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Beca-Carretero P, Marín C, Azcárate-García T, Cara CL, Brun F, Stengel DB. Ecotype-Specific and Correlated Seasonal Responses of Biomass Production, Non-Structural Carbohydrates, and Fatty Acids in Zostera marina. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:396. [PMID: 38337929 PMCID: PMC10856944 DOI: 10.3390/plants13030396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Seagrasses, which are marine flowering plants, provide numerous ecological services and goods. Zostera marina is the most widely distributed seagrass in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions. This study aimed to (i) examine seasonal trends and correlations between key seagrass traits such as biomass production and biochemical composition, and (ii) compare seasonal adaptation of two ecotypes of Z. marina exposed to similar environmental conditions on the west coast of Ireland. During summer, plants accumulated higher levels of energetic compounds and levels of unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) decreased. Conversely, the opposite trend was observed during colder months. These findings indicate a positive seasonal correlation between the production of non-structural carbohydrates and saturated fatty acids (SFAs), suggesting that seagrasses accumulate and utilize both energetic compounds simultaneously during favorable and unfavorable environmental conditions. The two ecotypes displayed differential seasonal responses by adjusting plant morphology and production, the utilization of energetic reserves, and modulating unsaturation levels of fatty acids in seagrass leaves. These results underscore the correlated seasonal responses of key compounds, capturing ecotype-specific environmental adaptations and ecological strategies, emphasizing the robust utility of these traits as a valuable eco-physiological tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Beca-Carretero
- Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland (D.B.S.)
- Department of Theoretical Ecology and Modelling, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Centro de Investigación Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain;
| | - Clara Marín
- Centro de Investigación Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain;
| | - Tomás Azcárate-García
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences & Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
- Department of Marine Biology and Oceanography, Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Claudia L. Cara
- Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland (D.B.S.)
| | - Fernando Brun
- Department of Biology, Division of Ecology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain;
| | - Dagmar B. Stengel
- Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland (D.B.S.)
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Pansini A, Beca-Carretero P, González MJ, La Manna G, Medina I, Ceccherelli G. Sources of variability in seagrass fatty acid profiles and the need of identifying reliable warming descriptors. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10000. [PMID: 37340008 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36498-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Global warming is expected to have inexorable and profound effects on marine ecosystems, particularly in foundation species such as seagrasses. Identifying responses to warming and comparing populations across natural temperature gradients can inform how future warming will impact the structure and function of ecosystems. Here, we investigated how thermal environment, intra-shoot and spatial variability modulate biochemical responses of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Through a space-for-time substitution study, Fatty acid (FA) profiles on the second and fifth leaf of the shoots were quantified at eight sites in Sardinia along a natural sea surface temperature (SST) summer gradient (about 4 °C). Higher mean SST were related to a decrease in the leaf total fatty acid content (LTFA), a reduction in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), omega-3/omega-6 PUFA and PUFA/saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratios and an increase in SFA, monounsaturated fatty acids and carbon elongation index (CEI, C18:2 n-6/C16:2 n-6) ratio. Results also revealed that FA profiles were strongly influenced by leaf age, independently of SST and spatial variability within sites. Overall, this study evidenced that the sensitive response of P. oceanica FA profiles to intra-shoot and spatial variability must not be overlooked when considering their response to temperature changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Pansini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Fisiche Matematiche e Naturali, Università Degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Pedro Beca-Carretero
- Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC), 36208, Vigo, Spain
| | - Maria J González
- Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC), 36208, Vigo, Spain
| | - Gabriella La Manna
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Fisiche Matematiche e Naturali, Università Degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy
- MareTerra Onlus, Environmental Research and Conservation, 07041, Alghero, SS, Italy
| | - Isabel Medina
- Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC), 36208, Vigo, Spain
| | - Giulia Ceccherelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Fisiche Matematiche e Naturali, Università Degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy
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3
