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In line with the global trend, the Ria de Aveiro coastal lagoon is subjected to multiple co-occurring pressures threatening vital benefits flowing from nature to people. The main objective of this research was to assess the status of habitats important for ecosystem services in the Ria de Aveiro by identifying vulnerable areas to anthropogenic threats. The pressures from seven relevant human activities (recreation, services, aquaculture, agriculture, commercial development, unintended impacts from management, and invasive alien species) were analysed based on their spatiotemporal distribution (exposure) and impact over the EUNIS habitats (EUNIS codes A2.2, A2.22 – sand flats and beaches; A2.3 – mud flats; A2.61 – seagrasses; A2.5, A2.53C, A2.535, A2.545, A2.554 – salt marshes; and, X10 – ‘Bocage,’ a landscape of small-hedged fields) in seven distinct landscape units. A prospective scenario, co-developed for the year 2030, was evaluated using a map- based risk assessment tool and brought forward the near-term vulnerability of the seagrass biotope. The highest risks posed to intertidal habitats (mud flats and salt marshes) were driven mainly by environmental management activities that support critical socio-economic sectors. Our methodology evaluated plausible threats to habitats in the near term, established baseline knowledge for the adaptive management process in Ria de Aveiro Natura 2000 site, and showcased how future assessments can inform the operationalization of ecosystem-based management as new information becomes available.

The present study aims to assess the plastic response of Zostera noltei meadows traits under spatio-temporal shifts in salinity combined with sediment environmental variables (temperature; pH; loss-on-ignition (LOI); carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools (top 5 cm)). Z . noltei biomass, C and N pools, leaf photosynthetic performance and esterified fatty acid (FA) profile were assessed within a temperate coastal lagoon during winter and late spring, along sites spatially distributed. None of the surveyed traits for Z . noltei displayed a clear spatial trend. Z . noltei proved to be euryhaline, whose biology was only slightly affected within this salinity range, in each season (14–39 in winter; 33–41 in late spring). Seasonal differences in salinity and environmental parameters explain the differences recorded in Z . noltei traits (aboveground biomass, N and C pools; photosynthetic performance). Spatio-temporal salinity shifts did not significantly affect the pool of FA present in Z . noltei . Overall, within the salinity range surveyed, the ecological processes studied and regulating Z . noltei meadows do not appear to be at risk. This work reinforces the plasticity of Z . noltei to salinity shifts within the studied range, with this finding being particularly relevant in the context of extreme weather events (e.g., winter freshwater floods, summer droughts).

Seagrasses are marine flowering plants that form extensive meadows from the inter-tidal zone up to ~50 m depth. As biological and ecological Essential Biodiversity Variables, seagrass cover and composition provide a wide range of ecosystem services. Inter-tidal seagrass meadows provide services to many ecosystems, so monitoring their occurrence, extent, condition and diversity can be used to indicate the biodiversity and health of local ecosystems. Current global estimates of seagrass extent and recent reviews either do not mention inter-tidal seagrasses and their seasonal variation, or combine them with sub-tidal seagrasses. Here, using high-spatial and high-temporal resolution satellite data (Sentinel-2), we demonstrate a method for consistently mapping inter-tidal seagrass meadows and their phenology at a continental scale. We were able to highlight varying seasonal patterns that are observable across a 23° latitudinal range. Timings of peaks in seagrass extent varied by up to 5 months, rather than the previously assumed marginal to non-existent variation in peak timing. These results will aid management by providing high-resolution spatio-temporal monitoring data to better inform seagrass conservation and restoration. They also highlight the high level of seasonal variability in inter-tidal seagrass, meaning combination with sub-tidal seagrass for global assessments will likely produce misleading or incorrect estimates.

