This study compiled data on the distribution of over 67,000 marine and terrestrial species, including 44,575 marine species from a variety of taxa, both protected and non-protected species. The study analyzes 30 globally-distributed environmental variables simultaneously through the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs) modelling. This approach has the advantage over previous methods by evaluating the relative importance of each variable more robustly and examining how variables interact more clearly. Results indicate that overall, terrestrial diversity is better predicted by environmental factors than marine diversity. The authors call for increased cooperation across scientific domains to advance our understanding of how and why biodiversity is distributed across the globe. This is especially crucial as we seek to understand and manage a rapidly changing planet and face the possible global erosion of biodiversity and hence ecosystem services to human societies. Scientists from a variety of disciplines must come together to find common and global sustainable pathways to reduce the loss of biodiversity.  Portion of Figure 1 from publication, map of global species richness observed, modeled and residual errors.

Gagné et al. 2020. Towards a global understanding of the drivers of marine and terrestrial biodiversity. PLoS ONE 15(2).

Bycatch of marine turtles in various fishing gear is a well-known threat to these protected species. Turtles captured alive are often released on site and little is known about potential complications and post-release mortality. This multi-national collaborative study describes the occurrence and severity of gaseous emboli (GE) and decompression sickness (DCS) in live sea turtles incidentally caught in bottom trawls. All turtles assessed by ultrasound and/or post-mortem examination (n=20) developed GE that worsened over time despite the depth, season, duration of trawl, or ascent speed. In addition, blood data was consistent with lactic acidosis, reduced glomerular filtration and stress. 43% of turtles died on-board within two hours and 20% of active turtles released with satellite transmitters died within 6 days. This study is the first empirically-based estimate of on-board and post-release mortality of turtles incidentally caught in trawl fisheries and allows for more robust estimates of the impact of these fisheries on sea turtle bycatch survival. Photo of researchers performing ultrasound on a loggerhead turtle bycaught in bottom trawl, courtesy of M. Parga.

Parga et al. 2020. On-board study of gas embolism in marine turtles caught in bottom trawl fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean. Scientific Reports 10, 5561.

The continued decline in the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale population may in part, be due to lack of knowledge regarding the basic biology and ecology of these animals. To fill in some of these knowledge gaps, researchers used passive acoustic monitoring for the first time to assess year-round seasonal distributions and foraging patterns from 2008-2013. Detections of animals were higher in the upper inlet areas during the summer. Moreover, foraging peaks coincided with the presence of different fish runs from spring to fall. This study provides much needed information on the foraging ecology of this population and will allow managers to design and implement more effective conservation strategies for one of NOAA Fisheries' Species in the Spotlight. Photo of Cook Inlet beluga whales surfacing, courtesy of P. Wade, NOAA Fisheries, Permit 20465.

Castellote et al. 2020. Seasonal distribution and foraging occurrence of Cook Inlet beluga whales based on passive acoustic monitoring. Endangered Species Research 41:225-243.