-
The last interglacial‑glacial cycle in the Meuse Valley (southern Belgium) inferred from the amphibian and reptile assemblages: implications for Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans
-
The Meuse and its tributary valleys contain numerous Late Pleistocene cave sites that have yielded one of the largest collections of Neanderthal and Mousterian lithic industries in Europe. Today, it is an important north–south migratory corridor for flora and fauna, generating rich biotopes. The Quaternary collections of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (Brussels, Belgium) are here used to complement our knowledge of the successive herpetofaunal assemblages in Belgium during the last interglacial-glacial cycle (marine isotope stages 5 to 1). Herpetofauna from 18 caves are described for the first time. In total, 17 taxa (10 amphibians and seven reptiles) are identified, three of which correspond to their first fossil record for Belgium (Alytes obstetricans, Pelobates fuscus, and Hyla arborea). The thermophilic snake Zamenis longissimus is documented for the first time in the Holocene (Atlantic/Subboreal period) of Belgium. After marine isotope stage (MIS) 5, the Belgian herpetofauna was still reasonably diverse during MIS 3, but it seems to be represented only by the common frog Rana temporaria and a viper during MIS 2. Paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic reconstructions are proposed for a selection of the chronologically best-constrained sites, using the quantified ecology method. More specifically, the late Magdalenian of the Trou de Chaleux is reconstructed as particularly cold and dry. The seasonal contrast reaches its maximum during this period. The quantitative parameters calculated in this study provide a new paleoecological context for understanding the conditions with which the successive human species had to cope in Northwestern Europe during the last interglacial-glacial cycle.
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications 2022 OA
-
The Environment and its Exploitation Along the Lower Scheldt River During the Roman Period (Wichelen, Belgium – Late 1st to 3rd Centuries AD)
-
The large number of rural Roman settlements known from the Low Countries is generally characterised by a poor preservation of ecological proxies due to the absence of waterlogged contexts. The riverside site of Wijmeers (Wichelen, Belgium), a small rural settlement located in the Lower Scheldt basin, represents a rare exception to this pattern. Due to the presence of a waterlogged sequence with Roman (late 1st–3rd centuries AD) waste layers, located only a few metres from a main building structure, and the covering of the site with alluvial sediments shortly after its abandonment, the preservation condition of charred and uncharred organic materials was exceptional. The combined study of these proxies (pollen, seeds, charcoal, mollusc shells and animal bones) presents unique insights into the subsistence economy of a Roman rural household in the Lower Scheldt valley in general, and especially its exploitation of the valley and river environments. Besides this cultural–economical perspective, the site provides key information for understanding the chronology of fluvial and alluvial processes in the Lower Scheldt Basin for a large part of the Subatlantic period (Iron Age to Early Middle Ages, ca 800 BC–900 AD).
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications 2022
-
Commercially important species of the world [in Chinese]
-
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications 2017
-
Dispersal models alert on the risk of non-native species introduction by Ballast water in protected areas from the Western Antarctic Peninsula
-
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications 2022
-
Northern Europe ’ s suitability for offshore European fl at oyster (Ostrea edulis) habitat restoration based on population dynamics
-
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications 2023
-
To what extent can decommissioning options for marine artificial structures move us toward environmental targets?
-
Switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy is key to international energy transition efforts and the move toward net zero. For many nations, this requires decommissioning of hundreds of oil and gas infrastructure in the marine environment. Current international, regional and national legislation largely dictates that structures must be completely removed at end-of-life although, increasingly, alternative decommissioning options are being promoted and implemented. Yet, a paucity of real-world case studies describing the impacts of decommissioning on the environment make decision-making with respect to which option(s) might be optimal for meeting in- ternational and regional strategic environmental targets challenging. To address this gap, we draw together international expertise and judgment from marine environmental scientists on marine artificial structures as an alternative source of evidence that explores how different decommissioning options might ameliorate pressures that drive environmental status toward (or away) from environmental objectives. Synthesis reveals that for 37 United Nations and Oslo-Paris Commissions (OSPAR) global and regional environmental targets, experts consider repurposing or abandoning individual structures, or abandoning multiple structures across a region, as the op- tions that would most strongly contribute toward targets. This collective view suggests complete removal may not be best for the environment or society. However, different decommissioning options act in different ways and make variable contributions toward environmental targets, such that policy makers and managers would likely need to prioritise some targets over others considering political, social, economic, and ecological contexts. Current policy may not result in optimal outcomes for the environment or society.
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications 2023
-
A wind of change for soft-sediment infauna within operational offshore windfarms
-
In this study, “ artificial reef ” (AR) impacts of offshore windfarms (OWFs) on the surrounding soft-sediments were investigated. Benthic grab samples were collected at nearby (37.5 m) and distant (500 or 350 m) positions from turbines of two Belgian OWFs (Belwind: monopiles and C-Power: jackets). Higher macrobenthos abundance and species richness were found nearby jacket foundations of C-Power compared to distant positions and differences were most pronounced within deeper sediments (i.e., gullies between sandbanks) at intermediate levels of fine sand fractions (10 – 20%) and total organic matter (0.5 – 0.9%). Strong benthic enrichment ( > 1000 ind. m 2, > 20 spp. sample 1) was also linked with higher fine sand fractions ( > 20%) near the jackets. Moreover, nearby sediments showed higher occurrences of coastal species and habitat diversification was promoted by Mytilus edulis shell debris and alive organisms ( “ biofouling drop-offs ” ). The lack of similar results around monopiles (Belwind) confirms that the extent of detectable AR-effects depends on site- and turbine specific factors.
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications 2023
-
European plaice movements show evidence of high residency , site fidelity , and feeding around hard substrates within an offshore wind f ar m
-
Offshore wind farms (OWFs) are expanding rapidly in the North Sea, often creating spatial conflicts with fisheries. Managing such conflicts requires knowledge on the impact of OWFs on the spatial distribution and mo v ement beha viour of fished species. Ho w e v er, such kno wledge is still lacking, especially for soft sediment fish such as flatfish, which are vital fisheries resources in the region. T heref ore, w e used acoustic telemetry to examine the spatial behaviour of European plaice in relation to an OWF and its str uct ures. In a small study area (1.37 km 2 ), we observed high residency for plaice around the turbines and scour protection la y er (SPL), which consists of large rocks around the turbine foun- dation. The fish primarily resided on sandy sediments near the hard substrates, but sho w ed a diurnal pattern of proximity to the turbine, being closer during the day. Considering their trophic ecology, these findings suggest that plaice mo v es to w ards the SPL f or feeding opportunities on the hard substrate, potentially leading to increased ecological fish production within OWFs. Although most plaice mo v ed a w a y from the OWF in winter, lik ely to w ards spa wning grounds, man y e xhibited high site fidelity returning to the study area after the winter migration. OWFs thus offer protection from fishing mort alit y as “closed” feeding grounds in spring and summer, but not during winter spawning migrations, which may result in spillo v er effects. These insights should inform local fisheries management in relation to plaice movement within and around OWFs.
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications 2023
-
Northern Europe's suitability for offshore European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) habitat restoration: A mechanistic niche modelling approach
-
1. After centuries of overexploitation, European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) habitats are increasingly being protected and large-scale oyster habitat restoration projects have been initiated in the North Sea, the English Channel, the Irish Sea and the north-eastern Atlantic. 2. Understanding the habitat requirements of flat oysters is key in the selection process of restoration sites. 3. In this study, a theoretical niche for all life stages of the flat oyster is determined using a dynamic energy budget model forced with temperature, chlorophyll a and salinity in combination with sediment composition. The suitability of Northern Europe's marine environment for flat oysters is evaluated by applying the proposed niche model on a spatial scale and evaluating spatio-temporal variability in life history traits and metabolic characteristics, such as fitness, reproductive output, settlement success and growth. 4. Results show that habitat suitability is limited by low maximum summer temperature and low food availability at higher latitudes and in areas under strong influence of the Atlantic Ocean. Restoration efforts in Ireland and Scotland should be confined to protected and shallow coastal environments. Suitability in the southern North Sea is patchy and mainly depends on seabed substrate. The nearshore areas of the English Channel are highly suitable. 5. The georeferenced dataset shared in this study will be useful for restoration practitioners.
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications 2023
-
Notes on the genus Sarmydus Pascoe, 1867 (Cerambycidae: Prioninae: Anacolini) from India with description of a new species
-
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications 2020
