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Brown CJ, Campbell MD, Collier CJ, Turschwell MP, Saunders MI, Connolly RM. Speeding up the recovery of coastal habitats through management interventions that address constraints on dispersal and recruitment. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20241065. [PMID: 39043234 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.1065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Plans for habitat restoration will benefit from predictions of timescales for recovery. Theoretical models have been a powerful tool for informing practical guidelines in planning marine protected areas, suggesting restoration planning could also benefit from a theoretical framework. We developed a model that can predict recovery times following restoration action, under dispersal, recruitment and connectivity constraints. We apply the model to a case study of seagrass restoration and find recovery times following restoration action can vary greatly, from <1 to >20 years. The model also shows how recovery can be accelerated when restoration actions are matched to the constraints on recovery. For example, spreading of propagules can be used when connectivity is the critical restriction. The recovery constraints we articulated mathematically also apply to the restoration of coral reefs, mangroves, saltmarsh, shellfish reefs and macroalgal forests, so our model provides a general framework for choosing restoration actions that accelerate coastal habitat recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Brown
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
- Coastal and Marine Research Centre, School of Environment and Science, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Max D Campbell
- Coastal and Marine Research Centre, School of Environment and Science, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Catherine J Collier
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
| | - Mischa P Turschwell
- Coastal and Marine Research Centre, School of Environment and Science, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Rod M Connolly
- Coastal and Marine Research Centre, School of Environment and Science, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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2
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Saewong C, Ow YX, Nualla-Ong A, Buapet P. Comparative effects of heat stress on photosynthesis and oxidative stress in Halophila ovalis and Thalassia hemprichii under different light conditions. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 199:106589. [PMID: 38852494 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106589] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the physiological responses of two tropical seagrass species, Halophila ovalis and Thalassia hemprichii, to heat stress under varying light conditions in a controlled 5-day experiment. The experimental design included four treatments: control, saturating light, heat stress under sub-saturating light, and heat stress under saturating light (combined stress). We assessed various parameters, including chlorophyll fluorescence, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzyme activities, and growth rates. In H. ovalis, heat stress resulted in a significant reduction in the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) regardless of the light condition. However, the effects of heat stress on the effective quantum yield of photosystem II (ɸPSII) were more pronounced under saturating light conditions. In T. hemprichii, saturating irradiance exacerbated the heat stress effects on Fv/Fm and ɸPSII, although the overall photoinhibition was less severe than in H. ovalis. Heat stress led to ROS accumulation in H. ovalis and reduced the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase in the sub-saturating light condition. Conversely, T. hemprichii exhibited elevated SOD activity under saturating light. Heat stress suppressed the growth of both seagrass species, regardless of the light environment. The Biomarker Response Index indicated that H. ovalis displayed severe effects in the heat stress treatment under both light conditions, while T. hemprichii exhibited moderate effects in sub-saturating light and major effects in saturating light conditions. However, the Effect Addition Index revealed an antagonistic interaction between heat stress and high light in both seagrass species. This study underscores the intricate responses of seagrasses, emphasizing the importance of considering both local and global stressors when assessing their vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanida Saewong
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand; Coastal Oceanography and Climate Change Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Yan Xiang Ow
- St John's Island National Marine Laboratory, Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 14 Kent Ridge Road, 119227, Singapore
| | - Aekkaraj Nualla-Ong
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand; Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics Research, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Pimchanok Buapet
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand; Coastal Oceanography and Climate Change Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand.
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3
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Yarbro LA, Carlson PR, Johnsey E. Extensive and Continuing Loss of Seagrasses in Florida's Big Bend (USA). ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023:10.1007/s00267-023-01920-y. [PMID: 38103093 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-023-01920-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Florida's Big Bend in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico contains the second-largest contiguous seagrass meadow in the continental United States, providing numerous ecosystem functions and services, including carbon cycling and storage. We present 21 years of mapping data and 13 years of annual in-water monitoring that reveal extensive declines in area, species frequency of occurrence (FO), and percent cover of seagrass. Seagrass area declined by 15% to 85,170 ha in 2022. Subregions in the southern Big Bend experienced extensive seagrass losses of 90-100%. North of the Steinhatchee River, the Northern Big Bend contained 85% of the total seagrass area and experienced losses of only 8.4%. The FO of seagrass and bare quadrats exhibited similar trends to areal coverage. The lowest FO along with complete loss of species was observed near the mouth of the Suwannee River. At a distance from the Suwannee River, FO also declined, but no species were lost. In the remainder of the Big Bend, FO remained stable except for short-term reductions in 2013-2014, which were likely related to anomalously high runoff from rainfall and tropical storm activity. Mean percent cover, however, declined throughout Big Bend, reaching minimal levels in 2014, with little to no recovery through 2019. The persistence of low percent cover may increase vulnerability of beds to continuing areal losses, but the persistence of seagrass species at a distance from the Suwannee River mouth may allow recovery if environmental conditions improve.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Yarbro
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 Eighth Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA.
| | - P R Carlson
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 Eighth Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA
| | - E Johnsey
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 Eighth Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA
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Ngeve MN, Engelhardt KAM, Gray M, Neel MC. Calm after the storm? Similar patterns of genetic variation in a riverine foundation species before and after severe disturbance. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10670. [PMID: 37920773 PMCID: PMC10618894 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In summer 2011, Tropical storms Lee and Irene caused an estimated 90% decline of the submersed aquatic plant Vallisneria americana Michx. (Hydrocharitaceae) in the Hudson River of New York (USA). To understand the genetic impact of such large-scale demographic losses, we compared diversity at 10 microsatellite loci in 135 samples collected from five sites just before the storms with 239 shoots collected from nine sites 4 years after. Although 80% of beds sampled in 2011 lacked V. americana in 2015, we found similar genotypic and genetic diversity and effective population sizes in pre-storm versus post-storm sites. These similarities suggest that despite local extirpations concentrated at the upstream end of the sampling area, V. americana was regionally resistant to genetic losses. Similar geographically based structure among sites in both sampling periods suggested that cryptic local refugia at previously occupied sites facilitated re-expansion after the storms. However, this apparent resistance to disturbance may lead to a false sense of security. Low effective population sizes and high clonality in both time periods suggest that V. americana beds were already small and had high frequency of asexual reproduction before the storms. Dispersal was not sufficient to recolonize more isolated sites that had been extirpated. Chronic low diversity and reliance on asexual reproduction for persistence can be risky when more frequent and intense storms are paired with ongoing anthropogenic stressors. Monitoring genetic diversity along with extent and abundance of V. americana will give a more complete picture of long-term potential for resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalene N. Ngeve
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape ArchitectureUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
| | | | - Michelle Gray
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape ArchitectureUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
| | - Maile C. Neel
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape ArchitectureUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
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Minguito-Frutos M, Adams MP, Alcoverro T, Vilas MP, Alonso D, Mayol E, Bernardeu-Esteller J, Marín-Guirao L, Ruiz JM, Boada J. Quantifying the role of photoacclimation and self-facilitation for seagrass resilience to light deprivation. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1186538. [PMID: 37546272 PMCID: PMC10401047 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1186538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Light gradients are ubiquitous in marine systems as light reduces exponentially with depth. Seagrasses have a set of mechanisms that help them to cope with light stress gradients. Physiological photoacclimation and clonal integration help to maximize light capture and minimize carbon losses. These mechanisms can shape plants minimum light requirements (MLR), which establish critical thresholds for seagrass survival and help us predict ecosystem responses to the alarming reduction in light availability. Methods Using the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa as a case study, we compare the MLR under different carbon model scenarios, which include photoacclimation and/or self-facilitation (based on clonal integration) and that where parameterized with values from field experiments. Results Physiological photoacclimation conferred plants with increased tolerance to reducing light, approximately halving their MLR from 5-6% surface irradiance (SI) to ≈ 3% SI. In oligotrophic waters, this change in MLR could translate to an increase of several meters in their depth colonization limit. In addition, we show that reduced mortality rates derived from self-facilitation mechanisms (promoted by high biomass) induce bistability of seagrass meadows along the light stress gradient, leading to abrupt shifts and hysteretic behaviors at their deep limit. Discussion The results from our models point to (i) the critical role of physiological photoacclimation in conferring greater resistance and ability to recover (i.e., resilience), to seagrasses facing light deprivation and (ii) the importance of self-facilitating reinforcing mechanisms in driving the resilience and recovery of seagrass systems exposed to severe light reduction events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Minguito-Frutos
- Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Carrer d’Accés a la cala Sant Francesc, Girona, Spain
| | - Matthew P. Adams
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Teresa Alcoverro
- Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Carrer d’Accés a la cala Sant Francesc, Girona, Spain
| | - María P. Vilas
- Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David Alonso
- Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Carrer d’Accés a la cala Sant Francesc, Girona, Spain
| | - Elvira Mayol
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Global Change Research, IMEDEA (Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies) (UIB-CSIC), Esporles, Spain
| | - Jaime Bernardeu-Esteller
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), Murcia, Spain
| | - Lázaro Marín-Guirao
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan M. Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), Murcia, Spain
| | - Jordi Boada
- Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Carrer d’Accés a la cala Sant Francesc, Girona, Spain
- Laboratoire d’Océanographie de Villefranche-sur-Mer, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Villefranche sur mer, France
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Bass AV, Falkenberg LJ. Two tropical seagrass species show differing indicators of resistance to a marine heatwave. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10304. [PMID: 37456075 PMCID: PMC10345732 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10304] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are a growing threat to marine species globally, including economically and ecologically important foundation species, such as seagrasses. Seagrasses in tropical regions may already be near their thermal maxima, and, therefore, particularly susceptible to increases in temperature, such as from MHWs. Here, we conducted a 10-day MHW experiment (control +4°C) to determine the effects of such events on the two tropical seagrasses Halophila beccarii and Halophila ovalis. We found that both species were largely resistant to the MHW, however, there were differences between the species' responses. For H. beccarii, the surface area of existing leaves was smaller under MHW conditions, yet a substantial increase in the number of new leaves under the MHW indicated its tolerance to-or even increased performance under-the MHW. While there was no direct effect of the MHW on H. ovalis, this species saw less epiphyte biomass and percentage cover on its leaves under the MHW. While a lower epiphyte cover can potentially increase the health and ecophysiological performance of the seagrass, the change of epiphytes can lead to bottom-up trophic implications via the influence on mesograzer feeding. Together, the results of this study demonstrate the species-specific responses of seagrasses of the same genus to a warming event. With the current global decline of seagrasses, our results are encouraging for these important habitat formers as we show that anomalous warming events may not necessarily lead to ecosystem collapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alissa V. Bass
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science LaboratoryThe Chinese University of Hong KongSha TinNew TerritoriesHong Kong SAR
| | - Laura J. Falkenberg
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science LaboratoryThe Chinese University of Hong KongSha TinNew TerritoriesHong Kong SAR
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Lemke M, DeSalle R. The Next Generation of Microbial Ecology and Its Importance in Environmental Sustainability. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 85:781-795. [PMID: 36826587 PMCID: PMC10156817 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02185-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Collectively, we have been reviewers for microbial ecology, genetics and genomics studies that include environmental DNA (eDNA), microbiome studies, and whole bacterial genome biology for Microbial Ecology and other journals for about three decades. Here, we wish to point out trends and point to areas of study that readers, especially those moving into the next generation of microbial ecology research, might learn and consider. In this communication, we are not saying the work currently being accomplished in microbial ecology and restoration biology is inadequate. What we are saying is that a significant milestone in microbial ecology has been reached, and approaches that may have been overlooked or were unable to be completed before should be reconsidered in moving forward into a new more ecological era where restoration of the ecological trajectory of systems has become critical. It is our hope that this introduction, along with the papers that make up this special issue, will address the sense of immediacy and focus needed to move into the next generation of microbial ecology study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lemke
- Department of Biology, University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL, USA.
- Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Rob DeSalle
- Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
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8
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Jiménez-Ramos R, Brun FG, Pérez-Lloréns JL, Vergara JJ, Delgado-Cabezas F, Sena-Soria N, Egea LG. Resistance and recovery of benthic marine macrophyte communities to light reduction: Insights from carbon metabolism and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fluxes, and implications for resilience. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 188:114630. [PMID: 36708615 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114630] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A crucial factor in the long-term survival of benthic macrophyte communities under light-reduction stress is how they balance carbon metabolism during photosynthesis and respiration. In turn, the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) released by these communities, which can be highly light-dependent, stands as a source of carbon, fuelling marine communities and playing an important role in the ocean carbon sequestration. This is the first study to evaluate light-reduction stress and recovery in the seagrass Zostera noltei and the macroalga Caulerpa prolifera. Light reduction led to a significant decrease in the production of both communities from autotrophic to heterotrophic. Results indicated that most of the DOC released by vegetated coastal communities comes from photosynthetic activity, and that the net DOC fluxes can be greatly affected by shading events. Finally, both communities showed resilience underpinned by high recovery but low resistance capacity, with C. prolifera showing the highest resilience to unfavourable light conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Jiménez-Ramos
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Fernando G Brun
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - José L Pérez-Lloréns
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Juan J Vergara
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Fátima Delgado-Cabezas
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Noelia Sena-Soria
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Luis G Egea
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
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Smulders FOH, Slikboer N, Christianen MJA, Vonk JA. Battle for the mounds: Niche competition between upside-down jellyfish and invasive seagrass. Ecology 2023; 104:e3980. [PMID: 36695025 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fee O H Smulders
- Wageningen University & Research Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Naomi Slikboer
- Wageningen University & Research Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolijn J A Christianen
- Wageningen University & Research Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Arie Vonk
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology (FAME), Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Phylogenomic Insights into the Phylogeography of Halophila baillonii Asch. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15010111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
A molecular genetic approach was used to elucidate the phylogeographic relationships of the clover grass (Halophila baillonii Asch.) from three key regions within its current distributional range. Halophila baillonii is a small seagrass that has historically been only found in a few locations in the Caribbean and Atlantic coast of Brazil. In the past few decades H. baillonii has also been observed in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). Very little is known about the relationship between the ETP populations and the Caribbean and Atlantic ones. To study their relationship, we used a hybrid capture approach targeting chloroplast loci on samples from Belize, Brazil, and the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Phylogenetic analyses resolved H. baillonii as monophyletic and placed the samples from Belize and Costa Rica in a clade sister to the Brazilian ones. The results clearly indicate that the ETP samples are very closely related to Belize and that the most likely explanation of its occurrence in the ETP is a recent introduction, possibly as a consequence of the opening of the Panama Canal.
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11
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Conte C, Apostolaki ET, Vizzini S, Migliore L. A Tight Interaction between the Native Seagrass Cymodocea nodosa and the Exotic Halophila stipulacea in the Aegean Sea Highlights Seagrass Holobiont Variations. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:350. [PMID: 36679063 PMCID: PMC9863530 DOI: 10.3390/plants12020350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Seagrasses harbour bacterial communities with which they constitute a functional unit called holobiont that responds as a whole to environmental changes. Epiphytic bacterial communities rapidly respond to both biotic and abiotic factors, potentially contributing to the host fitness. The Lessepsian migrant Halophila stipulacea has a high phenotypical plasticity and harbours a highly diverse epiphytic bacterial community, which could support its invasiveness in the Mediterranean Sea. The current study aimed to evaluate the Halophila/Cymodocea competition in the Aegean Sea by analysing each of the two seagrasses in a meadow zone where these intermingled, as well as in their monospecific zones, at two depths. Differences in holobionts were evaluated using seagrass descriptors (morphometric, biochemical, elemental, and isotopic composition) to assess host changes, and 16S rRNA gene to identify bacterial community structure and composition. An Indicator Species Index was used to identify bacteria significantly associated with each host. In mixed meadows, native C. nodosa was shown to be affected by the presence of exotic H. stipulacea, in terms of both plant descriptors and bacterial communities, while H. stipulacea responded only to environmental factors rather than C. nodosa proximity. This study provided evidence of the competitive advantage of H. stipulacea on C. nodosa in the Aegean Sea and suggests the possible use of associated bacterial communities as an ecological seagrass descriptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Conte
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Ecology and Ecotoxicology, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenia T. Apostolaki
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, P.O. Box 2214, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Salvatrice Vizzini
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy
- CoNISMa, National Interuniversity Consortium for Marine Sciences, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Roma, Italy
| | - Luciana Migliore
- Laboratory of Ecology and Ecotoxicology, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- eCampus University, Via Isimbardi 10, 22060 Novedrate (CO), Italy
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Leblanc ML, O'Connor MI, Kuzyk ZZA, Noisette F, Davis KE, Rabbitskin E, Sam LL, Neumeier U, Costanzo R, Ehn JK, Babb D, Idrobo CJ, Gilbert JP, Leblon B, Humphries MM. Limited recovery following a massive seagrass decline in subarctic eastern Canada. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:432-450. [PMID: 36270797 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Over the last few decades, there has been an increasing recognition for seagrasses' contribution to the functioning of nearshore ecosystems and climate change mitigation. Nevertheless, seagrass ecosystems have been deteriorating globally at an accelerating rate during recent decades. In 2017, research into the condition of eelgrass (Zostera marina) along the eastern coast of James Bay, Canada, was initiated in response to reports of eelgrass decline by the Cree First Nations of Eeyou Istchee. As part of this research, we compiled and analyzed two decades of eelgrass cover data and three decades of eelgrass monitoring data (biomass and density) to detect changes and assess possible environmental drivers. We detected a major decline in eelgrass condition between 1995 and 1999, which encompassed the entire east coast of James Bay. Surveys conducted in 2019 and 2020 indicated limited changes post-decline, for example, low eelgrass cover (<25%), low aboveground biomass, smaller shoots than before 1995, and marginally low densities persisted at most sites. Overall, the synthesized datasets show a 40% loss of eelgrass meadows with >50% cover in eastern James Bay since 1995, representing the largest scale eelgrass decline documented in eastern Canada since the massive die-off event that occurred in the 1930s along the North Atlantic coast. Using biomass data collected since 1982, but geographically limited to the sector of the coast near the regulated La Grande River, generalized additive modeling revealed eelgrass meadows are affected by local sea surface temperature, early ice breakup, and higher summer freshwater discharge. Our results caution against assuming subarctic seagrass ecosystems have avoided recent global declines or will benefit from ongoing climate warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie-Louise Leblanc
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mary I O'Connor
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Zou Zou A Kuzyk
- Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Fanny Noisette
- Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
| | - Kaleigh E Davis
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | - Urs Neumeier
- Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
| | - Rémi Costanzo
- Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
| | - Jens K Ehn
- Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - David Babb
- Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - C Julián Idrobo
- Aurora College, Thebacha Campus, Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada
| | | | - Brigitte Leblon
- Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Murray M Humphries
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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13
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Viana IG, Artika SR, Moreira-Saporiti A, Teichberg M. Limited trait responses of a tropical seagrass to the combination of increasing pCO2 and warming. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:472-488. [PMID: 36272111 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac425] [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: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding species-specific trait responses under future global change scenarios is of importance for conservation efforts and to make informed decisions within management projects. The combined and single effects of seawater acidification and warmer average temperature were investigated by means of the trait responses of Cymodocea serrulata, a tropical seagrass, under experimental conditions. After a 35 d exposure period, biochemical, morphological, and photo-physiological trait responses were measured. Overall, biochemical traits mildly responded under the individual exposure to high temperature and increasing pCO2 values. The response of C. serrulata was limited to a decrease in %C and an increase in the sucrose content in the rhizome under the high temperature treatment, 32 °C. This suggests that this temperature was lower than the maximum tolerance limit for this species. Increasing pCO2 levels increased %C in the rhizome, and also showed a significant increase in leaf δ13C values. The effects of all treatments were sublethal; however, small changes in their traits could affect the ecosystem services they provide. In particular, changes in tissue carbon concentrations may affect carbon storage capacity, one key ecosystem service. The simultaneous study of different types of trait responses contributes to establish a holistic framework of seagrass ecosystem health under climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés G Viana
- Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
- Department of Ecology, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO-CSIC), Centro Oceanográfico de A Coruña, 15001, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Suci Rahmadani Artika
- Department of Ecology, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany
- Department of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, Hasanuddin University, Indonesia
- Department of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Halu Oleo University, Indonesia
| | - Agustín Moreira-Saporiti