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Patrizia S, Vasilis R, Giulia C. Experimental thermocline deepening highlights the resilience of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica: An opportunity to investigate shoot adaptability. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 189:114824. [PMID: 36931153 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The deepening of the thermocline, correlated to the rising temperature, can contribute affecting seagrass performance in a changing climate scenario. Here, the effect of the thermocline deepening on the seagrass Posidonia oceanica has been investigated in Cyprus through a manipulative experiment that allowed also testing the effects of the irradiance, origin depth and translocation. P. oceanica shoots were collected from 31 m of depth and transplanted at 12 m under a shading net, simulating the 31 m light conditions. Morphology (i.e. leaf area, leaf necrosis, number of leaves) and physiology (i.e. growth rate) were evaluated. Thermocline and origin depth effects were found with an increase of leaf necrosis, while a translocation effect was highlighted by a decrease in leaf area. No differences in shoot growth rate due to treatments were found. This experiment indicated an overall wide morphological and physiological acclimation of P. oceanica cuttings in coping with future thermocline conditions and it indirectly provides information for restoration efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stipcich Patrizia
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Resaikos Vasilis
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre (ENALIA), Acropoleos St. 2, Aglanjia 101, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ceccherelli Giulia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Fisiche Matematiche e Naturali, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Pansini A, Beca-Carretero P, Berlino M, Sarà G, Stengel DB, Stipcich P, Ceccherelli G. Field development of Posidonia oceanica seedlings changes under predicted acidification conditions. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 186:105946. [PMID: 36917890 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ocean acidification has been consistently evidenced to have profound and lasting impacts on marine species. Observations have shown seagrasses to be highly susceptible to future increased pCO2 conditions, but the responses of early life stages as seedlings are poorly understood. This study aimed at evaluating how projected Mediterranean Sea acidification affects the survival, morphological and biochemical development of Posidonia oceanica seedlings through a long-term field experiment along a natural low pH gradient. Future ocean conditions seem to constrain the morphological development of seedlings. However, high pCO2 exposures caused an initial increase in the degree of saturation of fatty acids in leaves and then improved the fatty acid adjustment increasing unsaturation levels in leaves (but not in seeds), suggesting a nutritional compound translocation. Results also suggested a P. oceanica structural components remodelling which may counteract the effects of ocean acidification but would not enhance seagrass seedling productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Pansini
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Pedro Beca-Carretero
- Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC), 36208, Vigo, Spain; Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Manuel Berlino
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DISTEM), Università di Palermo, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluca Sarà
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DISTEM), Università di Palermo, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Dagmar B Stengel
- Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Patrizia Stipcich
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giulia Ceccherelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Fisiche, Matematiche e Naturali, Università degli Studi di Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy
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Stipcich P, Beca-Carretero P, Álvarez-Salgado XA, Apostolaki ET, Chartosia N, Efthymiadis PT, Jimenez CE, La Manna G, Pansini A, Principato E, Resaikos V, Stengel DB, Ceccherelli G. Effects of high temperature and marine heat waves on seagrasses: Is warming affecting the nutritional value of Posidonia oceanica? MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 184:105854. [PMID: 36577310 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Primary producers nutritional content affects the entire food web. Here, changes in nutritional value associated with temperature rise and the occurrence of marine heat waves (MHWs) were explored in the endemic Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica. The variability of fatty acids (FAs) composition and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content were examined during summer 2021 from five Mediterranean sites located at the same latitude but under different thermal environments. The results highlighted a decrease in unsaturated FAs and C/N ratio and an increase of monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and N content when a MHW occurred. By contrast, the leaf biochemical composition seems to be adapted to local water temperature since only few significant changes in MUFA were found and N and C/N had an opposite pattern compared to when a MHW occurs. The projected increase in temperature and frequency of MHW suggest future changes in the nutritional value and palatability of leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Stipcich
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Pedro Beca-Carretero
- Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain; Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | | | - Eugenia T Apostolaki
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, 71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Niki Chartosia
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, 1678, Cyprus
| | | | - Carlos E Jimenez
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre (ENALIA), Acropoleos St. 2, Aglanjia 101, Nicosia, Cyprus; Energy, Environment and Water Research Center (EEWRC) of the Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Gabriella La Manna
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Fisiche Matematiche e Naturali, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy; MareTerra Onlus, Environmental Research and Conservation, 07041, Alghero, SS, Italy
| | - Arianna Pansini
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Elena Principato
- Area Marina Protetta "Isole Pelagie", Via Cameroni, s.n.c., 92031, Lampedusa, Italy
| | - Vasilis Resaikos
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre (ENALIA), Acropoleos St. 2, Aglanjia 101, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Dagmar B Stengel
