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Sgambelluri LR, Jarvis JC, Kamel SJ. Multiple paternity, fertilization success, and male quality: Mating system variation in the eelgrass, Zostera marina. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11608. [PMID: 38919644 PMCID: PMC11197038 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity can modulate a population's response to a changing environment and plays a critical role in its ecological function. While multiple processes act to maintain genetic diversity, sexual reproduction remains the primary driving force. Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is an important habitat-forming species found in temperate coastal ecosystems across the globe. Recent increases in sea surface temperatures have resulted in shifts to a mixed-annual life-history strategy (i.e., displaying characteristics of both annual and perennial meadows) at its southern edge-of-range. Given that mating systems are intimately linked to standing levels of genetic variation, understanding the scope of sexual reproduction can illuminate the processes that shape genetic diversity. To characterize edge-of-range eelgrass mating systems, developing seeds on flowering Z. marina shoots were genotyped from three meadows in Topsail, North Carolina. In all meadows, levels of multiple mating were high, with shoots pollinated by an average of eight sires (range: 3-16). The number of fertilized seeds (i.e., reproductive success) varied significantly across sires (range: 1-25) and was positively correlated with both individual heterozygosity and self-fertilization. Outcrossing rates were high (approx. 70%) and varied across spathes. No clones were detected, and kinship among sampled flowering shoots was low, supporting observed patterns of reproductive output. Given the role that genetic diversity plays in enhancing resistance to and resilience from ecological disturbance, disentangling the links between life history, sexual reproduction, and genetic variation will aid in informing the management and conservation of this key foundation species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren R. Sgambelluri
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, Center for Marine ScienceUniversity of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmingtonNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jessie C. Jarvis
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, Center for Marine ScienceUniversity of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmingtonNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Stephanie J. Kamel
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, Center for Marine ScienceUniversity of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmingtonNorth CarolinaUSA
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2
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van Katwijk MM, van Tussenbroek BI. Facultative Annual Life Cycles in Seagrasses. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2002. [PMID: 37653920 PMCID: PMC10223934 DOI: 10.3390/plants12102002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Plant species usually have either annual or perennial life cycles, but facultative annual species have annual or perennial populations depending on their environment. In terrestrial angiosperms, facultative annual species are rare, with wild rice being one of the few examples. Our review shows that in marine angiosperms (seagrasses) facultative annual species are more common: six (of 63) seagrass species are facultative annual. It concerns Zostera marina, Z. japonica, Halophila decipiens, H. beccarii, Ruppia maritima, and R. spiralis. The annual populations generally produce five times more seeds than their conspecific perennial populations. Facultative annual seagrass species occur worldwide. Populations of seagrasses are commonly perennial, but the facultative annual species had annual populations when exposed to desiccation, anoxia-related factors, shading, or heat stress. A system-wide 'experiment' (closure of two out of three connected estuaries for large-scale coastal protection works) showed that the initial annual Z. marina population could shift to a perennial life cycle within 5 years, depending on environmental circumstances. We discuss potential mechanisms and implications for plant culture. Further exploration of flexible life histories in plant species, and seagrasses in particular, may aid in answering questions about trade-offs between vegetative and sexual reproduction, and preprogrammed senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke M. van Katwijk
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Brigitta I. van Tussenbroek
- Institute of Ocean Sciences and Limnology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos 77580, Mexico;
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3
