Microbial taxa related to natural hydrogen and methane emissions in serpentinite-hosted hyperalkaline springs of New Caledonia.

The southeastern part of New Caledonia main island (Grande Terre) is the location of a large ophiolitic formation that hosts several hyperalkaline springs discharging high pH (∼11) and warm (<40°C) fluids enriched in methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2). These waters are produced by the serpentinization of the ultrabasic rock formations. Molecular surveys had previously revealed the prokaryotic diversity of some of these New Caledonian springs, especially from the submarine chimneys of Prony Bay hydrothermal field. Here we investigate the microbial community of hyperalkaline waters from on-land springs and their relationships with elevated concentrations of dissolved H2 (21.1-721.3 µmol/L) and CH4 (153.0-376.6 µmol/L). 16S rRNA gene analyses (metabarcoding and qPCR) provided evidence of abundant and diverse prokaryotic communities inhabiting hyperalkaline fluids at all the collected springs. The abundance of prokaryotes was positively correlated to the H2/CH4 ratio. Prokaryotes consisted mainly of bacteria that use H2 as an energy source, such as microaerophilic Hydrogenophaga/Serpentinimonas (detected in all sources on land) or anaerobic sulfate-reducing Desulfonatronum, which were exclusively found in the most reducing (Eh ref H2 ∼ -700 mV) and the most H2-enriched waters discharging at the intertidal spring of the Bain des Japonais. The relative abundance of a specific group of uncultured Methanosarcinales that thrive in serpentinization-driven ecosystems emitting H2, considered potential H2-consuming methanogens, was positively correlated with CH4 concentrations, and negatively correlated to the relative abundance of methylotrophic Gammaproteobacteria. Firmicutes were also numerous in hyperalkaline waters, and their relative abundance (e.g., Gracilibacter or Dethiobacter) was proportional to the dissolved H2 concentrations, but their role in the H2 budget remains to be assessed. The prokaryotic communities thriving in New Caledonia hyperalkaline waters are similar to those found in other serpentinite-hosted high-pH waters worldwide, such as Lost City (North Atlantic) and The Cedars (California).

Methanobacterium alkalithermotolerans sp. nov., a novel alkaliphilic and hydrogen-utilizing methanogen isolated from an alkaline geothermal spring (La Crouen, New Caledonia).

An anaerobic, hydrogenotrophic methane-producing archaeon was isolated from an alkaline thermal spring (42 °C, pH 9.0) in New Caledonia. This methanogen, designated strain CANT, is alkaliphilic, thermotolerant, with Gram-positive staining non-motile cells. Strain CANT grows autotrophically using hydrogen exclusively as an energy source and carbon dioxide as the sole carbon source (without the requirement of yeast extract or other organic compounds). It grows at 20-45 °C (optimum, 45 °C) and pH 7.3-9.7 (optimum, pH 9.0). NaCl is not required for growth (optimum 0 %) but is tolerated up to 1.5 %. It resists novobiocin, streptomycin and vancomycin but is inhibited by ampicillin and penicillin, among other antibiotics. The genome consists of a circular chromosome (2.2 Mb) containing 2126 predicted protein-encoding genes with a G+C content of 36.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain CANT is a member of the genus Methanobacterium, most closely related to the alkaliphilic Methanobacterium alcaliphilum WeN4T with 98.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence identity. The genomes of strain CANT and M. alcaliphilum DSM 3459, sequenced in this study, share 71.6 % average nucleotide identity and 14.0 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization. Therefore, phylogenetic and physiological results indicate that strain CANT represents a novel species, for which the name Methanobacterium alkalithermotolerans sp. nov. is proposed, and strain CANT (=DSM 102889T= JCM 31304T) is assigned as the type strain.

Airborne ultrasound transmission through circular damages in polymer plates.

