Explore the vast range of titles available.

As ecosystems come under increasing anthropogenic pressure, rare species face the highest risk of extinction. Paradoxically, data necessary to evaluate the conservation status of rare species are often lacking because of the challenges of detecting species with low abundance. One group of fishes subject to this undersampling bias are those with cryptic body patterns. Twenty-one percent of cryptic fish species assessed for their extinction risk (International Union for Conservation of Nature [IUCN]) are data deficient. We developed a nondestructive method for surveying cryptically patterned marine fishes based on the presence of biofluorescence (underwater biofluorescence census, UBC). Blue LED torches were used to investigate how widespread biofluorescence was in cryptic reef fishes in the Coral Triangle region. The effectiveness of UBC to generate abundance data was tested on a data-deficient pygmy seahorse species (Hippocampus bargibanti) and compared with data obtained from standard underwater visual census (UVC) surveys. We recorded 95 reef fish species displaying biofluorescence, 73 of which had not been previously described as biofluorescent. Of those fish with cryptic patterns, 87% were biofluorescent compared with 9% for noncryptic fishes. The probability of species displaying biofluorescence was 70.9 times greater for cryptic species than for noncryptic species. Almost twice the number of H. bargibanti was counted using the UBC compared with UVC. For 2 triplefin species (Ucla xenogrammus, Enneapterygius tutuilae), the abundance detected with UBC was triple that detected with UVC. The UBC method was effective at finding cryptic species that would otherwise be difficult to detect and thus will reduce interobserver variability inherent to UVC surveys. Biofluorescence is ubiquitous in cryptic fishes, making this method applicable across a wide range of species. Data collected using UBC could be used with multiple IUCN criteria to assess the extinction risk of cryptic species. Adopting this technique will enhance researchers' ability to survey cryptic species and facilitate management and conservation of cryptic marine species. Conforme los ecosistemas están sometidos a la creciente presión antropogénica, las especies raras enfrentan el riesgo de extinción más alto. Paradójicamente, con frecuencia son pocos los datos necesarios para evaluar el estado de conservación de las especies raras debido a las dificultades existentes en la detección de especies con abundancias bajas. Un grupo de peces sujeto a este sesgo de poco muestreo es aquel conformado por peces con patrones corporales crípticos. El 21% de las especies de peces crípticos evaluados por riesgo de extinción (Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza [UICN]) carece de datos. Desarrollamos un método no-destructivo para el censo de peces marinos con patrones crípticos basado en la presencia de la bioluminiscencia (censo submarino de bioluminiscencia, UBC en inglés). Se utilizaron antorchas de LEDs azules para investigar cuan diseminada estaba la bioluminiscenda en los peces crípticos de arrecife en la región del Triángulo de Coral. La efectividad del UBC para generar datos de abundancia se probó con una especie deficiente de datos, el caballito de mar pigmeo (Hippocampus bargibanti), y se comparó con los datos obtenidos a partir de censos submarinos visuales (UVC, en inglés) estándar. Registramos 95 especies de peces de arrecife que exhibieron bioluminiscencia, 73 de las cuales no habían sido descritos previamente como bioluminiscentes. De aquellos peces con patrones crípticos, el 87% fue bioluminiscente en comparación con el 9% de los peces no-crípticos. La probabilidad de que una especie exhibiera bioluminiscencia fue 70.9 veces mayor para las especies crípticas que para las no-crípticas. Se contó casi el doble del número de H. bargibanti con el uso del UBC en comparación con el UVC. Para dos especies (Ucla xenogrammus, Enneapterygius tutuilae) la abundancia detectada con el UBC fue triple que aquella detectada con el UVC. El método UBC fue efectivo para hallar especies crípticas que de otra forma serían difíciles de detectar y por lo tanto reduciría la variabilidad entre observadores inherente a los censos UVC. La bioluminiscencia es ubicua en peces crípticos, lo que hace que este método sea aplicable a lo largo de una amplia gama de especies. Los datos recolectados usando el UBC podrían usarse con múltiples criterios de la UICN para valorar el riesgo de extinción de las especies crípticas. Adoptar esta técnica mejorará la habilidad de los investigadores para censar especies crípticas y facilitar el manejo y la conservación de las especies crípticas marinas. 随着人类对生态系统的影响与日俱增，珍稀物种正面临极髙的灭绝风险。矛盾的是，由于探测低丰度物种的难 度较大’ 评估珍稀物种的濒危等级所必需的数据时常匮乏。其中有一大类身体含有隐秘图案的鱼类的评估，就 受到低样本量的抽样偏差影响。来自世界自然保护联盟(IUCN)的数据显示, 21% 的这类鱼类因为数据缺乏而 无法准确评估其灭绝风险。这里, 我们发展了一个基于生物荧光（水下生物荧光调查，UBC) 的非损伤取样方法 来调查有隐秘图案的海洋鱼类。我们用蓝光LED手电探究了珊瑚大三角地区这类岩礁鱼类中生物荧光的普遍 性, 并用ー个数据资料缺乏的倭海马(Hippocampus bargibanti)检验了UBC法获取数据的效力，同时与标准的 水下视觉调查法 (UVC) 所得到的数据进行了比较。我们一共记录到 9% 种有生物荧光的岩樵鱼类，其中73种之 前没有关于生物荧光的记载。在有隐秘图案的鱼中，87%有生物荧光，这在没有隐秘图案的鱼中仅有9% 。隐秘 种展现出生物荧光的概率是非隐秘种的70.9倍。例如, 用UBC法记录的巴氏豆丁海马(H. bargibanti) 的数量是 用UVC法的近两倍。而在两种三繕鱼(Ucla xenogrammus和Enneaüterygius tutuilae)研究中，用UBC法检测到 的丰度是UVC法的三倍。我们的研究表明，IUBN法可有效用于寻找这些难以用其它方法探測到的隐秘物种,因 此可以减少UVC调查方法中出现的观察者之间的误差。由于在隐秘的鱼类物种普遍存在生物荧光，使得这个方 法可以大范围应用于许多物种。用UBC法收集的数据可以用于IUCN的多重标准，来评估隐秘种的灭绝风险。同 吋，采取这种技术可以提髙研究者对隐秘种的调查能力，并有利于隐秘的海洋物种的管理和保护。