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Masaka K, Takada T. Transition model for the hermaphroditism-dioecy continuum in higher plants. Ecol Modell 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.110135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Espinosa-Gayosso A, Ghisalberti M, Shimeta J, Ivey GN. On predicting particle capture rates in aquatic ecosystems. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261400. [PMID: 34937058 PMCID: PMC8694431 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in understanding the capture of moving suspended particles in aquatic ecosystems have opened up new possibilities for predicting rates of suspension feeding, larval settlement, seagrass pollination and sediment removal. Drawing on results from both highly-resolved computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and existing experimental data, we quantify the controlling influence of flow velocity, particle size and collector size on rates of contact between suspended particles and biological collectors over the parameter space characterising a diverse range of aquatic ecosystems. As distinct from assumptions in previous modeling studies, the functional relationships describing capture are highly variable. Contact rates can vary in opposing directions in response to changes in collector size, an organism’s size, the size of particles being intercepted (related to diet in the case of suspension feeders), and the flow strength. Contact rates shift from decreasing to increasing with collector diameter when particles become relatively large and there is vortex shedding in the collector wake. And in some ranges of the ecologically relevant parameter space, contact rates do not increase strongly with velocity or particle size. The understanding of these complex dependencies allows us to reformulate some hypotheses of selection pressure on the physiology and ecology of aquatic organisms. We discuss the benefits and limitations of CFD tools in predicting rates of particle capture in aquatic ecosystems. Finally, across the complete parameter space relevant to real aquatic ecosystems, all quantitative estimates of particle capture from our model are provided here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Espinosa-Gayosso
- School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Marco Ghisalberti
- School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Oceans Graduate School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Jeff Shimeta
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Gregory N. Ivey
- School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Oceans Graduate School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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Reproductive Cycle of the Seagrass Zostera noltei in the Ria de Aveiro Lagoon. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10112286. [PMID: 34834657 PMCID: PMC8621667 DOI: 10.3390/plants10112286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction in seagrasses is essential to increase their resilience towards environmental stressors, but its phenology is still unknown in some regions, limiting our knowledge about the recovery capacity of these ecosystems. In this study, the flowering effort, reproductive phenology, seed production and ability of germination of Zostera noltei was studied for the first time in the Ria de Aveiro lagoon, Portugal. Flowering of Z. noltei in the Ria de Aveiro lasts from June to November, reaching a peak between July and August. All the meadows showed similar flowering effort and phenology over time. Comparing with other European populations, the flowering effort of Z. noltei in Ria de Aveiro lasted for a longer period, which could be related with the milder temperatures in summer and autumn and the great anthropogenic stress to which the meadows are subjected in the lagoon. The number of seeds produced and their ability of germination were similar among meadows and sampling periods, reaching levels similar to those of other European regions. Nevertheless, future studies are needed to determine the fate of the produced seeds in the field to have a better understanding about the natural recovery capacity of the species.
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Sinclair EA, Edgeloe JM, Anthony JM, Statton J, Breed MF, Kendrick GA. Variation in reproductive effort, genetic diversity and mating systems across Posidonia australis seagrass meadows in Western Australia. AOB PLANTS 2020; 12:plaa038. [PMID: 32904346 PMCID: PMC7454027 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plaa038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Populations at the edges of their geographical range tend to have lower genetic diversity, smaller effective population sizes and limited connectivity relative to centre of range populations. Range edge populations are also likely to be better adapted to more extreme conditions for future survival and resilience in warming environments. However, they may also be most at risk of extinction from changing climate. We compare reproductive and genetic data of the temperate seagrass, Posidonia australis on the west coast of Australia. Measures of reproductive effort (flowering and fruit production and seed to ovule ratios) and estimates of genetic diversity and mating patterns (nuclear microsatellite DNA loci) were used to assess sexual reproduction in northern range edge (low latitude, elevated salinities, Shark Bay World Heritage Site) and centre of range (mid-latitude, oceanic salinity, Perth metropolitan waters) meadows in Western Australia. Flower and fruit production were highly variable among meadows and there was no significant relationship between seed to ovule ratio and clonal diversity. However, Shark Bay meadows were two orders of magnitude less fecund than those in Perth metropolitan waters. Shark Bay meadows were characterized by significantly lower levels of genetic diversity and a mixed mating system relative to meadows in Perth metropolitan waters, which had high genetic diversity and a completely outcrossed mating system. The combination of reproductive and genetic data showed overall lower sexual productivity in Shark Bay meadows relative to Perth metropolitan waters. The mixed mating system is likely driven by a combination of local environmental conditions and pollen limitation. These results indicate that seagrass restoration in Shark Bay may benefit from sourcing plant material from multiple reproductive meadows to increase outcrossed pollen availability and seed production for natural recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Sinclair
