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Rothäusler E, Carbone CPS, López BA, Tala F. Heterozostera nigricaulis from the south-East Pacific coast of Chile: First insights into its physiology and growth. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 188:105996. [PMID: 37104877 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A short stretch (27°S and 30°S) along the coast of Chile is habitat for the seagrass Heterozostera nigricaulis. The seagrass is classified as endangered and grows only clonally, but there are no data on its physiology and growth. However, this information is important to gain insights into its acclimation potential and how disturbances may affect them. We therefore studied H. nigricaulis at 27° and 30°S, and determined their growth and physiology among seasons and depths over one year. Biomass was higher at 27° than at 30°S, and was always higher in summer than in autumn and winter. Increased photosynthesis supported growth in summer, and in winter carbonic anhydrase activity was in place to maintain these evergreen meadows. Our results suggest that these seagrass meadows are adapted to local conditions, which, together with their asexual reproduction, could make them more vulnerable to disturbance. Therefore, our results serve as a basis for future studies on seagrass growth dynamics, and are important for protection and management plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Rothäusler
- Centro de Investigaciones Costeras, Universidad de Atacama (CIC - UDA), Avenida Copayapu 485, Copiapó, Atacama, Chile.
| | - Clementina Paz-Soldan Carbone
- Departamento de Biología Marina, Universidad Católica Del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile; Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Algas y Otros Recursos Biológicos (CIDTA), Facultad de Ciencias Del Mar, Universidad Católica Del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile.
| | - Boris A López
- Departamento de Acuicultura y Recursos Agroalimentarios, Universidad de Los Lagos, Av. Fuchslocher 1305, Osorno, Chile.
| | - Fadia Tala
- Departamento de Biología Marina, Universidad Católica Del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile; Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Algas y Otros Recursos Biológicos (CIDTA), Facultad de Ciencias Del Mar, Universidad Católica Del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile; Instituto Milenio en Socio-Ecología Costera, SECOS, Santiago, Chile.
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Guerrero-Meseguer L, Veiga P, Sampaio L, Rubal M. Sediment Characteristics Determine the Flowering Effort of Zostera noltei Meadows Inhabiting a Human-Dominated Lagoon. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10071387. [PMID: 34371590 PMCID: PMC8309307 DOI: 10.3390/plants10071387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown increasing Zostera noltei meadows in areas modified by anthropogenic activities. However, it is not entirely clear whether this trend of expansion could be linked to a greater reproductive effort in the species. Anthropogenic stressors can induce the reproductive effort of seagrass meadows as a response to stress, but other variables, such as seagrass biometrics or environmental factors, can also influence their sexual reproduction. To increase the knowledge regarding this issue, we monitored the flowering effort, seagrass biometrics and abiotic parameters of three Z. noltei meadows in an area that has been highly modified by anthropogenic activities during the past decades. Results showed that silt and clay content in the sediment (strongly correlated with organic matter) and seagrass vertical shoot density explained 54% of the variability in the flowering effort of the meadows. This study suggests that stress-induced flowering of Z. noltei may occur under determinate environmental conditions, such as silty environments with organic enrichment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Guerrero-Meseguer
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR) of the University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; (P.V.); (L.S.); (M.R.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Puri Veiga
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR) of the University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; (P.V.); (L.S.); (M.R.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Leandro Sampaio
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR) of the University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; (P.V.); (L.S.); (M.R.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marcos Rubal
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR) of the University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; (P.V.); (L.S.); (M.R.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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Xu S, Xu S, Zhou Y, Yue S, Qiao Y, Liu M, Gu R, Song X, Zhang Y, Zhang X. Sonar and in situ surveys of eelgrass distribution, reproductive effort, and sexual recruitment contribution in a eutrophic bay with intensive human activities: Implication for seagrass conservation. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 161:111706. [PMID: 33080387 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass beds are recognized as pivotal and among the most vulnerable coastal marine ecosystems globally. The eelgrass Zostera marina L. is the most widely distributed seagrass species and dominates the temperate northern hemisphere. However, an alarming decline in seagrass has been occurring worldwide due to multiple stressors. Seagrass meadow degradation is particularly serious in the Bohai Sea, in temperate China; however, large areas (> 500 ha) of seagrass meadows and population recruitment have rarely been reported in this area. In the present study, we report on a large eelgrass bed in a eutrophic bay of the Bohai Sea. Sonar and field survey methods were used to investigate the distribution of seagrass and its population recruitment. We also analyzed the major threats to this large seagrass bed. Results showed that a large Z. marina bed with an area of 694.36 ha occurred in this area of the Bohai Sea, with a peripheral area of ~25 km2. Seagrass canopy height and plant coverage had a significant correlation with water depth. Asexual reproduction principally occurred in autumn and played a dominant role in population recruitment in vegetated areas, where no seedlings successfully colonized. In contrast, a considerable number of seedlings survived in the seagrass meadow gaps, and thus played a critical role in the recruitment in these areas. The maximum reproductive shoot densities were about 100 and 70 shoots m-2 at sampling site (S)-1 and S-2 in 2018, respectively, which was about two times more than in 2019 (50 and 20 reproductive shoots