Browsing by Author "Sink, Kerry"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 73
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    Additions to the marine decapod (Crustacea: Decapoda) fauna of South Africa.
    (2022-08-23) Landchoff, Jannes; Griffiths, Charles L; Atkinson, Lara J; Botha, Thomas P
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    Advancing coastal cross-realm integration for planning and assessment
    (NMU; Stellenbosch University; SANBI; DEA; Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife; CSIR, 2018-06-20) Harris, Linda; Bessinger, Mariel; Holness, Stephen; Kirkman, Stephen; Livingstone, Tamsyn; Amanda, Lombard; Luck-Vogel, Melanie; van Niekerk, Lara
    The coast is one of South Africa’s most valuable national assets but has been poorly included in biodiversity plans because the realm has been split into its “land” and “sea” components. Even if planners intended to include the coast meaningfully, this has been impossible because the terrestrial and marine ecosystem type maps don’t align along the shore. Thus, a key step in progressing cross-realm integration for both planning and assessment is to generate a fine-scale coastal ecosystem-type map that is seamless among realms. We explicitly avoided controversial boundaries, rather choosing the most stable boundaries available that divide the ecotone into ecologically meaningful zones. We defined and mapped (at <1:3000) the “seashore” as the land-sea interface between the dune scrub/thicket break and the back of the surf zone. The seashore is divided at the dune base into a landward “backshore” (which replaces the seashore vegetation type) and seaward “shore”. Given the dynamic nature of the coast, temporal aspects were included in the boundary delineation and ecosystem type classification, where appropriate. The estuary delineation from the National Biodiversity Assessment 2018 was also embedded in the map. South Africa is now the first country with a wall-to-wall ecosystem type map for its territory and Exclusive Economic Zone.
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    An approach to maximising marine benefits
    (2018-06-20)
    Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been identified as useful tools globally to fulfil multiple objectives. The benefits of MPAs are well established in the management of fisheries, biodiversity and the tourism sector which rely on well preserved natural features. South Africa is currently in a process of declaring a new representative Marine Protected Area network that increases mainland marine territory protection from 0.42% to 5% towards its national and international target commitment of 10% protection by 2020. Further MPA expansion will rely on an innovative approach to meeting conservation targets with minimal social cost. Thirty-five case studies across 19 countries, 22 from developing and 13 from developed countries, were assessed to identify categories of non-consumptive benefits. The study found the following categories of benefits of MPAs: a) economic, b) biodiversity, c) meeting conservation targets, d) fisheries sustainability, e) heritage, and f) climate change resilience. Categories of benefits guided the retrieval of data layers, such as tourism infrastructure, ecosystem protection level, fishing grounds and heritage sites, to be used in systematic conservation planning to identify areas most favourable to deliver benefits with least cost to communities. Marxan, an optimisation tool, will be used to achieve this.
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    Assessing marine ecosystem condition: A review to support indicator choice and framework development
    (2021-02-28) Smit, Kaylee P; Bernard, Anthony TF; Lombard, Amanda T
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    Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements
    (2022-04-03) Harden-Davies, Harriet; Amon, Diva J; Vierros, Marjo; Bax, Nicholas J; Hanich, Quentin; Hills, Jeremy M; Guilhon, Maila; Mohammed, Essam; Pouponneau, Angelique; Seto, Katherine L; Telma, Sheena; Woodall, Lucy
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    Challenges and Solutions to develop capacity for Deep-sea Research and Management in South Africa
    (2021) Atkinson, Lara; Palmer, Ryan; Van der Heever, Grant; Currie, Jock; Wahome, Michele; Howell, Kerry; Paterson, Angus
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    Changes in shallow‑reef community composition along environmental gradients on the East African coast
    (2017) Porter, Sean; Branch, George
    Abiotic determinants of community composition on shallow reefs are seldom examined at a scale transcending biogeographic regions, and knowledge for the western Indian Ocean is sparse. To address this deficit, turnover in reef community composition was quantified, using gradient forest analyses, along gradients of nine abiotic variables collected in situ or via remote sensing at 54 sites across and within three bioregions: Tropical Western Indian Ocean (Tropical WIO), Delagoa and Natal, spanning 4800 km of east African coastline (5.2–31.1°S). All oceanographic variables differed significantly among bioregions. At a scale across bioregions, wave height declined northwards, while temperature increased. Values for suspended inorganic sediments, chlorophyll-a concentration [chl-a], turbidity and nutrients were all lowest in Delagoa, in association with the scarcity of rivers there. The most novel and unexpected finding was that the northwards decline in wave action was more strongly associated with changes in community composition across bioregions than any other variable. Temperature was the second-most important variable at that scale. Within bioregions, temperature and [chl-a] had strongest relationships with community composition in the Tropical WIO. By contrast, in Delagoa, reef profile, susceptibility to sand inundation and reef heterogeneity were most strongly associated with community composition; and in Natal, depth, turbidity and suspended sediment were foremost. Variables of greatest importance within bioregions distilled to (1) those influencing food/energy supply ([chl-a], turbidity, depth and suspended sediments), which were of particular importance in the Tropical WIO and Natal bioregions, and (2) those altering sand inundation and small-scale current dynamics of reefs (profile, heterogeneity and depth), which were leading factors in the Delagoa Bioregion.