- Department of Ecology, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany
- University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
- The Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Mirta Teichberg
- Department of Ecology, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany
- The Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), Woods Hole, MA, USA
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14
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Erftemeijer PLA, van Gils J, Fernandes MB, Daly R, van der Heijden L, Herman PMJ. Habitat suitability modelling to improve understanding of seagrass loss and recovery and to guide decisions in relation to coastal discharge. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 186:114370. [PMID: 36459773 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Habitat suitability modelling was used to test the relationship between coastal discharges and seagrass occurrence based on data from Adelaide (South Australia). Seven variables (benthic light including epiphyte shading, temperature, salinity, substrate, wave exposure, currents and tidal exposure) were simulated using a coupled hydrodynamic-biogeochemical model and interrogated against literature-derived thresholds for nine local seagrass species. Light availability was the most critical driver across the study area but wave exposure played a key role in shallow nearshore areas. Model validation against seagrass mapping data showed 86 % goodness-of-fit. Comparison against later mapping data suggested that modelling could predict ~745 ha of seagrass recovery in areas previously classified as 'false positives'. These results suggest that habitat suitability modelling is reliable to test scenarios and predict seagrass response to reduction of land-based loads, providing a useful tool to guide (investment) decisions to prevent loss and promote recovery of seagrasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul L A Erftemeijer
- School of Biological Sciences and Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Jos van Gils
- Deltares, Department of Marine and Coastal Systems, PO Box 170, 2600 MH Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Milena B Fernandes
- SA Water, GPO Box 1751, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Rob Daly
- SA Water, GPO Box 1751, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Luuk van der Heijden
- Deltares, Department of Marine and Coastal Systems, PO Box 170, 2600 MH Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Peter M J Herman
- Deltares, Department of Marine and Coastal Systems, PO Box 170, 2600 MH Delft, the Netherlands
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15
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Zhang YS, Swinea SH, Roskar G, Trackenberg SN, Gittman RK, Jarvis JC, Kenworthy WJ, Yeager LA, Fodrie FJ. Tropical cyclone impacts on seagrass-associated fishes in a temperate-subtropical estuary. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273556. [PMID: 36227958 PMCID: PMC9560482 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273556] [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: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Major storms can alter coastal ecosystems in several direct and indirect ways including habitat destruction, stormwater-related water quality degradation, and organism mortality. From 2010–2020, ten tropical cyclones impacted coastal North Carolina, providing an opportunity to explore ecosystem responses across multiple storms. Using monthly trawl and contemporaneous seagrass surveys conducted in Back Sound, NC, we evaluated how cyclones may affect the nursery role of shallow-water biogenic habitats by examining seagrass-associated fish responses within a temperate-subtropical estuary. We employed a general before-after-control-impact approach using trawls conducted prior (before) and subsequent (after) to storm arrival and years either without (control) or with (impact) storms. We examined whether effects were apparent over short (within ~three weeks of impact) and seasonal (May-October) timescales, as well as if the magnitude of storm-related shifts varied as a function of storm intensity. Our findings suggest that the ability of these shallow-water habitats to support juvenile fishes was not dramatically altered by hurricanes. The resilience exhibited by fishes was likely underpinned by the relative persistence of the seagrass habitat, which appeared principally undamaged by storms based upon review of available–albeit limited seagrass surveys. Increasing cyclone intensity, however, was correlated with greater declines in catch and may potentially underlie the emigration and return rate of fish after cyclones. Whether estuarine fishes will continue to be resilient to acute storm impacts despite chronic environmental degradation and predicted increases major tropical cyclone frequency and intensity remains a pressing question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y. Stacy Zhang
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Savannah H. Swinea
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Marine Science Center, Nahant, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Grace Roskar
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, North Carolina, United States of America
- North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Stacy N. Trackenberg
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rachel K. Gittman
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
- Coastal Studies Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jessie C. Jarvis
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, United States of America
| | - W. Judson Kenworthy
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, United States of America
| | - Lauren A. Yeager
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - F. Joel Fodrie
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, North Carolina, United States of America
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16
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O’Dea CM, Lavery PS, Webster CL, McMahon KM. Increased extent of waterfowl grazing lengthens the recovery time of a colonizing seagrass ( Halophila ovalis) with implications for seagrass resilience. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:947109. [PMID: 36105704 PMCID: PMC9465301 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.947109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Herbivore distributions and abundance are shifting because of climate change, leading to intensified grazing pressure on foundation species such as seagrasses. This, combined with rapidly increasing magnitudes of change in estuarine ecosystems, may affect seagrass resilience. While the overall resilience of seagrasses is generally well-studied, the timeframes of recovery has received comparatively little attention, particularly in temperate estuaries. We investigated how the recovery time (RT) of seagrass is affected by simulated grazing in a southwestern Australian estuary. Whilst excluding swans, we simulated different grazing intensities (25, 50, 75, and 100% removal from 1 m2 plots) at four locations in the Swan-Canning Estuary, Western Australia during summer and tracked the recovery of seagrass over 3 months, using seagrass cover as the main measure of recovery. We found that seagrass recovered within 4-6 weeks from the lower grazing intensities (25 and 50%) and 7-19 weeks from the higher grazing intensities (75 and 100%) across the estuary. Increased grazing intensity led to not only longer recovery times (RTs), but also greater variability in the RT among experimental locations. The RT from the higher grazing intensities at one location in particular was more than double other locations. Seagrass recovery was through vegetative mechanisms and not through sexual reproduction. There was a significant grazing treatment effect on seagrass meadow characteristics, particularly belowground biomass which had not recovered 3 months following grazing. As the pressure of climate change on estuarine environments increases, these quantified RTs for seagrass provide a baseline for understanding grazing pressure as a singular disturbance. Future work can now examine how grazing and other potentially interacting pressures in our changing climate could impact seagrass recovery even further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn M. O’Dea
- Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Aquatic Science Branch, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Paul S. Lavery
- Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Chanelle L. Webster
- Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Kathryn M. McMahon
- Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
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17
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Carter AB, Collier C, Coles R, Lawrence E, Rasheed MA. Community-specific "desired" states for seagrasses through cycles of loss and recovery. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 314:115059. [PMID: 35462253 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass habitats provide critical ecosystem services, yet there is ongoing concern over mounting pressures and continuing degradation. Defining a desired state for these habitats is a key step in implementing appropriate management but is often difficult given the challenges of available data and an evaluation of where to set benchmarks. We use more than 20 years of historical seagrass biomass data (1995-2018) for the diverse seagrass communities of Australia's Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) to develop desired state benchmarks. Desired state for seagrass biomass was estimated for 25 of 36 previously defined seagrass communities with the remainder having insufficient data. Desired state varied by more than one order of magnitude between community types and was influenced by the mix of species in the communities and the range of environmental conditions. We identify a historical, decadal-scale cycle of decline with recovery to desired state in coastal intertidal communities. In contrast a number of the estuary and coastal subtidal communities have not recovered to desired state biomass. Understanding a historical context is critically important for setting benchmarks and making informed management decisions on the present state of seagrass in the GBRWHA. The approach we have developed is scalable for monitoring, management and assessment of pressures for other management areas and for other jurisdictions. Our results guide conservation planning through prioritization of the at-risk seagrass communities that are continuing to fall below their desired state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex B Carter
- Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.
| | - Catherine Collier
- Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Rob Coles
- Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | | | - Michael A Rasheed
- Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
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18
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Improving Approaches to Mapping Seagrass within the Great Barrier Reef: From Field to Spaceborne Earth Observation. REMOTE SENSING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rs14112604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows are a key ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, providing one of the natural heritage attributes underpinning the reef’s outstanding universal value. We reviewed approaches employed to date to create maps of seagrass meadows in the optically complex waters of the Great Barrier Reef and explored enhanced mapping approaches with a focus on emerging technologies, and key considerations for future mapping. Our review showed that field-based mapping of seagrass has traditionally been the most common approach in the GBRWHA, with few attempts to adopt remote sensing approaches and emerging technologies. Using a series of case studies to harness the power of machine- and deep-learning, we mapped seagrass cover with PlanetScope and UAV-captured imagery in a variety of settings. Using a machine-learning pixel-based classification coupled with a bootstrapping process, we were able to significantly improve maps of seagrass, particularly in low cover, fragmented and complex habitats. We also used deep-learning models to derive enhanced maps from UAV imagery. Combined, these lessons and emerging technologies show that more accurate and efficient seagrass mapping approaches are possible, producing maps of higher confidence for users and enabling the upscaling of seagrass mapping into the future.
