Marine environmental research最新文献

{"title":"Sedimentary organic carbon and nitrogen storage in a recovered saltmarsh: Rewilding as a nature-based solution for anthropogenically desiccated wetlands","authors":"S. Haro ,&nbsp;A. Corzo ,&nbsp;S. Papaspyrou ,&nbsp;E. García-Robledo ,&nbsp;I. Caballero ,&nbsp;G.M. Arroyo","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107897","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107897","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Saltmarshes provide key ecosystem services, including atmospheric CO₂ sequestration and nitrogen burial in sediments. In recent decades, these blue carbon ecosystems have faced significant degradation from natural and anthropogenic stressors. In this study, rewilding of a desiccated saltmarsh in Cadiz Bay (SW Spain) was assessed as a nature-based solution to restore carbon (C_org) and nitrogen (N_T) storage. The rewilding process began in 2004 after breaching an external tidal wall. We evaluated changes in vegetated and unvegetated areas using Landsat satellite imagery (1994–2024) and quantified C_org and N_T stocks and burial rates in wild and rewilded sediments, including vegetated saltmarsh (<em>Sarcocornia</em> sp.) and bare sediments colonized by microphytobenthos (MPB). Vegetated saltmarsh cover increased by 85% over 20 years, at an average recovery rate of 5 ha y⁻¹, concurrent with a decrease in unvegetated tidal flats. Average C_org stocks in the top 1 m ranged from 32 to 57 t C_org ha⁻¹, with higher values in vegetated sediments. However, only 5–12% of C_org was stored during the rewilding period. C_org burial rates averaged 69 g C_org m⁻² y⁻¹, and N_T stocks were 55% higher in rewilded sediments than in wild ones (3.6 vs. 1.6 t N_T ha⁻¹). Despite vegetation recovery, burial rates of C_org and N_T did not increase clearly, suggesting that long-term storage may be influenced by factors beyond rewilding. Less than 8% of sedimentary C_org originated from saltmarsh vegetation, indicating the dominance of allochthonous sources. These findings highlight the complexity of biogeochemical recovery in rewilded saltmarshes and underscore the need for long-term monitoring to determine how much time is truly required for C_org and N_T recovery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 107897"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146132122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physiology and behaviour of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria) under hypoxic and heatwave conditions","authors":"Jasmine Talevi ,&nbsp;Shelby B. Clarke ,&nbsp;Michael R.S. Coffin ,&nbsp;Luc A. Comeau ,&nbsp;Ramón Filgueira","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107902","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107902","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coastal marine environments are becoming increasingly degraded, particularly in urbanized areas where anthropogenic nutrient loading and climate change are contributing to the rise of extreme events such as heatwaves and hypoxia. These extreme events can result in adverse effects and mass mortalities of marine life, especially sessile animals such as bivalves. Bivalves are important economically but are also important contributors to ecosystem functioning via habitat creation, water filtration, and nutrient and carbon cycling. This study aims to characterize how eastern oysters (<em>Crassostrea virginica</em>) and soft-shell clams (<em>Mya arenaria</em>) physiologically and behaviourally respond to repeated hypoxia during a heatwave. This eight-day study aimed to mimic field conditions using water pumped directly from the estuary into a dock-side mobile lab. Water temperature and dissolved oxygen were manipulated to match observations of heatwave and hypoxic conditions in the study area (Prince Edward Island, Canada). The physiological and behavioural responses of oysters suggest that they perform better under high temperatures (27 °C) as they maintain metabolic rate while increasing feeding. Oysters were also able to tolerate repeated periods of hypoxia (&lt;2 mg O₂ L⁻¹) during a heatwave by maintaining metabolic rate and reducing feeding costs. Conversely, soft-shell clams experienced stress under the induced heatwave and showed signs of metabolic depression. Repeated hypoxia during the heatwave resulted in elevated physiological responses in clams, suggesting elevated energy requirements under these stressors. This study provides insight into the vulnerability of these species under climate change scenarios at northern latitudes, with applicability to aquaculture and fisheries management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 107902"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146137531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ocean acidification effects on growth, survival and physiological immunity of farmed Larimichthys crocea","authors":"Xiaoyan Zhang ,&nbsp;Feng Liu ,&nbsp;Xiao Liang ,&nbsp;Zhigang Xie ,&nbsp;Guoer Shao ,&nbsp;Ting Ye ,&nbsp;Bao Lou","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107869","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107869","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ocean acidification has become a significant global ecological issue, particularly in coastal regions with intensive aquaculture. Fish farming is a crucial component of global food security, yet research on the impact of acidification on the aquaculture performance of economically important teleosts remains limited. In this study, we reared the fast-growing large yellow croaker (<em>Larimichthys crocea</em>) for 30 days under three different pH conditions: severe acidification (LA, pH 7.4), moderate acidification (MA, pH 7.8), and control (HA, pH 8.1). We comprehensively evaluated growth performance, survival rate, tissue