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Large marine ecosystem

January 31, 2023

Large marine ecosystems (LMEs) are regions of the world's oceans, encompassing coastal areas from river basins and estuaries to the seaward boundaries of continental shelves and the outer margins of the major ocean current systems. They are relatively large regions on the order of 200,000 km2 or greater, characterized by distinct bathymetry, hydrography, productivity, and trophically dependent populations. Productivity in LME protected areas is generally higher than in the open ocean.

General characteristics of a large marine ecosystem (Gulf of Alaska)

The system of LMEs has been developed by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to identify areas of the oceans for conservation purposes. The objective is to use the LME concept as a tool for enabling ecosystem-based management to provide a collaborative approach to management of resources within ecologically-bounded transnational areas. This will be done in an international context and consistent with customary international law as reflected in 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.[1]

Although the LMEs cover mostly the continental margins and not the deep oceans and oceanic islands, the 66 LMEs produce about 80% of global annual marine fishery biomass.[2] In addition, LMEs contribute $12.6 trillion[3] in goods and services each year to the global economy. Due to their close proximity to developed coastlines, LMEs are in danger of ocean pollution, overexploitation, and coastal habitat alteration. NOAA has conducted studies of principal driving forces affecting changes in biomass yields for 33 of the 66 LMEs, which have been peer-reviewed and published in ten volumes.[4]

LME-based conservation is based on recognition that the world's coastal ocean waters are degraded by unsustainable fishing practices, habitat degradation, eutrophication, toxic pollution, aerosol contamination, and emerging diseases, and that positive actions to mitigate these threats require coordinated actions by governments and civil society to recover depleted fish populations, restore degraded habitats and reduce coastal pollution. Five modules are considered when assessing LMEs: productivity, fish and fisheries, pollution and ecosystem health, socioeconomics, and governance.[5] Periodically assessing the state of each module within a marine LME is encouraged to ensure maintained health of the ecosystem and future benefit to managing governments.[6]

Modules of Ecosystem Condition

Productivity

The productivity of a marine ecosystem can be measured in several ways. Measurements pertaining to zooplankton biodiversity and species composition, zooplankton biomass, water-column structure, photosynthetically active radiation, transparency, chlorophyll-a, nitrate, and primary production are used to assess changes in LME productivity and potential fisheries yield.[7] Sensors attached to the bottom of ships or deployed on floats can measure these metrics and be used to quantitatively describe changes in productivity alongside physical changes in the water column such as temperature and salinity.[8][9][10] This data can be used in conjunction with satellite measurements of chlorophyll and sea surface temperatures to validate measurements and observe trends on greater spatial and temporal scales.

Fish and Fisheries

Bottom-trawl surveys and pelagic-species acoustic surveys are used to assess changes in fish biodiversity and abundance in LMEs. Fish populations can be surveyed for stock identification, length, stomach content, age-growth relationships, fecundity, coastal pollution and associated pathological conditions, as well as multispecies trophic relationships.[11] Fish trawls can also collect sediment and inform us about ocean-bottom conditions such as anoxia.

Pollution and Ecosystem Health

Pollution and eutrophication can have significant impacts on ecosystem health and result in changing biomass yields. LMEs are emplaced in an effort to maintain healthy and sustainable conditions in spite of environmental change and global warming. A health ecosystem should maintain a relatively constant metabolic activity level, internal structure and organization, making it resistant to change over time.[12] Health is assessed on both a population and species level. Observations are made pertaining to bioaccumulation of contaminants, frequency of harmful algal blooms and diseases, water column contents and water quality, reproductive capacity and more.[13][14] Eutrophication and nutrient overloading can be measured as a function of nitrogen and phosphate in a given location.[15]

Socioeconomic

By integrating socioeconomic metrics with ecosystem management solutions, scientific findings can be utilized to benefit both the environment and economy of local regions. Management efforts must be practical and cost-effective. The Department of Natural Resource Economics at the University of Rhode Island has created a method for measuring and understanding the human dimensions of LMEs and for taking into consideration both socioeconomic and environmental costs and benefits of managing Large Marine Ecosystems.[16][17][18] This is especially important in island nations and small states which depend heavily on fisheries production for income.

