1
|
Agnetta D, Bonaviri C, Badalamenti F, Di Trapani F, Gianguzza P. Coralline barrens and benthic mega-invertebrates: An intimate connection. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 199:106579. [PMID: 38851081 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Despite considerable progress in understanding the transition from algal forests to coralline barrens, knowledge of coralline barren ecosystems in terms of community composition and functioning is still sparse and important gaps remain to be filled. Using a barren/forest patch system, we tested the hypothesis that the presence of coralline barren enhances the abundance and diversity of benthic mega-invertebrates. We also analysed trophic functional diversity through isotopic analyses of δ13C and δ15N. The distribution of benthic mega-invertebrates biomass differed markedly between coralline barren and algal forest, being more abundant and diverse in the barren state. Isotopic diversity metrics of the benthic mega-invertebrates assemblage indicated comparable trophic structure between the two states, although higher isotopic uniqueness in coralline barren was determined by sea urchins, especially A. lixula, and carnivorous starfish. We showed that in a patchy coralline barren/algal forest system, a more diversified benthic mega-invertebrates assemblage in the barren caused limited trophodynamic changes. This was possibly determined by the behaviour of some trophic groups such as filter feeders, deposit feeders and omnivores. Finally, our results evidence the close association between coralline barrens and benthic mega-invertebrates, contradicting the common view of coralline barrens as depauperate habitats with low diversity and productivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Agnetta
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Trieste Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Chiara Bonaviri
- Department of Earth and Marine Science DiSTeM, University of Palermo; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Fano Marine Center, 61032, Fano, Italy
| | - Fabio Badalamenti
- CNR-IAS - Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo complesso Roosevelt 90149, Palermo; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Paola Gianguzza
- Department of Earth and Marine Science DiSTeM, University of Palermo; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fabbrizzi E, Munari M, Fraschetti S, Arena C, Chiarore A, Cannavacciuolo A, Colletti A, Costanzo G, Soler-Fajardo A, Nannini M, Savinelli B, Silvestrini C, Vitale E, Tamburello L. Canopy-forming macroalgae can adapt to marine heatwaves. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 238:117218. [PMID: 37778611 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117218] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Seawater warming and marine heatwaves (MHWs) have a major role on the fragmentation and loss of coastal marine habitats. Understanding the resilience and potential for adaptation of marine habitat forming species to ocean warming becomes pivotal for predicting future changes, improving present conservation and restoration strategies. In this study, a thermo-tolerance experiment was conducted to investigate the physiological effects of short vs long MHWs occurring at different timing on recruits of Gongolaria barbata, a canopy-forming species widespread in the Mediterranean Sea. The recruits were collected from a population of the Marine Protected Area of Porto Cesareo (Apulia, Ionian Sea). Recruits length, PSII maximal photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), photosynthetic pigments content, concentrations of antioxidant compounds and total antioxidant activity (DPPH) were the response variables measured during the experiment. Univariate asymmetrical analyses highlighted that all physiological variables were significantly affected by both the duration and the timing of the thermal stress with the only exception of recruits length. The higher Fv/Fm ratio, chlorophylls and carotenoids content, and antioxidant compounds concentration in recruits exposed to long-term stress likely indicate an acclimation of thalli to the new environmental conditions and hence, an increased tolerance of G. barbata to thermal stress. Results also suggest that the mechanisms of adaptation activated in response to thermal stress did not affect the natural growth rate of recruits. Overall, this study supports the hypothesis that canopy-forming species can adapt to future climate conditions demonstrating a physiological acclimation to cope with MHWs, providing strong evidence that adaptation of marine species to thermal stress is more frequent than expected, this contributing to design tailored conservation and restoration strategies for marine coastal habitat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Fabbrizzi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Ischia Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Ischia (Naples), Italy; CoNISMa, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Munari
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Ischia Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Ischia (Naples), Italy; Department of Biology, Stazione Idrobiologica Umberto D'Ancona, University of Padova, Chioggia (Venice), Italy
| | - Simonetta Fraschetti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; CoNISMa, Rome, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy.
| | - Carmen Arena
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy
| | - Antonia Chiarore
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Ischia Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Ischia (Naples), Italy
| | - Antonio Cannavacciuolo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Ischia Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Ischia (Naples), Italy
| | - Alberto Colletti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; CoNISMa, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Costanzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ana Soler-Fajardo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Ischia Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Ischia (Naples), Italy
| | - Matteo Nannini
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Ischia Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Ischia (Naples), Italy
| | | | - Chiara Silvestrini
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; CoNISMa, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Laura Tamburello
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sicily, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo (complesso Roosevelt), 90142 Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Assessing the Effect of Full Protection on the Biomass of Ericaria amentacea and Understory Assemblages: Evidence from Two Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15010089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cystoseira sensu lato marine forests, which are among the most productive and diverse systems in rocky intertidal and subtidal habitats of the Mediterranean Sea, are experiencing a widespread decline throughout the basin due to increasing human pressures. Yet it is still unclear whether Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) may represent effective tools for conservation of these important habitat formers and their associated assemblages. Here, we compared the biomass of intertidal stands of Ericaria amentacea (C. Agardh) Molinari and Guiry and their understory assemblages between the no-take zone and control sites in two Mediterranean MPAs. We did not find evidence supporting a significant effect of full protection in increasing the biomass of E. amentacea stands and associated assemblages, except for macroalgae of the understory in one of the investigated MPAs, raising concerns on the potential effectiveness of MPAs in mitigating human impacts on these marine forests. Such findings call for major efforts to implement long-term monitoring programs of protected Cystoseira s.l. forests in order to inform an adaptive management of conservation measures within MPAs and eventually to set active interventions of restoration.
Collapse
|