Invertebrate gleaning (walking) fisheries are common within intertidal seagrass meadows globally, contributing to the food supply of hundreds of millions of people, but understanding of these fisheries and their ecological drivers are extremely limited. The present study provides a unique analysis of these fisheries using a combined social and ecological approach. Catches contained 34 species and were dominated by Bivalves, Urchins and Gastropods. CPUE in all sites varied from 0.05 to 3 kg gleaner-1 hr-1, respectively, with the majority of fishers being women and children. Landings were of major significance for local food supply and livelihoods at all sites. Local ecological knowledge suggests seagrass meadows are declining in line with other regional trends. Increasing seagrass density significantly and positively correlated with CPUE of the invertebrate gleaning (r = 0.830) highlighting the importance of conserving these threatened habitats. Understanding the complexities of these fisheries, their supporting habitats and their sustainability is important for the support of sustainable coastal livelihoods.

Ecosystem restoration aims to restore biodiversity and valuable functions that have been degraded or lost. The Coral Triangle is a hotspot for marine biodiversity held in its coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests, all of which are in global decline. These coastal ecosystems support valuable fisheries and endangered species, protect shorelines, and are significant carbon stores, functions that have been degraded by coastal development, destructive fishing practices, and climate change. Ecosystem restoration is required to mitigate these damages and losses, but its practice is in its infancy in the region. Here we demonstrate that species diversity can set the trajectory of restoration. In a seagrass restoration experiment in the heart of the Coral Triangle (Sulawesi, Indonesia), plant survival and coverage increased with the number of species transplanted. Our results highlight the positive role biodiversity can play in ecosystem restoration and call for revision of the common restoration practice of establishing a single target species, particularly in regions having high biodiversity. Coastal ecosystems affect human well-being in many important ways, and restoration will become ever more important as conservation efforts cannot keep up with their loss.

Seagrasses offer diverse ecosystem services, yet, they are among the most threatened ecosystems. When degraded or destroyed, their services are lost or reduced in the process, affecting, for instance, local communities directly dependent on their livelihood provision. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that climate change is projected to worsen over time; thus, there is an urgent need for mitigation strategies in practice and also in the longer term. This work aims to provide an alternative perspective of seagrass restoration as a nature based solution (NbS) on a global scale, yet, giving an emphasis on tropical regions such as Indonesia. We focused on seagrass restorations which are not yet well established in comparison with other restoration programs (e.g., mangroves) despite their critical roles. We present in this work how restoring seagrass meadows fits the global standard of NbS published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The results of this study can serve as a basis for promoting seagrass restorations as NbS against climate change particularly in countries with a wide extent of seagrass coverage.

Seagrass ecosystems play a crucial role in coastal and marine environments, offering essential ecological services such as habitat provision, biodiversity support, and carbon sequestration. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of seagrass research in the Spermonde Archipelago using Scopus-indexed publications. Data were analyzed using R and VOSviewer to identify publication trends, co-authorship networks, keyword occurrences, and citation impacts. Results show an increasing trend in seagrass research, particularly in recent years, with Indonesia as a central hub for scientific collaboration. Major research themes include biodiversity, ecosystem services, blue carbon, and conservation. The findings underscore the importance of international collaborations and the increasing emphasis on seagrass as a crucial component in climate change mitigation and marine sustainability initiatives. This study offers valuable insights into recent research developments and emerging themes, serving as a valuable reference for future studies on seagrass ecosystems in the region.

