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This book seeks to explore historical changes in the lifeworld of the Mi'kmaq Indians of Eastern Canada. The Mi'kmaq culture hero Kluskap serves as a key persona in discussing issues such as traditions, changing conceptions of land, and human-environmental relations. In order not to depict Mi'kmaq culture as timeless, two important periods in its history are examined. Within the first period, between 1850 and 1930, Hornborg explores historical evidence of the ontology, epistemology, and ethics - jointly labelled animism - that stem from a premodern Mi'kmaq hunting subsistence. New ways of discussing animism and shamanism are here richly exemplified. The second study situates the culture hero in the modern world of the 1990s, when allusions to Mi'kmaq tradition and to Kluskap played an important role in the struggle against a planned superquarry on Cape Breton. This study discusses the eco-cosmology that has been formulated by modern reserve inhabitants which could be labelled a 'sacred ecology'. Focusing on how the Mi'kmaq are rebuilding their traditions and environmental relations in interaction with modern society, Hornborg illustrates how environmental groups, pan-Indianism, and education play an important role, but so does reserve life. By anchoring their engagement in reserve life the Mi'kmaq traditionalists have, to a large extent, been able to confront both external and internal doubts about their authenticity.

Aim: Following the biogeographical approach implemented by Longhurst for the epipelagic layer, we propose here to identify a biogeochemical 3-D partition for the mesopelagic layer. The resulting partition characterizes the main deep environmental biotopes and their vertical boundaries on a global scale, which can be used as a geographical and ecological framework for conservation biology, ecosystem-based management and for the design of oceanographic investigations. Location: The global ocean. Methods: Based on the most comprehensive environmental climatology available to date, which is both spatially and vertically resolved (seven environmental parameters), we applied a combination of clustering algorithms (c-means, k-means, partition around medoids and agglomerative with Ward's linkage) associated with a nonparametric environmental model to identify the vertical and spatial delineation of the mesopelagic layer. Results: First, we show via numerical interpretation that the vertical division of the pelagic zone varies and, hence, is not constant throughout the global ocean. Indeed, a latitudinal gradient is found between the epipelagic–mesopelagic and mesopelagic–bathypelagic vertical limits. Second, the mesopelagic layer is shown here to be composed of 13 distinguishable Biogeochemical Provinces. Each province shows a distinct range of environmental conditions and characteristic 3-D distributions. Main conclusions: The historical definition of the mesopelagic zone is here revisited to define a 3-D geographical framework and characterize all the deep environmental biotopes of the deep global ocean. According to the numerical interpretation of mesopelagic boundaries, we reveal that the vertical division of the zone is not constant over the global ocean (200–1,000 m) but varies between ocean basin and with latitude. We also provide evidence of biogeochemical division of the mesopelagic zone that is spatially structured in a similar way than the epipelagic in the shallow waters but varies in the deep owing to a change of the environmental driving factors.

Few genetic studies that provide biological, ecological and evolutionary information have been conducted for parrotfishes, including Sparisoma viride, and none has covered the full geographic range of this species. Here, we examine the genetic patterns of the Stoplight parrotfish (S. viride) in the Greater Caribbean and its relationship with the recognized biogeographic provinces in the region. Phylogeographic, population and coalescent analyses were performed to examine the genetic structure and connectivity of S. viride populations throughout its entire range within the Greater Caribbean. Two mitochondrial (control region and coxI) and one nuclear (RHO) markers were used. The Stoplight parrotfish shows high haplotypic diversity (h) and low nucleotide diversity (π) in the control region, and low genetic diversity in coxI and RHO. No evidence of genetic structure was found, indicating a panmictic population throughout the Greater Caribbean with highly symmetrical migration rates among previously defined Caribbean biogeographic provinces. The demographic history estimates indicate events of bottlenecks followed by a population expansion dated at 80,000 years ago (kya) during the Pleistocene epoch. These results suggest that the contrasting environmental conditions that define the Greater Caribbean provinces are not barriers to gene flow for S. viride. The phylogeographic patterns of Stoplight parrotfish could be associated with the biological characteristics of the species (such as extensive pelagic larval duration and use of multiple habitats), historical demographic events and physical conditions of the Greater Caribbean, promoting the genetic homogeneity of the species in the region.

