Integrated management of nutrients from the watershed to coast in the subtropical region

This paper is a brief review on nutrient variation (changes in element concentrations and ratios) and the associated aquatic ecosystem responses in the subtropical region. Human activities have significantly modified both the flux and the ratio of nutrients delivered to aquatic ecosystems. Climate perturbations influence the hydrological regime and enhance nutrient mineralization and transport from land to receiving waters. Changes in land use and damming have resulted in changes in the balance among nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon elements, thus increasing the risk of algal bloom. Nutrient variation and its ecological effects in the subtropical region could be more significant than in other areas because of rapid development and high population. Aquatic ecosystems respond to nutrient variation in complex and dynamic ways resulting in eutrophication, hypoxia/anoxia, acidification, and changes in phytoplankton and microbial communities. This review suggests that harmful algal bloom, jellyfish bloom, and serious pathogens are often associated with nutrient variations. The current challenges to scientific research and management include the facts that (1) the link between nutrient dynamics and ecosystem responses is poorly understood; (2) monitoring data to support modeling and management are scarce; (3) aquatic ecosystems are site-specific and/or situation-specific and are highly dynamic, giving greater complexity in research and management; and (4) the lack of regional coordination in traditional management causes transboundary gaps. To address these current challenges, an integrated management framework was proposed for effective nutrient management. Institutional arrangements should be developed to coordinate across multiple government agencies and other stakeholders from watershed to coast. The framework should integrate an interdisciplinary scientific approach and adaptive principles regarding nutrient management.

Polycentric systems and interacting planetary boundaries – emerging governance of climate change–ocean acidification–marine biodiversity

Planetary boundaries and their interactions pose severe challenges for global environmental governance due to their inherent uncertainties and complex multi-scale dynamics. Here we explore the global governance challenge posed by planetary boundaries interactions by focusing on the role of polycentric systems and order, a theoretical field that has gained much interest in the aftermath of claims of a stagnant UN-process. In the first part we work toward a clarification of polycentric order in an international context, and develop three propositions. We then present a case study of the emergence of international polycentricity to address interacting planetary boundaries, namely the climate change, ocean acidification and loss of marine biodiversity complex. This is done through a study of the Global Partnership on Climate, Fisheries and Aquaculture (PaCFA) initiative. As the case study indicates, a range of mechanisms of polycentric order (ranging from information sharing to coordinated action and conflict resolution) operates at the international level through the interplay between individuals, international organizations and their collaboration patterns. While polycentric coordination of this type certainly holds potential, it is also vulnerable to internal tensions, unreliable external flows of funding, and negative institutional interactions.

Ocean acidification and climate change: synergies and challenges of addressing both under the UNFCCC

Ocean acidification and climate change are linked by their common driver: CO2. Climate change is the consequence of a range of GHG emissions, but ocean acidification on a global scale is caused solely by increased concentrations of atmospheric CO2. Reducing CO2 emissions is therefore the most effective way to mitigate ocean acidification. Acting to prevent further ocean acidification by reducing CO2 emissions will also provide simultaneous benefits by alleviating future climate change. Although it is possible that reducing CO2 emissions to a level low enough to address ocean acidification will simultaneously address climate change, the reverse is unfortunately not necessarily true. Despite the ocean’s integral role in the climate system and the potentially wide-ranging impacts on marine life and humans, the problem of ocean acidification is largely absent from most policy discussions pertaining to CO2 emissions. The linkages between ocean acidification, climate change and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are identified and possible scenarios for developing common solutions to reduce and adapt to ocean acidification and climate change are offered. Areas where the UNFCCC is currently lacking capacity to effectively tackle rising ocean acidity are also highlighted.

L’acidification des océans et le changement climatique sont liés par leur cause commune : le CO2. Alors que le changement climatique est la conséquence d’une série d’émissions de gaz à effet de serre, l’acidification des océans à l’échelle planétaire est causée seulement par l’accroissement des concentrations en CO2 dans l’atmosphère. La manière la plus efficace pour atténuer l’acidification des océans est de réduire les émissions de CO2. Agir pour empêcher davantage d’acidification dans les océans en diminuant les émissions de CO2 entraînera également des avantages simultanés dans l’atténuation de changements climatiques futurs. Alors qu’il est possible de réduire les émissions de CO2 à un niveau suffisamment bas pour atténuer l’acidification des océans, tout en s’attaquant simultanément au changement climatique, l’inverse n’est malheureusement pas forcement le cas. Malgré le rôle intégral des océans dans le système climatique et les effets potentiels étendus sur la vie marine et les humains, le problème de l’acidification des océans est largement absent de la plupart des discussions politiques liées aux émissions de CO2. Les liens entre acidification des océans, le changement climatique et la Convention cadre des Nations Unies sur le changement climatique (CCNUCC) sont identifiés et des scénarios possibles pour développer des solutions communes pour réduire et s’adapter à l’acidification des océans et le changement climatique sont proposés. Les domaines où la CCNUCC manque actuellement de capacités pour lutter effectivement contre l’acidité croissante des océans sont aussi mis en valeur.

Adaptive policy approaches to ocean acidification

Unlike atmospheric climate change forecasts that involve significant uncertainties, ocean acidification is considered a predictable response to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations (Doney, Fabry, Feely, & Kleypas, 2009). Atmospheric CO2 concentrations are expected to reach 467-555 ppm by Year 2050 (Cooley et al., 2009). Increases of this kind would cause surface ocean pH to decline, on average, to 7.8 in Year 2050 (Cooley et al., 2009). Models of future CO2 emissions and ocean uptake suggest that the atmospheric level of CO2 would peak shortly after the highest rate of fossil fuel combustion and then subside as the oceans absorb the CO2, resulting in increased acidification (Ruttimann, 2006).

