Submit to JMSE Review for JMSE Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Marine Observation and Monitoring towards an Ecosystem Approach

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Ocean Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2020) | Viewed by 24639

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Alain Lefebvre

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor

Laboratoire Environnement Ressources de Boulogne-sur-Mer, French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER), 62200 Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
Interests: dynamics and diversity of phytoplankton; harmful algal blooms; eutrophication; development and implementation of automated and high-resolution systems to support monitoring; Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Understanding marine ecosystems is crucial for the sustainable management of the global ocean and its living and non-living resources. Ecosystem goods and services are underpinned by ecosystem functioning and therefore depend on ecosystem components and their interactions. In this context, the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC) establishes a framework for community action in marine environmental policy. Based on a DPSIR (Driver Pressure State Impact Response) framework, the goal of the MSFD is progress towards a Good Ecological Status (GES) by 2020. The GES assessment depends on eleven descriptors (from biodiversity to noise, including eutrophication, contaminants, etc.) that have a set of criteria and indicators based on networks of observations and monitoring programs. Unfortunately, despite some consensus on conventional low-resolution observations and the increasing implementation of new technology and IT developments for high spatial and temporal resolution observations, most of the observation and monitoring programs are too fragmented and lack harmonized and standardized procedures. Moreover, data integration and aggregation rules need to be further developed, and some indicators/criteria need to be improved or strengthened.

Considering the need to implement sound marine observation and monitoring strategies to acquire, integrate, and process high-quality data (physical, biogeochemical, and biological), and in support of increasing knowledge for fulfilling this ecosystem approach goal, the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is announcing a Special Issue on the topic entitled “Marine Observation and Monitoring: Towards an Ecosystem Approach” to appear in 2020.

Dr. Alain Lefebvre
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

marine observation and monitoring
MSFD
biodiversity
phytoplankton
zooplankton
fish
invasive species
food web
hydrology
contaminants
marine litter
noise
climate change

Published Papers (9 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

13 pages, 2389 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biomonitoring of the Application of Monoculture and Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) Using Macrobenthic Structures at Tembelas Island, Kepulauan Riau Province, Indonesia

by Sapto P. Putro, Jeanny Sharani, Widowati, Satriyo Adhy and Suryono

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(11), 942; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8110942 - 19 Nov 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2715

Abstract

Sustainable aquaculture needs to be considered when it comes to the utilization of water resources. The aim of this study was to apply biomonitoring using macrobenthic structures on both spatial and temporal applications of monoculture and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) at Tembelas Island, Kepulauan Riau Province, Indonesia. Samples of sediment were taken from three fish farm locations, namely from an IMTA site, a monoculture site, and a reference site. Macrobenthic organisms obtained through rinsing, sieving, and sorting were then identified under a stereo-microscope. Diversity of the macrobenthic assemblages was analyzed with a Shannon-Wiener index (H’). Equitability was expressed through Pielou’s evenness index. Finally, Bray-Curtis’ non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) was used for similarities derived from log (X+1) transformed macrobenthic abundance to provide a visual representation of differences in their structure between sites over time. Results showed polychaetes exhibited differences in both variation and abundance of genera between the farm and reference site. The assemblage of macrobenthos at the IMTA site consisted of 9 genera of gastropods, 3 genera of bivalves, 5 genera of polychaetes, and 2 genera of crustaceans. At the monoculture site, 12 genera of gastropods, 4 genera of bivalves, 8 genera of polychaetes, 1 genera of crustaceans, and 1 genera of ophiuroid were observed. A relatively high abundance was observed at the reference site, with 27 genera of gastropods, 11 genera of bivalves, 3 genera of polychaetes, and 1 genera of crustacean. The favorable water conditions and possible absence of waste input from aquaculture resulting in a more suitable habitat for macrobenthic life may explain this relative abundance. Some of them were recognised as opportunistic taxa, i.e., Capitella sp., Heteromastus sp., and Lumbrinereis sp. Based on the diversity and evenness indices and the MNDS ordination, it can be concluded that the application of IMTA systems results in a suppressed or reduced potential impact on environmental disturbance due to aquacultural activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Observation and Monitoring towards an Ecosystem Approach)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 11874 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Satellite and In Situ Monitoring of Chl-a, Turbidity, and Total Suspended Matter in Coastal Waters: Experience of the Year 2017 along the French Coasts

by Francis Gohin, Philippe Bryère, Alain Lefebvre, Pierre-Guy Sauriau, Nicolas Savoye, Vincent Vantrepotte, Yann Bozec, Thierry Cariou, Pascal Conan, Sylvain Coudray, Gaelle Courtay, Sylvaine Françoise, Anne Goffart, Tania Hernández Fariñas, Maud Lemoine, Aude Piraud, Patrick Raimbault and Michael Rétho