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, West Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jane M Edgeloe
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Janet M Anthony
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, West Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - John Statton
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Martin F Breed
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Gary A Kendrick
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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Suykerbuyk W, Govers LL, van Oven WG, Giesen K, Giesen WBJT, de Jong DJ, Bouma TJ, van Katwijk MM. Living in the intertidal: desiccation and shading reduce seagrass growth, but high salinity or population of origin have no additional effect. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5234. [PMID: 30042889 PMCID: PMC6055680 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The limiting effects of stressors like desiccation, light and salinity on seagrass growth and distribution are well-studied. However, little is known about their interactive effects, and whether such effects might differ among populations that are adapted to different local conditions. In two laboratory experiments we tested (a) if growth and development of intertidal, temperate Zostera noltii is affected by emergence time (experiment 1 and 2), and (b) how this is affected by an additional, second stressor, namely shading (experiment 1) or high salinity (25, 30 and 35, experiment 2). In addition, we tested (c) whether the effects of emergence time and salinity varied between three different European seagrass populations (Saint-Jacut/France, Oosterschelde/The Netherlands, and Sylt/Germany), which are likely adapted to different salinity levels (experiment 2). In both experiments, emergence of 8 h per tidal cycle (of 12 h) had a negative effect on seagrass relative growth rate (RGR), and aboveground biomass. Emergence furthermore reduced either rhizome length (experiment 1) or belowground biomass (experiment 2). Shading (experiment 1) resulted in lower RGR and a two-fold higher aboveground/belowground ratio. We found no interactive effects of emergence and shading stress. Salinity (experiment 2) did not affect seagrass growth or morphology of any of the three populations. The three tested populations differed greatly in morphology but showed no differential response to emergence or salinity level (experiment 2). Our results indicate that emergence time and shading show an additive negative effect (no synergistic or antagonistic effect), making the plants still vulnerable to such combination, a combination that may occur as a consequence of self-shading during emergence or resulting from algal cover. Emergence time likely determines the upper limit of Z. noltii and such shading will likely lower the upper limit. Shading resulted in higher aboveground/belowground ratios as is a general response in seagrass. Z. noltii of different populations originating from salinity 30 and 35 seem tolerant to variations in salinity within the tested range. Our results indicate that the three tested populations show morphotypic rather than ecotypic variation, at least regarding the salinity and emergence, as there were no interactive effects with origin. For restoration, this implies that the salinity regime of the donor and receptor site of Z. noltii is of no concern within the salinity range 25–35.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Suykerbuyk
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, and Utrecht University, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Yerseke, Netherlands.,Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Laura L Govers
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Conservation Ecology Group, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.,Department of Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - W G van Oven
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, and Utrecht University, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Yerseke, Netherlands
| | - Kris Giesen
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, and Utrecht University, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Yerseke, Netherlands.,Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Dick J de Jong
- Zee en Delta Department, Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment, Rijkswaterstaat, Middelburg, Netherlands
| | - Tjeerd J Bouma
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, and Utrecht University, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Yerseke, Netherlands
| | - Marieke M van Katwijk
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, and Utrecht University, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Yerseke, Netherlands.,Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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8
