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Poleward range extensions by warm-adapted sea urchins are switching temperate marine ecosystems from kelp-dominated to barren-dominated systems that favour the establishment of range-extending tropical fishes. Yet, such tropicalization may be buffered by ocean acidification, which reduces urchin grazing performance and the urchin barrens that tropical range-extending fishes prefer. Using ecosystems experiencing natural warming and acidification, we show that ocean acidification could buffer warming-facilitated tropicalization by reducing urchin populations (by 87%) and inhibiting the formation of barrens. This buffering effect of CO2 enrichment was observed at natural CO2 vents that are associated with a shift from a barren-dominated to a turf-dominated state, which we found is less favourable to tropical fishes. Together, these observations suggest that ocean acidification may buffer the tropicalization effect of ocean warming against urchin barren formation via multiple processes (fewer urchins and barrens) and consequently slow the increasing rate of tropicalization of temperate fish communities. In order to allow full comparability with other ocean acidification data sets, the R package seacarb (Gattuso et al, 2021) was used to compute a complete and consistent set of carbonate system variables, as described by Nisumaa et al. (2010). In this dataset the original values were archived in addition with the recalculated parameters (see related PI). The date of carbonate chemistry calculation by seacarb is 2021-07-26.

This dataset contains spatial predictions of the potential environmental spaces for pingos, ice-wedge polygons and rock glaciers across the Northern Hemisphere permafrost areas. The potential environmental spaces, i.e. conditions where climate, topography and soil properties are suitable for landform presence, were predicted with statistical ensemble modelling employing geospatial data on environmental conditions at 30 arc-second resolution (~1 km). In addition to the baseline period (1950-2000), the predictions are provided for 2041-2060 and 2061-2080 using climate-forcing scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 and 8.5). The resulting dataset consists of five spatial predictions for each landform in GeoTIFF format.The data provide new information on 1) the fine-scale spatial distribution of permafrost landforms in the Northern Hemisphere, 2) the potential future alterations in the environmental suitability for permafrost landforms due to climate change, and 3) the circumpolar distribution of various ground ice types, and can 4) facilitate efforts to inventory permafrost landforms in incompletely mapped areas.

The CARBO-ACID research cruise (EUROFLEETS+ SEA02_10) was carried out on the RV Ramón Margalef between August 2nd and August 11st, with departing from Vigo – Spain and ending in Lisbon – Portugal. The main objective of this cruise was to collect data and samples to study the potential effects of ocean acidification on carbonate marine organisms (coccolithophores, pteropods, planktonic and benthic foraminifera, and corals) along the Iberian margin. With this objective, oceanographic data and water samples, plankton, cold-water corals and sediment samples were collected during an upwelling season, along two transects coinciding with the two persistent upwelling filaments off the Iberia Margin: the Cape Finisterra and the Cape Roca. In this dataset is guiven all the acquired data recollected onboad. During the CARBO-ACID cruise we did a total of 7 stations, 4 stations along the Cape Finisterra transect (from W to E: CA3, CA2, CA7, CA8) and 3 stations at the Cape Roca (from W to E: CA6, CA5, CA4) transect (Fig). At each station we usually started with a multibeam survey, a CTD and Rosette cast. These initial operations allowed to identify the different water masses present in this area, characterize their physical properties and to recover seawater samples at specific depth levels. The seawater samples were onboard subsampled, preserved in cold conditions or with chemicals and/ or filtered for several further analysis in the shore-based laboratories: DNA, chlorophyll, fitoplankton, coccolithophores, pH, alkalinity, stable isotopic composition, trace elements concentration and Suspend Particulate Matter. Subsequently to these operations, at each station, two vertical tows with a plankton multinet (with 5 nets) were done on the top 700 m of the water column to sample the planktonic communities of the different water depths. After this, sediment samples were recovered with a box-corer to study the past oceanographic conditions, between the pre-industrial Era and the Present, with multi-proxies used in paleoceanography and sedimentology. A total of 10 box-cores were recollected and each of them was onboard sub-sampled for eDNA, enzymes and benthic foraminifera. Fifteen shipek grab samples were recollected at the Fontanelas seamount (Estremadura Spur), station CA6, to characterize the sedimentary cover and to evaluate the presence of deep cold-water corals. Preliminary