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Showing posts with the label Coral reef ecology

Effects of Artificial Illumination on Intertidal Communities As A Consequence of Coastal Urbanisation- Juniper Publishers

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  Juniper Publishers -  Journal of Oceanography Abstract Coastal urbanization is often accompanied by the replacement of natural substrata by artificial structures, which causes coastal habitat modifications, losses of species richness, diversity and microhabitats diversity and favours the settlement of non-native species. The impact that coastal defence structures cause in the intertidal community is further favoured by the anthropic pressures produced in heavily populated areas (such as pollution or the collection of intertidal organisms). Among these, the effect of artificial lights on intertidal communities is practically unknown, even though that the behaviour of many intertidal vagile organisms is synchronized with circatidal and circadian rhythms. Considering that large areas of natural and artificial habitats are exposed to artificial illumination, this review exposes the current knowledge in this matter in order to evaluate the importance of this disregarded impact. N...

Power Estimates of Coastal Zone Winds and Waves via Box, Whisker and Outlier Distributions at Atlantic Eastern Seaboard and Pacific Ocean Energy Sites- Juniper Publishers

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  Juniper Publishers -  Journal of Oceanography Abstract The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has a congressional mandate and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) both have mandates to assess oceanic wind and oceanic wave energy and power resources and impacts; both structural and potentially ecological. Oceanic offshore winds and waves are viewed as being relatively steady sources of energy. However assessments of the amount of the wind resources and wave resources in U.S. coastal and oceanic environments have not been evaluated and have only been estimated by several rudimentary modeling efforts. As such, there are many National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) Marine Buoys which have collected considerable data on both wind and waves that can be harvested and evaluated for in-situ observations. Also the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is charged with the develo...

Studying Heavy Metals on Antarctica by Using Non Invasive Biotic Samples of Penguins- Juniper Publishers

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  Juniper Publishers -  Journal of Oceanography Abstract Antarctica is one of the most surprising places in terms of biodiversity, and is one of the regions less affected by humans. The study of pollution in Antarctica can help us understand the real influence of human activities on the environmental pollution from polar regions. Trace elements are worrisome to biota for their effects on health and ecosystems. These chemicals enter the water through natural processes and human activities, and can affect wildlife and humans. The northern of Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland islands are particularly vulnerable because of their proximity to the continent and for having major human pressure. Our studies have focused on the determination of metals in penguin excreta, as they are non-invasive materials which can be suitable for the monitoring of chemicals in the environment. Go to Introduction Heavy metals (or most recently known as trace elements) are chemicals whose expos...

Invasive Plant Species Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L. Breaking Bio-Geographical Barriers- Juniper Publishers

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  Juniper Publishers -  Journal of Oceanography Abstract Recent report of  Hydrocharis morsus-ranae  from Kasmir Himalaya-India should serve as an early warning to the whole South Asia that this invasive species might be already in the phase of breaking down of the historical biogeographic barrier (Himalayas) and may be introduced in the adjoining areas of South-East Asia in the near future. Therefore, it is high time to initiate early detection and rapid response, the most cost- effective strategy with maximum chances of success in the management of plant invasions. Keywords:  Early warning; South Asia; Invasion; Biogeographic barrier Go to Introduction The genus  Hydrocharis L.  is widely distributed in tropical and temperate regions of the old world (Cook and Luond, 1982), and comprises of 3 species namely:  H. dubia  (Blume) Backer,  H. morsus- ranae  L. and  H. chevalieri  (De Wildeman) Dandy. Biogeographically, these...