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Fernandes MB, Hennessy A, Law WB, Daly R, Gaylard S, Lewis M, Clarke K. Landsat historical records reveal large-scale dynamics and enduring recovery of seagrasses in an impacted seascape. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 813:152646. [PMID: 34968586 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152646] [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: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Seagrasses are considered indicators of anthropogenic impact but surprisingly little is known about their temporal and spatial dynamics in impacted seascapes. In this study, we used three decades of Landsat imagery (1988-2018) off the coast of Adelaide, South Australia, to investigate how seagrass cover over 501 km2 responds to changes in land-based inputs, including breakpoints in system trajectory and associated timelags, and the identification of vulnerable meadows. Field data was used to help train benthic classification of summer imagery and define its accuracy. Temporal dynamics of seagrass cover were investigated in relation to annual and multi-year nitrogen and suspended solids loads. Spatial dynamics were inferred from maps of benthic cover persistence and trajectory for each decade. The region experienced a net regrowth of some 11,000 ha of seagrasses since the early 2000s, with the initial large-scale recruitment visible in the imagery 6 years after the closure of sludge outfalls. Seagrass expansion occurred primarily in deeper waters (>10 m) of the central coast and at the seaward edge of the distribution. Recovery continued until 2011 assisted by a window of opportunity created by a decade-long drought and further reductions in nitrogen loads from wastewater treatment plants and industry. Localized seagrass losses however continued to be observed as a result of either permanent or transient increases in suspended solids loads. Seagrass area in the central coast was well correlated (r2 = 0.88) with 5-year running averages of nitrogen and suspended solids loads. Meadows particularly vulnerable to changes in land-based discharges were located at the edges of the distribution, along erosional scarps and at depths >10 m south of the Torrens River. These areas were identified as useful indicators of seagrass status. Overall, seagrass persistence expanded from 48 to 69% of the mapped area, with the region now mostly covered by stable seagrasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena B Fernandes
- SA Water, GPO Box 1751, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Andrew Hennessy
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Wallace Boone Law
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Robert Daly
- SA Water, GPO Box 1751, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Sam Gaylard
- South Australian Environment Protection Authority, GPO Box 2607, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Megan Lewis
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Kenneth Clarke
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
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20
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Soonthornkalump S, Ow YX, Saewong C, Buapet P. Comparative study on anatomical traits and gas exchange responses due to belowground hypoxic stress and thermal stress in three tropical seagrasses. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12899. [PMID: 35186485 PMCID: PMC8840093 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to maintain sufficient oxygen levels in the belowground tissues and the rhizosphere is crucial for the growth and survival of seagrasses in habitats with highly reduced sediment. Such ability varies depending on plant anatomical features and environmental conditions. METHODS In the present study, we compared anatomical structures of roots, rhizomes and leaves of the tropical intertidal seagrasses, Cymodocea rotundata, Thalassia hemprichii and Halophila ovalis, followed by an investigation of their gas exchange both in the belowground and aboveground tissues and photosynthetic electron transport rates (ETR) in response to experimental manipulations of O2 level (normoxia and root hypoxia) and temperature (30 °C and 40 °C). RESULTS We found that C. rotundata and T. hemprichii displayed mostly comparable anatomical structures, whereas H. ovalis displayed various distinctive features, including leaf porosity, number and size of lacunae in roots and rhizomes and structure of radial O2 loss (ROL) barrier. H. ovalis also showed unique responses to root hypoxia and heat stress. Root hypoxia increased O2 release from belowground tissues and overall photosynthetic activity of H. ovalis but did not affect the other two seagrasses. More pronounced warming effects were detected in H. ovalis, measured as lower O2 release in the belowground tissues and overall photosynthetic capacity (O2 release and dissolved inorganic carbon uptake in the light and ETR). High temperature inhibited photosynthesis of C. rotundata and T. hemprichii but did not affect their O2 release in belowground tissues. Our data show that seagrasses inhabiting the same area respond differently to root hypoxia and temperature, possibly due to their differences in anatomical and physiological attributes. Halophila ovalis is highly dependent on photosynthesis and appears to be the most sensitive species with the highest tendency of O2 loss in hypoxic sediment. At the same time, its root oxidation capacity may be compromised under warming scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutthinut Soonthornkalump
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,Coastal Oceanography and Climate Change Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Yan Xiang Ow
- St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chanida Saewong
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,Coastal Oceanography and Climate Change Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Pimchanok Buapet
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,Coastal Oceanography and Climate Change Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
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21
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Costa V, Flindt MR, Lopes M, Coelho JP, Costa AF, Lillebø AI, Sousa AI. Enhancing the resilience of Zostera noltei seagrass meadows against Arenicola spp. bio-invasion: A decision-making approach. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 302:113969. [PMID: 34715611 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113969] [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: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows provide important and valuable ecosystem services. They are affected by several natural and human-induced stressors, but a combination of natural recovery and management actions have recently inverted the worldwide reduction. The main objectives of this study were to provide science-based knowledge on ecology and restoration, framed on environmental-related policies. By coupling the general guidelines with practical experience, obtained from sequential in situ experiments carried out for several months in a show-case study area, this study provides guidelines useful for restoration practitioners. A decision-making approach is proposed to answer the following questions: 1) What is the best Zostera noltei transplanting method? 2) What is the best technique to reduce the bioturbation activity of Arenicola spp.?, 3) Do bioturbation reduction techniques affect the survival rate of Z. noltei transplants?, and finally, 4) What are the key steps to maximize the success of a Z. noltei transplant and increase the species' resilience? Having a Portuguese coastal lagoon as show-case (Mira Channel, Ria de Aveiro), different transplant and restoration methodologies were tested (i.e. metal frames, nails, bamboo sticks, shoots inserted unanchored into the sediment, and intact units of sediment with seagrasses, named as SODs) to assure low environmental impact on donor meadows, high survival rate of transplanted shoots and the recovery of fragmented or lost meadows. Moreover, to potentially reverse a degraded Arenicola spp. colonized seagrass habitat, different types of natural membranes were tested. Results showed that the best transplanting method is the use of SODs as the self-facilitation process of Z. noltei is enhanced, while being the least invasive for the donor population. The use of a natural membrane can significantly decrease the bioturbation stress caused by Arenicola spp., with jute membrane being the best option, given its cost-handling-benefit trade-offs. Enhancing the success of seagrass restoration requires the implementation of effective measures by environmental restoration practitioners. We defined a three-step process to improve the resilience of Z. noltei. This stepwise approach consists on 1) Characterization of the donor population, 2) Identification of the constraints and implementation of measures to prevent them, and 3) Scale-up the restoration plan. The application of this stepwise approach in intertidal coastal and estuarine systems management will, therefore, facilitate the success of Z. noltei restoration plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Costa
- ECOMARE, CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Mogens R Flindt
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Marta Lopes
- ECOMARE, CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - J Pedro Coelho
- ECOMARE, CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana F Costa
- ECOMARE, CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana I Lillebø
- ECOMARE, CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Ana I Sousa
- ECOMARE, CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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22
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Anthropogenic pressures and life history predict trajectories of seagrass meadow extent at a global scale. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2110802118. [PMID: 34725160 PMCID: PMC8609331 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2110802118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Seagrass meadows are threatened by multiple pressures, jeopardizing the many benefits they provide to humanity and biodiversity, including climate regulation and food provision through fisheries production. Conservation of seagrass requires identification of the main pressures contributing to loss and the regions most at risk of ongoing loss. Here, we model trajectories of seagrass change at the global scale and show they are related to multiple anthropogenic pressures but that trajectories vary widely with seagrass life-history strategies. Rapidly declining trajectories of seagrass meadow extent (>25% loss from 2000 to 2010) were most strongly associated with high pressures from destructive demersal fishing and poor water quality. Conversely, seagrass meadow extent was more likely to be increasing when these two pressures were low. Meadows dominated by seagrasses with persistent life-history strategies tended to have slowly changing or stable trajectories, while those with opportunistic species were more variable, with a higher probability of either rapidly declining or rapidly increasing. Global predictions of regions most at risk for decline show high-risk areas in Europe, North America, Japan, and southeast Asia, including places where comprehensive long-term monitoring data are lacking. Our results highlight where seagrass loss may be occurring unnoticed and where urgent conservation interventions are required to reverse loss and sustain their essential services.
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Donaher SE, Baillie CJ, Smith CS, Zhang YS, Albright A, Trackenberg SN, Wellman EH, Woodard N, Gittman RK. Bivalve facilitation mediates seagrass recovery from physical disturbance in a temperate estuary. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Donaher
- Institute of Marine Sciences University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Morehead City North Carolina 28557 USA
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences Clemson University Anderson South Carolina 29625 USA
| | | | - Carter S. Smith
- Duke University Marine Laboratory Beaufort North Carolina 28516 USA
| | - Y. Stacy Zhang
- Institute of Marine Sciences University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Morehead City North Carolina 28557 USA
| | - Anna Albright
- Department of Biology East Carolina University Greenville North Carolina 27858 USA
| | - Stacy N. Trackenberg
- Department of Biology East Carolina University Greenville North Carolina 27858 USA
| | - Emory H. Wellman
- Department of Biology East Carolina University Greenville North Carolina 27858 USA
| | - Nina Woodard
- Department of Biology East Carolina University Greenville North Carolina 27858 USA
| | - Rachel K. Gittman
- Institute of Marine Sciences University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Morehead City North Carolina 28557 USA
- Department of Biology East Carolina University Greenville North Carolina 27858 USA
- Coastal Studies Institute East Carolina University Wanchese North Carolina 27891 USA
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24
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Balestri E, Menicagli V, Lardicci C. Managing biotic interactions during early seagrass life stages to improve seed‐based restoration. J Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Virginia Menicagli
- Department of Biology University of Pisa Pisa Italy
- Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP) University of Pisa Pisa Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP) University of Pisa Pisa Italy
- Department of Earth Sciences University of Pisa Pisa Italy
- Center for Climate Change Impact University of Pisa Pisa Italy
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25
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Reyes AGB, Vergara MCS, Blanco AC, Salmo SG. Seagrass biomass and sediment carbon in conserved and disturbed seascape. Ecol Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1703.12272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ariel C. Blanco
- Department of Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering University of the Philippines Diliman Quezon City Philippines
| | - Severino G. Salmo
- Department of Environmental Science Ateneo de Manila University Quezon City Philippines
- Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman Quezon City Philippines
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26
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Dunic JC, Brown CJ, Connolly RM, Turschwell MP, Côté IM. Long-term declines and recovery of meadow area across the world's seagrass bioregions. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:4096-4109. [PMID: 33993580 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
As human impacts increase in coastal regions, there is concern that critical habitats that provide the foundation of entire ecosystems are in decline. Seagrass meadows face growing threats such as poor water quality and coastal development. To determine the status of seagrass meadows over time, we reconstructed time series of meadow area from 175 studies that surveyed 547 sites around the world. We found an overall trajectory of decline in all seven bioregions with a global net loss of 5602 km2 (19.1% of surveyed meadow area) occurring since 1880. Declines have typically been non-linear, with rapid and historical losses observed in several bioregions. The greatest net losses of area occurred in four bioregions (Tropical Atlantic, Temperate North Atlantic East, Temperate Southern Oceans and Tropical Indo-Pacific), with declining trends being the slowest and most consistent in the latter two bioregions. In some bioregions, trends have recently stabilised or reversed. Losses, however, still outweigh gains. Despite consistent global declines, meadows show high variability in trajectories, within and across bioregions, highlighting the importance of local context. Studies identified 12 different drivers of meadow area change, with coastal development and water quality as the most commonly cited. Overall, however, attributions were primarily descriptive and only 10% of studies used inferential attributions. Although ours is the most comprehensive dataset to date, it still represents only one-tenth of known global seagrass extent, with conspicuous historical and geographic biases in sampling. It therefore remains unclear whether the bioregional patterns of change documented here reflect changes in the world's unmonitored seagrass meadows. The variability in seagrass meadow trajectories, and the attribution of change to numerous drivers, suggest we urgently need to improve understanding of the causes of seagrass meadow loss if we are to improve local-scale management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian C Dunic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Christopher J Brown
- Coastal and Marine Research Centre, Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia
| | - Rod M Connolly
- Coastal and Marine Research Centre, Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia
| | - Mischa P Turschwell
- Coastal and Marine Research Centre, Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia
| | - Isabelle M Côté
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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27
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Kerninon F, Payri CE, Le Loc'h F, Alcoverro T, Maréchal JP, Chalifour J, Gréaux S, Mège S, Athanase J, Cordonnier S, Rouget ML, Lorre E, Uboldi T, Monnier O, Hellio C. Selection of parameters for seagrass management: Towards the development of integrated indicators for French Antilles. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 170:112646. [PMID: 34225197 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112646] [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: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass beds are increasingly impacted by human activities in coastal areas, particularly in tropical regions. The objective of this research program was to study seagrass beds characteristics under various environmental conditions in the French Antilles (FA, Caribbean Sea). A total of 61 parameters, from plant physiology to seagrass ecosystem, were tested along a gradient of anthropogenic conditions, distributed across 11 sites and 3 islands of the FA. A selection of 7 parameters was identified as relevant for the monitoring of seagrass meadows in the framework of public policies. They combined "early warning indicators" (e.g. nutrients and some trace metals) and long-term responding parameters (e.g. shoot density) adapted to management time scales. The ecological status of seagrass meadows was evaluated using a PCA. This work is a first step towards monitoring and management of seagrass meadows in the FA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Kerninon
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzané, France.