results show that the stations CA7, CA8 and CA4, located close to the coast, as expected, are the most influenced by the coastal upwelling, exhibiting colder surface water, higher values of fluorescence, and more zooplankton content reflecting higher phyto-zooplankton concentrations, as typical of the upwelling waters. At station CA4 temperature was higher and fluorescence showed lower values, indicative of less phytoplankton, and interpreted as indicating a different upwelling source water from that upwelled further north. Based on the CTD data, the Cape Roca transect is more influenced by the subtropical East North Atlantic Central Water (ENACWst), while the Cape Finisterra transect is more under the influence of the subpolar branch (ENACWsp). Seafloor sediment samples showed significant differences between the stations. Along the northern transect (Cape Finisterra) the seafloor sediments show an increase in grain size from the offshore to the coast. The offshore stations CA3 and CA2 revealed finer grained sediments, CA8 were composed of coarser sand and the station CA7, the shallowest station 77 m, presented the sediment composed mainly of shell fragments and coarse grain sand. Along the southern transect (Cape Roca), the offshore station CA6 (Fontanelas seamount) has coarser sandy sediments with rock clasts and cold-water coral fragments, and the stations CA5 and CA4 with fine sand to muddy sediments. The detailed CA6 bathymetry allowed to verify the existence of small plateaus on the slope of the Fontanelas seamount, where the fossil cold-water corals fragments were found, suggesting that this area is a very interesting system deserving further study with a ROV, and to characterize the corals fields and verify if there are live corals. These recollected data and samples will allow not only to reconstruct the pH variability under different environmental conditions, but also to estimate the biogeochemical changes along the coastal ocean waters as the anthropogenic influence increases. These results will contribute to better understand and model the effects on the biota under the future expected oceans pH changes.

Vegetation surveys were carried out in four different study areas in the Sakha Republic, Russia: in the mountainous region of the Verkhoyansk Range within the Oymyakonsky and Tomponsky District (Event EN21-201 - EN21-219), and in three lowland regions of Central Yakutia within the Churapchinsky, Tattinsky and the Megino-Kangalassky District (Event EN21220 - EN21264). The study area is located within the boreal forest biome that is underlain by permafrost soils. The aim was to record the projective ground vegetation in different boreal forest types studied during the RU-Land_2021_Yakutia summer field campaign in August and September 2021.Ground vegetation was surveyed for different vegetation types within a circular forest plot of 15m radius. Depending on the heterogeneity of the forest plot, multiple vegetation types (VA, VB, or VC) were chosen for the survey. The assignment of a vegetation type is always unique to a site. Their cover on the circular forest plot was recorded in percent.In total, 84 vegetation types at 58 forest plots were assessed. All data were collected by scientists form the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) Germany, the University of Potsdam Germany, and the North-Easter Federal University of Yakutsk (NEFU) Russia.

# Can niche plasticity mediate species persistence under ocean acidification? [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x0k6djhtq](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x0k6djhtq) This dataset originates from a study investigating the impact of ocean acidification on a temperate rocky reef fish assemblage using natural CO2 vents as analogues. The dataset covers various niche dimensions, including trophic, habitat, and behavioural niches. The study focused on how fish niches are modified in response to ocean acidification, assessing changes in breadth, shift, and overlap with other species between the acidified site and the control site. ## Description of the data and file structure #### Raw\_single\_niche\_data The “*Raw_single_niche_data*” dataset consists of seven spreadsheets, each sharing two essential columns: 'group' and 'community'. These columns are crucial for subsequent analysis using the SIBER framework. **group** = species * Common = common triplefin, *Forsterygion lapillum* * Yaldwyn = Yaldwyn’s triplefin, *Notoclinops yaldwyni* * Blue_eyed = blue-eyed triplefin, *Notoclinops segmentatus* * Blenny = crested blenny, *Parablennius laticlavius* **community** = treatment * C = control * V = CO2 vents **Description of the seven spreadsheets:** 1. **Isotopes -** the dataset includes ratios of 13C/12C and 15N/14N expressed in the conventional δ notation as parts per thousand deviation from international standards. Stable isotopes were derived from a total of 251 fishes collected across three years of sampling. iso1= δ13C iso2= δ15N 2. **Stomach volumetric** - The dataset includes estimated volumetric measures of stomach contents, where the volume contribution of each prey category relative to the total stomach content (100%) was visually estimated. Data were collected between 2018 and 2019. The stomach content was analysed with this method for common triplefin, Yaldwyn's triplefin, blue eyed triplefin and crested blenny. There are 19 prey categories. 