scholarly journals Unfolding Jellyfish Bloom Dynamics Along the Mediterranean Basin by Transnational Citizen Science Initiatives

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Macarena Marambio ◽  
Antonio Canepa ◽  
Laura Lopez ◽  
Adam Gauci ◽  
Sonia Gueroun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Jellyfish Bloom ◽  
Blue Growth ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Collaborative Implementation

Science is addressing global societal challenges and, due to limitations in research financing, scientists are turning to public at large to jointly tackle specific environmental issues. Citizens are therefore increasingly involved in monitoring programs, appointed as citizen scientists with potential to delivering key data at near no cost to address environmental challenges, so fostering scientific knowledge and advise policy- and decision-makers. One of the first and most successful example of marine citizen science in the Mediterranean is represented by the integrative and collaborative implementation of several jellyfish spotting campaigns in Italy, Spain, Malta, Tunisia started in 2009. Altogether, in terms of time coverage, geographic extent, and number of citizen records, these represent the most effective marine citizen science campaign so far implemented in the Mediterranean Sea. Here we analyzed a collective database merging records over the above four Countries, featuring more than 100,000 records containing almost 25,000 observations of jellyfish specimens, collected over a period of 3 to 7 years (from 2009 to 2015) by citizen scientists participating in any of the national citizen science programs included in this analysis. Such a wide citizen science exercise demonstrates to be one of the so far available most valuable and cost-effective tools to understanding ecological drivers of jellyfish proliferations over the Western and Central Mediterranean basins, and a powerful contribute to develop tailored adaptation and management strategies, mitigate jellyfish impacts on human activities in coastal zones, and support implementation of marine spatial planning, Blue Growth and conservation strategies.

scholarly journals Unfolding Jellyfish Bloom Dynamics along the Mediterranean Basin by Transnational Citizen Science Initiatives

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 274
Author(s):  
Macarena Marambio ◽  
Antonio Canepa ◽  
Laura Lòpez ◽  
Aldo Adam Gauci ◽  
Sonia K. M. Gueroun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Jellyfish Bloom ◽  
Blue Growth ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Collaborative Implementation

Science is addressing global societal challenges, and due to limitations in research financing, scientists are turning to the public at large to jointly tackle specific environmental issues. Citizens are therefore increasingly involved in monitoring programs, appointed as citizen scientists with potential to delivering key data at near to no cost to address environmental challenges, therein fostering scientific knowledge and advising policy- and decision-makers. One of the first and most successful examples of marine citizen science in the Mediterranean is represented by the integrative and collaborative implementation of several jellyfish-spotting campaigns in Italy, Spain, Malta, and Tunisia starting in 2009. Altogether, in terms of time coverage, geographic extent, and number of citizen records, these represent the most effective marine citizen science campaigns thus far implemented in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, we analyzed a collective database merging records over the above four countries, featuring more than 100,000 records containing almost 25,000 observations of jellyfish specimens collected over a period of 3 to 7 years (from 2009 to 2015) by citizen scientists participating in any of the national citizen science programs included in this analysis. Such a wide citizen science exercise demonstrates a valuable and cost-effective tool to understanding ecological drivers of jellyfish proliferation over the Western and Central Mediterranean basins, as well as a powerful contribution to developing tailored adaptation and management strategies; mitigating jellyfish impacts on human activities in coastal zones; and supporting implementation of marine spatial planning, Blue Growth, and conservation strategies.

scholarly journals Mining citizen science data to explore stopover sites and spatiotemporal variation in migration patterns of the red-footed falcon

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 467-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasios Bounas ◽  
Maria Solanou ◽  
Michele Panuccio ◽  
Sanja Barišić ◽  
Taulant Bino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Migration Routes ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Yearly Variation ◽  
Migration Patterns ◽  
Species Migration ◽  
Stopover Sites ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract Citizen science data have already been used to effectively address questions regarding migration, a fundamental stage in the life history of birds. In this study, we use data from eBird and from 3 additional regional citizen science databases to describe the migration routes and timing of the red-footed falcon Falco vespertinus in the Mediterranean region across 8 years (2010–2017). We further examine the seasonal and yearly variation in migration patterns and explore sites used during the species migration. Our results suggest that the autumn passage is spatially less variable and temporally more consistent among years than in spring and that birds migrate faster in spring than in autumn. The species seems to be more prevalent along the Central Mediterranean during spring migration, probably as a result of the clockwise loop migration that red-footed falcons perform. There was a high variation in annual median migration dates for both seasons as well as in migration routes across years and seasons. Higher variation was exhibited in the longitudinal component thus indicating flexibility in migration routes. In addition, our results showed the species’ preference for lowlands covered with cropland and mosaics of cropland and natural vegetation as stopover sites during migration. Stopover areas predicted from our distribution modeling highlight the importance of the Mediterranean islands as stopover sites for sea-crossing raptors, such as the red-footed falcon. This study is the first to provide a broad-scale spatiotemporal perspective on the species migration across seasons, years and flyways and demonstrates how citizen science data can inform future monitoring and conservation strategies.