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, 71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Giulia Ceccherelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Fisiche Matematiche e Naturali, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy
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Stipcich P, Pansini A, Beca-Carretero P, Stengel DB, Ceccherelli G. Field thermo acclimation increases the resilience of Posidonia oceanica seedlings to marine heat waves. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 184:114230. [PMID: 36307950 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Acclimation is a response that results from chronic exposure of an individual to a new environment. This study aimed to investigate whether the thermal environment affects the early development of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica, and whether the effects of a field-simulated Marine Heat Wave (MHW) on seedlings change depending on acclimation. The experiment was done in the field using a crossed design of Acclimation (acclimated vs unacclimated) and MHW (present vs absent) factors. Acclimation has initially constrained the development of P. oceanica seedlings, but then it increased their resilience to the MHW, under both a morphological and biochemical (fatty acid saturation) level. This treatment could be considered in P. oceanica restoration projects in a climate change-impaired sea, by purposely inducing an increased resistance to heat before transplants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Stipcich
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Arianna Pansini
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Pedro Beca-Carretero
- Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain; Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Dagmar B Stengel
- Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Giulia Ceccherelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Fisiche, Matematiche e Naturali, Università degli Studi di Sassari, via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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7
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Deguette A, Barrote I, Silva J. Physiological and morphological effects of a marine heatwave on the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7950. [PMID: 35562537 PMCID: PMC9106744 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12102-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are increasing in frequency and intensity as part of climate change, yet their impact on seagrass is poorly known. The present work evaluated the physiological and morphological responses of Cymodocea nodosa to a MHW. C. nodosa shoots were transplanted into a mesocosm facility. To simulate a MHW, water temperature was raised from 20 to 28 °C, kept 7 days at 28 °C, cooled down back to 20 °C and then maintained at 20 °C during an 8-day recovery period. The potentially stressful effects of the simulated heatwave on the photosynthetic performance, antioxidative-stress level and area vs dry weight ratio of leaves were investigated. The maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (ΦPSII) increased during the heatwave, allowing the plants to maintain their photosynthetic activity at control level. Negative effects on the photosynthetic performance and leaf biomass of C. nodosa were observed during the recovery period. No significant oxidative stress was observed throughout the experiment. Overall, although C. nodosa showed a relative tolerance to MHWs compared to other species, its population in Ria Formosa is likely to be negatively affected by the forecasted climate change scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alizé Deguette
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Barrote
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - João Silva
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal.
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Pansini A, La Manna G, Pinna F, Stipcich P, Ceccherelli G. Trait gradients inform predictions of seagrass meadows changes to future warming. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18107. [PMID: 34518602 PMCID: PMC8438026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97611-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Comparing populations across temperature gradients can inform how global warming will impact the structure and function of ecosystems. Shoot density, morphometry and productivity of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica to temperature variation was quantified at eight locations in Sardinia (western Mediterranean Sea) along a natural sea surface temperature (SST) gradient. The locations are spanned for a narrow range of latitude (1.5°), allowing the minimization of the effect of eventual photoperiod variability. Mean SST predicted P. oceanica meadow structure, with increased temperature correlated with higher shoot density, but lower leaf and rhizome width, and rhizome biomass. Chlorophyll a (Chl-a) strongly impacted seagrass traits independent of SST. Disentangling the effects of SST and Chl-a on seagrass meadow shoot density revealed that they work independently, but in the same direction with potential synergism. Space-for-time substitution predicts that global warming will trigger denser seagrass meadows with slender shoots, fewer leaves, and strongly impact seagrass ecosystem. Future investigations should evaluate if global warming will erode the ecosystem services provided by seagrass meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Pansini
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Dipartimento di Architettura, Design, Urbanistica, Università di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Gabriella La Manna
- MareTerra Onlus-Environmental Research and Conservation, Regione Sa Londra 9, 07041 Alghero, Italy
| | - Federico Pinna
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Dipartimento di Architettura, Design, Urbanistica, Università di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Stipcich
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Dipartimento di Architettura, Design, Urbanistica, Università di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giulia Ceccherelli
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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