages

Assessment of riparian rainforest vegetation change in tropical North Queensland for management and restoration purposes

Changes in riparian vegetation extent in northern Queensland, Australia were assessed using aerial photographs from 1944 and 2000. Change in riparian extent was recorded as vegetation gain or loss. Changes in density were recorded as vegetation thickening. Riparian forest coverage increased by 22 ha during this time period in the Mossman River catchment. A total of 124 ha of riparian forest were gained, while 101 ha of riparian forest were lost. A further 59 ha of forest increased in density over this time period. Clearing, changes in farm management practices and natural stream channel movement have been identified as three potential causes for these changes. Areas with little or no riparian vegetation were identified and categorised into priority levels for potential revegetation efforts