3. **Stomach count** - All prey items were counted in 10 prey categories: copepods, ostracods, polychaetes, amphipods, gastropods, bivalves, tanaids, mites, isopods , and others. Digested items that were not identifiable were excluded from the analysis. The stomach content was analysed with this method for common triplefin, Yaldwyn's triplefin and blue eyed triplefin. 4. **Stomach biomass -** The dataset includes calculated biomass derived from the mass of prey subsamples within each category, multiplied by their count. 5. **Habitat** - The microhabitat occupied and habitat orientation (horizontal, angled and vertical) was recorded using free roaming visual surveys on SCUBA (February 2018). *Microhabitat types:* t. = turf algae <10 cm in height ca. = erect calcareous algae cca. = crustose coralline algae b. = bare rocky substratum sp. = encrusting fleshy green algae cobble. = cobbles (~0.5–2 cm in diameter) *Type of surface orientation:* hor = horizontal angle = angled vert = vertical 6. **Behaviour** - Behavioural variables quantified from underwater footage and expressed as rates per minute. The behaviours are: swimming, jumping, feeding, attacking and fleeing from an attack. 7. **Aquarium**: Data from an aquarium experiment involving *Forsterygion lapillum and Notoclinops yaldwyni*, showing the proportion of time spent in available habitat types to assess habitat preference in controlled conditions. Time in each habitat type and spent in activity was derived from video recordings of 10 minutes and expressed as a proportion of total observation time. Common = common triplefin, *Forsterygion lapillum* Yaldwyn = Yaldwyn’s triplefin, *Notoclinops yaldwyni* Common.c = common triplefin in presence of Yaldwyn’s triplefin Yaldwyn.c = Yaldwyn’s triplefin in presence of common triplefin turf.horizontal = time spent on horizontal turf substratum bare.horizontal = time spent on horizontal bare substratum turf.vertical = time spent on vertical turf substratum bottom = time spent on the bottom of the tank swimming = time spent swimming aquarium.wall = time spent on the walls of the tank switches = numbers of changes between habitats #### Unified\_overlap\_dataset The *“Unified_overlap_dataset”* consists of ten spreadsheets, each sharing “id”, “year”, “location” and “species “column (with few exceptions detailed). These first columns need to be factors for analysis using the Unified overlap framework. We used the R scripts provided in the original study ([Geange et al, 2011](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2041-210X.2010.00070.x)), as detailed in the manuscript. Data for control and vents are in separate data sheets, with C = control and V = vent. **Id**: sample number **Year:** year the data were collected **Location:** North (n) or South (s), site location **Species**: fish species * Common = common triplefin, *Forsterygion lapillum* * Yaldwyn = Yaldwyn’s triplefin, *Notoclinops yaldwyni* * Blue_eyed = blue-eyed triplefin, *Notoclinops segmentatus* * Blenny = crested blenny, *Parablennius laticlavius* We used the same data as per previous section. **Isotopes C and Isotopes V:** * iso1= δ13C * iso2= δ15N **Diet V and Diet C:** For **stomach content**: we used only volumetric stomach content data as inclusive of all species of interest. It is not raw data, but we used the reduced dimension obtained from nonmetric multidimensional scaling (nMDS), thus the 2 columns resulting from this analysis are vol1 and vol2. Raw data are in the datasheet **Stomach volumetric** in the “*Raw_single_niche_data*” dataset. **Habitat association C and Habitat association V** / **Habitat - C and Habitat - V** For **Habitat association**, the columns are id, species, habitat and position. The habitat association for each species is categorical based on habitat occupied and position (e.g., turf - vertical). Information for Crested blenny were extracted from the behavioural video recordings (with each video being a replicate). The dataset is then linked to **Habitat cover** in both control (C) and vent (V) sites to determine the choice of the habitat based on habitat availability. Therefore, the habitat cover only presents the percentage cover of each habitat type at control and vent. *Habitat:* turf = turf algae <10 cm in height ca = erect calcareous algae cca = crustose coralline algae barren = bare rocky substratum sp = encrusting fleshy green algae cobble = cobbles (~0.5–2 cm in diameter) sand = sand *Position:* hor = horizontal angle = angled vert = vertical **Behaviour C and Behaviour V**: Behavioural variables quantified from underwater footage and expressed as rates per minute. The behaviours are: swimming, jumping, feeding, attacking and fleeing from an attack. Reference: Geange, S. W., Pledger, S., Burns, K. C., & Shima, J. S. (2011). A unified analysis of niche overlap incorporating data of different types. *Methods in Ecology and Evolution*, 2(2), 175-184. [https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2041-210X.2010.00070.