Polymer tanks made of Polypropylene (PP) sub-assemblies are commonly used for their ease of formability, surface and optical quality. The tightness of an assembly is classically assessed by pressurizing the vessel and measuring a pressure drop after a given period. In order to avoid this long and imprecise method, active ultrasound methods can be envisioned, but should be carefully designed in order to derive the proper transducer configurations, frequencies and assess the performances of the method in terms of repeatability and detectability. In this article, a thermoviscous Finite Element Model (FEM) is derived in order to predict the effect of realistic damages on the measured transmitted acoustic field in bonded polymer joints. Three damage scenarios are considered, namely through holes, flat-bottom holes and internal voids that may impair the tightness and durability of a polymer assembly. Numerical results in terms of on-axis sound pressure spectra and directivity diagrams are presented and verified experimentally on a flat panel. These results allow the derivation of design rules for the active inspection of polymer jointed structures.

Procaryotic Diversity and Hydrogenotrophic Methanogenesis in an Alkaline Spring (La Crouen, New Caledonia).

(1) Background: The geothermal spring of La Crouen (New Caledonia) discharges warm (42 °C) alkaline water (pH~9) enriched in dissolved nitrogen with traces of methane, but its microbial diversity has not yet been studied. (2) Methods: Cultivation-dependent and -independent methods (e.g., Illumina sequencing and quantitative PCR based on 16S rRNA gene) were used to describe the prokaryotic diversity of this spring. (3) Results: Prokaryotes were mainly represented by Proteobacteria (57% on average), followed by Cyanobacteria, Chlorofexi, and Candidatus Gracilibacteria (GN02/BD1-5) (each > 5%). Both potential aerobes and anaerobes, as well as mesophilic and thermophilic microorganisms, were identified. Some of them had previously been detected in continental hyperalkaline springs found in serpentinizing environments (The Cedars, Samail, Voltri, and Zambales ophiolites). Gammaproteobacteria, Ca. Gracilibacteria and Thermotogae were significantly more abundant in spring water than in sediments. Potential chemolithotrophs mainly included beta- and gammaproteobacterial genera of sulfate-reducers (Ca. Desulfobacillus), methylotrophs (Methyloversatilis), sulfur-oxidizers (Thiofaba, Thiovirga), or hydrogen-oxidizers (Hydrogenophaga). Methanogens (Methanobacteriales and Methanosarcinales) were the dominant Archaea, as found in serpentinization-driven and deep subsurface ecosystems. A novel alkaliphilic hydrogenotrophic methanogen (strain CAN) belonging to the genus Methanobacterium was isolated, suggesting that hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis occurs at La Crouen.

Alkalicella caledoniensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel alkaliphilic anaerobic bacterium isolated from 'La Crouen' alkaline thermal spring, New Caledonia.

A novel anaerobic, alkaliphilic, mesophilic, Gram-stain-positive, endospore-forming bacterium was isolated from an alkaline thermal spring (42 °C, pH 9.0) in New Caledonia. This bacterium, designated strain LB2T, grew at 25-50 °C (optimum, 37 °C) and pH 8.2-10.8 (optimum, pH 9.5). Added NaCl was not required for growth (optimum, 0-1 %) but was tolerated up to 7 %. Strain LB2T utilized a limited range of substrates, such as peptone, pyruvate, yeast extract and xylose. End products detected from pyruvate fermentation were acetate and formate. Both ferric citrate and thiosulfate were used as electron acceptors. Elemental sulphur, nitrate, nitrite, fumarate, sulphate, sulfite and DMSO were not used as terminal electron acceptors. The two major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0. The genome consists of a circular chromosome (3.7 Mb) containing 3626 predicted protein-encoding genes with a G+C content of 36.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the isolate is a member of the family Proteinivoraceae, order Clostridiales within the phylum Firmicutes. Strain LB2T was most closely related to the thermophilic Anaerobranca gottschalkii LBS3T (93.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence identity). Genome-based analysis of average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization of strain LB2T with A. gottschalkii LBS3T showed respective values of 70.8 and 13.4 %. Based on phylogenetic, genomic, chemotaxonomic and physiological properties, strain LB2T is proposed to represent the first species of a novel genus, for which the name Alkalicella caledoniensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed (type strain LB2T=DSM 100588T=JCM 30958T).