| | - Claude E Payri
- UMR Entropie (IRD, Université de la Réunion, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, CNRS, Ifremer), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), 101 Promenade Roger Laroque, Nouméa 98848, Nouvelle-Calédonie, France
| | | | - Teresa Alcoverro
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Carretera d'accés a la cala sant Francesc 14, 17300 Blanes, Spain; Nature Conservation Foundation, 3076/5, 4th Cross, Gokulam Park, Mysore, India
| | | | - Julien Chalifour
- Réserve Naturelle Nationale de Saint-Martin, Anse Marcel, 97150 Saint-Martin, France
| | - Sébastien Gréaux
- Agence Territoriale de l'Environnement de Saint-Barthélemy, Rue de la République, Gustavia 97133, Saint-Barthélemy, France
| | - Simone Mège
- Parc National de la Guadeloupe, rue Jean-Jaurès, 97122 Baie-Mahault, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Julien Athanase
- Réserve Naturelle Nationale de Petite-Terre, Association Tité, Capitaineries, 97127 La Désirade, France
| | - Sébastien Cordonnier
- Université des Antilles, UMR BOREA, B.P. 592, Pointe-à-Pitre 97159, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Marie-Laure Rouget
- UMS 3113, Univ Brest, IUEM, rue Dumont d'Urville, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Elise Lorre
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Thomas Uboldi
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Olivier Monnier
- Office français de la biodiversité, 5 Square Félix Nadar, 94300 Vincennes, France
| | - Claire Hellio
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzané, France
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28
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Helber SB, Winters G, Stuhr M, Belshe EF, Bröhl S, Schmid M, Reuter H, Teichberg M. Nutrient History Affects the Response and Resilience of the Tropical Seagrass Halophila stipulacea to Further Enrichment in Its Native Habitat. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:678341. [PMID: 34421939 PMCID: PMC8374242 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.678341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Eutrophication is one of the main threats to seagrass meadows, but there is limited knowledge on the interactive effects of nutrients under a changing climate, particularly for tropical seagrass species. This study aimed to detect the onset of stress in the tropical seagrass, Halophila stipulacea, by investigating the effect of in situ nutrient addition during an unusually warm summer over a 6-month period. We measured a suite of different morphological and biochemical community metrics and individual plant traits from two different sites with contrasting levels of eutrophication history before and after in situ fertilization in the Gulf of Aqaba. Nutrient stress combined with summer temperatures that surpassed the threshold for optimal growth negatively affected seagrass plants from South Beach (SB), an oligotrophic marine protected area, while H. stipulacea populations from North Beach (NB), a eutrophic and anthropogenically impacted area, benefited from the additional nutrient input. Lower aboveground (AG) and belowground (BG) biomass, reduced Leaf Area Index (LAI), smaller internodal distances, high sexual reproductive effort and the increasing occurrence of apical shoots in seagrasses from SB sites indicated that the plants were under stress and not growing under optimal conditions. Moreover, AG and BG biomass and internodal distances decreased further with the addition of fertilizer in SB sites. Results presented here highlight the fact that H. stipulacea is one of the most tolerant and plastic seagrass species. Our study further demonstrates that the effects of fertilization differ significantly between meadows that are growing exposed to different levels of anthropogenic pressures. Thus, the meadow's "history" affects it resilience and response to further stress. Our results suggest that monitoring efforts on H. stipulacea populations in its native range should focus especially on carbohydrate reserves in leaves and rhizomes, LAI, internodal length and percentage of apical shoots as suitable warning indicators for nutrient stress in this seagrass species to minimize future impacts on these valuable ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie B. Helber
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Gidon Winters
- The Dead Sea and Arava Science Center (ADSSC), Jerusalem, Israel
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Eilat, Israel
| | - Marleen Stuhr
- Tropical Coral Ecophysiology, Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences - Eilat (IUI), Eilat, Israel
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University (BIU), Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - E. F. Belshe
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Bröhl
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
| | - Michael Schmid
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
| | - Hauke Reuter
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
- Faculty for Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Mirta Teichberg
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
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Lambert V, Bainbridge ZT, Collier C, Lewis SE, Adams MP, Carter A, Saunders MI, Brodie J, Turner RDR, Rasheed MA, O'Brien KR. Connecting targets for catchment sediment loads to ecological outcomes for seagrass using multiple lines of evidence. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 169:112494. [PMID: 34051518 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Catchment impacts on downstream ecosystems are difficult to quantify, but important for setting management targets. Here we compared 12 years of monitoring data of seagrass area and biomass in Cleveland Bay, northeast Australia, with discharge and associated sediment loads from nearby rivers. Seagrass biomass and area exhibited different trajectories in response to river inputs. River discharge was a slightly better predictor of seagrass indicators than total suspended solid (TSS) loads, indicating that catchment effects on seagrass are not restricted to sediment. Linear relationships between Burdekin River TSS loads delivered over 1-4 years and seagrass condition in Cleveland Bay generated Ecologically Relevant Targets (ERT) for catchment sediment inputs. Our predicted ERTs were comparable to those previously estimated using mechanistic models. This study highlights the challenges of linking catchment inputs to condition of downstream ecosystems, and the importance of integrating a variety of metrics and approaches to increase confidence in ERTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Lambert
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Stephen E Lewis
- TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Matthew P Adams
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia; School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alex Carter
- TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Jon Brodie
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Ryan D R Turner
- Water Quality & Investigations, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD, Australia; Managing for Resilient Landscapes, Institute for Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Katherine R O'Brien
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
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30
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McKenzie LJ, Yoshida RL, Aini JW, Andréfouet S, Colin PL, Cullen-Unsworth LC, Hughes AT, Payri CE, Rota M, Shaw C, Skelton PA, Tsuda RT, Vuki VC, Unsworth RKF. Seagrass ecosystems of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories: A global bright spot. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 167:112308. [PMID: 33866203 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass ecosystems exist throughout Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). Despite this area covering nearly 8% of the global ocean, information on seagrass distribution, biogeography, and status remains largely absent from the scientific literature. We confirm 16 seagrass species occur across 17 of the 22 PICTs with the highest number in Melanesia, followed by Micronesia and Polynesia respectively. The greatest diversity of seagrass occurs in Papua New Guinea (13 species), and attenuates eastward across the Pacific to two species in French Polynesia. We conservatively estimate seagrass extent to be 1446.2 km2, with the greatest extent (84%) in Melanesia. We find seagrass condition in 65% of PICTs increasing or displaying no discernible trend since records began. Marine conservation across the region overwhelmingly focuses on coral reefs, with seagrass ecosystems marginalised in conservation legislation and policy. Traditional knowledge is playing a greater role in managing local seagrass resources and these approaches are having greater success than contemporary conservation approaches. In a world where the future of seagrass ecosystems is looking progressively dire, the Pacific Islands appears as a global bright spot, where pressures remain relatively low and seagrass more resilient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Len J McKenzie
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia; Seagrass-Watch, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia.