The global ocean is commonly partitioned into 4 biomes subdivided into 56 biogeochemical provinces (BGCPs) following the accepted partition proposed by Longhurst in 1998. Each province corresponds to a unique regional environment that shapes biodiversity and constrains ecosystem structure and functions. BGCPs are dynamic entities that change their spatial extent and position with climate and are expected to be pertubated in the near future by global climate change. Here, we characterize the changes in spatial distribution of BGCPs from 1950 to 2100 using three earth system models under two representative concentration pathways (RCP 2.6 and 8.5). We project a reorganisation of current distribution of BGCPs driven mostly by a poleward shift of their distributions (18.4 km in average per decade). Projection of the future distribution of BGCPs also revealed the emergence of new climate that has no analogue with past and current environmental conditions experienced by BGCPs . This novel environmental conditions, here named No-Analogue BGCPs State (NABS), will expand from 2040 to 2100 at a rate of 4.3 Mkm2 per decade (1.2% of the global ocean). We subsequently quantified the potential amount of marine species and fisheries catch that would experience such novel environmental conditions to roughly evaluate NABS impact on ecosystem services.

The Nile Deep-Sea Fan (NDSF) is located on the passive continental margin off Egypt and is characterized by the occurrence of active fluid seepage such as brine lakes, pockmarks and mud volcanoes. This study characterizes the structure of faunal assemblages of such active seepage systems of the NDSF. Benthic communities associated with reduced, sulphidic microhabitats such as sediments and carbonate crusts were sampled by remotely operated vehicles during two cruises in 2006 (BIONIL) and 2007 (MEDECO). Environmental conditions and biological factors including family-level faunal composition, density and diversity were measured at local and regional scales. Significant differences were detected at different spatial scales: (1) the fauna of reduced habitats differed substantially in activity, diversity and biomass from the non-seep environment at similar water depth, (2) cold seep microhabitats showed differences in community structure and composition related to substratum type as well as to the intensity and location of fluid emissions.

Aim: The aims of this study were: (1) to identify global communities of tuna and billfish species through quantitative statistical analyses of global fisheries data; (2) to describe the spatial distribution, main environmental drivers and species composition of each community detected; and (3) to determine whether the spatial distribution of each community could be linked to the environmental conditions that affect lower trophic levels by comparing the partitions identified in this study with Longhurst's biogeochemical provinces. Location: The global ocean from 60° S to 65° N. Methods: We implemented a new numerical procedure based on a hierarchical clustering method and a nonparametric probabilistic test to divide the oceanic biosphere into biomes and ecoregions. This procedure was applied to a database that comprised standardized data on commercial longline catches for 15 different species of tuna and billfish over a period of more than 50 years (i.e. 1953-2007). For each ecoregion identified (i.e. characteristic tuna and billfish community), we analysed the relationships between species composition and environmental factors. Finally, we compared the biogeochemical provinces of Longhurst with the ecoregions that we identified. Results: Tuna and billfish species form nine well-defined communities across the global ocean. Each community occurs in regions with specific environmental conditions and shows a distinctive species composition. High similarity (68.8% homogeneity) between the spatial distribution of the communities of tuna and billfish and the biogeochemical provinces suggests a strong relationship between these species and the physical and chemical characteristics of the global ocean. Main conclusions: Despite their high tolerance for a wide range of environmental conditions, these highly migratory species are partitioned into clear geographical communities in the ocean at a global scale. The similarity between biogeochemical and biotic divisions in the ocean suggests that the global ocean is a mosaic of large biogeographical ecosystems, each characterized by specific environmental conditions that have a strong effect on the composition of the trophic web.

Invasive plant species can alter natural communities and degrade ecosystem function, yet the factors influencing species invasion are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to characterize environmental drivers of plant community structure and invasive plant prevalence within invaded portions of wetland mitigation sites. We sampled vegetation and environmental variables (prevalence index, light availability, soil physiochemistry, site age) across invasion gradients within and adjacent to invasive plant populations at multiple wetland mitigation sites in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont physiographic provinces of Virginia (USA). Data analyses involved a multi-metric statistical approach combining correlation and CCA to arrive at a plausible model for drivers of plant community structure in the context of invasive species prevalence based on environmental correlates. We targeted populations of Arthraxon hispidus (joint-head grass), Microstegium vimineum (Japanese stiltgrass), and Typha spp. (cattail), three invasive species that are known to be problematic on wetland mitigation sites in the region. Our analyses revealed specific environmental drivers of plant community structure and invasive species prevalence associated with populations of each invader, and a few factors consistently emerged as important drivers across populations of all targeted invaders – notably, canopy cover (light availability), prevalence index (representing frequency and duration of inundation and shallow soil saturation), and a handful of physiochemical variables. The results of this research have been used to develop a suite of recommended best practices that can be implemented at the outset of a wetland mitigation project to encourage desirable wetland plant communities and reduce the risk of invasion.