Coastal and marine ecosystems provide a wide range of ecosystem services, including habitats for 24 rich biodiversity, improved water quality, coastal protection against erosion, carbon storage, and 25 cultural benefits such as recreation, aesthetics, and human well-being. Drawing from terrestrial 26 ecology, the concept of rewilding to degraded coastal and marine ecosystems has the potential to 27 address the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. While the 28 understanding and implementation of rewilding in terrestrial systems is relatively advanced, \"coastal 29 and marine rewilding\", is still in its infancy (Cornerier 2024) We thank all contributing authors for joining this Research Topic. We hope that the papers will 85 inspire and contribute to the development of coastal rewilding approaches within the framework of 86 nature-based solutions. 87 88

Bifocal and multifocal optical devices are intended to get images into focus from objects placed at different distances from the observer. Spectacles, contact lenses, and intraocular lenses can meet the requirements to provide such a solution. Contact lenses provide unique characteristics as a platform for implementing bifocality and multifocality. Compared to spectacles, they are closer to the eye, providing a wider field of view, less distortion, and their use is more consistent as they are not so easily removed along the day. In addition, contact lenses are also minimally invasive, can be easily exchangeable, and, therefore, suitable for conditions in which surgical procedures are not indicated. Contact lenses can remain centered with the eye despite eye movements, providing the possibility for simultaneous imaging from different object distances. The main current indications for bifocal and multifocal contact lenses include presbyopia correction in adult population and myopia control in children. Considering the large numbers of potential candidates for optical correction of presbyopia and the demographic trends in myopia, the potential impact of contact lenses for presbyopia and myopia applications is undoubtedly tremendous. However, the ocular characteristics and expectations vary significantly between young and older candidates and impose different challenges in fitting bifocal and multifocal contact lenses for the correction of presbyopia and myopia control. This review presents the recent developments in material platforms, optical designs, simulated visual performance, and the clinical performance assessment of bifocal and multifocal contact lenses for presbyopia correction and/or myopia progression control.

IntroductionThis study showcases how the end-users of Ria de Aveiro coastal lagoon (Portugal), perceive the threat of invasive alien species (IAS), as well as biodiversity loss, and how it relates to their local activities, environmental identity and risk perception. Previous studies in the region and elsewhere have demonstrated that invasive species might have an impact at the habitats and at the species levels, both with potential negative socio-economic implications for end-users, i.e., for citizens who rely on the ecosystem for their livelihoods. However, this relation is still not well understood.MethodsData drew on face-to-face questionnaires run in situ at the lagoon intertidal flats. Supported by maps, participants were invited to identify the presence of the habitat Zostera noltei (also known as Zostera noltii), and the species Diopatra neapolitana, Hediste diversicolor and Arenicola spp., as well as Ruditapes decussatus, Venerupis corrugata and Ruditapes philippinarum, and inquired about the extraction, preference, and preferred areas. Of the 174 participants, 83% were male, and 68% were private citizens. Their main reason to be in situ at the time of the questionnaire relates to local traditional activities. This study is driven by three main research questions focusing on the perspective of the Ria de Aveiro local community that rely on the lagoon for their livelihoods: i) How is the threat of IAS to native species perceived? ii) How are the relations between local activities and IAS perceived? iii) What is the impact of environmental perceptions on marine biological resources?ResultsThe research questions that drove this study enabled us to conclude that the threat posed by IAS and biodiversity loss is moderate and individuals perceive that most of the species have decreased in the past and/or will decrease in the future. End-user’s evidence spatial-distinct preferences in the lagoon area for species-specific harvesting, including alien species, mainly related to market demand and financial gain.DiscussionThe impact of environmental perceptions on marine biological resources, indicate that the inter-relations between environmental identity and risk perception might have unexpected effects that need to be better understood.