scholarly journals Tracking Marine Alien Macroalgae in the Mediterranean Sea: The Contribution of Citizen Science and Remote Sensing

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Maria Mannino ◽  
Flavio Borfecchia ◽  
Carla Micheli
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Time Changes

The accelerating rate of the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) and the magnitude of shipping traffic make the Mediterranean Sea a hotspot of biological invasions. For the effective management of NIS, early detection and intensive monitoring over time and space are essential. Here, we present an overview of possible applications of citizen science and remote sensing in monitoring alien seaweeds in the Mediterranean Sea. Citizen science activities, involving the public (e.g., tourists, fishermen, divers) in the collection of data, have great potential for monitoring NIS. The innovative methodologies, based on remote sensing techniques coupled with in situ/laboratory advanced sampling/analysis methods for tracking such species, may be useful and effective tools for easily assessing NIS distribution patterns and monitoring the space/time changes in habitats in order to support the sustainable management of the ecosystems. The reported case studies highlight how these cost-effective systems can be useful complementary tools for monitoring NIS, especially in marine protected areas, which, despite their fundamental role in the conservation of marine biodiversity, are not immune to the introduction of NIS. To ensure effective and long-lasting management strategies, collaborations between researchers, policy makers and citizens are essential.

scholarly journals Vulnerable Forests of the Pink Sea Fan Eunicella verrucosa in the Mediterranean Sea

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Chimienti
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
New Records ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Ligurian Sea ◽  
New Finding ◽  
Commercial Value ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Sea Fan

The pink sea fan Eunicella verrucosa (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Alcyonacea) can form coral forests at mesophotic depths in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite the recognized importance of these habitats, they have been scantly studied and their distribution is mostly unknown. This study reports the new finding of E. verrucosa forests in the Mediterranean Sea, and the updated distribution of this species that has been considered rare in the basin. In particular, one site off Sanremo (Ligurian Sea) was characterized by a monospecific population of E. verrucosa with 2.3 ± 0.2 colonies m−2. By combining new records, literature, and citizen science data, the species is believed to be widespread in the basin with few or isolated colonies, and 19 E. verrucosa forests were identified. The overall associated community showed how these coral forests are essential for species of conservation interest, as well as for species of high commercial value. For this reason, proper protection and management strategies are necessary.

scholarly journals A Review on Management Strategies of the Terraced Agricultural Systems and Conservation Actions to Maintain Cultural Landscapes around the Mediterranean Area

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4475
Author(s):  
Emanuela Cicinelli ◽  
Giulia Caneva ◽  
Valentina Savo
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Cultural Landscapes ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
Human Environment ◽  
The Mediterranean

Coupled human–environment systems and traditional agricultural landscapes can be a key element in the conservation of biodiversity, ecological functionality, and cultural heritage. Terraced landscapes are a relevant example of traditional landscapes within the Mediterranean area, but they are now threatened due to the abandonment of agricultural activities. In order to identify factors that can affect the conservation strategies needed to maintain terraced landscapes in the Mediterranean area, we performed a literature review on studies about terraces and their management, soil erosion and vegetation dynamics after abandonment, etc. We collated a total of 285 scientific papers reporting 293 case studies in 19 countries. The majority of these studies analyze dry stone terraces and their influence on soil erosion and water runoff, either in cultivated or abandoned terrace systems. Only a minority of papers suggest maintenance or conservation strategies or involve farmers, exploring their decision-making. The conservation of terraced landscapes is in the hands of local farmers, and thus they should be actively involved in decision-making to find the most suitable strategies for assuring the continuity in farming and preserve cultural landscapes in the Mediterranean area.

An evaluation of a shoulder rehabilitation class in a UK hospital following evidence-based modifications

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Emily Kell ◽  
John A. Hammond ◽  
Sophie Andrews ◽  
Christina Germeni ◽  
Helen Hingston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Shoulder Pain ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Rehabilitation Programme ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Satisfaction Survey ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Patient Satisfaction Survey ◽  
Significant Difference

OBJECTIVES: Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder, which carries a high cost to healthcare systems. Exercise is a common conservative management strategy for a range of shoulder conditions and can reduce shoulder pain and improve function. Exercise classes that integrate education and self-management strategies have been shown to be cost-effective, offer psycho-social benefits and promote self-efficacy. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of an 8-week educational and exercise-based shoulder rehabilitation programme following the introduction of evidence-based modifications. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of a shoulder rehabilitation programme at X Trust was conducted, comparing existing anonymised Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) scores from two cohorts of class participants from 2017-18 and 2018-19 that were previously collected by the physiotherapy team. Data from the two cohorts were analysed separately, and in comparison, to assess class efficacy. Descriptive data were also analysed from a patient satisfaction survey from the 2018-19 cohort. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients completed the 8-week shoulder rehabilitation programme during the period of data collection (2018-2019). The 2018-19 cohort showed significant improvements in SPADI (p 0.001) and PSFS scores (p 0.001). No significant difference was found between the improvements seen in the 2017-18 cohort and the 2018-19 cohort. 96% of the 31 respondents who completed the patient satisfaction survey felt the class helped to achieve their goals. CONCLUSION: A group-based shoulder rehabilitation class, which included loaded exercises and patient education, led to improvements in pain, disability and function for patients with rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP) in this outpatient setting, but anticipated additional benefits based on evidence were not observed.

