Latest Articles from Research Ideas and Outcomes Latest 10 Articles from Research Ideas and Outcomes https://riojournal.com/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:28:02 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://riojournal.com/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Research Ideas and Outcomes https://riojournal.com/ Permits, contracts and their terms for biodiversity specimens https://riojournal.com/article/114366/ Research Ideas and Outcomes 10: e114366

DOI: 10.3897/rio.10.e114366

Authors: Edmund Schiller, Karin Wiltschke-Schrotta, Eva Häffner, Jutta Buschbom, Frederik Leliaert, Breda Zimkus, John Dickie, Suzete Gomes, Chris Lyal, Daniel Mulcahy, Alan Paton, Gabi Droege

Abstract: We present two different typologies of legal/contractual information in the context of natural history objects: the Biodiversity Permit/Contract Typology categorises permits and contracts, and the Typology of Legal/Contractual Terms for Biodiversity Specimens categorises the terms within permits and contracts. The Typologies have been developed under the EU-funded SYNTHESYS+ project with the participation of experts from outside the consortium. The document further addresses a possible technical integration of these typologies into the Distributed System of Scientific Collections (DiSSCo). The implementation in the DiSSCo data model is outlined and a concrete use case is presented to show how conditions, e.g. the Typology of Legal/Contractual Terms, can be introduced into the DiSSCo Electronic Loans and Visits System (ElViS). Finally, we give an outlook on the next steps to develop the typologies into a standard that supports compliance with legal and contractual obligations within the wider community of natural science collections.

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Project Report Wed, 10 Jan 2024 10:27:53 +0200
Assessing ‘non-destructive’ DNA extraction method in small crustaceans kept in wet collections https://riojournal.com/article/113299/ Research Ideas and Outcomes 9: e113299

DOI: 10.3897/rio.9.e113299

Authors: Samuel C. Bernardes, Thomas von Rintelen, Serena Alexander, Fiona Lorenz, Kristina von Rintelen

Abstract: Specimens in natural history museums are a valuable resource for biological research, such as taxonomic, biodiversity or evolutionary studies. However, the quality of DNA and even morphological characters can decrease over time, depending on previous fixation and long-term preservation methods. In recent years, advances in DNA extraction and sequencing techniques have allowed researchers to obtain DNA from museum specimens, even when the DNA was very fragmented. Extraction methods should ideally be morphologically non-destructive, leaving diagnostic characters intact for future taxonomic studies. Here, we assess whether the whole-body extraction widely used for several taxa would be destructive for small crustaceans kept in wet collections. We extracted the DNA from over 70 small (1-3 cm) and relatively fragile shrimps collected during the last 30 years by using: i) a piece of abdominal tissue and ii) from the entire remaining body of the animal. We photographed several samples before and after the lysis, focusing on taxonomically relevant characters. Although DNA concentration was higher in the whole-body extractions, the presence of intact DNA was not correlated to the amount of lysed tissue. The resulting genomic libraries had little to no difference in yield. The taxonomically relevant characters were primarily preserved in larger specimens, whereas smaller specimens (< 1.5 cm) became too fragile to handle or were damaged. We conclude that this method must be carried out carefully in smaller crustaceans, depending on size and taxon. We advise against using it with type specimens as the advantages do not outweigh the risks. Our experiment may provide future research with quantitative and qualitative evaluations to help scientists weigh their decisions when extracting DNA from wet collection material.

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Research Article Thu, 14 Dec 2023 17:09:31 +0200
AquaticVID: a low cost, extended battery life, plug-and-go video system for aquatic research https://riojournal.com/article/114134/ Research Ideas and Outcomes 9: e114134

DOI: 10.3897/rio.9.e114134

Authors: Lachlan Fetterplace, Peter Ljungberg, Emilia Benavente Norrman, Filip Bohlin, Lisa Sörman, Per Johannesson, Daniel Rooth, Sara Königson

Abstract: AquaticVID is a low-cost, long battery life video camera system for use in a wide-range of aquatic research applications. The system can be deployed for multiple day recording on a single charge, is submersible to depths of down to 950 m and can be constructed quickly using easily sourced off-the-shelf materials. The system is essentially ‘plug-and-go’, as assembly and preparation for deployment takes < 30 minutes without the need for technical build or programming skills. All of the electrical components are interchangeable with parts from multiple manufacturers and the camera system can be adapted to fit a variety of waterproof enclosure sizes depending on power and data storage requirements. Here, we describe three versions of the AquaticVID in detail and give examples of above and below water research undertaken with the system. The small size and extended battery times, coupled with ease of use and low cost (US$ 268–540) make the AquaticVID a useful option for numerous aquatic research applications.

