Taking Complexity in Food Systems Seriously: An Interdisciplinary Analysis

In coastal waters around the world, the dominant primary producers are benthic macrophytes, including seagrasses and macroalgae, that provide habitat structure and food for diverse and abundant biological communities and drive ecosystem processes. Seagrass meadows and macroalgal forests play key roles for coastal societies, contributing to fishery yields, storm protection, biogeochemical cycling and storage, and important cultural values. These socio-economically valuable services are threatened worldwide by human activities, with substantial areas of seagrass and macroalgal forests lost over the last half-century. Tracking the status and trends in marine macrophyte cover and quality is an emerging priority for ocean and coastal management, but doing so has been challenged by limited coordination across the numerous efforts to monitor macrophytes, which vary widely in goals, methodologies, scales, capacity, governance approaches, and data availability. Here, we present a consensus assessment and recommendations on the current state of and opportunities for advancing global marine macrophyte observations, integrating contributions from a community of researchers with broad geographic and disciplinary expertise. With the increasing scale of human impacts, the time is ripe to harmonize marine macrophyte observations by building on existing networks and identifying a core set of common metrics and approaches in sampling design, field measurements, governance, capacity building, and data management. We recommend a tiered observation system, with improvement of remote sensing and remote underwater imaging to expand capacity to capture broad-scale extent at intervals of several years, coordinated with stratified in situ sampling annually to characterize the key variables of cover and taxonomic or functional group composition, and to provide ground-truth. A robust networked system of macrophyte observations will be facilitated by establishing best practices, including standard protocols, documentation, and sharing of resources at all stages of workflow, and secure archiving of open-access data. Because such a network is necessarily distributed, sustaining it depends on close engagement of local stakeholders and focusing on building and long-term maintenance of local capacity, particularly in the developing world. Realizing these recommendations will produce more effective, efficient, and responsive observing, a more accurate global picture of change in vegetated coastal systems, and stronger international capacity for sustaining observations.

/pdf/toward-a-coordinated-global-observing-system-for-seagrasses-40ffmk3ds3.pdf

Toward a Coordinated Global Observing System for Seagrasses and Marine Macroalgae

Seagrass meadows support key ecosystem services, via provision of food directly for herbivores, and indirectly to their predators The importance of herbivores in seagrass meadows has been well-documented, but the links between food webs and ecosystem services in seagrass meadows have not previously been made explicit Herbivores interact with ecosystem services – including carbon sequestration, cultural values, and coastal protection Interactions can be positive or negative and depend on a range of factors including the herbivore identity and the grazing type and intensity There can be unintended consequences from management actions based on a poor understanding of trade-offs that occur with complex seagrass-herbivore interactions Tropical seagrass meadows support a diversity of grazers spanning the meso-, macro- and megaherbivore scales We present a conceptual model to describe how multiple ecosystem services are influenced by herbivore pressure in tropical seagrass meadows Our model suggests that a balanced ecosystem, incorporating both seagrass and herbivore diversity, is likely to sustain the broadest range of ecosystem services Our framework suggests the pathway to achieve desired ecosystem services outcomes requires knowledge on four key areas: (1) how size classes of herbivores interact to structure seagrass; (2) desired community and management values; (3) seagrass responses to top-down and bottom-up controls; (4) the pathway from intermediate to final ecosystem services and human benefits We suggest research should be directed to these areas Herbivory is a major structuring influence in tropical seagrass systems and needs to be considered for effective management of these critical habitats and their services

/pdf/the-role-of-herbivory-in-structuring-tropical-seagrass-2ak6ldkuu3.pdf

The Role of Herbivory in Structuring Tropical Seagrass Ecosystem Service Delivery.

Co-management has been advocated as an effective tool to achieve natural resource conservation worldwide. Yet, the potential of co-management arrangements can fail to be realized when there is insufficient local engagement. In this perspective paper, we argue that co-management schemes focusing on culturally important species (CIS) can help overcome this issue by engaging local people's interest. To develop this theory, we explore published data on the outcomes of two management schemes, both encompassing multiple independent initiatives, to discuss CIS-management effects and benefits. We also show a compilation of CIS examples throughout the world and discuss the potential of CIS-management to reach a global audience. Based on these data, we argue that CIS-management can be an effective tool to reconcile the often intractable goals of biodiversity conservation and human welfare.

