Miriam Montero-Hidalgo

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

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Francisco Otero‐Ferrer

Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Ricardo Haroun

Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Jarumi Kato-Huerta

University of Trento

Fernando Santos-Martín

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Gemma Vicente

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Rosalı́a Rodrı́guez

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Benjamin Burkhard

University of Helsinki

Juan J. Espada

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Luis Fernando Bautista

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Victoria Morales

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Cooperative Institutions

Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias

Instituto Español de Oceanografía

Universidad de La Laguna

University of Trento

Universidade dos Açores

Leibniz University Hannover

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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Mapping and assessing seagrass meadows changes and blue carbon under past, current, and future scenarios

The Science of The Total Environment (2023)

Miriam Montero-Hidalgo Fernando Tuya Francisco Otero‐Ferrer Ricardo Haroun Fernando Santos-Martín

Seagrasses store large amounts of blue carbon and mitigate climate change, but they have suffered strong regressions worldwide in recent decades. Blue carbon assessments may support their conservation. However, existing blue carbon maps are still scarce and focused on certain seagrass species, such as the iconic genus Posidonia, and intertidal and very shallow seagrasses (<10 m depth), while deep-water and opportunistic seagrasses have remained understudied. This study filled this gap by mapping and assessing blue carbon storage and sequestration by the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa in the Canarian archipelago using the local carbon storage capacity and high spatial resolution (20 m/pixel) seagrass distribution maps for the years 2000 and 2018. Particularly, we mapped and assessed the past, current and future capacity of C. nodosa to store blue carbon, according to four plausible future scenarios, and valued the economic implications of these scenarios. Our results showed that C. nodosa has suffered ca. 50 % area loss in the last two decades, and, if the current degradation rate continues, our estimations demonstrate that it could completely disappear in 2036 ("Collapse scenario"). The impact of these losses in 2050 would reach 1.43 MT of CO2 equivalent emitted with a cost of 126.3 million € (0.32 % of the current Canary GDP). If, however, this degradation is slow down, between 0.11 and 0.57 MT of CO2 equivalent would be emitted until 2050 ("Intermediate" and "Business-as-usual" scenarios, respectively), which corresponds to a social cost of 3.63 and 44.81 million €, respectively. If the current seagrass extension is maintained ("No Net Loss"), 0.75 MT of CO2 equivalent would be sequestered from now to 2050, which corresponds to a social cost saving of 73.59 million €. The reproducibility of our methodology across coastal ecosystems underpinned by marine vegetation provides a key tool for decision-making and conservation of these habitats.

Blue carbon

Archipelago

Carbon fibers

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162244

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Citations (11)

Mild Hydrothermal Pretreatment of Microalgae for the Production of Biocrude with a Low N and O Content

Processes (2019)

Miriam Montero-Hidalgo Juan J. Espada Rosalı́a Rodrı́guez Victoria Morales Luis Fernando Bautista

A hydrothermal pretreatment of the microalga Nannochloropsis gaditana at mild temperatures was studied in order to reduce the N and O content in the biocrude obtained by hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). The work focused on the evaluation of temperature, reactor loading, and time (factors) to maximize the yield of the pretreated biomass and the heteroatom contents transferred from the microalga biomass to the aqueous phase (responses). The study followed the factorial design and response surface methodology. An equation for every response was obtained, which led to the accurate calculation of the operating conditions required to obtain a given value of these responses. Temperature and time are critical factors with a negative effect on the pretreated biomass yield but a positive one on the N and O recovery in the aqueous phase. The slurry concentration has to be low to increase heteroatom recovery and has to be high to maximize the pretreated microalga yields. Response equations were obtained for the analyzed responses, which facilitated the accurate prediction of the operating conditions required to obtain a given value of these responses.

Hydrothermal liquefaction

Hydrothermal Carbonization

Aqueous two-phase system

10.3390/pr7090630

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Citations (6)

Mild Hydrothermal Pretreatment of Microalgae for the Production of Biocrude with a Low N and O Content

Miriam Montero-Hidalgo Juan J. Espada Rosalı́a Rodrı́guez Victoria Morales Luis Fernando Bautista

A hydrothermal pretreatment of the microalga Nannochloropsis gaditana at mild temperatures has been studied in order to reduce N and O content in the biocrude obtained by hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). The work is focused on the evaluation of temperature, reactor loading and time (factors) to maximize the yield of the pretreated biomass and the heteroatom contents transferred from the microalga biomass to the aqueous phase (responses). The study followed the factorial design and response surface methodology. An equation for every response has been obtained, which leads to the accurate calculation of the operating conditions required to obtain a given value of these responses. Temperature and time are critical factors with a negative effect on the pretreated biomass yield, but a positive one on the N and O recovery in the aqueous phase. The slurry concentration has to be low to increase heteroatom recovery and high to maximize the pretreated microalga yields

Hydrothermal liquefaction

Hydrothermal Carbonization

Aqueous two-phase system

Heteroatom

10.20944/preprints201909.0021.v1

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Citations (3)

Mapping and Assessing Seagrass Meadows Changes and Blue Carbon Under Past, Current, and Future Scenarios

SSRN Electronic Journal (2022)

Miriam Montero-Hidalgo Fernando Tuya Francisco Otero‐Ferrer Ricardo Haroun Fernando Santos-Martín