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    Coastal Ecological Infrastructure in South Africa
    (2018-06-20) Perschke, Myriam; Lombard, Mandy; Harris, Linda
    The value of intact coastal ecosystems to the well-being of humanity is being increasingly appreciated. Valuable goods and services provided by coastal ecosystems include inter alia: fisheries, recreation and tourism, water filtration and purification, and coastal protection. Given their inherent value, coastal systems are among the most threatened ecosystems. Key pressures like coastal development, mining and fresh water flow reduction are intensifying, degrading ecological processes and consequently, service provision. To mainstream the ecosystem services concept into natural resource and conservation management, new strategies need to be developed. We advance this by adapting the innovative ecological infrastructure (EI) idea to the coastal context. We first create an ‘inventory’ of coastal EI in South Africa by conducting a broad literature review that links coastal services to the features delivering them, which then allows spatial representation of services based on existing maps of coastal features and ecosystem types. A coastal EI map is envisioned to display preliminary results of the research. The gathered data are meant to form the foundation of further research on coastal EI in South Africa and worldwide. Our results will allow coastal resource and conservation managers to describe the value of coastal EI and argue for ecosystem-centred strategies.
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    Conserving cross-realm coastal biodiversity when real-world planning and implementation processes split the land and sea
    (2025-02-07) Harris, L.R; van Nierkerk, L; Holness, S.D; Sink, K.J; Skowno, A.L; Dayaram, A; van Deventer, H; Job, N; Lamberth, S.J; Adams, J.B; Raw, J.L; Riddin, T; MacKay, C.F
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    Cross-realm biodiversity profile of the South African coastal zone
    (2025-04-17) Harris, Linda. R; Adams, Janine. B; Dayaram, Anisha; Dunga, Loyiso V; Job, Nancy; Kirkman, Stephen P; Lamberth, Stephen J; Pfaff, Maya C; Raw, JL; Rishworth, GM; Robbins, A; Sink, Kerry J; Skowno, Andrew L; Van Deventer, Heidi; Van Niekerk, Lara
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    Defining seascapes for marine unconsolidated shelf sediments in an eastern boundary upwelling region: The southern Benguela as a case study
    (Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 2016) Karenyi, Natasha; Nel, Ronel
    Marine unconsolidated sediment habitats, the largest benthic ecosystem, are considered physically controlled ecosystems driven by a number of local physical processes. Depth and sediment type are recognised key drivers of these ecosystems. Seascape (i.e., marine landscape) habitat classifications are based solely on consistent geophysical features and provide an opportunity to define unconsolidated sediment habitats based on processes which may vary in distribution through space and time. This paper aimed to classify unconsolidated sediment seascapes and explore their diversity in an eastern boundary upwelling region at the macro-scale, using the South African west coast as a case study. Physical variables such as sediment grain size, depth and upwelling-related variables (i.e., maximum chlorophyll concentration, austral summer bottom oxygen concentration and sediment organic carbon content) were included in the analyses. These variables were directly measured through sampling, or collated from existing databases and the literature. These data were analysed using multivariate Cluster, Principal Components Ordination and SIMPER analyses (in PRIMER 6 + with PERMANOVA add-in package). There were four main findings; (i) eight seascapes were identified for the South African west coast based on depth, slope, sediment grain size and upwelling-related variables, (ii) three depth zones were distinguished (inner, middle and outer shelf), (iii) seascape diversity in the inner and middle shelves was greater than the outer shelf, and (iv) upwelling-related variables were responsible for the habitat diversity in both inner and middle shelves. This research demonstrates that the inclusion of productivity and its related variables, such as hypoxia and sedimentary organic carbon, in seascape classifications will enhance the ability to distinguish seascapes on continental shelves, where productivity is most variable.