scholarly journals Cyanobacterial Abundance and Microcystin Profiles in Two Southern British Lakes: The Importance of Abiotic and Biotic Interactions

Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 503 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Hartnell ◽  
Ian J. Chapman ◽  
Nick G. H. Taylor ◽  
Genoveva F. Esteban ◽  
Andrew D. Turner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Tandem Mass ◽  
Recreational Waters ◽  
Cyanobacteria Blooms ◽  
Freshwater Bodies

Freshwater cyanobacteria blooms represent a risk to ecological and human health through induction of anoxia and release of potent toxins; both conditions require water management to mitigate risks. Many cyanobacteria taxa may produce microcystins, a group of toxic cyclic heptapeptides. Understanding the relationships between the abiotic drivers of microcystins and their occurrence would assist in the implementation of targeted, cost-effective solutions to maintain safe drinking and recreational waters. Cyanobacteria and microcystins were measured by flow cytometry and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry in two interconnected reservoirs varying in age and management regimes, in southern Britain over a 12-month period. Microcystins were detected in both reservoirs, with significantly higher concentrations in the southern lake (maximum concentration >7 µg L−1). Elevated microcystin concentrations were not positively correlated with numbers of cyanobacterial cells, but multiple linear regression analysis suggested temperature and dissolved oxygen explained a significant amount of the variability in microcystin across both reservoirs. The presence of a managed fishery in one lake was associated with decreased microcystin levels, suggestive of top down control on cyanobacterial populations. This study supports the need to develop inclusive, multifactor holistic water management strategies to control cyanobacterial risks in freshwater bodies.

scholarly journals Proximate Composition and Its Seasonality of the Mediterranean Green Crab:Carcinus aestuariiNardo, 1847 (Brachyura, Portunidae), in Southern Tunisian Waters (Central Mediterranean)

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Baklouti ◽  
Abdelkarim Derbali ◽  
Khalifa Dhieb ◽  
Wassim Kammoun ◽  
Othman Jarboui
Keyword(s):  
Proximate Composition ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Lipid Contents ◽  
Size Groups ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Edible Parts

The Mediterranean green crabCarcinus aestuariiwas recorded in Tunisian waters several years ago. However, since its record in the Gulf of Gabes, no studies have been carried out about the spread of this crab. Because there is a lack of nutritional information concerning this species, this study aimed to characterize the chemical composition of hepatopancreas and gonads ofCarcinus aestuariiin view of potential health implication for consumers and to determine the seasonal nutritional quality of females and males taken separately for various size groups. In this study, a total of 1399 individuals were collected along the Sfax coast. The nutritional value of various edible parts ofCarcinus aestuariiwas evaluated, and gender differences in terms of edible yield and proximate composition, protein, mineral, lipid, and water content, were compared for season, age, and sex. The biochemical compositions were strongly influenced by sex, age, and seasons. The highest protein and lipid contents were detected in gonads and hepatopancreas of females. Autumn was the season with the highest protein content and lowest fat content. Therefore, people with particular diets constrains should consume the ovaries of females in autumn and it should moderate in winter. The hepatopancreas and gonads from Tunisian waters can be a good source of proteins and mineral.

Cucumber vs Ants: a Case Against the Myth of the Uses of Plant Extracts in Insect Pest Management

Sociobiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 5813
Author(s):  
Matan Shelomi ◽  
Bo-Jun Qiu ◽  
Lin-Ting Huang
Keyword(s):  
Plant Extracts ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Detectable Effect ◽  
Realistic Situation ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Ant Repellent

An accumulation of questionable scientific reports on the use of natural plant extracts to control household pest insects, using biologically irrelevant experimental designs and extremely high concentrations, has resulted in a publication bias: “promising” studies claiming readily available plants can repel various insects, including social insects, despite no usable data to judge cost-effectiveness or sustainability in a realistic situation. The Internet provides a further torrent of untested claims, generating a background noise of misinformation. An example is the belief that cucumbers are “natural” ant repellent, widely reported in such informal literature, despite no direct evidence for or against this claim. We tested this popular assertion using peel extracts of cucumber and the related bitter melon as olfactory and gustatory repellents against ants. Extracts of both fruit peels in water, methanol, or hexane were statistically significant but effectively weak gustatory repellents. Aqueous cucumber peel extract has a significant but mild olfactory repellent effect: about half of the ants were repelled relative to none in a control. While the myth may have a grain of truth to it, as cucumber does have a mild but detectable effect on ants in an artificial setup, its potential impact on keeping ants out of a treated perimeter would be extremely short-lived and not cost-effective. Superior ant management strategies are currently available. The promotion of “natural” products must be rooted in scientific evidence of a successful and cost-effective implementation prospect.

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