Previous ecological studies show higher sponge diversity in the Spermonde Archipelago, SW Sulawesi, Indonesia, compared to the World Porifera Database. This study aims to provide an updated checklist of sponges of the Spermonde Archipelago, focusing particularly on the littoral area. Systematic sampling was executed through several observations, with roving techniques, e.g., snorkeling and SCUBA diving. In situ photographs of living sponges were taken using an underwater digital camera. Some specimens were collected and stored at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden. Fragments of samples were analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy. A total of 27 sponges (Calcarea and Demospongiae) were catalogued from the littoral area of the Spermonde Archipelago. Some of these are new records for the Sulawesi Sea/Makassar Strait marine ecoregion, including four potentially novel taxa. Preliminary morphological descriptions of all examined samples are presented. This study highlights the sponge assemblage flourishing in a shallow area characterized by a paucity of live corals and a predominant environment by macroalgae, rocks, and rubble.

Seagrass meadows are declining globally. In Indonesia, 75% loss has been reported in the last 5 years. The decrease of the seagrass area is influenced by the simultaneous occurrence of many factors at the local and global scale, including nutrient enrichment and climate change. This study aims to find out how increasing temperature and nutrient enrichment affect the morphological, biochemical and physiological responses of Enhalus acoroides in the seedling phase, which has not previously been studied. To achieve these aims, a laboratory experiment of combined temperature and nutrient treatments was conducted using recently-germinated seedlings of E. acoroides. The results showed that the seedlings were tolerant to an extended exposure to the current ambient maximum temperature. Under higher temperature treatment, the seedlings were observed to increase in aboveground size traits (e.g., number of leaves, leaf length, biomass and leaf area), as well as in belowground traits, such as root length. The results in this study also showed that the initial seed size matters for morphological responses. On the contrary, nutrient responses of seedlings were practically absent, suggesting they could rely on internal reserves. Interaction between both factors was limited, with the exception of low temperature and high nutrient treatment, in which the AG:BG ratio and leaf elongation rate increased. Fluorescence parameters were not influenced by any of the water treatments. The results in this study suggest that E. acoroides seedlings rely energetically in the reserves within the seedling and that increasing temperature might result in faster seedling development, although no interactions with other organisms were tested. This is of importance when studying the resilience capacity of this species and when restoration attempts are planned, as a faster root development would provide a faster stabilization in the sediment and the survival of the whole plant.

The greater Southeast Asian region contains the largest global extent of tropical seagrass; however, anthropogenic degradation is estimated to be greater than 7% per year. Although the areal extent of seagrass is presently 36,765 km 2 , Fortes group estimates that 50% of the original seagrass has been degraded from a variety of impacts. One set of solutions to degradation is to restore tropical seagrass successfully, for which information from past results is needed to avoid failures. Van Katwijk, Thorhaug and others provided a global seagrass restoration review of 1,786 trials, but did not include the full Southeast Asian regional information. Thus, we review findings from 228 trials in the greater Southeast Asian region, involving 305,807 restored units with an extent of 372,649 m 2 . Seagrasses planted with varying successes include 13 tropical species and five subtropical or near-subtemperate species. We compare methodologies as well as key factors of light level, energetics, and depth. This review demonstrates the highest survival in seagrass restoration employing sprigs or plugs at medium depths (2–4 m) with adequate light levels in medium to low energetics planting one to several dominant species. Substrate anchors improved successful establishment. Information gaps occur in quantified monitoring of seagrass services reassembled with tropical-seagrass restoration; thus, fisheries’ nursery potentials are not provided. Future actions need national seagrass restoration policies and plans to restore degraded seagrasses. At present, such policies and plans are non-existent in most greater Southeast Asian regional nations, with the exceptions of Australia and the Philippines, although some nations have national plans for restoring corals or mangroves.

Seagrass ecosystems in eastern Indonesia play a crucial role in blue carbon storage, slowing climate change by absorbing and storing carbon in their sediments for decades. Nevertheless, seagrass meadows are under high pressure due to human activities. Since the calculation of emission factors requires data on the area of seagrass change, spatial time series data are necessary. One of the consistent time series of spatial data is the Sentinel-2 satellite imagery available on the Earth Engine data catalogue. This study aims to map seasonal changes of the seagrass bed at Makassar using Google Earth Engine. The image classification results from 2016 to 2024 data using Random Forest show that the area of seagrass beds in the small islands of Makassar tends to increase by about 3% during the dry season. Kodingarenglompo Island has the largest seagrass bed, with a variation of approximately 68 hectares in the dry season to 57 hectares in the rainy season. The average seagrass area on this island has a downward trend over the past eight years, as does Barranglompo Island. In contrast, Barrangcaddi Island, Langkai and Bonetambung show an increasing trend in seagrass in 2024 compared to 2016.