IntroductionRia de Aveiro, a coastal lagoon on the Atlantic coast of Portugal, was invaded by Arenicola spp. 15 years ago, with the new species successfully spreading throughout the system and replacing the native Diopatra species. With opposite bioturbation traits (Diopatra as sediment stabilizers vs Arenicola as sediment reworkers), the impacts of this replacement can spread across the entire ecosystem.MethodsIn a 21 days microcosm study, we evaluated the effects of the incremental substitution of Diopatra by Arenicola species on relevant proxies of ecosystem functioning, such as sediment reworking depths and nutrient dynamics.ResultsThe results show a strong directional influence on most of the analyzed parameters as a response to higher densities of Arenicola. Specifically, Arenicola-dominated communities were characterized by deeper reworking depths and higher concentrations of ammonium and phosphate in the water column.DiscussionThese results are discussed in the context of the available knowledge on the accompanying biological communities, which are typically fostered by these distinct functional groups. Therefore, there is strong evidence that the introduction of a novel species’ trait will have major consequences across several levels of the invaded system.

This work assessed the Blue Carbon (C) stock in the seagrass meadows ( Zostera noltei ) of Ria de Aveiro coastal lagoon (Portugal), and evaluated its spatio-temporal trend over the 2003–2005 to 2013–2014 period. Zostera noltei spatial distribution, restricted to intertidal areas in 2014, was mapped by remote sensing using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and aerial photography. Zostera noltei biomass was also monitored in situ over a year and its Blue C stock was estimated. By 2014, intertidal meadows covered an area of 226 ± 4 ha and their Blue C stock ranged from 227 ± 6 to 453 ± 13 Mg C. Overall, Ria de Aveiro Z. noltei intertidal meadows increased in extent over the 2003–2005 to 2013–2014 period, corroborating the recent declining trend reversal observed in Europe and contrary to the global decline trend. This spatio-temporal shift might be related to a natural adjustment of the intertidal meadows to past human intervention in Ria de Aveiro, namely large-scale dredging activities, particularly in the 1996–1998 period, combined with the more accurate assessment performed in 2014 using the UAV. This recovery contributes to the effective increase of the Blue C stock in Ria de Aveiro and, ultimately, to supporting climate regulation and improving ecosystem health. However, major dredging activities are foreseen in the system’s management plan, which can again endanger the recovery trend of Z. noltei intertidal meadows in Ria de Aveiro.

A variety of ecosystem services classification systems and mapping approaches are available in the scientific and technical literature, which needs to be selected and adapted when applied to complex territories (e.g. in the interface between water and land, estuary and sea). This paper provides a framework for addressing ecosystem services in complex coastal regions. The roadmap comprises the definition of the exact geographic boundaries of the study area; the use of CICES (Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services) for ecosystem services identification and classification; and the definition of qualitative indicators that will serve as basis to map the ecosystem services. Due to its complexity, the Ria de Aveiro coastal region was selected as case study, presenting an opportunity to explore the application of such approaches at a regional scale. The main challenges of implementing the proposed roadmap, together with its advantages are discussed in this research. The results highlight the importance of considering both the connectivity of natural systems and the complexity of the governance framework; the flexibility and robustness, but also the challenges when applying CICES at regional scale; and the challenges regarding ecosystem services mapping.

Ria de Aveiro is a mesotidal coastal lagoon with one of the largest continuous salt marshes in Europe. The objective of this work was to assess C, N and P stocks of Spartina maritima (low marsh pioneer halophyte) and Juncus maritimus (representative of mid-high marsh halophytes) combined with the contribution of Halimione portulacoides, Sarcocornia perennis , and Bolbochenous maritimus to the lagoon ≈4400 ha marsh area. A multivariate analysis (PCO), taking into account environmental variables and the annual biomass and nutrient dynamics, showed that there are no clear seasonal or spatial differences within low or mid-high marshes, but clearly separates J. maritimus and S. maritima marshes. Calculations of C, N and P stocks in the biomass of the five most representative halophytes plus the respective rhizosediment (25 cm depth), and taking into account their relative coverage, represents 252053 Mg C, 38100 Mg N and 7563 Mg P. Over 90% of the stocks are found within mid-high marshes. This work shows the importance of this lagoon’s salt marshes on climate and nutrients regulation, and defines the current condition concerning the ‘blue carbon’ and nutrient stocks, as a basis for prospective future scenarios of salt marsh degradation or loss, namely under SLR context.