From prodigious volcanic degassing to caldera subsidence and quiescence at Ambrym (Vanuatu): the influence of regional tectonics.

Eruptive activity shapes volcanic edifices. The formation of broad caldera depressions is often associated with major collapse events, emplacing conspicuous pyroclastic deposits. However, caldera subsidence may also proceed silently by magma withdrawal at depth, more difficult to detect. Ambrym, a basaltic volcanic island, hosts a 12-km wide caldera and several intensely-degassing lava lakes confined to intra-caldera cones. Using satellite remote sensing of deformation, gas emissions and thermal anomalies, combined with seismicity and ground observations, we show that in December 2018 an intra-caldera eruption at Ambrym preceded normal faulting with >2 m of associated uplift along the eastern rift zone and 2.5 m of caldera-wide subsidence. Deformation was caused by lateral migration of >0.4 cubic kilometers of magma into the rift zone, extinguishing the lava lakes, and feeding a submarine eruption in the rift edge. Recurring rifting episodes, favored by stress induced by the D'Entrecasteaux Ridge collision against the New Hebrides arc, lead to progressive subsidence of Ambrym's caldera and concurrent draining of the lava lakes. Although counterintuitive, convergent margin systems can induce rift zone volcanism and subsequent caldera subsidence.

Mineralizing Filamentous Bacteria from the Prony Bay Hydrothermal Field Give New Insights into the Functioning of Serpentinization-Based Subseafloor Ecosystems.

Despite their potential importance as analogs of primitive microbial metabolisms, the knowledge of the structure and functioning of the deep ecosystems associated with serpentinizing environments is hampered by the lack of accessibility to relevant systems. These hyperalkaline environments are depleted in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), making the carbon sources and assimilation pathways in the associated ecosystems highly enigmatic. The Prony Bay Hydrothermal Field (PHF) is an active serpentinization site where, similar to Lost City (Mid-Atlantic Ridge), high-pH fluids rich in H2 and CH4 are discharged from carbonate chimneys at the seafloor, but in a shallower lagoonal environment. This study aimed to characterize the subsurface microbial ecology of this environment by focusing on the earliest stages of chimney construction, dominated by the discharge of hydrothermal fluids of subseafloor origin. By jointly examining the mineralogy and the microbial diversity of the conduits of juvenile edifices at the micrometric scale, we find a central role of uncultivated bacteria belonging to the Firmicutes in the ecology of the PHF. These bacteria, along with members of the phyla Acetothermia and Omnitrophica, are identified as the first chimneys inhabitants before archaeal Methanosarcinales. They are involved in the construction and early consolidation of the carbonate structures via organomineralization processes. Their predominance in the most juvenile and nascent hydrothermal chimneys, and their affiliation with environmental subsurface microorganisms, indicate that they are likely discharged with hydrothermal fluids from the subseafloor. They may thus be representative of endolithic serpentinization-based ecosystems, in an environment where DIC is limited. In contrast, heterotrophic and fermentative microorganisms may consume organic compounds from the abiotic by-products of serpentinization processes and/or from life in the deeper subsurface. We thus propose that the Firmicutes identified at PHF may have a versatile metabolism with the capability to use diverse organic compounds from biological or abiotic origin. From that perspective, this study sheds new light on the structure of deep microbial communities living at the energetic edge in serpentinites and may provide an alternative model of the earliest metabolisms.

Metagenomic and PCR-Based Diversity Surveys of [FeFe]-Hydrogenases Combined with Isolation of Alkaliphilic Hydrogen-Producing Bacteria from the Serpentinite-Hosted Prony Hydrothermal Field, New Caledonia.