| | - Rudi L Yoshida
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia; SeagrassFutures Fiji, Ma'afu St, Suva, Fiji
| | - John W Aini
- Ailan Awareness, Kaselok, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Serge Andréfouet
- UMR-9220 ENTROPIE (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de la Réunion, Ifremer, CNRS, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie), 101, promenade Roger-Laroque Anse Vata, BP A5, 98848 Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Patrick L Colin
- Coral Reef Research Foundation, P.O. Box 1765, Koror 96940, Palau
| | - Leanne C Cullen-Unsworth
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, 33 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK; Project Seagrass, PO Box 412, Bridgend CF31 9RL, UK
| | - Alec T Hughes
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Munda, Western Province, Solomon Islands
| | - Claude E Payri
- UMR-9220 ENTROPIE (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de la Réunion, Ifremer, CNRS, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie), 101, promenade Roger-Laroque Anse Vata, BP A5, 98848 Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Manibua Rota
- Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development, Tarawa, Kiribati
| | - Christina Shaw
- Vanuatu Environmental Science Society, PO Box 1630, Port Vila, Vanuatu
| | - Posa A Skelton
- Oceania Research Development Associates, Townsville, Qld, Australia
| | - Roy T Tsuda
- Natural Sciences-Botany, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, HI 96817-2704, USA
| | - Veikila C Vuki
- Oceania Environment Consultants, PO Box 5214, UOG Station, Mangilao 96923, Guam
| | - Richard K F Unsworth
- Project Seagrass, PO Box 412, Bridgend CF31 9RL, UK; Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
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31
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Nguyen HM, Ralph PJ, Marín-Guirao L, Pernice M, Procaccini G. Seagrasses in an era of ocean warming: a review. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:2009-2030. [PMID: 34014018 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Seagrasses are valuable sources of food and habitat for marine life and are one of Earth's most efficient carbon sinks. However, they are facing a global decline due to ocean warming and eutrophication. In the last decade, with the advent of new technology and molecular advances, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of studies focusing on the effects of ocean warming on seagrasses. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the future of seagrasses in an era of ocean warming. We have gathered information from published studies to identify potential commonalities in the effects of warming and the responses of seagrasses across four distinct levels: molecular, biochemical/physiological, morphological/population, and ecosystem/planetary. To date, we know that although warming strongly affects seagrasses at all four levels, seagrass responses diverge amongst species, populations, and over depths. Furthermore, warming alters seagrass distribution causing massive die-offs in some seagrass populations, whilst also causing tropicalization and migration of temperate species. In this review, we evaluate the combined effects of ocean warming with other environmental stressors and emphasize the need for multiple-stressor studies to provide a deeper understanding of seagrass resilience. We conclude by discussing the most significant knowledge gaps and future directions for seagrass research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung Manh Nguyen
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Napoli, 80121, Italy
| | - Peter J Ralph
- Faculty of Science, Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Lázaro Marín-Guirao
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Napoli, 80121, Italy.,Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Centre of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, C/Varadero, San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, 30740, Spain
| | - Mathieu Pernice
- Faculty of Science, Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
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32
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Tuya F, Fernández-Torquemada Y, Del Pilar-Ruso Y, Espino F, Manent P, Curbelo L, Otero-Ferrer F, de la Ossa JA, Royo L, Antich L, Castejón I, Máñez-Crespo J, Mateo-Ramírez Á, Procaccini G, Marco-Méndez C, Terrados J, Tomas F. Partitioning resilience of a marine foundation species into resistance and recovery trajectories. Oecologia 2021; 196:515-527. [PMID: 34009470 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-04945-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The resilience of an ecological unit encompasses resistance during adverse conditions and the capacity to recover. We adopted a 'resistance-recovery' framework to experimentally partition the resilience of a foundation species (the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa). The shoot abundances of nine seagrass meadows were followed before, during and after simulated light reduction conditions. We determined the significance of ecological, environmental and genetic drivers on seagrass resistance (% of shoots retained during the light deprivation treatments) and recovery (duration from the end of the perturbed state back to initial conditions). To identify whether seagrass recovery was linearly related to prior resistance, we then established the connection between trajectories of resistance and recovery. Finally, we assessed whether recovery patterns were affected by biological drivers (production of sexual products-seeds-and asexual propagation) at the meadow-scale. Resistance to shading significantly increased with the genetic diversity of the meadow and seagrass recovery was conditioned by initial resistance during shading. A threshold in resistance (here, at a ca. 70% of shoot abundances retained during the light deprivation treatments) denoted a critical point that considerably delays seagrass recovery if overpassed. Seed densities, but not rhizome elongation rates, were higher in meadows that exhibited large resistance and quick recovery, which correlated positively with meadow genetic diversity. Our results highlight the critical role of resistance to a disturbance for persistence of a marine foundation species. Estimation of critical trade-offs between seagrass resistance and recovery is a promising field of research to better manage impacts on seagrass meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | | | - Yoana Del Pilar-Ruso
- Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Fernando Espino
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Pablo Manent
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Leticia Curbelo
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Francisco Otero-Ferrer
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Jose A de la Ossa
- Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Laura Royo
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
| | - Laura Antich
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
| | - Inés Castejón
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
| | - Julia Máñez-Crespo
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain.,Universidad de Los Lagos, 5480000, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - Ángel Mateo-Ramírez
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain.,GEMAR Group, Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Puerto Pesquero s/n, Apdo. 285, 29640, Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain
| | | | | | - Jorge Terrados
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
| | - Fiona Tomas
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
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Samper-Villarreal J, Sagot-Valverde JG, Gómez-Ramírez EH, Cortés J. Water Quality as a Potential Factor Influencing Seagrass Change Over Time at Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica. CARIBB J SCI 2021. [DOI: 10.18475/cjos.v51i1.a9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Samper-Villarreal
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR), Ciudad de la Investigación, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Juan Guillermo Sagot-Valverde
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR), Ciudad de la Investigación, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Eddy H. Gómez-Ramírez
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR), Ciudad de la Investigación, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Jorge Cortés
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR), Ciudad de la Investigación, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
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34
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Christianen MJA, van Katwijk MM, van Tussenbroek BI, Pagès JF, Ballorain K, Kelkar N, Arthur R, Alcoverro T. A dynamic view of seagrass meadows in the wake of successful green turtle conservation. Nat Ecol Evol 2021; 5:553-555. [PMID: 33790427 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-021-01433-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marjolijn J A Christianen
- Wageningen University & Research, Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Marieke M van Katwijk
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Brigitta I van Tussenbroek
- Reef Systems Unit, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Mexico
| | - Jordi F Pagès
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Blanes, Spain
| | - Katia Ballorain
- Centre d'Etude et de Découverte des Tortues Marines, Saint Leu, La Réunion, France
| | - Nachiket Kelkar
- Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bangalore, India
| | - Rohan Arthur
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Blanes, Spain.,Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore, India
| | - Teresa Alcoverro
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Blanes, Spain.,Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore, India
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35
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Evans RD, McMahon KM, van Dijk KJ, Dawkins K, Nilsson Jacobi M, Vikrant A. Identification of dispersal barriers for a colonising seagrass using seascape genetic analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 763:143052. [PMID: 33189383 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Seagrasses are important habitats providing many ecological services. Most species have broad distributions with maximum dispersal distances of 100's of kms, however there is limited understanding of dispersal distances of colonising species like Halodule uninervis. It commonly grows in disturbed environments and could disperse to other meadows via clonal fragments. Effective conservation management requires greater understanding of genetic structure, dispersal barriers, and connectivity timescales to predict recovery following disturbance. Despite fragment viability of up to 28 days in a congenera, this theory remains untested in situ. Using 80 neutral single nucleotide polymorphisms, we investigated genetic diversity, gene flow patterns and structure among 15 populations of H. uninervis along 2000 km of Western Australian coastline. These data were combined with a multi-generational oceanographic dispersal model and a barrier dispersal analysis to identify dispersal barriers and determine which fragment dispersal duration (FDD) and timescale over which stepping-stone connectivity occurred, best matched the observed genetic structure. The 2-7 day FDD best matched the genetic structure with 4-12 clusters, with barriers to dispersal that persisted for up to 100 years. Modelling suggested greater fragmentation of metapopulations towards the southern edge of the species distribution, but genetic diversity did not decline. Several long-term boundaries were identified even with fragment viability of up to 28 days. This suggests H. uninervis dispersal is spatially limited by factors like oceanographic features and habitat continuity which may limit dispersal of this species. This study reiterates that potential dispersal does not equal realised dispersal, and management scales of 10's of kilometers are required to maintain existing meadows. Recruitment from distances further than this scale are unlikely to aid recovery after extreme disturbance events, particularly towards the range edge of H. uninervis distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D Evans
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, 17 Dick Perry Ave, Kensington 6151, Australia; Oceans Institute, the University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - K M McMahon
- School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup 6027, Australia; Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup 6027, Australia
| | - K-J van Dijk
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - K Dawkins
- School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup 6027, Australia; Centre for Ecosystem Management, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup 6027, Australia
| | - M Nilsson Jacobi
- Department of Space, Earth and Environment, Chalmers University of Technology, Maskingränd 2, 412 58 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - A Vikrant
- Department of Space, Earth and Environment, Chalmers University of Technology, Maskingränd 2, 412 58 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Leiva-Dueñas C, Martínez Cortizas A, Piñeiro-Juncal N, Díaz-Almela E, Garcia-Orellana J, Mateo MA. Long-term dynamics of production in western Mediterranean seagrass meadows: Trade-offs and legacies of past disturbances. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 754:142117. [PMID: 33254936 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Seagrasses are marine angiosperms that can form highly productive, and valuable underwater meadows, which are currently in regression. A reliable assessment of their status and future evolution requires studies encompassing long-term temporal scales. With the aim of understanding seagrass ecosystem dynamics over the last centuries and millennia, twelve sediment cores were studied from seagrass meadows located along the Andalusian coast and at the Cabrera Island (western Mediterranean). This study is pioneer in using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as a tool to study environmental change in seagrass sediments. FTIR is a form of vibrational spectroscopy that provides information about the sediment chemical composition. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to summarise spatio-temporal data of the FTIR vibratory peaks in combination with climate and geochemical proxy data. Several PCA signals were identified: (1) one likely related to the relative changes of the main primary producers and the sedimentary environment (carbonate or siliciclastic sediments, with aromatic or aliphatic organic matter); (2) the marine community production (polysaccharides, total organic matter content and biogenic silica); and (3) the seagrass production (aromatics, carbohydrates, phenols, proteins and lipids). A decrease of seagrass production along the mainland coast was evident since AD ~1850, which may be due to combined negative impacts of seawater warming, local anthropogenic impacts, and extreme setting conditions. The legacy of these combined stressors might have influenced the current poor state of seagrass meadows in the Alboran Sea. Our results also revealed a significant long-term trade-off between the level of seagrass production and its temporal stability (calculated as the inverse of the coefficient of variation). This study provides a reliable baseline data, helping to assess the magnitude of seagrass regression and its drivers. This paleoecological information can help design more targeted management plans and identify meadows where local management could be more efficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Leiva-Dueñas
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Blanes, Spain.