/pdf/co-management-of-culturally-important-species-a-tool-to-4se0ssowfn.pdf

Co-management of culturally important species:A tool to promote biodiversity conservation and human well-being

Indigenous peoples of North America, Australia, and New Zealand have a long tradition of harvesting freshwater animals. Over generations of reliance and subsistence harvesting, Indigenous peoples have acquired a profound understanding of these freshwater animals and ecosystems that have become embedded within their cultural identity. We have identified trans-Pacific parallels in the cultural significance of several freshwater animal groups, such as eels, other finfish, bivalves, and crayfish, to Indigenous peoples and their understanding and respect for the freshwater ecosystems on which their community survival depends. In recognizing such cultural connections, we found that non-Indigenous peoples can appreciate the deep significance of freshwater animals to Indigenous peoples and integrate Indigenous stewardship and Indigenous ecological knowledge into effective comanagement strategies for sustainable freshwater fisheries, such as Indigenous rangers, research partnerships, and Indigenous Protected Areas. Given that many of these culturally significant freshwater species also play key ecological roles in freshwater ecosystems, their recognition and prioritization in management and monitoring approaches should help sustain the health and well-being of both the social and ecological components of freshwater ecosystems.

/pdf/culturally-significant-fisheries-keystones-for-management-of-3bmfzd9ji3.pdf

Culturally significant fisheries: keystones for management of freshwater social-ecological systems

In many developing regions of Melanesia, fishers' traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) has been integrated with western science and management knowledge (SMK) to generate innovative and effective fisheries management Previous research suggests that three factors initiate this process: depleted fishery stocks, limited SMK, and ownership of resources by local communities In other contexts the extent of power-sharing through comanagement, and the cultural significance of species may also be important determinants of knowledge integration Here we assess the role of these factors in the application of TEK in the Torres Strait Islands, Australia, where commercial and subsistence fisheries are fundamental to the Indigenous Melanesian culture and livelihoods In 2009 we surveyed fishery managers and scientists who revealed that TEK had only been recently and sparingly applied in four fisheries (turtle, dugong, lobster, and hand collectables), and only two of the seven species concerned had a combination of depleted stocks, low SMK, and high community ownership Instead, comanagement characteristics and the cultural value of species were the primary determinants of TEK application We suggest that turtles and dugong are cultural keystone species that simultaneously provide important ecosystem services to both islanders' livelihoods and international conservation interests Combined with their ecological scale these species have catalyzed comanagement between indigenous and government stakeholders, precipitating the application of TEK in other fisheries of lesser cultural importance We discuss modifications to governance required to enable knowledge integration to evolve further through adaptive comanagement, and its role in enhancing fisheries management and thus the resilience of the Torres Strait social-ecological system Our study highlights the potential utility of cultural keystone species in stimulating cross-cultural resource governance in developed economies such as Australia

https://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol17/iss4/art34/ES-2012-5165.pdf

Integrating traditional ecological knowledge and fisheries management in the Torres Strait, Australia: the catalytic role of turtles and dugong as cultural keystone species