High amounts of hydrogen are emitted in the serpentinite-hosted hydrothermal field of the Prony Bay (PHF, New Caledonia), where high-pH (~11), low-temperature (< 40°C), and low-salinity fluids are discharged in both intertidal and shallow submarine environments. In this study, we investigated the diversity and distribution of potentially hydrogen-producing bacteria in Prony hyperalkaline springs by using metagenomic analyses and different PCR-amplified DNA sequencing methods. The retrieved sequences of hydA genes, encoding the catalytic subunit of [FeFe]-hydrogenases and, used as a molecular marker of hydrogen-producing bacteria, were mainly related to those of Firmicutes and clustered into two distinct groups depending on sampling locations. Intertidal samples were dominated by new hydA sequences related to uncultured Firmicutes retrieved from paddy soils, while submarine samples were dominated by diverse hydA sequences affiliated with anaerobic and/or thermophilic submarine Firmicutes pertaining to the orders Thermoanaerobacterales or Clostridiales. The novelty and diversity of these [FeFe]-hydrogenases may reflect the unique environmental conditions prevailing in the PHF (i.e., high-pH, low-salt, mesothermic fluids). In addition, novel alkaliphilic hydrogen-producing Firmicutes (Clostridiales and Bacillales) were successfully isolated from both intertidal and submarine PHF chimney samples. Both molecular and cultivation-based data demonstrated the ability of Firmicutes originating from serpentinite-hosted environments to produce hydrogen by fermentation, potentially contributing to the molecular hydrogen balance in situ.

Serpentinicella alkaliphila gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel alkaliphilic anaerobic bacterium isolated from the serpentinite-hosted Prony hydrothermal field, New Caledonia.

A novel anaerobic, alkaliphilic, Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming bacterium was isolated from a carbonaceous hydrothermal chimney in Prony Bay, New Caledonia. This bacterium, designated strain 3bT, grew at temperatures from 30 to 43 °C (optimum 37 °C) and at pH between 7.8 and 10.1 (optimum 9.5). Added NaCl was not required for growth (optimum 0-0.2 %, w/v), but was tolerated at up to 4 %. Yeast extract was required for growth. Strain 3bT utilized crotonate, lactate and pyruvate, but not sugars. Crotonate was dismutated to acetate and butyrate. Lactate was disproportionated to acetate and propionate. Pyruvate was degraded to acetate plus trace amounts of hydrogen. Growth on lactate was improved by the addition of fumarate, which was used as an electron acceptor and converted to succinate. Sulfate, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, sulfite, nitrate, nitrite, FeCl3, Fe(III)-citrate, Fe(III)-EDTA, chromate, arsenate, selenate and DMSO were not used as terminal electron acceptors. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 33.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the isolate is a member of the family Clostridiaceae, order Clostridiales within the phylum Firmicutes. Strain 3bT was most closely related to 'Alkaliphilus hydrothermalis' FatMR1T (92.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), and was positioned approximately equidistantly between the genera Alkaliphilus, Anaerovirgula and Natronincola. On the basis of phylogenetic, genetic, chemotaxonomic and physiological properties, strain 3bT is proposed to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Serpentinicella alkaliphila gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Serpentinicella alkaliphila is 3bT (=DSM 100013T=JCM 30645T).

Microbial diversity in a submarine carbonate edifice from the serpentinizing hydrothermal system of the Prony Bay (New Caledonia) over a 6-year period.

Active carbonate chimneys from the shallow marine serpentinizing Prony Hydrothermal Field were sampled 3 times over a 6 years period at site ST09. Archaeal and bacterial communities composition was investigated using PCR-based methods (clone libraries, Denaturating Gel Gradient Electrophoresis, quantitative PCR) targeting 16S rRNA genes, methyl coenzyme M reductase A and dissimilatory sulfite reductase subunit B genes. Methanosarcinales (Euryarchaeota) and Thaumarchaea were the main archaeal members. The Methanosarcinales, also observed by epifluorescent microscopy and FISH, consisted of two phylotypes that were previously solely detected in two other serpentinitzing ecosystems (The Cedars and Lost City Hydrothermal Field). Surprisingly, members of the hyperthermophilic order Thermococcales were also found which may indicate the presence of a hot subsurface biosphere. The bacterial community mainly consisted of Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, Alpha-, Gamma-, Beta-, and Delta-proteobacteria and of the candidate division NPL-UPA2. Members of these taxa were consistently found each year and may therefore represent a stable core of the indigenous bacterial community of the PHF chimneys. Firmicutes isolates representing new bacterial taxa were obtained by cultivation under anaerobic conditions. Our study revealed diverse microbial communities in PHF ST09 related to methane and sulfur compounds that share common populations with other terrestrial or submarine serpentinizing ecosystems.