| | - Antonio Martínez Cortizas
- EcoPast (GI-1553), Facultade de Bioloxia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Blanes, Spain
| | - Nerea Piñeiro-Juncal
- EcoPast (GI-1553), Facultade de Bioloxia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Blanes, Spain
| | - Elena Díaz-Almela
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Blanes, Spain
| | - Jordi Garcia-Orellana
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Física, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel A Mateo
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Blanes, Spain; School of Natural Sciences, Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
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37
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Sanmartí N, M Ricart A, Ontoria Y, Pérez M, Romero J. Recovery of a fast-growing seagrass from small-scale mechanical disturbances: Effects of intensity, size and seasonal timing. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 162:111873. [PMID: 33278751 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111873] [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: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We studied the recovery of the fast-growing seagrass Cymodocea nodosa from disturbances of different intensities (shoots removal or the entire plant), plot sizes (from 0.04 to 1 m2) and in different seasons (spring and autumn) in a shallow coastal bay. We monitored recovery over 27 months and measured plant traits at the end. Shoot density and canopy height recovered faster (1 month) when only shoots were removed compared to when the entire plant was removed (10-25 months). Small areas took longer to recover than large ones, probably due to limited light availability or the accumulation of detritus. Plants disturbed in autumn took 9 months longer to recover than those disturbed in spring. After the 27-month, all plant traits were similar to those of control plots, except rhizome biomass, which was lower. Our results suggest that mechanical disturbances might exert a negative effect on the long-term resilience of seagrasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neus Sanmartí
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Aurora M Ricart
- Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California, Davis, 2099 Westshore Rd, Bodega Bay 94923, CA, United States
| | - Yaiza Ontoria
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Pérez
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Romero
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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38
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Tanner JE, McSkimming C, Russell BD, Connell SD. Rapid restoration of belowground structure and fauna of a seagrass habitat. Restor Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jason E. Tanner
- SARDI Aquatic Sciences, PO Box 120 Henley Beach SA 5022 Australia
- Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
| | - Chloe McSkimming
- SARDI Aquatic Sciences, PO Box 120 Henley Beach SA 5022 Australia
- Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
- Department for Environment and Water Innes National Park Inneston SA 5575 Australia
| | - Bayden D. Russell
- Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
- Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Sean D. Connell
- Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
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39
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Ontoria Y, Webster C, Said N, Ruiz JM, Pérez M, Romero J, McMahon K. Positive effects of high salinity can buffer the negative effects of experimental warming on functional traits of the seagrass Halophila ovalis. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 158:111404. [PMID: 32753189 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Coastal ecosystems, and especially estuaries, are subject to environmental fluctuations that can be amplified by anthropogenic changes. Under a future scenario of global warming, temperature and salinity are likely to be altered and the persistence of macrophyte-dominated ecosystems can be compromised, particularly native or local seagrass communities. This study examined the response of the local seagrass Halophila ovalis to the joint effect of a short-term salinity increase and a transient temperature stress, through two mesocosm experiments. Warming caused a decline in Fv/Fm, TNC content in leaves and plant growth, and increased dark respiration, revealing clear detrimental symptoms of heat stress on plant metabolism and performance. Salinity increase in isolation favoured ramet survival. However, in combination with warming, salinity had a positive effect on Gross Pmax. This suggests that increased salinities might dampen the negative effects of high temperatures, buffering, to some extent, the impact of global warming in temperate estuaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Ontoria
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - C Webster
- Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
| | - N Said
- Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
| | - J M Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, C/Varadero 1, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - M Pérez
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Romero
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - K McMahon
- Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
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40
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Masiá P, Sol D, Ardura A, Laca A, Borrell YJ, Dopico E, Laca A, Machado-Schiaffino G, Díaz M, Garcia-Vazquez E. Bioremediation as a promising strategy for microplastics removal in wastewater treatment plants. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 156:111252. [PMID: 32510394 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) attract ever-increasing attention due to environmental concerns. Nowadays, they are ubiquitous across ecosystems, and research demonstrates that the origin is mainly terrestrial. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a major source of MPs, especially fibres, in water masses. This review is focused on understanding the evolution and fate of microplastics during wastewater treatment processes with the aim of identifying advanced technologies to eliminate microplastics from the water stream. Among them, bioremediation has been highlighted as a promising tool, but confinement of microorganisms inside the WWTP is still a challenge. The potential for MPs bioremediation in WWTPs of higher aquatic eukaryotes, which offer the advantages of low dispersion rates and being easy to contain, is reviewed. Animals, seagrasses and macrophytes are considered, taking into account ecoethical and biological issues. Necessary research and its challenges have been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Masiá
- Department of Functional Biology, University of Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Daniel Sol
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Spain
| | - Alba Ardura
- Department of Functional Biology, University of Oviedo, Spain
| | - Amanda Laca
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Eduardo Dopico
- Department of Education Sciences, University of Oviedo, Spain
| | - Adriana Laca
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Mario Díaz
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Spain
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41
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Noè S, Bellavia C, Calvo S, Mazzola A, Pirrotta M, Sciandra M, Vizzini S, Tomasello A. Resilience of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica following pulse-type disturbance. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 159:105011. [PMID: 32662440 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the response of species to disturbance and the ability to recover is crucial for preventing their potential collapse and ecosystem phase shifts. Explosive submarine activity, occurring in shallow volcanic vents, can be considered as a natural pulse disturbance, due to its suddenness and high intensity, potentially affecting nearby species and ecosystems. Here, we present the response of Posidonia oceanica, a long-lived seagrass, to an exceptional submarine volcanic explosion, which occurred in the Aeolian Archipelago (Italy, Mediterranean Sea) in 2002, and evaluate its resilience in terms of time required to recover after such a pulse event. The study was carried out in 2011 in the sea area off Panarea Island, in the vicinity of Bottaro Island by adopting a back-dating methodological approach, which allowed a retrospective analysis of the growth performance and stable carbon isotopes (δ13C) in sheaths and rhizomes of P. oceanica, during a 10-year period (2001-2010). After the 2002 explosion, a trajectory shift towards decreasing values for both growth performance and δ13C in sheaths and rhizomes was observed. The decreasing trend reversed in 2004 when recovery took place progressively for all the analysed variables. Full recovery of P. oceanica occurred 8 years after the explosive event with complete restoration of all the variables (rhizome growth performance and δ13C) by 2010. Given the ecological importance of this seagrass in marine coastal ecosystems and its documented large-scale decline, the understanding of its potential recovery in response to environmental changes is imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Noè
- Department of Earth and Marine Science, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 22, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carmelina Bellavia
- Department of Earth and Marine Science, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 22, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Calvo
- Department of Earth and Marine Science, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 22, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Mazzola
- Department of Earth and Marine Science, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 22, 90123, Palermo, Italy; National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00136, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Pirrotta
- Department of Earth and Marine Science, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 22, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mariangela Sciandra
- Department of Economics, Business and Statistics, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 13, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatrice Vizzini
- Department of Earth and Marine Science, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 22, 90123, Palermo, Italy; National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00136, Rome, Italy.
| | - Agostino Tomasello
- Department of Earth and Marine Science, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 22, 90123, Palermo, Italy
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Strydom S, Murray K, Wilson S, Huntley B, Rule M, Heithaus M, Bessey C, Kendrick GA, Burkholder D, Fraser MW, Zdunic K. Too hot to handle: Unprecedented seagrass death driven by marine heatwave in a World Heritage Area. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:3525-3538. [PMID: 32129909 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The increased occurrence of extreme climate events, such as marine heatwaves (MHWs), has resulted in substantial ecological impacts worldwide. To date, metrics of thermal stress within marine systems have focussed on coral communities, and less is known about measuring stress relevant to other primary producers, such as seagrasses. An extreme MHW occurred across the Western Australian coastline in the austral summer of 2010-2011, exposing marine communities to summer seawater temperatures 2-5°C warmer than average. Using a combination of satellite imagery and in situ assessments, we provide detailed maps of seagrass coverage across the entire Shark Bay World Heritage Area (ca. 13,000 km2 ) before (2002 and 2010) and after the MHW (2014 and 2016). Our temporal analysis of these maps documents the single largest loss in dense seagrass extent globally (1,310 km2 ) following an acute disturbance. Total change in seagrass extent was spatially heterogeneous, with the most extensive declines occurring in the Western Gulf, Wooramel Bank and Faure Sill. Spatial variation in seagrass loss was best explained by a model that included an interaction between two heat stress metrics, the most substantial loss occurring when degree heating weeks (DHWm) was ≥10 and the number of days exposed to extreme sea surface temperature during the MHW (DaysOver) was ≥94. Ground truthing at 622 points indicated that change in seagrass cover was predominantly due to loss of Amphibolis antarctica rather than Posidonia australis, the other prominent seagrass at Shark Bay. As seawater temperatures continue to rise and the incidence of MHWs increase globally, this work will provide a basis for identifying areas of meadow degradation, or stability and recovery, and potential areas of resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Strydom
- Marine Science Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA, Australia
- Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research and School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Kathy Murray
- Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA, Australia
| | - Shaun Wilson
- Marine Science Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences and the Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Bart Huntley
- Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA, Australia
| | - Michael Rule
- Marine Science Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA, Australia
| | - Michael Heithaus
- Center for Coastal Oceans Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Cindy Bessey
- CSIRO, Oceans and Atmosphere, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Gary A Kendrick
- School of Biological Sciences and the Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Derek Burkholder
- Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, USA
| | - Matthew W Fraser
- School of Biological Sciences and the Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Katherine Zdunic
- Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA, Australia
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Brodie G, Brodie J, Maata M, Peter M, Otiawa T, Devlin MJ. Seagrass habitat in Tarawa Lagoon, Kiribati: Service benefits and links to national priority issues. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 155:111099. [PMID: 32469758 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a review around seagrass habitat in Tarawa Lagoon, Kiribati and explores the links between seagrass occurrence and the national priority issues of climate change, urban development, human health, nearshore fisheries, threatened species, ocean policy, research capacity and awareness. The contribution of healthy seagrass habitats to many aspects of these national issues is often overlooked and there is need to establish the knowledge gaps and priority actions that can enable mitigation of issues that impact on valuable seagrass resources and their management. Research data on seagrass habitats in Kiribati, and the wider Pacific Island region, is limited and this hinders informed decisions at local, national and regional levels. We present a comprehensive review on seagrass within a national context to aid prioritisation and uptake of information for resource owners, and wider stakeholders, in Kiribati while acknowledging local expertise. The paper highlights data and knowledge gaps that if addressed, will provide information useful to Kiribati nationals, communities and government stakeholders. Recommendations for actions that fill these gaps and build understanding of seagrass resources in Kiribati are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Brodie
- Institute of Applied Sciences, University of the South Pacific, Fiji; School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, University of the South Pacific, Fiji.
