Pitcairn Marine Research Outline Plan

Scientific knowledge of the Pitcairn Islands is based on a series of expeditions from 1825 to 2012. These have been of varying duration and intensity of effort, but the majority have focused on collection trips and inventories of a range of species (plants and animals) from the four islands. In relation to marine species found in the Pitcairn Islands, these expeditions have produced extremely valuable information, although this is inevitably skewed depending on the research effort on the different islands and the focus of previous expeditions (summarised in Irving and Dawson, 2012). There has, however, been no on-going scientific monitoring carried out in Pitcairn's waters, so we have no knowledge of whether or how Pitcairn's marine biodiversity has changed over this period. In 2012, the National Geographic Pristine Seas Expedition to all four islands undertook the first rigorous, quantitative measures of species diversity of algae, corals, and fishes, as well as coral cover, fish abundance, and biomass (at 10- and 20-metre depths). This important study provides a quantitative baseline that can be used as the basis for measuring changes in the marine environment over time. This is particularly important should a marine reserve be established, because it provides a "pre-reserve" baseline against which future management can be judged. (Maps of the 96 monitoring sites are included in Appendix A.) The combination of isolation, endemism, near-pristine status, and variations among the four islands—along with the relatively limited amount of research and the 2012 baseline data—provides an extraordinary opportunity to develop a more cohesive research plan linked to the establishment of a marine reserve

How can Data Analytics Results be Exploited in the Early Phase of Product Development? 13 Design Principles for Data-Driven Product Planning

The megatrend digitalization turns mechatronic products into continuous collectors and generators of use phase data. By analyzing this data, manufacturers can uncover valuable insights about the products and the users. Especially in product planning, these insights could be used to plan promising future product generations. The systematic exploitation of data analytics results, however, represents a serious challenge, as research on the topic is still scarce. In this paper, we present 13 design principles for exploiting data analytics results in product planning. The results are based on a systematic literature review and a workshop with a research consortium. The evaluation of the design principles is demonstrated with a real case of a manufacturing company. The identified design principles represent a first contribution to a still scarcely explored research field

Patterns in reef fish assesmblages:insights from the Chagos Archipelago

<div><p>Understanding the drivers of variability in the composition of fish assemblages across the Indo-Pacific region is crucial to support coral reef ecosystem resilience. Whilst numerous relationships and feedback mechanisms between the functional roles of coral reef fishes and reef benthic composition have been investigated, certain key groups, such as the herbivores, are widely suggested to maintain reefs in a coral-dominated state. Examining links between fishes and reef benthos is complicated by the interactions between natural processes, disturbance events and anthropogenic impacts, particularly fishing pressure. This study examined fish assemblages and associated benthic variables across five atolls within the Chagos Archipelago, where fishing pressure is largely absent, to better understand these relationships. We found high variability in fish assemblages among atolls and sites across the archipelago, especially for key groups such as a suite of grazer-detritivore surgeonfish, and the parrotfishes which varied in density over 40-fold between sites. Differences in fish assemblages were significantly associated with variable levels of both live and recently dead coral cover and rugosity. We suggest these results reflect differing coral recovery trajectories following coral bleaching events and a strong influence of ‘bottom-up’ control mechanisms on fish assemblages. Species level analyses revealed that <i>Scarus niger</i>, <i>Acanthurus nigrofuscus</i> and <i>Chlorurus strongylocephalos</i> were key species driving differences in fish assemblage structure. Clarifying the trophic roles of herbivorous and detritivorous reef fishes will require species-level studies, which also examine feeding behaviour, to fully understand their contribution in maintaining reef resilience to climate change and fishing impacts.</p></div

Evaluating the efficacy of small-scale marine protected areas for preserving reef health: A case study applying emerging monitoring technology

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are widely used as management tools to conserve species and ecosystems at risk from human impact. Coastal managers often focus MPA designation on biogenic reef environments due to their value and sensitivity to damage. However, difficulties in enforcement and a lack of capacity to adequately monitor MPAs often make it hard for managers to assess the effectiveness of MPAs, particularly in under‐resourced, low‐income coastal countries. Reef community data were collected at three long‐term managed reserves within the Western Visayas region of the central Philippines in order to assess the state of reef community structure inside and outside of these small‐scale locally managed MPAs. In addition, 3D structural data were captured using recently developed 'Structure from Motion' photogrammetry techniques, demonstrating how multiple quantitative metrics of physical structural complexity and health can be recorded in such analyses. These community‐run MPAs were shown to be effective even when small (10–20 ha). Mean fish biomass density was five times greater within present‐day protected sites, alongside significantly increased levels of fish diversity, richness, and size. No significant structural differences were observed inside and outside of MPAs; however, average reef rugosity, height, and roughness were significantly higher in unfished reefs compared to blast‐fished reefs. Reef substrate complexity, coral composition, and level of management, were also shown to structure fish community assemblages, with the link between reef structure and fish richness/abundance disrupted outside of MPAs. The Structure from Motion technique allows a greater range of quantitative morphometrics to be assessed than traditional methods and at relatively low cost. The technique is rapid, non‐destructive and can be archived, increasing the value of data for managers wishing to quantify reef health and efficiently monitor benthic changes through time. We discuss both the limitations and benefits of this technology's future use