Effects of artificial light at night on the mobility of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Abstract

Light pollution poses a significant global threat to biodiversity, driven by the increasing coastal urbanization and the resulting growth of artificial light at night (ALAN). However, to date, the scientific community has focused mainly on studying its ecological effects within the terrestrial environment. It is only recently that attention has turned to coastal marine systems which are crucial due to their essential contribution at the ecosystem level. These environments, characterized by their high productivity, also play a crucial role in protecting coasts against erosion. The aim of this case study was to investigate the possible effects of ALAN on the sea urchin species Paracentrotus lividus in four areas of an Italian rocky coast, selected according to a gradient of light intensity (0, 0.4, 3 and 25 lux), from April 2022 to February 2023. Effects of ALAN were examined by measuring the density and size of sea urchins and also their reactivity to a stress condition through an innovative technique of overturning sea urchins to study their physiological response in the presence or absence of artificial light. In addition, the permanence of sea urchins in the four areas was evaluated through an efficient tagging test. Results show how these organisms, typically nocturnal, suffer negative effects of ALAN in terms of minor density and mobility, expressed as the speed of response to an adverse event, compared to a dark area.