m-2 at S-1 and S-2, respectively). The potential seed output per unit area in 2019 was about 1020 seeds m-2 at S-1 and 830 seeds m-2 at S-2, and the seed output in the study area was at a low level compared with global values. Overall, high spring and summer water temperature appeared to induce sexual reproduction of Z. marina in the study area, including reproductive effort, reproductive investment, and seedling development. Furthermore, eelgrass height, aboveground biomass, and density were significantly related to water temperature. Among the potential threatening factors to seagrass in this area, the activities of clam harvesting were intense with daily clam catches >2000 kg, leading to patchy seagrass meadows, especially in the fringe areas. The seagrass bed was also threatened by marine pollution (nutrient loading) and land reclamation. Therefore, the protection and restoration of this seagrass bed are strongly recommended. Our study will provide fundamental information for the conservation and management strategies of large eelgrass beds in the Bohai Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaochun Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuai Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Shidong Yue
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yongliang Qiao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Mingjie Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ruiting Gu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoyue Song
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Balestri E, Vallerini F, Lardicci C. Recruitment and Patch Establishment by Seed in the Seagrass Posidonia oceanica: Importance and Conservation Implications. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:1067. [PMID: 28670323 PMCID: PMC5472673 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Seagrasses are declining globally, and deeper understanding is needed on the recruitment potential and distribution of new populations for many threatened species to support conservation planning in the face of climate change. Recruitment of Posidonia oceanica, a threatened seagrass endemic to the Mediterranean, has long been considered rare due to infrequent flowering, but mounting evidence demonstrates that the species is responding to a changing climate through greater reproductive effort. Due to the fragmentary information on recruit occurrence and distribution, little is known about reproductive success in the species and its contribution to persistence. We assembled P. oceanica recruitment data from published and unpublished sources, including our own, to examine the frequency and extent of recruitment events (establishment of seedlings in a site), seedling growth potential and habitat characteristics at recruitment sites. Results show that at least one recruitment event has occurred about every 3 years, and 18 localities were colonized at least one time since the first seedling record in 1986. Notably, consistently high seedling inputs were observed in four localities of the Western Mediterranean. Seedlings established mainly on unoccupied substrate areas along the coasts of islands, in sheltered sites and at shallower depths (<3 m) than the upper limit of adjacent P. oceanica meadows. Seedling establishment occurred more frequently on rocky than on sandy substrate, and rarely on dead "matte" or meadows of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. The chance of colonization success on rock was two times higher than on sand. Our 11 years of observations have allowed for the first time the documentation of the formation and development of patches by P. oceanica seed. These findings contradict the historical assumption that sexual recruitment is rare and usually unsuccessful for P. oceanica, and highlight the potential importance of recruitment for the long-term persistence and adaptation of the species to sea level rise predicted in the next century in the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, management actions have mainly focused on established meadows, ignoring the presence of recruits in outside areas. Therefore, it will be useful to identify and consider regeneration sites in designing future management strategies to improve seagrass conservation effectiveness.
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Cumming E, Jarvis JC, Sherman CDH, York PH, Smith TM. Seed germination in a southern Australian temperate seagrass. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3114. [PMID: 28348932 PMCID: PMC5366064 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In a series of experiments, seeds from a temperate seagrass species, Zostera nigricaulis collected in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia were exposed to a range of salinities (20 PSU pulse/no pulse, 25 PSU, 30 PSU, 35 PSU), temperatures (13 °C, 17 °C, 22 °C), burial depths (0 cm, 1 cm, 2 cm) and site specific sediment characteristics (fine, medium, coarse) to quantify their impacts on germination rate and maximum overall germination. In southern Australia the seagrass Z. nigricaulis is a common subtidal species; however, little is known about the factors that affect seed germination which is a potential limiting factor in meadow resilience to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Overall seed germination was low (<20%) with germination decreasing to <10% when seeds were placed in the sediment. When germination of Z. nigricaulis seeds was observed, it was enhanced (greater overall germination and shorter time to germination) when seeds were exposed to a 20 PSU pulse for 24 h, maintained at salinity of 25 PSU, temperatures <13 °C, in sediments with fine or medium grain sand and buried at a depth of <1 cm. These results indicate that germination of Z. nigricaulis seeds under in situ conditions may be seasonally limited by temperatures in southern Australia. Seed germination may be further restricted by salinity as freshwater pulses reaching 20 PSU are typically only observed in Port Phillip Bay following large scale rainfall events. As a result, these populations may be particularly susceptible to disturbance with only a seasonally limited capacity for recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Cumming
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University , Waurn Ponds , Victoria , Australia
| | - Jessie C Jarvis
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, United States; Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Craig D H Sherman
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University , Waurn Ponds , Victoria , Australia
| | - Paul H York
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Timothy M Smith
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University , Waurn Ponds , Victoria , Australia
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