In many developing regions of Melanesia, fishers' traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) has been integrated with western science and management knowledge (SMK) to generate innovative and effective fisheries management. Previous research suggests that three factors initiate this process: depleted fishery stocks, limited SMK, and ownership of resources by local communities. In other contexts the extent of power-sharing through comanagement, and the cultural significance of species may also be important determinants of knowledge integration. Here we assess the role of these factors in the application of TEK in the Torres Strait Islands, Australia, where commercial and subsistence fisheries are fundamental to the Indigenous Melanesian culture and livelihoods. In 2009 we surveyed fishery managers and scientists who revealed that TEK had only been recently and sparingly applied in four fisheries (turtle, dugong, lobster, and hand collectables), and only two of the seven species concerned had a combination of depleted stocks, low SMK, and high community ownership. Instead, comanagement characteristics and the cultural value of species were the primary determinants of TEK application. We suggest that turtles and dugong are cultural keystone species that simultaneously provide important ecosystem services to both islanders' livelihoods and international conservation interests. Combined with their ecological scale these species have catalyzed comanagement between indigenous and government stakeholders, precipitating the application of TEK in other fisheries of lesser cultural importance. We discuss modifications to governance required to enable knowledge integration to evolve further through adaptive comanagement, and its role in enhancing fisheries management and thus the resilience of the Torres Strait social-ecological system. Our study highlights the potential utility of cultural keystone species in stimulating cross-cultural resource governance in developed economies such as Australia.

Research, part of a Special Feature on Integrating Indigenous Ecological Knowledge and Science in Natural Resource Management: Perspectives from Australia Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Fisheries Management in the Torres Strait, Australia: the Catalytic Role of Turtles and Dugong as Cultural Keystone Species

Currently there is no formal marine ecosystem health (MEH) monitoring or reporting system in the Torres Strait. While some commercial fisheries are assessed and monitored
in detail, much of this information is transmitted to regional management agencies such as the Protected Zone Joint Authority, the Australian Fisheries Management
Authority and the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA). However, there is increasing awareness of the need to involve Torres Strait Islander communities in the dissemination and collection of ecosystem management and research information, and to establish an integrated system of MEH reporting which is of relevance to agencies and communities. This report presents the findings of Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility project 1.3.5, Reporting Ecosystem Health in the Torres Strait. The project was established in 2006 with the following objectives:

• To identify potential marine ecosystem health (MEH) indicators for the Torres Strait that are relevant to regional and community-level stakeholders, and to collate
available data for those indicators; 

• To develop potential monitoring and reporting frameworks and media for MEH.

Following expert workshops in 2007 and 2008 a list of 21 potential indicators of MEH (12 for condition, 9 for threats/pressures) was established. This project reviewed the data available for each indicator, finding that only four had established biological thresholds of concern (tropical rock lobster, tiger and endeavour prawns and sandfish), and there was high data confidence and scientific and management knowledge for only 27% of
marine fishery species. We derived a standardised method of classifying the condition of indicators as 'healthy', 'unhealthy' and ‘vulnerable’ based on trends where known
thresholds of concern did not exist. For indicators of threats/pressures to ecosystem health we did not apply these classifications. Data utility was complicated by the
inconsistent temporal and spatial nature of its availability. Examples of regional-scale report card formats are given, utilising heat maps for trends
and spider diagrams for current status. A prototype MEH Index was developed, which showed that for 9 indicators with available data MEH was 'moderate' in 2009. Through
consultations with communities on Warraber and Darnley Islands in 2010 single species fact sheets were trialled. Communities responded that their favoured media for
receiving information was fact sheets and DVDs or videos. Communities also expressed their desire to be involved in MEH monitoring and reporting, but only if the schemes
were of direct benefit to them, for example through fisheries co-management schemes. Communities also listed indicators of MEH which would be relevant to their
livelihoods, most of which were also identified in the original list of 21. This report suggests a nested framework for linked community and regional monitoring
and reporting of MEH, to be coordinated by the TSRA Land and Sea Management Unit. This would integrate scientific knowledge with local and traditional ecological
knowledge. However, a clearer definition of MEH is required which incorporates ecological, cultural and economic perspectives. The process for defining this, and
selecting suitable and relevant indicators and thresholds of concern from the list in this report should be undertaken in a participatory manner which includes all relevant stakeholders.

Towards Regional and Community-Scale Reporting of Marine Ecosystem Health in the Torres Strait

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Integrating traditional ecological knowledge and fisheries management in the Torres Strait, Australia: the catalytic role of turtles and dugong as cultural keystone species

Towards Regional and Community-Scale Reporting of Marine Ecosystem Health in the Torres Strait