| | - J Brodie
- Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Australia
| | - M Maata
- School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, University of the South Pacific, Fiji
| | - M Peter
- School of Marine Studies, University of the South Pacific, Fiji
| | - T Otiawa
- Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development, University of the South Pacific, Fiji
| | - M J Devlin
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, United Kingdom
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Stipek C, Santos R, Babcock E, Lirman D. Modelling the resilience of seagrass communities exposed to pulsed freshwater discharges: A seascape approach. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229147. [PMID: 32084176 PMCID: PMC7034918 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) communities display complex patch dynamics at seascape scales that are presently poorly understood as most studies of disturbance on SAV habitats have focused on changes in biomass at small, quadrat-level scales. In this study, analyses of remote sensing imagery and population modelling were applied to understand SAV patch dynamics and forecast the fate of these important communities in Biscayne Bay, Miami, Florida, US. We evaluated how the proximity of freshwater canals influences seagrass-dominated SAV patch dynamics and, in turn, how patch-size structure influences the stability of seagrass seascapes under different salinity scenarios. Seagrass fragmentation rates were higher in sites adjacent to freshwater canals compared to sites distant from the influences of freshwater deliveries. Furthermore, we documented a clear trend in patch mortality rates with respect to patch size, with the smallest patches (50 m2) undergoing 57% annual mortality on average. The combination of higher fragmentation rates and the higher mortality of smaller seagrass patches in habitats exposed to pulses of low salinity raises concern for the long-term persistence of seagrass meadows in nearshore urban habitats of Biscayne Bay that are presently targets of Everglades restoration. Our model scenarios that simulated high fragmentation rates resulted in SAV population collapses, regardless of SAV recruitment rates. The combined remote sensing and population modelling approach used here provides evaluation and predictive tools that can be used by managers to track seagrass status and stress-response at seascape levels not available previously for the seagrasses of South Florida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clinton Stipek
- Marine Biology and Ecology Department, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Rolando Santos
- College of Arts, Sciences and Education, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Babcock
- Marine Biology and Ecology Department, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Diego Lirman
- Marine Biology and Ecology Department, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
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Viana IG, Moreira-Saporiti A, Teichberg M. Species-Specific Trait Responses of Three Tropical Seagrasses to Multiple Stressors: The Case of Increasing Temperature and Nutrient Enrichment. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:571363. [PMID: 33224162 PMCID: PMC7674176 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.571363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows are declining globally. The decrease of seagrass area is influenced by the simultaneous occurrence of many factors at the local and global scale, including nutrient enrichment and climate change. This study aims to find out how increasing temperature and nutrient enrichment affect the morphological, biochemical and physiological responses of three coexisting tropical species, Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea serrulata and Halophila stipulacea. To achieve these aims, a 1-month experiment under laboratory conditions combining two temperature (maximum ambient temperature and current average temperature) and two nutrient (high and low N and P concentrations) treatments was conducted. The results showed that the seagrasses were differentially affected by all treatments depending on their life-history strategies. Under higher temperature treatments, C. serrulata showed photo-acclimation strategies, while T. hemprichii showed decreased photo-physiological performance. In contrast, T. hemprichii was resistant to nutrient over-enrichment, showing enhanced nutrient content and physiological changes, but C. serrulata suffered BG nutrient loss. The limited response of H. stipulacea to nutrient enrichment or high temperature suggests that this seagrass is a tolerant species that may have a dormancy state with lower photosynthetic performance and smaller-size individuals. Interaction between both factors was limited and generally showed antagonistic effects only on morphological and biochemical traits, but not on physiological traits. These results highlight the different effects and strategies co-inhabiting seagrasses have in response to environmental changes, showing winners and losers of a climate change scenario that may eventually cause biodiversity loss. Trait responses to these stressors could potentially make the seagrasses weaker to cope with following events, due to BG biomass or nutrient loss. This is of importance as biodiversity loss in tropical seagrass ecosystems could change the overall effectiveness of ecosystem functions and services provided by the seagrass meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés G. Viana
- Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research GmbH, Bremen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Inés G. Viana, ;
| | - Agustín Moreira-Saporiti
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research GmbH, Bremen, Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Mirta Teichberg
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research GmbH, Bremen, Germany
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46
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Sousa AI, da Silva JF, Azevedo A, Lillebø AI. Blue Carbon stock in Zostera noltei meadows at Ria de Aveiro coastal lagoon (Portugal) over a decade. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14387. [PMID: 31591415 PMCID: PMC6779869 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50425-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
This work assessed the Blue Carbon (C) stock in the seagrass meadows (Zostera noltei) of Ria de Aveiro coastal lagoon (Portugal), and evaluated its spatio-temporal trend over the 2003–2005 to 2013–2014 period. Zostera noltei spatial distribution, restricted to intertidal areas in 2014, was mapped by remote sensing using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and aerial photography. Zostera noltei biomass was also monitored in situ over a year and its Blue C stock was estimated. By 2014, intertidal meadows covered an area of 226 ± 4 ha and their Blue C stock ranged from 227 ± 6 to 453 ± 13 Mg C. Overall, Ria de Aveiro Z. noltei intertidal meadows increased in extent over the 2003–2005 to 2013–2014 period, corroborating the recent declining trend reversal observed in Europe and contrary to the global decline trend. This spatio-temporal shift might be related to a natural adjustment of the intertidal meadows to past human intervention in Ria de Aveiro, namely large-scale dredging activities, particularly in the 1996–1998 period, combined with the more accurate assessment performed in 2014 using the UAV. This recovery contributes to the effective increase of the Blue C stock in Ria de Aveiro and, ultimately, to supporting climate regulation and improving ecosystem health. However, major dredging activities are foreseen in the system’s management plan, which can again endanger the recovery trend of Z. noltei intertidal meadows in Ria de Aveiro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana I Sousa
- Department of Biology & CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - José Figueiredo da Silva
- Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana Azevedo
- Department of Physics & CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana I Lillebø
- Department of Biology & CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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de Los Santos CB, Krause-Jensen D, Alcoverro T, Marbà N, Duarte CM, van Katwijk MM, Pérez M, Romero J, Sánchez-Lizaso JL, Roca G, Jankowska E, Pérez-Lloréns JL, Fournier J, Montefalcone M, Pergent G, Ruiz JM, Cabaço S, Cook K, Wilkes RJ, Moy FE, Trayter GMR, Arañó XS, de Jong DJ, Fernández-Torquemada Y, Auby I, Vergara JJ, Santos R. Recent trend reversal for declining European seagrass meadows. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3356. [PMID: 31350407 PMCID: PMC6659699 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11340-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Seagrass meadows, key ecosystems supporting fisheries, carbon sequestration and coastal protection, are globally threatened. In Europe, loss and recovery of seagrasses are reported, but the changes in extent and density at the continental scale remain unclear. Here we collate assessments of changes from 1869 to 2016 and show that 1/3 of European seagrass area was lost due to disease, deteriorated water quality, and coastal development, with losses peaking in the 1970s and 1980s. Since then, loss rates slowed down for most of the species and fast-growing species recovered in some locations, making the net rate of change in seagrass area experience a reversal in the 2000s, while density metrics improved or remained stable in most sites. Our results demonstrate that decline is not the generalised state among seagrasses nowadays in Europe, in contrast with global assessments, and that deceleration and reversal of declining trends is possible, expectingly bringing back the services they provide. Seagrass meadows are important but one of the most threatened ecosystems globally. Here the authors analyse data about extent and density of seagrasses in Europe from 1869 to 2016, and find evidence of recent trend reversal for declining European seagrass meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen B de Los Santos
- Centre of Marine Sciences of Algarve (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal.
| | - Dorte Krause-Jensen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Vejlsøvej 25, 8600, Silkeborg, Denmark.,Arctic Research Centre, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, Building 1540, 8000, Århus C, Denmark
| | - Teresa Alcoverro
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Carretera Acc, Cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Girona, Spain
| | - Núria Marbà
- Global Change Research Group, Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats (IMEDEA, CSIC-UIB), Miquel Marquès 21, 07190, Esporles, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - Carlos M Duarte
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Researh Center (RSRC) and Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Marieke M van Katwijk
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marta Pérez
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Romero
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José L Sánchez-Lizaso
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, PO BOX 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain
| | - Guillem Roca
- Global Change Research Group, Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats (IMEDEA, CSIC-UIB), Miquel Marquès 21, 07190, Esporles, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - Emilia Jankowska
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-712, Sopot, Poland
| | - José Lucas Pérez-Lloréns
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Marine Research Institute, University of Cádiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Jérôme Fournier
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS UMR 7204 Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation, Station de Biologie Marine, Place de la Croix BP225, 29182, Concarneau Cedex, France
| | - Monica Montefalcone
- DiSTAV, Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gérard Pergent
- Coastal Ecosystem Team (FRES 3041/UMR 6134), University of Corsica, BP 52, 20250, Corte, France
| | - Juan M Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, C/Varadero, 30740, San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Susana Cabaço
- Centre of Marine Sciences of Algarve (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Kevan Cook
- Natural England, Pydar House, Truro, TR1 1XU, UK
| | - Robert J Wilkes
- Environmental Protection Agency, John Moore Road, Castlebar, F23 KT91, Co. Mayo, Ireland
| | - Frithjof E Moy
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O.Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Xavier Seglar Arañó
- Medi Ambient, Ajuntament de Badalona, Plaça de la Vila 1, 08911, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dick J de Jong
- Department Sea and Delta, Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, Rijkswaterstaat, 4330 KA, Middelburg, The Netherlands
| | | | - Isabelle Auby
- LER Arcachon-Anglet, IFREMER, Quai du commandant Silhouette, 33120, Arcachon, France
| | - Juan J Vergara
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Marine Research Institute, University of Cádiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Rui Santos
- Centre of Marine Sciences of Algarve (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
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48
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Lam VYY, Chaloupka M, Thompson A, Doropoulos C, Mumby PJ. Acute drivers influence recent inshore Great Barrier Reef dynamics. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:rspb.2018.2063. [PMID: 30404884 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the dynamics of habitat-forming organisms is fundamental to managing natural ecosystems. Most studies of coral reef dynamics have focused on clear-water systems though corals inhabit many turbid regions. Here, we illustrate the key drivers of an inshore coral reef ecosystem using 10 years of biological, environmental, and disturbance data. Tropical cyclones, crown-of-thorns starfish, and coral bleaching are recognized as the major drivers of coral loss at mid- and offshore reefs along the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). In comparison, little is known about what drives temporal trends at inshore reefs closer to major anthropogenic stress. We assessed coral cover dynamics using state-space models within six major inshore GBR catchments. An overall decline was detected in nearly half (46%) of the 15 reefs at two depths (30 sites), while the rest exhibited fluctuating (23%), static (17%), or positive (13%) trends. Inshore reefs responded similarly to their offshore counterparts, where contemporary trends were predominantly influenced by acute disturbance events. Storms emerged as the major driver affecting the inshore GBR, with the effects of other drivers such as disease, juvenile coral density, and macroalgal and turf per cent cover varying from one catchment to another. Flooding was also associated with negative trends in live coral cover in two southern catchments, but the mechanism remains unclear as it is not reflected in available metrics of water quality and may act through indirect pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Y Y Lam
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia .,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Milani Chaloupka
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia.,Ecological Modelling Services Pty Ltd, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Angus Thompson
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christopher Doropoulos
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia.,CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter J Mumby
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia .,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
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49
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Fernandes MB, Gils J, Erftemeijer PLA, Daly R, Gonzalez D, Rouse K. A novel approach to determining dynamic nitrogen thresholds for seagrass conservation. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Milena B. Fernandes
- SA Water Adelaide South Australia Australia
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders University Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | | | - Paul L. A. Erftemeijer
- School of Biological Sciences and Oceans InstituteUniversity of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia
| | - Rob Daly
- SA Water Adelaide South Australia Australia
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