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Research Article Fri, 8 Dec 2023 13:12:00 +0200
Workshop on 3D mapping of habitats and biological communities with underwater photogrammetry https://riojournal.com/article/115796/ Research Ideas and Outcomes 9: e115796

DOI: 10.3897/rio.9.e115796

Authors: Loïc Van Audenhaege, Vincent Mahamadaly, David Price, Alexandre Sneessens, Hayley Cawthra, Clément Delamare, Valentin Danet, Simon Delsol, Rodolphe Devillers, Iason-Zois Gazis, Isabel Urbina-Barreto

Abstract: For the past decades, photogrammetry has been increasingly used for monitoring spatial arrangement or temporal dynamics of submerged man-made structures and natural systems. As photogrammetry remains a nascent technique for data collection in the underwater environment, acquisition workflows have evolved constrained by specific methodological practicalities (e.g. euphotic environments vs. deep-sea waters). The annual GeoHab conference gathers a world-wide range of scientists interested in mapping and is, therefore, an adequate event to set up a state-of-the-art workshop on (underwater) photogrammetry. More specifically, a preliminary survey identified the overall lack of photogrammetry knowledge from the audience. A programme was conceptualised to explore within a day theoretical concepts, sampling design and practicalities and a wide range of case studies in various underwater environments. Furthermore, we provided manual training on data acquisition and processing. In overall, a post-survey demonstrated the audience’s satisfaction despite a remaining lack of confidence for implementing their own photogrammetry studies. As this workshop gathers a diversity of materials and a training relevant for a scientific audience, it sets the stage for a reproducible event and leaves room for future improvements. Finally, it provided relevant materials and discussions that enabled us to identify the aspects limiting photogrammetry methodology across scientific applications and institutes, in order to work towards standardisation.

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Workshop Report Wed, 29 Nov 2023 12:01:59 +0200
Sharing taxonomic expertise between natural history collections using image recognition https://riojournal.com/article/79187/ Research Ideas and Outcomes 8: e79187

DOI: 10.3897/rio.8.e79187

Authors: Michael Greeff, Max Caspers, Vincent Kalkman, Luc Willemse, Barry Sunderland, Olaf Bánki, Laurens Hogeweg

Abstract: Natural history collections play a vital role in biodiversity research and conservation by providing a window to the past. The usefulness of the vast amount of historical data depends on their quality, with correct taxonomic identifications being the most critical. The identification of many of the objects of natural history collections, however, is wanting, doubtful or outdated. Providing correct identifications is difficult given the sheer number of objects and the scarcity of expertise. Here we outline the construction of an ecosystem for the collaborative development and exchange of image recognition algorithms designed to support the identification of objects. Such an ecosystem will facilitate sharing taxonomic expertise among institutions by offering image datasets that are correctly identified by their in-house taxonomic experts. Together with openly accessible machine learning algorithms and easy to use workbenches, this will allow other institutes to train image recognition algorithms and thereby compensate for the lacking expertise.

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Research Idea Tue, 1 Mar 2022 10:02:21 +0200
Aliens in the Aegean – a sea under siege (ALAS) https://riojournal.com/article/53057/ Research Ideas and Outcomes 6: e53057

DOI: 10.3897/rio.6.e53057

Authors: Stelios Katsanevakis, Konstantinos Tsirintanis, Maria Sini, Vasilis Gerovasileiou, Nikoletta Koukourouvli

Abstract: ALAS aims to fill knowledge gaps on the impacts of marine alien species in the Aegean Sea, and support marine managers and policy makers in prioritizing mitigation actions. The project will focus on under-studied alien-native interactions, priority and vulnerable habitats (such as shallow forests of canopy algae and underwater caves), and apply a multitude of approaches. It will apply a standardized, quantitative method for mapping Cumulative IMpacts of invasive Alien species on marine ecosystems (CIMPAL), according to which cumulative impact scores are estimated on the basis of the distributions of invasive species and ecosystems, and both the reported magnitude of ecological impacts and the strength of such evidence. Towards that direction, ALAS will improve our knowledge base and compile the needed information to estimate CIMPAL by (1) conducting a series of field experiments and surveys to investigate the impacts of selected invasive alien species on marine habitats, (2) producing high-resolution habitat maps in the coastal zone, refining the results of previous research efforts through fieldwork, remote sensing and satellite imaging, (3) producing species distribution models for all invasive species, based on extensive underwater surveys for the collection of new data and integrating all existing information. ALAS will incorporate skills and analyses in novel ways and provide high-resolution results at a large scale; couple classic and novel tools and follow a trans-disciplinary approach, combining knowledge from the fields of invasion biology, conservation biology, biogeography, fisheries science, marine ecology, remote sensing, statistical modelling; conduct for the first time in the Aegean Sea a comprehensive, high-resolution analysis of cumulative impacts of invasive alien species; and report results in formats appropriate for decision-makers and society, thus transferring research-based knowledge to inform and influence policy decisions.

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Grant Proposal Mon, 13 Apr 2020 13:00:00 +0300
Report of the workshop Evaluating the nature of midwater mining plumes and their potential effects on midwater ecosystems https://riojournal.com/article/33527/ Research Ideas and Outcomes 5: e33527

DOI: 10.3897/rio.5.e33527

Authors: Jeffrey Drazen, Craig Smith, Kristina Gjerde, Whitlow Au, Jesse Black, Glenn Carter, Malcolm Clark, Jennifer Durden, Pierre Dutrieux, Erica Goetze, Steven Haddock, Mariko Hatta, Chris Hauton, Paul Hill, Julian Koslow, Astrid Leitner, Chris Measures, Aude Pacini, Frank Parrish, Thomas Peacock, Jessica Perelman, Tracey Sutton, Celine Taymans, Verena Tunnicliffe, Les Watling, Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Emily Young, Amanda Ziegler

Abstract: The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is developing regulations to control the future exploitation of deep-sea mineral resources including sulphide deposits near hydrothermal vents, polymetallic nodules on the abyssal seafloor, and cobalt crusts on seamounts. Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea the ISA is required to adopt are taking measures to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects arising from mining-related activities. Contractors are required to generate environmental baselines and assess the potential environmental consequences of deep seafloor mining. Understandably, nearly all environmental research has focused on the seafloor where the most direct mining effects will occur. However, sediment plumes and other impacts (e.g., noise) from seafloor mining are likely to be extensive in the water column. Sediment plumes created on the seafloor will affect the benthic boundary layer which extends 10s to 100s of meters above the seafloor. Separation or dewatering of ore from sediment and seawater aboard ships will require discharge of a dewatering plume at some depth in the water column. It is important to consider the potential impacts of mining on the ocean’s midwaters (depths from ~200 m to the seafloor) because they provide vital ecosystem services and harbor substantial biodiversity. The better known epipelagic or sunlit surface ocean provisions the rest of the water column through primary production and export flux (This was not the focus at this workshop as the subject was considered too large and surface discharges are unlikely). It is also home to a diverse community of organisms including commercially important fishes such as tunas, billfish, and cephalopods that contribute to the economies of many countries. The mesopelagic or twilight zone (200-1000 m) is dimly lit and home to very diverse and abundant communities of organisms. Mesopelagic plankton and small nekton form the forage base for many deep-diving marine mammals and commercially harvested epipelagic species. Furthermore, detritus from the epipelagic zone falls through the mesopelagic where it is either recycled, providing the vital process of nutrient regeneration, or sinks to greater depths sequestering carbon from short-term atmospheric cycles. The waters below the mesopelagic down to the seafloor (both the bathypelagic and abyssopelagic) are very poorly characterized but are likely large reservoirs of novel biodiversity and link the surface and benthic ecosystems. Great strides have been made in understanding the biodiversity and ecosystem function of the ocean’s midwaters, but large regions, including those containing many exploration license areas and the greater depths where mining plumes will occur, remain very poorly studied. It is clear that pelagic communities are distinct from those on the seafloor and in the benthic boundary layer. They are often sampled with different instrumentation. The fauna have relatively large biogeographic ranges and they are more apt to mix freely across stakeholder boundaries, reference areas and other spatial management zones. Pelagic organisms live in a three-dimensional habitat and their food webs and populations are vertically connected by daily or lifetime migrations and the sinking flux of detritus from the epipelagic. The fauna do not normally encounter hard surfaces, making them fragile, and difficult to capture and maintain for sensitivity or toxicity studies. Despite some existing general knowledge, ecological baselines for midwater communities and ecosystems that likely will be impacted by mining have not been documented. There is an urgent need to conduct more research and evaluate the midwater biota (microbes to fishes) in regions where mining is likely to occur. Deep-sea mining activities may affect midwater organisms in a number of ways, but it is still unclear at what scale perturbations may occur. The sediment plumes both from collectors on the seafloor and from midwater discharge will have a host of negative consequences. They may cause respiratory distress from clogged gills or respiratory surfaces. Suspension feeders, such as copepods, polychaetes, salps, and appendicularians, that filter small particles from the water and form an important basal group of the food web, may suffer from dilution of their food by inorganic sediments and/or clogging of their fragile mucous filter nets. Small particles may settle on gelatinous plankton causing buoyancy issues. Metals, including toxic elements that will enter the food web, will be released from pore waters and crushed ore materials. Sediment plumes will also absorb light and change backscatter properties, reducing visual communication and bioluminescent signaling that are very important for prey capture and reproduction in midwater animals. Noise from mining activities may alter the behaviors of marine mammals and other animals. Small particles have high surface area to volume ratios, high pelagic persistence and dispersal and as a result greater potential to result in pelagic impacts. All of these potential effects will result in mortality, migration (both horizontal and vertical), decreased fitness, and shifts in community composition. Depending on the scale and duration of these effects, there could be reduction in provisioning to commercial fish species, delivery of toxic metals to pelagic food webs and hence human seafood supply, and alterations to carbon transport and nutrient regeneration services. After four days of presentations and discussions, the workshop participants came to several conclusions and synthesized recommendations. 1. Assuming no discharge in the epipelagic zone, it is essential to minimize mining effects in the mesopelagic zone because of links to our human seafood supply as well as other ecosystem services provided by the mesopelagic fauna. This minimization could be accomplished by delivering dewatering discharge well below the mesopelagic/bathypelagic transition (below ~1000 m depth). 2. Research should be promoted by the ISA and other bodies to study the bathypelagic and abyssopelagic zones (from ~1000 m depths to just above the seafloor). It is likely that both collector plumes and dewatering plumes will be created in the bathypelagic, yet this zone is extremely understudied and contains major unknowns for evaluating mining impacts. 3. Management objectives, regulations and management actions need to prevent the creation of a persistent regional scale “haze” (enhanced suspended particle concentrations) in pelagic midwaters. Such a haze would very likely cause chronic harm to deep midwater ecosystem biodiversity, structure and function. 4. Effort is needed to craft suitable standards, thresholds, and indicators of harmful environmental effects that are appropriate to pelagic ecosystems. In particular, suspension feeders are very important ecologically and are likely to be very sensitive to sediment plumes. They are a high priority for study. 5. Particularly noisy mining activities such as ore grinding at seamounts and hydrothermal vents is of concern to deep diving marine mammals and other species. One way to minimize sound impacts would be to minimize activities in the sound-fixing-and-ranging (SOFAR) channel (typically at depths of ~1000 m) which transmits sounds over very long distances. 6. A Lagrangian (drifting) perspective is needed in monitoring and management because the pelagic ecosystem is not a fixed habitat and mining effects are likely to cross spatial management boundaries. For example, potential broad-scale impacts to pelagic ecosystems should be considered in the deliberations over preservation reference zones, the choice of stations for environmental baseline and monitoring studies and other area-based management and conservation measures. 7. Much more modeling and empirical study of realistic mining sediment plumes is needed. Plume models will help evaluate the spatial and temporal extent of pelagic (as well as benthic) ecosystem effects and help to assess risks from different technologies and mining scenarios. Plume modeling should include realistic mining scenarios (including duration) and assess the spatial-temporal scales over which particle concentrations exceed baseline levels and interfere with light transmission to elucidate potential stresses on communities and ecosystem services. Models should include both near and far field-phases, incorporating realistic near field parameters of plume generation, flocculation, particle sinking, and other processes. It is important to note that some inputs to these models such as physical oceanographic parameters are lacking and should be acquired in the near-term. Plume models need to be complemented by studies to understand effects on biological components by certain particle sizes and concentrations.

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Workshop Report Wed, 6 Feb 2019 09:46:10 +0200
The CLUZ plugin for QGIS: designing conservation area systems and other ecological networks https://riojournal.com/article/33510/ Research Ideas and Outcomes 5: e33510

DOI: 10.3897/rio.5.e33510

Authors: Robert Smith

Abstract:

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Software Description Thu, 31 Jan 2019 12:44:29 +0200
Challenges in Swedish hydropower – politics, economics and rights https://riojournal.com/article/21305/ Research Ideas and Outcomes 3: e21305

DOI: 10.3897/rio.3.e21305

Authors: Kristina Ek, Susana Goytia, Carina Lundmark, Soili Nysten-Haarala, Maria Pettersson, Annica Sandström, Johanna Söderasp, Jesper Stage

Abstract: Two systems working in parallel have contributed to implementation difficulties in Swedish water governance. While the old system is designed to be predictable and stable over time, the new system is intended to be transparent and holistic, guided by the principles of Integrated Water Resource Management. The paper disentangles the challenges in Swedish water governance and proposes a blueprint for future research. The proposed research project is unique in the sense that it explores the imbalances between the new and the old water governance systems from a multi-disciplinary perspective, elaborating upon the clashes between the traditional, nationally based regulatory system and the new holistic water governance system from legal, political and economic perspectives.

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Grant Proposal Thu, 5 Oct 2017 13:17:21 +0300
The Biodiversity Informatics Landscape: Elements, Connections and Opportunities https://riojournal.com/article/14059/ Research Ideas and Outcomes 3: e14059

DOI: 10.3897/rio.3.e14059

Authors: Heather Bingham, Michel Doudin, Lauren Weatherdon, Katherine Despot-Belmonte, Florian Wetzel, Quentin Groom, Edward Lewis, Eugenie Regan, Ward Appeltans, Anton Güntsch, Patricia Mergen, Donat Agosti, Lyubomir Penev, Anke Hoffmann, Hannu Saarenmaa, Gary Geller, Kidong Kim, HyeJin Kim, Anne-Sophie Archambeau, Christoph Häuser, Dirk Schmeller, Ilse Geijzendorffer, Antonio García Camacho, Carlos Guerra, Tim Robertson, Veljo Runnel, Nils Valland, Corinne Martin

Abstract: There are a multitude of biodiversity informatics projects, datasets, databases and initiatives at the global level, and many more at regional, national, and sometimes local levels. In such a complex landscape, it can be unclear how different elements relate to each other. Based on a high-level review of global and European-level elements, we present a map of the biodiversity informatics landscape. This is a first attempt at identifying key datasets/databases and data services, and mapping them in a way that can be used to identify the links, gaps and redundancies in the landscape. While the map is predominantly focused on elements with a global scope, the sub-global focus at the European-level was incorporated in the map in order to demonstrate how a regional network such as the European Biodiversity Observation Network (EU BON) can usefully contribute to connecting some of the nodes within the landscape. We identify 74 elements, and find that the informatics landscape is complex in terms of the characteristics and diversity of these elements, and that there is high variability in their level of connectedness. Overall, the landscape is highly connected, with one element boasting 28 connections. The average "degrees of separation" between elements is low, and the landscape is deemed relatively robust to failures since there is no single point that information flows through. Examples of possible effort duplication are presented, and the inclusion of five policy-level elements in the map helps illustrate how informatics products can contribute to global processes that define and direct political targets. Beyond simply describing the existing landscape, this map will support a better understanding of the landscape’s current structure and functioning, enabling responsible institutions to establish or strengthen collaborations, work towards avoiding effort duplication, and facilitate access to the biodiversity data, information and knowledge required to support effective decision-making, in the context of comparatively limited funding for biodiversity knowledge and conservation. To support this, we provide the input matrix and code that created this map as supplementary materials, so that readers can more closely examine the links in the landscape, and edit the map to suit their own purposes.

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Research Article Fri, 9 Jun 2017 15:33:27 +0300