Acetoanaerobium pronyense sp. nov., an anaerobic alkaliphilic bacterium isolated from a carbonate chimney of the Prony Hydrothermal Field (New Caledonia).

A novel anaerobic bacterial strain, ST07-YET, was isolated from a carbonate chimney of the Prony Hydrothermal Field (PHF) in New Caledonia. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, straight rods (0.7-0.8 × 3.0-5.0 µm) and motile by means of lateral flagella. Strain ST07-YET was mesophilic (optimum 35 °C), moderately alkaliphilic and halotolerant (optimum pH 8.7 and 5 g l- 1 NaCl). Elemental sulfur, sulfate, thiosulfate, sulfite, nitrate and nitrite were not used as terminal electron acceptors. Yeast extract, peptone, tryptone, Casamino acids, crotonate, pyruvate, galactose, maltose, sucrose, ribose, trehalose and glucose were used as carbon sources. Glucose fermentation led to acetate, H2 and CO2 formation. Arginine, serine, histidine, lysine, methionine and cysteine improved growth, but the Stickland reaction was negative for the combinations of amino acids tested. The major metabolic products from yeast extract fermentation were H2, CO2, acetate, butyrate, isobutyrate, isovalerate and propionate. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, C16 : 1cis9, C14 : 0 and C16 : 1cis7 (>5 % of total fatty acids). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 32.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain ST07-YET was most closely related to Clostridium sticklandii DSM 519T and Acetoanaerobium noterae NOT-3T (96.7 % and 96.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively). On the basis of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and physiological properties, strain ST07-YET is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Acetoanaerobium (order Clostridiales, phylum Firmicutes) with the name Acetoanaerobium pronyense sp. nov. The type strain is ST07-YET ( = DSM 27512T = JCM 19400T).

Characterization of Alkaliphilus hydrothermalis sp. nov., a novel alkaliphilic anaerobic bacterium, isolated from a carbonaceous chimney of the Prony hydrothermal field, New Caledonia.

A novel anaerobic, alkaliphilic, Gram-positive staining bacterium was isolated from a hydrothermal chimney in the Prony Bay, New Caledonia. This strain designated FatMR1(T) grew at temperatures from 20 to 55 °C (optimum 37 °C) and at pH between 7.5 and 10.5 (optimum 8.8-9). NaCl is not required for growth (optimum 0.2-0.5%), but is tolerated up to 3%. Sulfate, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, sulfite, nitrate and nitrite are not used as terminal electron acceptors. Strain FatMR1(T) fermented pyruvate, yeast extract, peptone and biotrypcase and used fructose as the only sugar. The main fermentation products from fructose and proteinaceous compounds (e.g. peptone and biotrypcase) were acetate, H2 and CO2. Crotonate was disproportionated to acetate and butyrate. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C14:0 and C16:0. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 37.1 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic, genetic, and physiological properties, strain FatMR1(T) (=DSM 25890(T), =JCM 18390(T)) belonging to the phylum Firmicutes, class Clostridia, order Clostridiales, is proposed as a novel species of the genus Alkaliphilus, A. hydrothermalis sp. nov.

Vallitalea pronyensis sp. nov., isolated from a marine alkaline hydrothermal chimney.