The biogeography of marine benthic macroinvertebrates of US Atlantic estuaries and inshore coastal areas from Delaware Bay north to Passamaquoddy Bay was studied to compare recent data with historical biogeographic studies, define physical-chemical factors affecting species' distributions, and provide information for calibrating benthic indices of environmental condition. Five years (2000-2004) of data from 614 non-polluted, soft-bottom stations from the National Coastal Assessment were analyzed. Multidimensional scaling done on Bray-Curtis similarity matrices of species' relative abundance (547 species) suggested seven subregions: two based on salinity (oligohaline, mesohaline) and five based on latitude. Species' distribution patterns for stations with salinities > 18 (n= 558) were strongly influenced by latitude; Cape Cod was a clear faunal transition zone (R= 0.92, p< 0.001). Conversely, for stations with salinities < 18 (n=56), salinity was the more important factor. An ordination of abiotic variables (temperature, salinity, sediment percent silt-clay, depth) correlated well with the ordination of species' relative abundance data (R= 0.77, p< 0.001). The first split of a multivariate regression tree was by a summer bottom temperature of 20°C at Cape Cod. Salinity and percent silt-clay led to further splits. These results support the existence of Virginian and Transhatteran biogeographic provinces. They constitute a baseline for addressing broad-scale and long-term issues such as global climate change, species invasions, and conservation planning.

The impact of climate change is significant, potentially threatening the growth and stability of future aquaculture and leading to economic shifts. Despite the expansion of aquaculture in Korea, rising sea temperatures are causing damage to species, making it essential to identify and mitigate potential future damage. We evaluated the damage cost of primary aquaculture species (e.g. Korean rockfish, mullet, red seabream, sea bass, black seabream, rock bream, kelp, laver, sea mustard, Pacific oyster, Mediterranean mussel, abalone, Japanese littleneck clam, bay scallop, sea squirt) by province taking into account damage probabilities and production value. The total damage costs are projected to range from 689,899 million KRW (515.97 million USD) to 1,630,130 million KRW (1,219.15 million USD), which represent 32% and 76% of the total production value, respectively, depending on the scenarios. Among the species, abalone is estimated to have the highest cost. To mitigate damage costs, it is crucial to establish appropriate adaptation measures tailored to different timeframes. These measures include selecting alternative production locations, switching to more resilient species that can withstand higher temperatures, and considering alternative production grounds, such as land-based infrastructure.

Study of resource and environmental carrying capacity is an important research content of sustainable development science and the theoretical support for land space optimization. Existing research theories need to be deepened, and spatial simulation studies are relatively lacking. This study aimed to assess the current and future resource and environmental carrying capacity in the Yangtze River Delta region’s coastal zone and enhance sustainable development by exploring the application of shared socioeconomic pathway (SSPs) scenarios at the spatial pattern scale in regional resource and environmental carrying capacity simulation studies. Based on the FLUS and InVEST models, this study introduced the Coastal Resource and Environmental Carrying Capacity Index (CRECC) from the dimensions of “pressure” and “support” using land use remote sensing monitoring data and SSPs scenario data. A CRECC evaluation index system and quantitative evaluation method for the Yangtze River Delta were constructed. The results showed that from 2000 to 2020, the CRECC of the Yangtze River Delta coastal zone increased, the carrying capacity decreased, and the spatial distribution was low in the north and high in the south. The carrying capacity under the five SSP scenarios did not improve. The mismatch between natural ecological conditions and the intensity of human activities in the shoreline area was more prominent than in the study area, with the SSP1 and SSP5 scenarios being the most obvious. The supporting indicators have a more significant influence on improving CRECC than the pressure indicators, among which the supply capacity of water resources, land resources, and atmospheric environmental quality are the main limiting factors in the process of future sustainable economic-ecological development. This study provides ideas and examples for exploring spatial and temporal predictions of resources and environmental carrying capacity in coastal zones.