The potential impacts of ocean acidification: scaling from physiology to fisheries

Views expressed on the potential impact of ocean acidification range from wholesale degradation of marine ecosystems through to no discernable impact with minimal consequences. Constraining this range of predictions is necessary for the development of informed policy and management. The direct biological impacts of acidification occur at the molecular and cellular level; however, it is the expression of these effects at the population and ecosystem level that is of societal concern. Here, we consider the potential impact of ocean acidification on fisheries with particular emphasis on approaches to scaling from physiological responses to population- and ecosystem-level processes. In some instances, impacts of ocean acidification may lead to changes in the relative species composition at a given trophic level without affecting the overall productivity, whilst in other instances, ocean acidification may lead to a reduction in productivity at a given tropic level. Because of the scale at which ecological processes operate, modelling studies are required. Here, ocean acidification is situated within ongoing research into the ecological dynamics of perturbed systems, for which many models have already been developed. Whilst few existing models currently explicitly represent physiological processes sensitive to ocean acidification, some examples of how ocean acidification effects may be emulated within existing models are discussed. Answering the question of how acidification may impact fisheries requires the integration of knowledge across disciplines; this contribution aims to facilitate the inclusion of higher trophic level ecology into this ongoing debate and discussion.

Coral reef remote sensing: helping managers protect reefs in a changing climate

Climate change and ocean acidification are already having severe impacts on coral reef ecosystems. Warming oceans have caused corals to bleach, or expel their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) with alarming frequency and severity and have contributed to a rise in coral infectious diseases. Ocean acidification is reducing the availability of carbonate ions needed by corals and many other marine organisms to build structural components like skeletons and shells and may already be slowing the coral growth. These two impacts are already killing corals and slowing reef growth, reducing biodiversity and the structure needed to provide crucial ecosystem services. NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch (CRW) uses a combination of satellite data, in situ observations, and models to provide coral reef managers, scientists, and others with information needed to monitor threats to coral reefs. The advance notice provided by remote sensing and models allows resource managers to protect corals, coral reefs, and the services they provide, although managers often encounter barriers to implementation of adaptation strategies. This talk will focus on application of NOAA’s satellite and model-based tools that monitor the risk of mass coral bleaching on a global scale, ocean acidification in the Caribbean, and coral disease outbreaks in selected regions, as well as CRW work to train managers in their use, and barriers to taking action to adapt to climate change. As both anthropogenic CO2 and temperatures will continue to rise, local actions to protect reefs are becoming even more important.

Research priorities for understanding ocean acidification: Summary from the second symposium on the ocean in a high-CO2 world

The first symposium on “The Ocean in a High-CO2 World” in 2004 proved to be a landmark event in our understanding of the seriousness of ocean acidification, as reported in Oceanography (Cicerone et al., 2004). The scientific community reunited in 2008 for a second symposium on “The Ocean in a High-CO2 World.” During the four years between the two symposia, more scientific papers were published on the topic of ocean acidification than during the preceding 55 years. Ocean acidification is now widely cited in the press and is familiar to many nonscientists. Participants at the 2008 symposium identified new research priorities and stressed the importance of improving international coordination to facilitate agreements on protocols, methods, and data reporting in order to optimize limited resources by greater sharing of materials, facilities, expertise, and data. Despite major uncertainties, the research community must find ways to scale up understanding of individual organisms’ responses to provide meaningful predictions of ocean acidification’s effects on food webs, fisheries, marine ecosystems, coastal erosion, and tourism. Easy-to-understand information, such as simple indicators of change and of thresholds beyond which marine ecosystems will not recover, is also needed for management and policymaking.

Predicting the impacts of ocean acidification: challenges from an ecosystem perspective

Predicting the impacts of Ocean Acidification is a science and societal priority for which modelling approaches provide an important methodology. Marine system responses to ocean acidification are complex and involves several mechanisms which impact a variety of marine processes and trophic interactions. Ecosystem evolution over the next decades will be driven by many factors including ocean acidification, climate change and modification to fishing pressures, pollution and eutrophication. It is proposed that a policy relevant ecosystem approach to ocean acidification requires a synergistic consideration of both the complexity of drivers and the complexity of responses, posing a significant challenge to existing model systems. Whilst current modelling approaches can make valuable contributions to predictive science, it is argued that developing methodologies including a hierarchy of simple and complex models and novel model paradigms, provides the optimal strategy for improving predictive capability.

Activists to Sue EPA over Ocean Acidification

The Center for Biological Diversity has notified the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of its intent to file a lawsuit to force EPA to act on speculative claims of ocean acidification. Some scientists say such acidification may occur as a result of higher concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

The group’s notice, delivered November 13, argues EPA should use its regulatory powers under the federal Clean Water Act to force reductions in U.S. carbon dioxide emissions.

Sea Champion Picked for Ocean, Air Agency

Jane Lubchenco, a marine biologist with a passion for improving public understanding of science, has been tapped by President-elect Barack Obama to run NOAA, the government agency responsible for understanding and conserving two vital components of the planet — the oceans and atmosphere.

Below, you can read Dr. Lubchenco’s response to a question on marine conservation posed by Andrew C. Revkin earlier in the year.