A novel thermotolerant, anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming bacterium was isolated from a hydrothermal chimney in Prony Bay, New Caledonia. This strain, designated FatNI3(T), grew at 15-55 °C (optimum 30 °C) and at pH 5.8-8.9 (optimum 7.7). It was slightly halophilic, requiring at least 0.5 % NaCl for growth (optimum 2.5-3.0 %), and was able to grow at up to 6 % NaCl. Sulfate, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, sulfite, nitrate and nitrite were not used as terminal electron acceptors. Growth of strain FatNI3(T) was inhibited in the presence of sulfite (2 mM) or nitrite (2 mM). Strain FatNI3(T) fermented cellobiose, glucose, mannose, maltose, sucrose, galactose, lactose, ribose, fructose, rhamnose, raffinose, xylose, yeast extract, peptone and biotrypticase. The main fermentation products from glucose metabolism were acetate, ethanol, H2 and CO2. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The main polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and unknown glycolipids and phospholipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.6 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic and physiological properties, strain FatNI3(T) ( = DSM 25904 = JCM 18391) belonging to the phylum Firmicutes, class Clostridia, order Clostridiales, is proposed as the type strain of a novel species of the genus Vallitalea, for which the name Vallitalea pronyensis sp. nov. is proposed.

Spatial distribution of microbial communities in the shallow submarine alkaline hydrothermal field of the Prony Bay, New Caledonia.

The shallow submarine hydrothermal field of the Prony Bay (New Caledonia) discharges hydrogen- and methane-rich fluids with low salinity, temperature (< 40°C) and high pH (11) produced by the serpentinization reactions of the ultramafic basement into the lagoon seawater. They are responsible for the formation of carbonate chimneys at the lagoon seafloor. Capillary electrophoresis single-strand conformation polymorphism fingerprinting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis of 16S rRNA genes revealed changes in microbial community structure, abundance and diversity depending on the location, water depth, and structure of the carbonate chimneys. The low archaeal diversity was dominated by few uncultured Methanosarcinales similar to those found in other serpentinization-driven submarine and subterrestrial ecosystems (e.g. Lost City, The Cedars). The most abundant and diverse bacterial communities were mainly composed of Chloroflexi, Deinococcus-Thermus, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Functional gene analysis revealed similar abundance and diversity of both Methanosarcinales methanoarchaea, and Desulfovibrionales and Desulfobacterales sulfate-reducers in the studied sites. Molecular studies suggest that redox reactions involving hydrogen, methane and sulfur compounds (e.g. sulfate) are the energy driving forces of the microbial communities inhabiting the Prony hydrothermal system.

The coral sea: physical environment, ecosystem status and biodiversity assets.

The Coral Sea, located at the southwestern rim of the Pacific Ocean, is the only tropical marginal sea where human impacts remain relatively minor. Patterns and processes identified within the region have global relevance as a baseline for understanding impacts in more disturbed tropical locations. Despite 70 years of documented research, the Coral Sea has been relatively neglected, with a slower rate of increase in publications over the past 20 years than total marine research globally. We review current knowledge of the Coral Sea to provide an overview of regional geology, oceanography, ecology and fisheries. Interactions between physical features and biological assemblages influence ecological processes and the direction and strength of connectivity among Coral Sea ecosystems. To inform management effectively, we will need to fill some major knowledge gaps, including geographic gaps in sampling and a lack of integration of research themes, which hinder the understanding of most ecosystem processes.

Comparing the role of absolute sea-level rise and vertical tectonic motions in coastal flooding, Torres Islands (Vanuatu).

Since the late 1990s, rising sea levels around the Torres Islands (north Vanuatu, southwest Pacific) have caused strong local and international concern. In 2002-2004, a village was displaced due to increasing sea incursions, and in 2005 a United Nations Environment Programme press release referred to the displaced village as perhaps the world's first climate change "refugees." We show here that vertical motions of the Torres Islands themselves dominate the apparent sea-level rise observed on the islands. From 1997 to 2009, the absolute sea level rose by 150 + /-20 mm. But GPS data reveal that the islands subsided by 117 + /-30 mm over the same time period, almost doubling the apparent gradual sea-level rise. Moreover, large earthquakes that occurred just before and after this period caused several hundreds of mm of sudden vertical motion, generating larger apparent sea-level changes than those observed during the entire intervening period. Our results show that vertical ground motions must be accounted for when evaluating sea-level change hazards in active tectonic regions. These data are needed to help communities and governments understand environmental changes and make the best decisions for their future.