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    Diversity patterns of the South African azooxanthellate scleractinians (Cnidaria: Anthozoa), with considerations of environmental correlates
    (2024-08-01) Filander, Zoleka N.; Sink, Kerry J.; Kitahara, Marcelo V.; Cairns, Stephen D.; Lombard, Amanda T.
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    Environmental Impacts of the Deep-Water Oil and Gas Industry: A Review to Guide Management Strategies
    (2016-12) Cordes, Erik E.; Jones, Daniel O.B.; Schlacher, Thomas A.; Amon, Diva J.; Bernardino, Angelo F.; Brooke, Sandra; Carney, Robert; DeLeo, Danielle M.; Dunlop, Katherine M.; Escobar-Briones, Elva G.; Gates, Andrew R.; Génio, Luciana; Gobin, Judith; Henry, Lea-Anne; Herrera, Santiago; Hoyt, Sarah; Kark, Salit; Joye, Mandy; Mestre, Nélia C.; Metaxas, Anna; Pfeifer, Simone; Sweetman, Andrew K.; Witte, Ursula
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    Field Guide to the Offshore Marine Invertebrates of South Africa
    (Malachite Marketing and Media, 2018-05) Atkinson, Lara
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    First impressions of benthic biodiversity patterns of the Cape Canyon and its surrounding areas
    (2018-06-20) Filander, Zoleka; Lamont, Tarron; van den Berg, Marcel; Snyders, Laurenne; Lombi, Mfundo; Tutt, Gavin; Cawthra, Hayley; Kirkman, Stephen; Atkinson, Lara; Lombard, Amanda
    The Cape Canyon off the west coast of South Africa is one of the largest known submarine canyons in the country. It extends from 200m depth where its head incises the continental shelf, to 3000m offshore. Although submarine canyons are internationally recognised as sensitive ecosystems and biological hotspots, focused studies are required to validate this view. To increase understanding of the ecological patterns and processes of the Cape Canyon and adjoining areas inshore and offshore of it, hydrographic, oceanographic and biodiversity data were collected during three summer research cruises undertaken during 2016 – 2018. A total of 50 camera and 65 dredge stations were completed under a randomly-stratified design. Preliminary results show that the canyon is predominately unconsolidated with scavengers such as ophuiroidea and decapoda prevalent within habitats ranging from sandy areas, to patches of inshore and offshore mud belts. Furthermore, interesting consolidated habitats were observed at the canyon head and inshore areas, while boulders covered in gorgonians and stylasterines were revealed at <100m in some non-canyon areas. Oceanographic profiles revealing anoxic conditions of bottom layers in near-shore areas were confirmed by the benthic structure in these areas. This new research will contribute to marine biodiversity planning and management efforts.
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    Identification of potential Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems for integrated ocean use planning to improve fisheries and ocean management
    (Mariel Bessinger, 2019-02) Franken, Mari-Lise; Sink, Kerry; Atkinson, Lara; Currie, Jock
    ◉ 22 Potential VME indicator taxa identified ◉ 8 Potential VME habitat types identified ◉ MSC’s Fisheries Certification Requirements -Special considerations to ensure the protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) ◉ South Africa needs to map and manage VMEs to maintain eco-certification
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    Identification of Potential Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems for integrated ocean use planning to improve fisheries and ocean management
    (2018-06-20) Atkinson, Lara
    In 2006 the United Nations (UN) called on states to implement measures to prevent significant adverse impacts to Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) in the deep sea. Potential VMEs are identified by biological characteristics that express the vulnerability of their species, communities, and/or habitats to damage or disturbance. It is widely recognised that a major limitation to the effective management and protection of these fragile ecosystems is the uncertainty in their distribution. This study followed a multidisciplinary approach to identify potential VMEs in South Africa. We applied the 2009 Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN scientific guidelines for identifying VMEs, drawing from available national datasets including bathymetric, geological, fisheries and biodiversity data. Eleven potential VME habitat types were identified, including features likely to host VMEs and potential VMEs identified from indicator taxa. Twenty-two potential indicator taxa were identified using museum records and eight years of invertebrate trawl bycatch data. In addition, more than 350 visual surveys were analysed to identify potential VMEs. These approaches show how limited data can readily be applied to advance identification of potential VMEs. This work will support integrated ocean use planning efforts, sustainable fisheries management and aid industry to meet international fisheries ecocertification conditions.
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