Governance

 
Global map of large marine ecosystems. Oceanographers and biologists have identified 66 LMEs worldwide.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) aids in managing LMEs off the coasts of Africa and Asia by creating resource management agreements between environmental, fisheries, energy and tourism ministers of bordering countries. This means participating countries share knowledge and resources pertaining to local LMEs to promote longevity and recovery of fisheries and other industries dependent upon LMEs.[19]

LMEs around the Globe

See also

References

  1. ^ NOAA.gov
  2. ^ "LME Introduction".
  3. ^ Costanza R, d'Arge R, Groots Rd, Farber S, Grasso M, Hannon B, Limburg K, Naeem S, O'Neill RV, Paruelo J and others. 1997. The value of the world's ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature 387:253-260.
  4. ^ NOAA.gov
  5. ^ Olsen SB, Sutinen JG, Juda L, Hennessey TM, Grigalunas TA. 2006. A Handbook on Governance and Socioeconomics of Large Marine Ecosystems. Kingston, RI: Coastal Resources Center, University of Rhode Island. 94 p.
  6. ^ Wang H. 2004. An evaluation of the modular approach to the assessment and management of large marine ecosystems. Ocean Development and International Law 35:267-286.
  7. ^ Pauly D, Christensen V. 1995. Primary production required to sustain global fisheries. Nature 374:255-257.
  8. ^ Aiken J, Pollard R, Williams R, Griffiths G, Bellan I. 1999. Measurements of the upper ocean structure using towed profiling systems. In: Sherman K, Tang Q, editors. Large marine ecosystems of the Pacific Rim: Assessment, sustainability, and management. Malden, MA: Blackwell Science, Inc. p 346-362.
  9. ^ Berman MS, Sherman K. 2001. A towed body sampler for monitoring marine ecosystems. Sea Technology 42(9):48-52.
  10. ^ SAHFOS. 2008. Annual Report 2007. Plymouth, UK: The Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science.
  11. ^ Sea Around Us Project at www.seaaroundus.org/
  12. ^ Costanza R. 1992. Toward an operational definition of ecosystem health. In: Costanza R, Norton BG, Haskell BD, editors. Ecosystem health: New goals for environmental management. Washington, DC: Island Press. p 239-256.
  13. ^ Sherman B. 2000. Marine ecosystem health as an expression of morbidity, mortality, and disease events. Marine Pollution Bulletin 41(1-6):232-54.
  14. ^ Sherman BH. 2001. Assessment of multiple marine ecological disturbances: Applying the North American prototype to the Baltic Sea Ecosystem. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment 7(5):1519-1540.
  15. ^ Seitzinger S, Sherman K, Lee R. 2008. Filling Gaps in LME Nitrogen Loadings Forecast for 64 LMEs, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Technical Series 79. Paris, France: UNESCO.
  16. ^ Sutinen J, ed. 2000. A framework for monitoring and assessing socioeconomics and governance of large marine ecosystems. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-158:32p.
  17. ^ Sutinen, J.G. , P. Clay, C.L. Dyer, S.F. Edwards, J. Gates, T. Grigalunas, T. Hennesey, L. Juda, A.W. Kitts, P. Thunberg, H.R. Upton, and J.B. Walden. 2005. A framework for monitoring and assessing socioeconomics and governance of large marine ecosystems. 27-81 In, Hennessey, T.M. and J.G. Sutinen (Editors), Sustaining Large Marine Ecosystems: The human dimension. Elsevier.368p.
  18. ^ Duda, A.M.. 2005.Targeting development assistance to meet WSSD goals for large marine ecosystems and small island developing states. Ocean & Coastal Management 48:1014
  19. ^ Juda L, Hennessey T. 2001. Governance profiles and the management of the uses of large marine ecosystems. Ocean Development and International Law 32:41-67.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marine ecosystems.
  • Smithsonian Ocean Portal