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2041-210X.2010.00070.x) We used a small hand net and a mixture of ethanol and clove oil to collect the four species of interest (Forsterygion lapillum, Notoclinops yaldwyni, Notoclinops segmentatus and Parablennius laticlavius) at both control and vent sites over four years. For stable isotope analysis, white muscle tissue was extracted from each fish and oven-dried at 60 °C. The dried tissue was subsequently ground using a ball mill. Powdered muscle tissue from each fish was individually weighed into tin capsules and analysed for stable δ 15N and δ13C isotopes. Samples were combusted in an elemental analyser (EuroVector, EuroEA) coupled to a mass spectrometer (Nu Instruments Horizon) at the University of Adelaide. We then analysed the isotopic niche in SIBER. For stomach content analysis the entire gut was extracted from each fish. Using a stereomicroscope, for count and biomass, all prey items in the stomach were counted first. For each prey category, well-preserved individuals were photographed and their mass was calculated based on length and width. The average mass per individual for each category was then multiplied by the count to determine total prey biomass. For the volumetric method, the volume contribution of each prey category relative to the total stomach content was visually estimated (algae were accounted for). Digested items that were not identifiable were excluded from the analysis. Each stomach content dataset was reduced to two dimensions with non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) to be then analysed in SIBER. To assess habitat choice, visual surveys were conducted on SCUBA, to record the microhabitat type and orientation occupied by Forsterygion lapillum, Notoclinops yaldwyni and Notoclinops segmentatus. The resulting dataset comprised a total of 17 distinct combinations of habitat types and surface orientations. The dataset was simplified to two dimensions using correspondence analysis (CA) for subsequent SIBER analysis. Fish behaviour was assessed using GoPro cameras both in situ and during controlled aquarium experiments. In the field, recordings lasted 30 minutes across 4 days, with analysis conducted using VLC. Initial acclimation and periodic intervals (10 minutes every 5 minutes) were excluded from analysis. In controlled aquarium settings, individuals of Forsterygion lapillum and Notoclinops yaldwyni were observed both in isolation and paired. Their habitat preference, surface orientation, and activity levels were recorded for 10 minutes to assess behaviour independent of external influences. Both datasets were dimensionally reduced for analysis in SIBER: non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) was applied to the in situ behavioral data, while principal component analysis (PCA) was used for the aquarium experiments. Unified analysis of niche overlap We quantified the local realised niche space for each fish species at control and vent along the four niche classes, adapting the data as follows: isotopes (continuous data): raw data. stomach content (continuous data): reduced dimension from the volumetric measure of the previous step. habitat association (elective score): habitat and orientation preference linked to Manly’s Alpha association matrix. behaviour (continuous data): raw data. Global change stressors can modify ecological niches of species, and hence alter ecological interactions within communities and food webs. Yet, some species might take advantage of a fast-changing environment, and allow species with high niche plasticity to thrive under climate change. We used natural CO2 vents to test the effects of ocean acidification on niche modifications of a temperate rocky reef fish assemblage. We quantified three ecological niche traits (overlap, shift, and breadth) across three key niche dimensions (trophic, habitat, and behavioural). Only one species increased its niche width along multiple niche dimensions (trophic and behavioural), shifted its niche in the remaining (habitat), and was the only species to experience a highly increased density (i.e. doubling) at vents. The other three species that showed slightly increased or declining densities at vents only displayed a niche width increase in one (habitat niche) out of seven niche metrics considered. This niche modification was likely in response to habitat simplification (transition to a system dominated by turf algae) under ocean acidification. We further show that at the vents, the less abundant fishes have a negligible competitive impact on the most abundant and common species. Hence, this species appears to expand its niche space overlapping with other species, consequently leading to lower abundances of the latter under elevated CO2. We conclude that niche plasticity across multiple dimensions could be a potential adaptation in fishes to benefit from a changing environment in a high-CO2 world. 