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(9), 665; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8090665 - 28 Aug 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3627

Abstract

The consistency of satellite and in situ time series of Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), Turbidity and Total Suspended Matters (TSM) was investigated at 17 coastal stations throughout the year 2017. These stations covered different water types, from relatively clear waters in the Mediterranean Sea to moderately turbid regions in the Bay of Biscay and the southern bight of the North-Sea. Satellite retrievals were derived from MODIS/AQUA, VIIRS/NPP and OLCI-A/Sentinel-3 spectral reflectance. In situ data were obtained from the coastal phytoplankton networks SOMLIT (CNRS), REPHY (Ifremer) and associated networks. Satellite and in situ retrievals of the year 2017 were compared to the historical seasonal cycles and percentiles, 10 and 90, observed in situ. Regarding the sampling frequency in the Mediterranean Sea, a weekly in situ sampling allowed all major peaks in Chl-a caught from space to be recorded at sea, and, conversely, all in situ peaks were observed from space in a frequently cloud-free atmosphere. In waters of the Eastern English Channel, lower levels of Chl-a were observed, both in situ and from space, compared to the historical averages. However, despite a good overall agreement for low to moderate biomass, the satellite method, based on blue and green wavelengths, tends to provide elevated and variable Chl-a in a high biomass environment. Satellite-derived TSM and Turbidity were quite consistent with in situ measurements. Moreover, satellite retrievals of the water clarity parameters often showed a lower range of variability than their in situ counterparts did, being less scattered above and under the seasonal curves of percentiles 10 and 90. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Observation and Monitoring towards an Ecosystem Approach)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 4195 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carbon Sources Supporting Macro-Invertebrate Communities in Restored Mangrove Forests from Hau Loc, Thanh Hoa, Vietnam

by Pham Van Hieu, Nguyen Thi Hoang Ha, Luu Viet Dung and Koji Omori

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(9), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8090651 - 25 Aug 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2610

Abstract

Mangrove forests are important in providing habitats for complex communities of terrestrial and marine fauna. Moreover, they are recognized as highly productive ecosystems in providing nutrients to mangrove food webs or exporting them to nearby coastal waters. In the present study, stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen were applied to examine the changes in the diets of benthic invertebrate communities following mangrove restoration. The isotope signature of invertebrate tissues varied among the forest ages and locations and ranged from 3.7 ± 1.0 to 13.9 ± 1.1‰ and −26.6 ± 0.5 to −15.0 ± 0.4‰ for δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C, respectively. The results showed that the food source assimilation of macro-invertebrates is slightly altered from a mixture of benthic microalgae and marine phytoplankton in the mudflat to a combination of benthic microalgae and sediment organic matter in the Sonneratia caseolaris and the Kandelia obovata forests. Therefore, the diets of macro-invertebrates varied following forest ages and the position of the forest in the intertidal zone. These insights from the present study are useful for the effective conservation and restoration of mangrove forests in Vietnam and worldwide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Observation and Monitoring towards an Ecosystem Approach)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 3397 KiB

Open AccessArticle

DSPIR Framework as Planning and Management Tools for the La Boquita Coastal System, Manzanillo, Mexico

by Julieta Hernández-López, Omar Cervantes, Aramis Olivos-Ortiz and Rubén Ricardo Guzmán-Reyna

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(8), 615; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8080615 - 17 Aug 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3003