structure, antioxidant enzyme activity, and innate immunity. The results showed that the LA group exhibited suppressed growth (significantly lower than the MA group, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05), elevated cortisol and T4 levels (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05), and trends of reduced antioxidant enzyme and innate immune enzyme activities, along with organ-specific pathological changes (vacuolation, structural loosening) in gills, liver, kidneys, and intestines, though most indices showed no significant difference from the HA group. Notably, the MA group showed optimal growth performance, stable physiological and immune responses. In conclusion, while acidification did not markedly affect the survival rate of <em>L. crocea</em>, severe acidification (pH 7.4) induces stress responses and tissue damage. These findings suggest that <em>L. crocea</em> exhibits a certain degree of tolerance to the acidification conditions tested, as several physiological parameters were not significantly affected. However, when considering the overall set of observations, including histological alterations across multiple tissues and changes in plasma and tissue parameters, long-term exposure to severe acidification (pH 7.4) appears to induce tissue damage and stress-related physiological disturbances, indicating potential health risks. This study provides empirical evidence regarding the potential risk posed by projected ocean acidification on <em>L. crocea</em> aquaculture and supports the development of climate change adaptation strategies for coastal mariculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 107869"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146026051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toxicity of vessel antifouling coating lixiviates in target and non-target marine microalgal species: multi-taxa and biological multi-level approach testing","authors":"Mar Santos-Simón ,&nbsp;Sergio Seoane ,&nbsp;Nestor Etxebarria ,&nbsp;Agnese Marchini ,&nbsp;Esther Blanco-Rayón ,&nbsp;Maren Ortiz-Zarragoitia","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107910","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107910","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of a microfilm is one of the very first steps in the succession process, taking place on bare surfaces exposed to aquatic environments, where microalgae, especially diatoms, are among the early colonizers. To prevent or minimize this undesired growth in artificial structures antifouling (AF) measures are applied, coatings being the most common ones. This work studied the effects of two commercially available coatings, a traditional biocide-based one (BC) and an alternative foul-release (FR) one, from a multi-taxa and biological multilevel approach. Three microalgae species were selected, including pelagic non-target species and a benthic target diatom, and exposed for 72 h to AF lixiviates to measure various biological endpoints. Toxicity screening assays revealed that exposure to BC lixiviates inhibited growth in all test species and affected photosynthetic efficiency differently, the diatom being the most sensitive one, while FR lixiviate primarily induced subcellular responses, rather than major physiological impairments. Additionally, exposure altered total pigment content in the three tested algae, particularly under BC treatments. Subcellular responses demonstrated differences in biomarkers of oxidative stress (catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities and lipid peroxidation levels) in the microalgae between BC and FR treatments. Cellular metal sorption levels did not show clear differences across treatments nor species. Overall, exposure to BC and FR antifouling lixiviates directly affected both target and non-target microalgae species, although the type and magnitude of the responses varied according to species and treatments. Multi-taxa and multi-level approaches with microalgae provide a broad overview of the biological responses and serve as a valuable tool in aquatic toxicology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 107910"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hydrographic regimes structure zooplankton communities in the eastern South Yellow Sea","authors":"Seo Yeol Choi ,&nbsp;Kyung Yeon Kim ,&nbsp;Hyun Ju Oh ,&nbsp;Seok Hyun Youn","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107899","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107899","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examined how seasonal stratification and hydrographic variability structure zooplankton communities in the eastern South Yellow Sea during summer and autumn of 2020–2021 (15 stations). Using CTD-derived density stratification (vertical stratification index; <em>VSI</em>) together with temperature, salinity, nutrients, and chlorophyll-<em>a</em> (Chl-<em>a</em>), we examined relationships between community composition, abundance, biomass, and β-diversity. Zooplankton abundance and biomass showed clear seasonal contrasts, with higher values in summer (2134 ± 1215 to 3151 ± 1989 ind. m⁻³; 43.6 ± 45.5 to 58.8 ± 40.9 mg DW m⁻³) than in autumn (684 ± 347 to 1222 ± 936 ind. m⁻³; 24.8 ± 26.1 to 34.1 ± 14.1 mg DW m⁻³). β-diversity partitioning revealed higher among-station similarity in summer (&gt;70%), whereas autumn assemblages showed reduced similarity and increased species turnover. Stratification-regime contrasts differed between years: in 2020, strongly stratified offshore stations supported higher biomass with increased contributions of cold-temperate copepods (e.g., <em>Calanus sinicus</em>), whereas in 2021, expanded low-salinity surface waters were associated with a shift toward cladocerans (<em>Penilia avirostris</em>) and altered dominance patterns. Indicator species analysis identified season-specific taxa associated with hydrographic regimes, and redundancy analysis (RDA) linked indicator assemblages to gradients in stratification, temperature, and nutrient conditions. Collectively, these results suggest that <em>VSI</em> and indicator taxa provide an operational framework for tracking community shifts driven by stratification, mixing, and freshwater-related hydrographic variability in the eastern South Yellow Sea.