Building bridges between natural and social science disciplines: a standardized methodology to combine data on ecosystem quality trends.

Despite a growing interest in interdisciplinary research, systematic ways of how to integrate data from different disciplines are still scarce. We argue that successful resource management relies on two key data sources: natural science data, which represents ecosystem structure and processes, and social science data, which describes people's perceptions and understanding. Both are vital, mutually complementing information sources that can underpin the development of feasible and effective policies and management interventions. To harvest the added value of combined knowledge, a uniform scaling system is needed. In this paper, we propose a standardized methodology to connect and explore different types of quantitative data from the natural and social sciences reflecting temporal trends in ecosystem quality. We demonstrate this methodology with different types of data such as fisheries stocks and mangrove cover on the one hand and community's perceptions on the other. The example data are collected from three United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere reserves and one marine park in Southeast Asia. To easily identify patterns of convergence or divergence among the datasets, we propose heat maps using colour codes and icons for language- and education-independent understandability. Finally, we discuss the limitations as well as potential implications for resource management and the accompanying communication strategies. This article is part of the theme issue 'Nurturing resilient marine ecosystems'.

Fitness parameters and DNA effects are sensitive indicators of copper-induced toxicity in Daphnia magna.

This study compared the effects occurring at molecular and population levels in Daphnia magna exposed to copper concentrations in the range of 15-120 microg/l. The qualitative and quantitative modifications arising in random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles as a measure of DNA effects were compared with a number of key ecological fitness parameters, namely, the age-specific survival, age-specific fecundity, net reproductive rate, and intrinsic rate of population increase. Results suggested that growth, reproduction, and most of the fitness parameters as well as genomic template stability (a qualitative measure reflecting changes in RAPD profiles) were significantly affected at copper concentrations of 90 and 120 microg/l. Among the fitness parameters, the age-specific fecundity and net reproductive rate were the most sensitive parameters of toxicity. Changes in RAPD patterns generally occurred at copper concentrations of 90 and 120 microg/l, but with one primer, changes significantly arose at all copper concentrations. Overall, molecular and population parameters compared well and represented a sensitive means to measure toxicity induced by copper in Daphnia magna. In conclusion, the measurement of parameters at both molecular and population levels is valuable for investigating the specific effects of agents interacting with DNA. Ultimately, this methodology may allow the ecotoxicological examination of the link between molecular alterations and measurable adverse effects at higher levels of biological organization.

Detection of genotoxins in the marine environment: adoption and evaluation of an integrated approach using the embryo-larval stages of the marine mussel, Mytilus edulis.

In genetic ecotoxicology or eco-genotoxicology, there is lack of well-validated systems which could demonstrate the utility of multiple endpoints in environmental quality assessment. For an evaluation of genotoxic potential of heterogeneous marine sediment samples collected from a small fishing harbour in the UK, an in vivo test system using embryo-larval stages of the common mussel, Mytilus edulis was validated against direct and indirect acting reference mutagens. The system appeared to be sensitive and reproducible for cytogenetic endpoints analysed (sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and chromosomal aberrations (CAbs)). Following validation and chemical characterisation of the environmental samples, multiple endpoints were measured. Determination of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was carried out as a measure to determine cytotoxic effects as a confounding factor for genotoxicity, based on developmental and cytotoxic (in terms of proliferative rate index or PRI) effects. Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of the samples gave a positive response for all the endpoints tested, linking different levels of biological organisation (i.e., chromosomal, cellular and organismal) for the observed effects. The study also emphasises the need for the assessment of the short and long-term impacts of dredge disposal on marine biota by including laboratory-based bioassays and incorporating an integrated approach which could yield as much useful information as possible in overall hazard and risk assessment for aquatic genotoxicity.