Abstract

Coastal ecosystems are attractive sites for tourism. In the central Pacific coast of Mexico in the La Boquita coastal system (LBCS), consisting of a beach and a coastal lagoon, the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model was implemented for the spatial and temporal analysis of socio environmental indicators, aiming to gather information for decision-making and implementation of management strategies. The spatial occupation (umbrellas and tables) of the beach showed a 50–200% increase during the Easter season relative to the low season, while the area containing restaurants (called “ramadas”) increased by 396% in 15 years, representing pressure on land use for tourism purposes. The density of beach users ranged from moderate to high (<10 m²/user) during the holiday seasons in the tourism area. The Trophic index (TRIX), used as an indicator of trophic status, revealed mesotrophic-to-eutrophic conditions in lagoon water due to the limited water exchange with the adjacent ocean and to DIN and DIP inputs from adjacent tourist areas. The analysis of the environmental legislation showed that law enforcement in the LBCS is poor or nil, with most environmental regulations either ignored or having inadequate enforcement monitoring. This has led to the current state of socio environmental disruption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Observation and Monitoring towards an Ecosystem Approach)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

24 pages, 18263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Coastal-Shelf Seascapes to Support Marine Policies Using Operational Coastal Oceanography: The French Example

by Emilie Tew-Kai, Victor Quilfen, Marie Cachera and Martial Boutet

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(8), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8080585 - 05 Aug 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2210

Abstract

In the context of maritime spatial planning and the implementation of spatialized Good Environmental Status indicators in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the definition of a mosaic composed of coherent and standardised spatial units is necessary. We propose here a characterization of seascapes in time and space within the specific framework of the MSFD in the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay areas. A spatio-temporal classification of coastal-shelf water masses is carried out using twelve essential oceanographic and derived variables from operational coastal oceanography using the HYCOM model. Partitioning is computed using a multivariate hybrid two-step clustering process defining a time series of categorical maps representing hydrographical patch classes. Main patch occurrence is analyzed to understand their spatio-temporal dynamics and their oceanographic characteristics. Finally, patch classes are combined with MSFD marine sub-region delimitations to build seascapes, including ecosystem approach management and marine policy considerations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Observation and Monitoring towards an Ecosystem Approach)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 4143 KiB

Open AccessArticle

First Comprehensive Quantitative Multi-Parameter Assessment of the Eutrophication Status from Coastal to Marine French Waters in the English Channel, the Celtic Sea, the Bay of Biscay, and the Mediterranean Sea

by Alain Lefebvre and David Devreker

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(8), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8080561 - 25 Jul 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2463

Abstract

The first quantitative and comprehensive assessment of the eutrophication status from coastal to offshore French waters was performed within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD descriptor 5) for the English Channel, the southern bight of the North Sea, the Celtic Seas, the Bay of Biscay and the Western Mediterranean Sea. Based on a combination of different data sources (in situ, satellite, and modeling products), a fully-integrated dataset was generated over the period 2010–2016. Using the best available knowledge on the eutrophication process and definition, the assessment procedure was implemented considering nutrient pressures, and direct and indirect effects of excessive inputs. The different steps of the assessment were: (i) Establishment of assessment levels and thresholds, (ii) development of methodology for aggregation and integration of data, and (iii) qualification of the Environmental Status. We investigated how reliable this assessment procedure was when considering other complementary information. Results highlighted that, despite efforts in recent decades to reduced nutrient inputs, the pressure on coastal marine ecosystems was still high. We discuss options for improving the coherence between MSFD and other similar approaches and associated monitoring programs. This study identifies areas where an increased monitoring effort is needed to improve the assessment and where environmental management actions are of priority. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Observation and Monitoring towards an Ecosystem Approach)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 2209 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Cold and Warm Anomalies on Phytoplankton Pigment Composition in Waters off the Northern Baja California Peninsula (México): 2007–2016

by Adriana González-Silvera, Eduardo Santamaría-del-Ángel, Víctor Camacho-Ibar, Jorge López-Calderón, Jonatan Santander-Cruz and Alfredo Mercado-Santana

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(7), 533; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8070533 - 18 Jul 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2489