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 107899"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Habitat suitability model for predicting the occurrence of scleractinian cold-water corals in the Gulf of Naples (Tyrrhenian Sea): A tool for restoration planning and governance of deep-sea ecosystems","authors":"Fabio Di Giovanna ,&nbsp;Giorgio Castellan ,&nbsp;Michela Angiolillo ,&nbsp;Vincenzo Botte ,&nbsp;Simonetta Fraschetti ,&nbsp;Valentina Grande ,&nbsp;Daniele Iudicone ,&nbsp;Florian Kokoszka ,&nbsp;Paolo Montagna ,&nbsp;Mariacristina Prampolini ,&nbsp;Giorgio Simone ,&nbsp;Marco Taviani ,&nbsp;Maria Letizia Vitelletti ,&nbsp;Federica Foglini","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107879","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107879","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cold-water corals (CWCs) are key ecosystem engineers in deep-sea habitats, yet their distribution in the Gulf of Naples remains poorly known. Here, we applied a Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model with high-resolution environmental predictors to investigate the fine-scale suitability of scleractinian CWCs within the Gulf of Naples and adjacent areas. Presence records were derived from Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) video analyses, while predictors included bottom current velocity from a Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) simulation and geomorphological variables from multibeam bathymetry (bathymetric position index, slope, roughness, aspect, and backscatter).</div><div>The model predicted ∼0.43 km² of suitable habitat (suitability index &gt;0.6) corresponding to 0.09 % of the entire study area, mainly along canyon walls and elevated seabed features of the Dohrn Canyon. Additional suitable areas were identified in the deeper canyon sectors and south of Ischia Island. Current velocity at the bottom influenced the most our model, with high suitability values obtained from 0.10 to 0.18 m/s, suggesting these as favorable conditions for sediment removal and food supply. The variable response curves documented that Bathymetric position index and roughness contributed to the model, with preferences for elevated seabed features and heterogeneous seafloor topography.</div><div>These findings highlight the role of bottom current velocity and topographic complexity in shaping CWCs habitats in the study region and reveal unexplored areas with high potential for coral occurrence. Model outputs provide a scientific basis for Natura 2000 site designation and support conservation and restoration strategies for vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems in the area.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 107879"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146137595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A review of antibiotic accumulation, degradation and ecological risk in typical mangrove ecosystems","authors":"Xiang Sun ,&nbsp;Xiang Huang ,&nbsp;Huan Li ,&nbsp;Chupan Tan ,&nbsp;Wanqi Lu ,&nbsp;Danyi Wei ,&nbsp;Wenhui Liao ,&nbsp;Jin Luo ,&nbsp;Yongze Xing ,&nbsp;Haitao Chen ,&nbsp;Ning Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107867","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107867","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mangrove ecosystems, characterized by unique biogeochemical conditions, act as critical zones for intercepting and processing antibiotic contaminants. This study synthesizes existing research using bibliometric and meta-analysis to elucidate the mechanisms of antibiotic accumulation, degradation, and associated ecological risks in mangroves. A central finding from the meta-analysis is the lack of a significant difference in antibiotic concentrations between mangrove forests and adjacent intertidal mudflats, highlighting the complex balance between competing accumulation and degradation processes. The major points are the following: 1) Sediment properties (e.g., texture, organic matter) are primary drivers of antibiotic accumulation; 2) Specific bacterial taxa (e.g., <em>Proteobacteria</em>, <em>Achromobacter</em>) of mangroves mediate antibiotic biodegradation through enzymatic and co-metabolic pathways. The degradation efficiency is further modulated by environmental factors, including salinity, temperature, oxygen availability, moisture, and the presence of co-contaminants such as heavy metals and microplastics; 3) Antibiotic contamination disrupts essential ecological functions (e.g., carbon and nitrogen cycling, water purification) and promotes the propagation of ARGs within mangrove ecosystems, thereby triggering cascading ecological risks within mangrove ecosystems. This review underscores the need for stricter pollution control and calls for research on the combined effects of multiple contaminants to guide mangrove conservation and sustainable management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 107867"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146113611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acute effects of copper exposure and predation risk in five coastal copepods","authors":"Solveig Brochmann ,&nbsp;Jan Heuschele ,&nbsp;Torben Lode ,&nbsp;Tjalling Jager ,&nbsp;Josefin Titelman ,&nbsp;Katrine Borgå","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107894","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107894","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Natural