January 31, 2023
large, marine, ecosystem, lmes, regions, world, oceans, encompassing, coastal, areas, from, river, basins, estuaries, seaward, boundaries, continental, shelves, outer, margins, major, ocean, current, systems, they, relatively, large, regions, order, greater, c. Large marine ecosystems LMEs are regions of the world s oceans encompassing coastal areas from river basins and estuaries to the seaward boundaries of continental shelves and the outer margins of the major ocean current systems They are relatively large regions on the order of 200 000 km2 or greater characterized by distinct bathymetry hydrography productivity and trophically dependent populations Productivity in LME protected areas is generally higher than in the open ocean General characteristics of a large marine ecosystem Gulf of Alaska The system of LMEs has been developed by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA to identify areas of the oceans for conservation purposes The objective is to use the LME concept as a tool for enabling ecosystem based management to provide a collaborative approach to management of resources within ecologically bounded transnational areas This will be done in an international context and consistent with customary international law as reflected in 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1 Although the LMEs cover mostly the continental margins and not the deep oceans and oceanic islands the 66 LMEs produce about 80 of global annual marine fishery biomass 2 In addition LMEs contribute 12 6 trillion 3 in goods and services each year to the global economy Due to their close proximity to developed coastlines LMEs are in danger of ocean pollution overexploitation and coastal habitat alteration NOAA has conducted studies of principal driving forces affecting changes in biomass yields for 33 of the 66 LMEs which have been peer reviewed and published in ten volumes 4 LME based conservation is based on recognition that the world s coastal ocean waters are degraded by unsustainable fishing practices habitat degradation eutrophication toxic pollution aerosol contamination and emerging diseases and that positive actions to mitigate these threats require coordinated actions by governments and civil society to recover depleted fish populations restore degraded habitats and reduce coastal pollution Five modules are considered when assessing LMEs productivity fish and fisheries pollution and ecosystem health socioeconomics and governance 5 Periodically assessing the state of each module within a marine LME is encouraged to ensure maintained health of the ecosystem and future benefit to managing governments 6 Contents 1 Modules of Ecosystem Condition 1 1 Productivity 1 2 Fish and Fisheries 1 3 Pollution and Ecosystem Health 1 4 Socioeconomic 1 5 Governance 2 LMEs around the Globe 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksModules of Ecosystem Condition EditProductivity Edit The productivity of a marine ecosystem can be measured in several ways Measurements pertaining to zooplankton biodiversity and species composition zooplankton biomass water column structure photosynthetically active radiation transparency chlorophyll a nitrate and primary production are used to assess changes in LME productivity and potential fisheries yield 7 Sensors attached to the bottom of ships or deployed on floats can measure these metrics and be used to quantitatively describe changes in productivity alongside physical changes in the water column such as temperature and salinity 8 9 10 This data can be used in conjunction with satellite measurements of chlorophyll and sea surface temperatures to validate measurements and observe trends on greater spatial and temporal scales Fish and Fisheries Edit Bottom trawl surveys and pelagic species acoustic surveys are used to assess changes in fish biodiversity and abundance in LMEs Fish populations can be surveyed for stock identification length stomach content age growth relationships fecundity coastal pollution and associated pathological conditions as well as multispecies trophic relationships 11 Fish trawls can also collect sediment and inform us about ocean bottom conditions such as anoxia Pollution and Ecosystem Health Edit Pollution and eutrophication can have significant impacts on ecosystem health and result in changing biomass yields LMEs are emplaced in an effort to maintain healthy and sustainable conditions in spite of environmental change and global warming A health ecosystem should maintain a relatively constant metabolic activity level internal structure and organization making it resistant to change over time 12 Health is assessed on both a population and species level Observations are made pertaining to bioaccumulation of contaminants frequency of harmful algal blooms and diseases water column contents and water quality reproductive capacity and more 13 14 Eutrophication and nutrient overloading can be measured as a function of nitrogen and phosphate in a given location 15 Socioeconomic Edit By integrating socioeconomic metrics with ecosystem management solutions scientific findings can be utilized to benefit both the environment and economy of local regions Management efforts must be practical and cost effective The Department of Natural