Abstract

In this study, we report the response of phytoplankton community composition to cold and warm interannual events affecting the waters off the Baja California Peninsula from 2007 to 2016 based on data obtained from a single marine station (31.75° N/116.96° W). Included variables were satellite chlorophyll a, sea surface temperature (MODIS/Aqua), upwelling intensity, and field data (phytoplankton pigments, inorganic nutrients, light penetration). Phytoplankton pigments were determined by high performance liquid chromatography, and CHEMTAX software was used to determine the relative contributions of the main taxonomic groups to chlorophyll a. Our results confirm the decrease in phytoplankton biomass due to the influence of the recent Pacific Warm Anomaly (2014) and El Niño 2015–2016. However, this decrease was especially marked at the surface. When data from the entire water column was considered, this decrease was not significant, because at the subsurface Chla did not decrease as much. Nevertheless, significant changes in community composition occurred in the entire water column with Cyanobacteria (including Prochlorococcus) and Prymnesiophytes being dominant at the surface, while Chlorophytes and Prasinophytes made a strong contribution at the subsurface. Analysis of the spatial distribution of SST and satellite chlorophyll a made it possible to infer the spatial extension of these anomalies at a regional scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Observation and Monitoring towards an Ecosystem Approach)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 1832 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial-Monthly Variations and Influencing Factors of Dissolved Oxygen in Surface Water of Zhanjiang Bay, China

by Fengxia Zhou, Xuan Lu, Fajin Chen, Qingmei Zhu, Yafei Meng, Chunqing Chen, Qibin Lao and Shuwen Zhang

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(6), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8060403 - 02 Jun 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2183

Abstract

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is one of the most important factors for maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem. The information of DO in large estuaries or bays with large entrances has been widely studied, while it is relatively limited for a bay with a narrow entrance which is vulnerable to human activities. The Zhanjiang Bay, located in the northwestern South China Sea, has a very narrow entrance and suffers from strong anthropogenic activities and obvious seasonal variations in environmental parameters. In this study, we analyzed the spatial and monthly variations of DO, apparent oxygen utilization (AOU), percent oxygen saturation (DO-saturation), and related environmental parameters in the surface water of Zhanjiang Bay to find out the factors controlling the dynamics of DO. Different from many other coastal ecosystems, DO concentrations in the Zhanjiang Bay reached minimum values in late spring and early autumn. The phytoplankton bloom in summer months, which was related to the high concentrations of nutrients brought by rainfall-induced terrestrial inputs, contributed to that phenomenon. Though high chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentrations were observed in both the summer months and December, the DO-saturation values were relatively low and AOU values were relatively high in summer months. Rainfall-induced terrestrial discharge in summer months, which had high concentrations of chemical oxygen demand, contributed much to that phenomenon. The average DO concentrations and DO-saturation values in a hydrological year decreased seaward, and AOU values increased seaward, indicating the anthropogenic influence from terrestrial input. The highest annual average Chl a concentration, relatively high annual average DO-saturation value and relatively low annual AOU value were observed near the Donghai Dam. This indicated that the construction of Donghai Dam has significant influences on the environment of Zhanjiang Bay. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Observation and Monitoring towards an Ecosystem Approach)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 11575 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Trajectories of Changes in Phytoplankton Biomass, Phaeocystis globosa and Diatom (incl. Pseudo-nitzschia sp.) Abundances Related to Nutrient Pressures in the Eastern English Channel, Southern North Sea

by Alain Lefebvre and Camille Dezécache

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2020, 8(6), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8060401 - 02 Jun 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2727

Abstract

The phytoplankton compartment is particularly reactive to changes in nutrient concentration and is used as a quality indicator. Using a simple numerical approach, the response of emblematic harmful taxa from the eastern English Channel and southern North Sea to changes in nutrient inputs was studied. The method is based on a diachronic approach using averaged maxima over sliding periods of six years (1994–2018). This gave a final dataset containing pairs of points (number of years) for explained and explanatory variables. The temporal trajectory of the relationship between each pair of variables was then highlighted. Changes were represented as long-term trajectories that allowed a comparison to a reference/average situation. In addition, the relevance of the use of Phaeocystis globosa and the Pseudo-nitzchia complex as eutrophication species indicators was tested. Results showed a significant shift in the 2000s and different trajectories between diatoms and P. globosa abundances in response to changes in Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN). The contrasting ecosystems under study reacted differently depending on the initial pressure. While a return to good ecological status does not seem feasible in the short term, it seems that these ecosystems were in an unstable intermediate state requiring continued efforts to reduce nutrient inputs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Observation and Monitoring towards an Ecosystem Approach)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Marine Observation and Monitoring towards an Ecosystem Approach

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (9 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI