World Aquarium News
The ecological outcomes of biodiversity offsets under “no net loss” policies: A global review
Abstract No net loss (NNL) biodiversity policies mandating the application of a mitigation hierarchy (avoid, minimize, remediate, offset) to the ecological impacts of built infrastructure are proliferating globally. However, little is known about their effectiveness at achieving NNL outcomes. We reviewed the English‐language peer‐reviewed literature (capturing 15,715 articles), and identified 32 reports that observed ecological outcomes from NNL policies, including >300,000 ha of biodiversity offsets. Approximately one‐third of NNL policies and individual biodiversity offsets reported achieving NNL, primarily in wetlands, although most studies used widely criticized area‐based outcome measures. The most commonly cited reason for success was applying high offset multipliers [...]
Wed, Jul 17, 2019
Source Conservation Letters
Limits on pot fishing can result in win-win for fishermen and marine wildlife
The first major study into the impact of inshore potting for crab and lobster within a Marine Protected Area has found that in areas of low potting intensity the industry is operating in a way that had little impact on seabed species or economically-important shellfish. [...]
Tue, Jul 16, 2019
Source Coral Reef News from Science Daily
Thirty years of unique data reveal what's really killing coral reefs
Coral bleaching is not just due to a warming planet, but also a planet that is simultaneously being enriched with reactive nitrogen from sources like improperly treated sewage, and fertilizers. Nitrogen loading from the Florida Keys and greater Everglades ecosystem caused by humans is the primary driver of coral reef degradation in Looe Key. These coral reefs were dying off long before they were impacted by rising water temperatures. Elevated nitrogen levels cause phosphorus starvation in corals, reducing their temperature threshold for bleaching. [...]
Mon, Jul 15, 2019
Source Coral Reef News from Science Daily
Coral skeleton crystals record ocean acidification
The acidification of the oceans is recorded in the crystals of the coral skeleton. This is a new tool for studying past environmental changes and combating climate change. Such is the main conclusion of a study led by the Spanish scientist Ismael Coronado Vila, from the Institute of Paleobiology in Warsaw (Poland). [...]
Thu, Jul 11, 2019
Source Coral Reef News from Science Daily
Coral reefs shifting away from equator
Coral reefs are retreating from equatorial waters and establishing new reefs in more temperate regions, according to new research. The researchers found that the number of young corals on tropical reefs has declined by 85 percent -- and doubled on subtropical reefs -- during the last four decades. [...]
Tue, Jul 09, 2019
Source Coral Reef News from Science Daily
Genetic pathway could enhance survival of coral
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery that could enhance the ability of reef-building corals to survive a rapidly warming and disease-filled ocean. [...]
Mon, Jul 08, 2019
Source Coral Reef News from Science Daily
Coral bleaching: Altered gene expression may trigger collapse of symbiotic relationship
Researchers have identified the potential genes responsible for coral bleaching caused by temperature elevation. [...]
Mon, Jul 08, 2019
Source Coral Reef News from Science Daily
Costs are not necessarily correlated with threats in conservation landscapes
Abstract The priority of an area for conservation is determined by three primary factors: its biodiversity value, the level of threat it is facing, and its cost. Although much attention has been paid to the spatial relationship between biodiversity value and threats, and between biodiversity value and costs, little is known about how costs and threats are spatially correlated. The orthodox assumption in conservation science is that costs and threats are positively correlated. Here, we adapt a classic economic theory of land use to explain how conservation scientists came to expect a positive correlation between costs and threats. We then use [...]
Mon, Jul 08, 2019
Source Conservation Letters
Put freshwater megafauna on the table before they are eaten to extinction
Wed, Jul 03, 2019
Source Conservation Letters
How to protect corals facing climate change
The best way to protect corals threatened by climate change is to conserve a wide range of their habitats, according to a new study. The finding likely applies to conservation efforts for many other species in the ocean and on land, including trees and birds. [...]
Mon, Jul 01, 2019
Source Coral Reef News from Science Daily
Corals in Singapore likely to survive sea-level rise
Marine scientists found that coral species in Singapore's sedimented and turbid waters are unlikely to be impacted by accelerating sea-level rise. [...]
Mon, Jul 01, 2019
Source Coral Reef News from Science Daily
Leveraging conservation action with open‐source hardware
Abstract Data collection by conservation biologists is undergoing radical change, with researchers collaborating across disciplines to create bespoke, low‐cost monitoring equipment from open‐source hardware (OSH). Compared to commercial hardware, OSH dramatically reduces participation costs. Four barriers currently hold back its wide adoption: (1) user inexperience inhibits initial uptake; (2) complex and costly manufacturing/distribution procedures impede global dissemination; (3) lack of creator support results in lapsed projects; and (4) lack of user support degrades continued utility in the field. Here, we propose a framework to address these barriers, illustrating how OSH offers a route to rapid expansion of community‐driven conservation action. [...]
Thu, Jun 27, 2019
Source Conservation Letters
Some corals can survive in acidified ocean conditions, but have lower density skeletons
Coral reefs face many challenges to their survival, including the global acidification of seawater as a result of rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. A new study shows that at least three Caribbean coral species can survive and grow under conditions of ocean acidification more severe than those expected to occur during this century, although the density of their skeletons was lower than normal. [...]
Wed, Jun 26, 2019
Source Coral Reef News from Science Daily
Untangling the complicated relationships between people and nature for a brighter future
With major crises such as extinctions and environmental degradation upon us, there's never been a more crucial time to find solutions to environmental challenges. An international group of scientists is making major advances in sustaining the world's environments -- by untangling the intricate ways in which people and nature depend on each other. [...]
Mon, Jun 24, 2019
Source Coral Reef News from Science Daily
The prevalence, characteristics and effectiveness of Aichi Target 11′s “other effective area‐based conservation measures” (OECMs) in Key Biodiversity Areas
Abstract Aichi Target 11 of the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity commits countries to the effective conservation of areas of importance for biodiversity, through protected areas and “other effective area‐based conservation measures” (OECMs). However, the prevalence and characteristics of OECMs are poorly known, particularly in sites of importance for biodiversity. We assess the prevalence of potential OECMs in 740 terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) outside known or mapped protected areas across ten countries. A majority of unprotected KBAs (76.5%) were at least partly covered by one or more potential OECMs. The conservation of ecosystem services or biodiversity was a stated management [...]
Thu, Jun 20, 2019
Source Conservation Letters

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