Dataset Information

Influence of offshore oil and gas structures on seascape ecological connectivity.

ABSTRACT: Offshore platforms, subsea pipelines, wells and related fixed structures supporting the oil and gas (O&G) industry are prevalent in oceans across the globe, with many approaching the end of their operational life and requiring decommissioning. Although structures can possess high ecological diversity and productivity, information on how they interact with broader ecological processes remains unclear. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on the role of O&G infrastructure in maintaining, altering or enhancing ecological connectivity with natural marine habitats. There is a paucity of studies on the subject with only 33 papers specifically targeting connectivity and O&G structures, although other studies provide important related information. Evidence for O&G structures facilitating vertical and horizontal seascape connectivity exists for larvae and mobile adult invertebrates, fish and megafauna; including threatened and commercially important species. The degree to which these structures represent a beneficial or detrimental net impact remains unclear, is complex and ultimately needs more research to determine the extent to which natural connectivity networks are conserved, enhanced or disrupted. We discuss the potential impacts of different decommissioning approaches on seascape connectivity and identify, through expert elicitation, critical knowledge gaps that, if addressed, may further inform decision making for the life cycle of O&G infrastructure, with relevance for other industries (e.g. renewables). The most highly ranked critical knowledge gap was a need to understand how O&G structures modify and influence the movement patterns of mobile species and dispersal stages of sessile marine species. Understanding how different decommissioning options affect species survival and movement was also highly ranked, as was understanding the extent to which O&G structures contribute to extending species distributions by providing rest stops, foraging habitat, and stepping stones. These questions could be addressed with further dedicated studies of animal movement in relation to structures using telemetry, molecular techniques and movement models. Our review and these priority questions provide a roadmap for advancing research needed to support evidence-based decision making for decommissioning O&G infrastructure.

SUBMITTER: McLean DL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9311298 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Influence of offshore oil and gas structures on seascape ecological connectivity.

McLean Dianne L DL Ferreira Luciana C LC Benthuysen Jessica A JA Miller Karen J KJ Schläppy Marie-Lise ML Ajemian Matthew J MJ Berry Oliver O Birchenough Silvana N R SNR Bond Todd T Boschetti Fabio F Bull Ann S AS Claisse Jeremy T JT Condie Scott A SA Consoli Pierpaolo P Coolen Joop W P JWP Elliott Michael M Fortune Irene S IS Fowler Ashley M AM Gillanders Bronwyn M BM Harrison Hugo B HB Hart Kristen M KM Henry Lea-Anne LA Hewitt Chad L CL Hicks Natalie N Hock Karlo K Hyder Kieran K Love Milton M Macreadie Peter I PI Miller Robert J RJ Montevecchi William A WA Nishimoto Mary M MM Page Henry M HM Paterson David M DM Pattiaratchi Charitha B CB Pecl Gretta T GT Porter Joanne S JS Reeves David B DB Riginos Cynthia C Rouse Sally S Russell Debbie J F DJF Sherman Craig D H CDH Teilmann Jonas J Todd Victoria L G VLG Treml Eric A EA Williamson David H DH Thums Michele M

Global change biology 20220316 11

Offshore platforms, subsea pipelines, wells and related fixed structures supporting the oil and gas (O&G) industry are prevalent in oceans across the globe, with many approaching the end of their operational life and requiring decommissioning. Although structures can possess high ecological diversity and productivity, information on how they interact with broader ecological processes remains unclear. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on the role of O&G infrastructure in maintaining, ...[more]

PMID: 35293658

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Project description:In conservation prioritisation, it is often implicit that representation targets for individual habitat types act as surrogates for the species that inhabit them. Yet for many commercially and ecologically important coral reef fish species, connectivity among different habitats in a seascape may be more important than any single habitat alone. Approaches to conservation prioritisation that consider seascape connectivity are thus warranted. I demonstrate an approach that can be implemented within a relatively data-poor context, using widely available conservation planning software. Based on clearly stated assumptions regarding species' habitat usage and movement ability, this approach can be adapted to different focal species and contexts, or refined as further data become available. I first derive a seascape connectivity metric based on area-weighted proximity between juvenile and adult habitat patches, and then apply this during spatial prioritisation using the decision-support software Marxan. Using a case study from Micronesia, I present two applications: first, to inform prioritisation for a network of marine protected areas to achieve regional objectives for habitat representation; and second, to identify nursery habitat patches that are most likely to supply juveniles to adult populations on reefs within existing protected areas. Incorporating seascape connectivity in conservation prioritisation highlights areas where small marine protected areas placed on coral reefs might benefit from proximity to other habitats in the seascape, and thus be more effective. Within the context of community tenure over resources, identification of critical nursery habitats to improve the effectiveness of existing marine protected areas indicates where collaboration across community boundaries might be required. Outputs from these analyses are likely to be most useful in regions where management is highly decentralised, imposing spatial constraints on the size of individual protected areas.

Dataset Information

Influence of offshore oil and gas structures on seascape ecological connectivity.

Publications

Influence of offshore oil and gas structures on seascape ecological connectivity.

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