Organic carbon stored in coastal vegetated habitats, such as salt marshes, mangroves, and seagrasses, is defined as blue carbon. The conservation of seagrasses is considered as a nature-based solution to mitigate climate change, and blue carbon assessments may support decision making. This study focuses on mapping and assessing blue carbon storage and sequestration by the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa in the oceanic region of the Canary Islands (eastern Atlantic). Particularly, this study: (1) mapped and assessed the past and current capacity of C. nodosa to store and sequester blue carbon with high spatial resolution (20 m/pixel), (2) mapped and assessed blue carbon under four plausible future scenarios (“No Net Loss”, “Intermediate”, “Business-as-usual” and “Collapse”), and (3) valued the economic implications of these scenarios. The seagrass C. nodosa has suffered ca. 50% area loss in the last two decades, and, if the current degradation rate continues, our estimations demonstrate that it could completely disappear in 2036 (“Collapse”). The impact of these losses in 2050 would reach 1.43 Megatonnes of CO2 equivalent emitted (45% from the current situation) with a cost of 126.3 million € (0.32% of the current Canary GDP). If, however, this degradation is slow down, between 0.11 and 0.57 MT of CO2 equivalent would be emitted until 2050 (“Intermediate” and “Business-as-usual” scenarios, respectively), which corresponds to a social cost of 3.63 and 44.81 million €, respectively. If the decline would be stopped, and the current seagrass extension maintained (“No Net Loss”), 0.75 MT of CO2 equivalent would be sequestered from now to 2050, which corresponds to a social cost saving of 73.59 million €. The main areas and human pressures that need to be tackled were identified to facilitate decision-making. This research proposes, therefore, a methodological strategy with potential applicability across coastal vegetated ecosystems.

Blue carbon

Carbon fibers

10.2139/ssrn.4280972

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Citations (0)

Using co-creation to build knowledge on cultural ecosystem services – A tiered approach for enhanced regional economic development of Réunion Island

Ecosystem Services (2024)

Cathleen Cybèle Jarumi Kato-Huerta Miriam Montero-Hidalgo Benjamin Burkhard Rekha Grimoire

Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) are highly context-specific and inherently linked to local identity, which challenges their assessment. Participatory methods have proven to capture the multiple values and aspects of CES for local communities. This paper presents an attempt to understand the different dimensions of CES in the Saint-Philippe municipality, Réunion Island, France. We applied a tiered, participatory approach that utilises knowledge co-creation processes over a period of 3 years. First, we co-created the aim of the research and brought together focus groups and participatory GIS mapping. In a second step, we used an expert-based matrix assessment to estimate CES supply capacities and added social big data using InVEST modelling of CES flows. Outputs of these processes are 1) the mapping of important landscape features, 2) ecosystem capacities for CES supply and 3) modelled use of CES. Results of the participatory GIS mapping show 110 features linked to CES supply in the municipal area, including historic sites, recreational areas, and non-timber forest products such as pandanus leaves and vanilla production. Based on land use classes, the capacities of the landscapes to supply emblematic or symbolic values, landscape aesthetics and recreational activities were assessed. Ten experts contributed to the assessment in workshop format in February 2023. Spatial information on recreation patterns show that visitation mostly took place alongside the coast and along hiking trails, mainly corresponding with landscape aesthetics. Accessibility of sites close to infrastructure was found to be an important governing factor. The coastline, with its rocky basaltic shores, was highly appreciated. The outcomes of this co-creation approach show the value of ES for tourism and regional economic activities. Bringing this information together allows identifying the contribution of ecosystems to regional economic activities and informing policy and decision-makers with recommendations for enhanced land use planning and economic development.

10.1016/j.ecoser.2024.101638

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Citations (2)

Mapping and assessing ecosystem services in Europe's Overseas: A comparative analysis of MOVE case studies

One Ecosystem (2022)

Ina Maren Sieber Miriam Montero-Hidalgo Jarumi Kato-Huerta Paula Rendón Fernando Santos-Martín

Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES) has been widely applied on the European Union (EU) mainland, whereas the EU Overseas entities still bear potential for implementation. This paper presents novel applications of the MAES procedure in the EU Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories ("EU Overseas"). Eight case studies from different geographical areas were analysed through a comparative assessment by applying an established framework following key steps in the MAES process, in order to stipulate lessons learned and recommendations for MAES in the EU Overseas. These key steps include the identification of policy questions, stakeholder networks and involvement, application of MAES methods, dissemination and communication and implementation. The case studies were conducted and analysed under the umbrella of the EU MOVE pilot project, including the Azores, the Canary Islands, Saint Martin, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion Island and the Falkland Islands. Each case study represented different governance, policy and decision-making frameworks towards biodiversity and environmental protection. Case studies predominantly addressed the policy domains of Nature and Biodiversity Conservation and Marine and Maritime Policy. Ecosystem Services (ES) were assessed across a wide range of themes, biomes and scales, focusing on terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems. Results show that the implementation of the case studies was accompanied by extensive communication and dissemination activities. First success stories were visible, where the MAES exercise led to meaningful uptake of the ES concept to policies and decision-making. Yet, there is still work to be done - major bottlenecks were identified related to the MAES implementation centring around financial resources, training and technical expertise. Addressing these aspects can contribute to an enhanced implementation of MAES in the EU Overseas in the future.

Strengths and weaknesses

Identification

10.3897/oneeco.7.e87179

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Citations (4)