Resource Economics at the University of Rhode Island has created a method for measuring and understanding the human dimensions of LMEs and for taking into consideration both socioeconomic and environmental costs and benefits of managing Large Marine Ecosystems 16 17 18 This is especially important in island nations and small states which depend heavily on fisheries production for income Governance Edit Global map of large marine ecosystems Oceanographers and biologists have identified 66 LMEs worldwide The Global Environment Facility GEF aids in managing LMEs off the coasts of Africa and Asia by creating resource management agreements between environmental fisheries energy and tourism ministers of bordering countries This means participating countries share knowledge and resources pertaining to local LMEs to promote longevity and recovery of fisheries and other industries dependent upon LMEs 19 LMEs around the Globe EditEast Bering Sea Gulf of Alaska California Current Gulf of California Gulf of Mexico Southeast U S Continental Shelf Northeast U S Continental Shelf Scotian Shelf Newfoundland Labrador Shelf Insular Pacific Hawaiian Pacific Central American Coastal Caribbean Sea Humboldt Current Patagonian Shelf South Brazil Shelf East Brazil Shelf North Brazil Shelf West Greenland Shelf East Greenland Shelf Barents Sea Norwegian Shelf North Sea Baltic Sea Celtic Biscay Shelf Iberian Coastal Mediterranean Sea Canary Current Guinea Current Benguela Current Agulhas Current Somali Coastal Current Arabian Sea Red Sea Bay of Bengal Gulf of Thailand South China Sea Sulu Celebes Sea Indonesian Sea North Australian Shelf Northeast Australian Shelf Great Barrier Reef East Central Australian Shelf Southeast Australian Shelf Southwest Australian Shelf West Central Australian Shelf Northwest Australian Shelf New Zealand Shelf East China Sea Yellow Sea Kuroshio Current Sea of Japan Oyashio Current Sea of Okhotsk West Bering Sea Chukchi Sea Beaufort Sea East Siberian Sea Laptev Sea Kara Sea Iceland Shelf Faroe Plateau Antarctica Black Sea Hudson Bay Arctic OceanSee also Edit Marine life portal Oceans portalEcoregion Marine ecosystem Marine life Large Marine Ecosystems HubReferences Edit NOAA gov LME Introduction Costanza R d Arge R Groots Rd Farber S Grasso M Hannon B Limburg K Naeem S O Neill RV Paruelo J and others 1997 The value of the world s ecosystem services and natural capital Nature 387 253 260 NOAA gov Olsen SB Sutinen JG Juda L Hennessey TM Grigalunas TA 2006 A Handbook on Governance and Socioeconomics of Large Marine Ecosystems Kingston RI Coastal Resources Center University of Rhode Island 94 p Wang H 2004 An evaluation of the modular approach to the assessment and management of large marine ecosystems Ocean Development and International Law 35 267 286 Pauly D Christensen V 1995 Primary production required to sustain global fisheries Nature 374 255 257 Aiken J Pollard R Williams R Griffiths G Bellan I 1999 Measurements of the upper ocean structure using towed profiling systems In Sherman K Tang Q editors Large marine ecosystems of the Pacific Rim Assessment sustainability and management Malden MA Blackwell Science Inc p 346 362 Berman MS Sherman K 2001 A towed body sampler for monitoring marine ecosystems Sea Technology 42 9 48 52 SAHFOS 2008 Annual Report 2007 Plymouth UK The Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science Sea Around Us Project at www seaaroundus org Costanza R 1992 Toward an operational definition of ecosystem health In Costanza R Norton BG Haskell BD editors Ecosystem health New goals for environmental management Washington DC Island Press p 239 256 Sherman B 2000 Marine ecosystem health as an expression of morbidity mortality and disease events Marine Pollution Bulletin 41 1 6 232 54 Sherman BH 2001 Assessment of multiple marine ecological disturbances Applying the North American prototype to the Baltic Sea Ecosystem Human and Ecological Risk Assessment 7 5 1519 1540 Seitzinger S Sherman K Lee R 2008 Filling Gaps in LME Nitrogen Loadings Forecast for 64 LMEs Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Technical Series 79 Paris France UNESCO Sutinen J ed 2000 A framework for monitoring and assessing socioeconomics and governance of large marine ecosystems NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS NE 158 32p Sutinen J G P Clay C L Dyer S F Edwards J Gates T Grigalunas T Hennesey L Juda A W Kitts P Thunberg H R Upton and J B Walden 2005 A framework for monitoring and assessing socioeconomics and governance of large marine ecosystems 27 81 In Hennessey T M and J G Sutinen Editors Sustaining Large Marine Ecosystems The human dimension Elsevier 368p Duda A M 2005 Targeting development assistance to meet WSSD goals for large marine ecosystems and small island developing states Ocean amp Coastal Management 48 1014 Juda L Hennessey T 2001 Governance profiles and the management of the uses of large marine ecosystems Ocean Development and International Law 32 41 67 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marine ecosystems Smithsonian Ocean Portal Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Large marine ecosystem amp oldid 1131213749, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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