Abstract: The Northern Gannet Morus bossanus is an avian sentinel; the largest breeding seabird in Ireland and an obligate piscivore. Gannet eggs were collected from two island colonies off the east coast of Ireland, approximately 150km from each other, in locations with divergent history of industrialization (n = 10-20). Levels of potentially harmful contaminants including Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), Organochlorine pesticides (OCs), heavy metals and mercury were measured and differences of contaminant concentrations between different colonies compared. This is the first such study of contaminant levels in Gannet, or in any seabird egg in Ireland. Stable isotopes of carbon (d13C) and nitrogen (d15N) were measured in each egg to understand the influence of diet in contaminant levels detected. Significantly higher levels of PCBs, PBDEs and mercury were detected near Dublin (Ireland's industrialized capital city and location of its largest port) compared to Wexford. No differences were observed in levels of OCs and heavy metals between the two colonies. Stable isotope analysis demonstrated that Gannets in both locations occupy the same dietary niche excluding a difference in diet as the driver of differing contaminant levels in the two feeding areas. Though Gannets travel significant distances when foraging for food (~200km) tracking studies have shown that Gannets colonies maintain exclusive feeding areas with little overlap between neighbouring colonies. Differences between colonies within the feeding range of Gannets can therefore be detected despite Gannet's high dispersal ability. These results are in concurrence with elevated levels of contaminants in lower trophic level organisms that have been found in Dublin Bay compared to the rest of Ireland, indicating potential for Gannets as a higher trophic level indicator - though variability in their diet, including feeding on fishing discard, may lead to unacceptable levels of variability for an indicator species. Authors: Andrew Power��, Philip White��, Brendan McHugh��, Sinead Murphy��, Simon Berrow��, Moira Schlingermann��, Stephen Newton��, Linda O'Hea��, Brian Boyle��, Marissa Tannian��, Denis Crowley��, Evin McGovern��, Ian O'Connor�� ��Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, ��Marine Institute, ��BirdWatch Ireland

This dataset includes the current version of the indicative distribution maps and profiles for Ecosystem Functional Groups - Level 3 of IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology (v2.1). Please refer to Keith et al. (2020) and Keith et al. (2022). The descriptive profiles provide brief summaries of key ecological traits and processes for each functional group of ecosystems to enable any ecosystem type to be assigned to a group. Maps are indicative of global distribution patterns and are not intended to represent fine-scale patterns. The maps show areas of the world containing major (value of 1, coloured red) or minor occurrences (value of 2, coloured yellow) of each ecosystem functional group. Minor occurrences are areas where an ecosystem functional group is scattered in patches within matrices of other ecosystem functional groups or where they occur in substantial areas, but only within a segment of a larger region. Most maps were prepared using a coarse-scale template (e.g. ecoregions), but some were compiled from higher resolution spatial data where available (see details in profiles). Higher resolution mapping is planned in future publications. We emphasise that spatial representation of Ecosystem Functional Groups does not follow higher-order groupings described in respective ecoregion classifications. Consequently, when Ecosystem Functional Groups are aggregated into functional biomes (Level 2 of the Global Ecosystem Typology), spatial patterns may differ from those of biogeographic biomes. Differences reflect the distinctions between functional and biogeographic interpretations of the term, “biome”. The PLuS Alliance supported a workshop in London to initiate development. DAK, EN, RTK, JRFP, JAR & NJM were supported by ARC Linkage Grants LP170101143 and LP180100159 and the MAVA Foundation. The IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management supported travel for DAK to present aspects of the research to peers and stakeholders at International Congresses on Conservation Biology in 2017 and 2019, and at meetings in Africa, the middle east, and Europe. {"references": ["Keith, David et al. (Eds.) (2020) 'The IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology v2.0: Descriptive profiles for Biomes and Ecosystem Functional Groups'. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Gland. DOI:10.2305/IUCN.CH.2020.13.en.", "Keith, David et al. (2022) 'A function-based typology for Earth's ecosystems'. Nature DOI:10.1038/s41586-022-05318-4"]}

Aim: Animal migration strategies balance trade-offs between mortality and reproduction in seasonal environments. Knowledge of broad-scale biogeographical patterns of animal migration is important for understanding ecological drivers of migratory behaviours. Here we present a flyway-scale assessment of the spatial structure and seasonal dynamics of the Afro-Palearctic bird migration system and explore how phenology of the environment guides long-distance migration. Location: Europe and Africa. Time period: 2009–2017. Major taxa studied: Birds. Methods: We compiled an individual-based dataset comprising 23 passerine and near-passerine species of 55 European breeding populations where a total of 564 individuals were tracked migrating between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, we used remote sensed observations on primary productivity (NDVI) to estimate the timing of vegetation green-up in spring and senescence in autumn across Europe. First, we described how individual breeding and non-breeding sites and the migratory flyways link geographically. Second, we examined how migration timing along the two major Afro-Palearctic flyways is tuned with vegetation phenology en route and at the breeding sites. Results: While we found the longitudes of individual breeding and non-breeding sites to be strongly positively related, the latitudes of breeding and non-breeding sites were negatively related. In autumn, timing of migration was similar along the Western and the Eastern flyways and happened ahead of the autumnal senescence of vegetation. In spring, migration timing was approximately two weeks later along the Eastern flyway than on the Western flyway which coincided with the later spring green-up in Eastern Europe. Main Conclusions: Migration of the Afro-Palearctic landbirds follows a longitudinally parallel leap-frog migration pattern where migrants track vegetation green-up in spring and depart before vegetation senescence in autumn. However, the ongoing global change have the potential to disrupt this spatiotemporal synchronization between migration timing and spring green-up with variable effects on different migrant populations.