stressors, including predation risk, can affect the response of organisms to anthropogenic contamination. Copper, used as an antifouling agent, can affect non-target organisms. We tested for effects of excess copper on survival with and without predator cues in five species of coastal copepods. We exposed adult copepods to four copper concentrations (0–1350 μg L⁻¹, 48h) on an automated imaging platform and analysed the data using the reduced General Unified Threshold model for Survival (GUTS) to detect potential species differences in underlying toxico-kinetics and -dynamics. Calanoid copepods had elevated mortality during early copper exposure compared to a harpacticoid and a cyclopoid species. Species-specific dominant rate constants, which represents the time it takes for damage to reach a steady state, best explained the time-dependent toxicity. Over time, most predicted mortalities converged to a similar level regardless of species. Predation risk reduced mortality at the intermediate copper concentration, potentially explained by reduced copper bioavailability by binding of copper to kairomone molecules, or other intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Models like GUTS can reveal the underlying toxicity mechanisms and improve toxicity predictions in a multi-stressor world.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 107894"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146100335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining the ecological role of Nemopilema nomurai as an energy transfer pathway through Ecopath with Ecosim: A case study in the offshore area adjacent to the Changjiang River estuary","authors":"Dongjie Guo ,&nbsp;Fang Zhang ,&nbsp;Pengpeng Wang ,&nbsp;Zhimeng Zhuang ,&nbsp;Ling Zhu ,&nbsp;Song Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107900","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107900","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Over the past few decades, the offshore area adjacent to the Changjiang River Estuary (CE), an important fishing ground, has emerged as a hotspot for blooms of large jellyfish <em>Nemopilema nomurai</em>. However, comprehensive and quantitative understanding of the impact of <em>N. nomurai</em> on energy flow and important commercial fisheries within the ecosystem, from an ecosystem-based perspective, remains limited. This study employed six mass-balanced models using Ecopath with Ecosim to investigate the ecological role of <em>N. nomurai</em> as an energy transfer pathway within the food web, treating it as a separate functional group. <em>Nemopilema nomurai</em> was dominant in the combined energy consumption of fishery species and <em>N. nomurai,</em> and consumed a larger proportion of zooplankton production compared to fishery species, serving as an energy loss pathway with minimal production transferred to higher trophic levels. Additionally, scenario analyses revealed that fluctuations in <em>N. nomurai</em> population size had a significant impact on other functional groups owing to direct or indirect competition for food resources. This study provided valuable insights into the ecological role of jellyfish and their impact across various marine ecosystems worldwide.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 107900"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146157801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"On the nocturnal emergence of reef-dwelling urchins: continental-scale patterns and correlates","authors":"Tyson R. Jones,&nbsp;Graham J. Edgar,&nbsp;Sterling B. Tebbett,&nbsp;Lara Denis-Roy,&nbsp;Scott D. Ling","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107883","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107883","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sea urchins are renowned for their capacity to shape shallow reef community structure and function, especially when at high densities. However, most quantitative assessments of urchin densities are based on diurnal surveys, despite the nocturnal emergence of urchins being a well-recognised phenomenon. The value of such diurnal density estimates is, therefore, inherently dependent on the extent of nocturnal urchin emergence and the consistency of this diel behaviour under different contexts. Yet, our understanding of nocturnal urchin emergence under different local conditions at broad scales including between tropical and temperate reefs, remains largely unresolved. Here, we evaluate the extent of nocturnal urchin emergence, and assess how this varied with potential predictors, using paired day and night surveys across a total of 42 reef sites spanning tropical (n = 23) and temperate (n = 19) Australia. Among kelp-dominated temperate rocky reefs, urchin densities and biomass were ∼7-8-fold greater than observed on tropical coral reefs. Regardless of realm, urchin densities and biomass were consistently higher at night, with tropical reefs showing the greatest diel differences (3.5-fold higher density and 3.0-fold higher biomass) compared to temperate reefs (1.4-fold and 1.7-fold, respectively). Gradient Boosted Regression Trees revealed that mean sea surface temperature (SST) was the strongest predictor of the relative extent of nocturnal urchin emergence, with higher relative emergence on reefs with warmer SST, corresponding with strong patterns in nocturnal emergence peaking toward equatorial latitudes. Our findings show that daytime surveys likely greatly underestimate urchin activity, population size, and ecological impacts, particularly on tropical reefs, with important consequences for reef monitoring and management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 107883"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146064421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}