Climate change and invasive species interact to impact succession and diversity in Gulf of Maine marine fouling communities

Gulf of Maine subtidal communities have changed in recent years resulting from anthropogenic pressures such as climate change and the introduction of non-indigenous species. Sea surface temperatures have risen while salinity is predicted to decline; concurrently invasive tunicates (ascidians) became conspicuous members of fouling communities. These abiotic and biotic changes may lead to shifts in species composition, diversity and succession. The goals of these studies were to examine the relationship between depressed salinities and invasive tunicate species and to determine the impact of climate change and invasive species on diversity, succession and community homogeneity. Anthropogenic impacts on diversity, succession, species composition and homogeneity were assessed through field experiments and comparing community development and environmental parameters between two studies (1979 to 1982 and 2003 to 2006). Since the initial study between 1979 and 1982, three invasive colonial ascidians (Botrylloides violaceus, Diplosoma listerianum and Didemnum sp.) and one encrusting bryozoan ( Membranipora membranacea) have become members of the fouling community. Results from these studies revealed a 33% change in species composition since 1982, succession between 1979 and 1982 was directional, leading towards a stable climax community and diversity was maintained by secondary substrate provided by the hard shell of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis. In contrast, succession between 2003 and 2006 was directional in the first two years only, becoming more unpredictable in year 3 and year 4; diversity was not maintained by secondary substrate but by primary substrate due to the seasonal life-history characteristics of the invasive species. Interestingly a four season development was observed between 1979 and 1982 and a three season development was detected between 2003 and 2006. The smaller number of stages was linked to a rise in temperature that facilitated the longevity and dominance of warmer water species

Perspectives from the Netherlands on women in science

The first woman to graduate from a Dutch university achieved that milestone more than 140 years ago in 1879, yet women's participation in science in the Netherlands still needs to improve. This paper presents and puts into perspective the country's latest figures for gender participation in science. It also discusses recent developments in the Netherlands regarding gender and diversity, particularly for women in science. Finally, the paper reflects on measures to increase women's participation in science in terms of both research and policy, and in relation to current Dutch developments in science communication

Insights from China for a global perspective on a responsible science-society relationship

Ensuring that science meets the needs of society and does so responsibly is a key aim of current European policymaking. Under the label of ‘responsible research and innovation’, European Union projects, such as the NUCLEUS project, have been funded to both study and stimulate practices for the development of responsible science–society relationships. The NUCLEUS project aims to define a broader cultural, international and enriched perspective on what a responsible science–society relationship entails. In this paper, findings from a comparative case study in China are presented. Practices are analysed at the conceptual, governmental, institutional and individual levels. Our findings show that social responsibility is the key to the science–society relationship, and that science popularization is a means to enhance scientific literacy

New practices in science communication: Roles of professionals in science and technology development

Currently, Science Communication (SC) professionals who are working in the context of science and technology development, have various jobs at universities, government agencies, NGOs and industry. Their positions have changed in recent years, due to developments in science and technology and to social trends. Increasingly, SC practitioners play a role as mediator in participatory processes, or facilitator of stakeholder meetings. These roles require decisions in difficult to manage processes and in situations that are hard to overlook. A decision support system would be able to help them. In this paper we describe the changing role of SC practitioners and the context in which they make decisions. Then we argue which requirements decision support systems must meet in order to support SC practitioners in their decision making processes. Our paper is based on a literature review on professionalization and in-depth interviews with science communication professionals. Our main conclusion is that a decision support system should not only support the SC practitioner‟s instrumental decisions, but shoul

Literature review about the science-journalism relationship:ENJOI D5.1

* New version available * This report describes the first literature review results to develop a robust base for a series of studies within the ENJOI project that explore the science-media relationship. The literature review focuses on the quality and effectiveness of interactions between scientists and media to identify challenges and changes in the science-media relationship. It addresses how collaborations between scientists and media producers can improve accuracy in science communication and how these interactions can be fostered and improved.ENJOI WP5. Evaluation of ENJOI steps and analysis of the science-media relationshi

Putting responsible research and innovation into practice at a local level in South Africa

Chapter 3 in the book Science Communication in South Africa.Published by African Minds