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Soissons LM, Haanstra EP, van Katwijk MM, Asmus R, Auby I, Barillé L, Brun FG, Cardoso PG, Desroy N, Fournier J, Ganthy F, Garmendia JM, Godet L, Grilo TF, Kadel P, Ondiviela B, Peralta G, Puente A, Recio M, Rigouin L, Valle M, Herman PMJ, Bouma TJ. Latitudinal Patterns in European Seagrass Carbon Reserves: Influence of Seasonal Fluctuations versus Short-Term Stress and Disturbance Events. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:88. [PMID: 29449859 PMCID: PMC5799261 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows form highly productive and valuable ecosystems in the marine environment. Throughout the year, seagrass meadows are exposed to abiotic and biotic variations linked to (i) seasonal fluctuations, (ii) short-term stress events such as, e.g., local nutrient enrichment, and (iii) small-scale disturbances such as, e.g., biomass removal by grazing. We hypothesized that short-term stress events and small-scale disturbances may affect seagrass chance for survival in temperate latitudes. To test this hypothesis we focused on seagrass carbon reserves in the form of starch stored seasonally in rhizomes, as these have been defined as a good indicator for winter survival. Twelve Zostera noltei meadows were monitored along a latitudinal gradient in Western Europe to firstly assess the seasonal change of their rhizomal starch content. Secondly, we tested the effects of nutrient enrichment and/or biomass removal on the corresponding starch content by using a short-term manipulative field experiment at a single latitude in the Netherlands. At the end of the growing season, we observed a weak but significant linear increase of starch content along the latitudinal gradient from south to north. This agrees with the contention that such reserves are essential for regrowth after winter, which is more severe in the north. In addition, we also observed a weak but significant positive relationship between starch content at the beginning of the growing season and past winter temperatures. This implies a lower regrowth potential after severe winters, due to diminished starch content at the beginning of the growing season. Short-term stress and disturbances may intensify these patterns, because our manipulative experiments show that when nutrient enrichment and biomass loss co-occurred at the end of the growing season, Z. noltei starch content declined. In temperate zones, the capacity of seagrasses to accumulate carbon reserves is expected to determine carbon-based regrowth after winter. Therefore, processes affecting those reserves might affect seagrass resilience. With increasing human pressure on coastal systems, short- and small-scale stress events are expected to become more frequent, threatening the resilience of seagrass ecosystems, particularly at higher latitudes, where populations tend to have an annual cycle highly dependent on their storage capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. Soissons
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Utrecht University, Yerseke, Netherlands
| | - Eeke P. Haanstra
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Utrecht University, Yerseke, Netherlands
| | - Marieke M. van Katwijk
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ragnhild Asmus
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Isabelle Auby
- Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer – Laboratoire Environnement-Ressources d’Arcachon, Arcachon, France
| | - Laurent Barillé
- Equipe Mer-Molécules-Sante EA 2160, Faculté des Sciences et des Techniques, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Fernando G. Brun
- Departamento de Biología, Área de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Patricia G. Cardoso
- Department of Life Sciences, Marine and Environmental Research Centre, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nicolas Desroy
- Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer – Laboratoire Environnement et Ressources, Dinard, France
| | - Jerome Fournier
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7208 Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, Paris, France
| | - Florian Ganthy
- Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer – Laboratoire Environnement-Ressources d’Arcachon, Arcachon, France
| | - Joxe-Mikel Garmendia
- Centro Tecnológico Experto en Innovación Marina y Alimentaria-Tecnalia, Marine Research Division, Pasaia, Spain
| | - Laurent Godet
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 6554 Littoral, Environnement, Teledetection, Geomatique-Nantes Géolittomer, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Tiago F. Grilo
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratorio Maritimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Cascais, Portugal
| | - Petra Kadel
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Barbara Ondiviela
- Environmental Hydraulics Institute “IH Cantabria”, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Gloria Peralta
- Departamento de Biología, Área de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Araceli Puente
- Environmental Hydraulics Institute “IH Cantabria”, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Maria Recio
- Environmental Hydraulics Institute “IH Cantabria”, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Loic Rigouin
- Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer – Laboratoire Environnement-Ressources d’Arcachon, Arcachon, France
| | - Mireia Valle
- Centro Tecnológico Experto en Innovación Marina y Alimentaria-Tecnalia, Marine Research Division, Pasaia, Spain
- Escuela de Gestión Ambiental, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Esmeraldas – PUCESE, Esmeraldas, Ecuador
| | - Peter M. J. Herman
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Utrecht University, Yerseke, Netherlands
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Tjeerd J. Bouma
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Utrecht University, Yerseke, Netherlands
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