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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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2
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Bockel T, Marre G, Delaruelle G, Agel N, Boissery P, Guilhaumon F, Mouquet N, Mouillot D, Guilbert A, Deter J. Early signals of Posidonia oceanica meadows recovery in a context of wastewater treatment improvements. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 201:116193. [PMID: 38428047 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116193] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Natural ecological restoration is a cornerstone of modern conservation science and managers need more documented "success stories" to lead the way. In French mediterranean sea, we monitored Posidonia oceanica lower limit using acoustic telemetry and photogrammetry and investigated the descriptors driving its variations, at a national scale and over more than a decade. We showed significant effects of environmental descriptors (region, sea surface temperature and bottom temperature) but also of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents proxies (size of WWTP, time since conformity, and distance to the closest effluent) on the meadows lower limit progression. This work indicates a possible positive response of P. oceanica meadows to improvements in wastewater treatment and a negative effect of high temperatures. While more data is needed, the example of French wastewater policy should inspire stakeholders and coastal managers in their efforts to limit anthropogenic pressures on vulnerable ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bockel
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France; MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France.
| | - Guilhem Marre
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France
| | | | - Noémie Agel
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France
| | - Pierre Boissery
- Agence de l'Eau Rhône-Méditerranée-Corse, Délégation de Marseille, immeuble CMCI, 2 rue Henri Barbusse, CS 90464, 13207 Marseille Cedex 01, France
| | - François Guilhaumon
- MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France
| | - Nicolas Mouquet
- MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France; FRB - CESAB, Institut Bouisson Bertrand, 5, rue de l'École de médecine, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - David Mouillot
- MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France
| | - Antonin Guilbert
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France
| | - Julie Deter
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France; MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France
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3
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Almeida-Saá AC, Umanzor S, Zertuche-González JA, Cruz-López R, Muñiz-Salazar R, Ferreira-Arrieta A, Bonet Melià P, García-Pantoja JA, Rangel-Mendoza LK, Vivanco-Bercovich M, Ruiz-Montoya L, Guzmán-Calderón JM, Sandoval-Gil JM. Bathymetric origin shapes the physiological responses of Pterygophora californica (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) to deep marine heatwaves. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2024; 60:483-502. [PMID: 38264946 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Kelp communities are experiencing exacerbated heat-related impacts from more intense, frequent, and deeper marine heatwaves (MHWs), imperiling the long-term survival of kelp forests in the climate change scenario. The occurrence of deep thermal anomalies is of critical importance, as elevated temperatures can impact kelp populations across their entire bathymetric range. This study evaluates the impact of MHWs on mature sporophytes of Pterygophora californica (walking kelp) from the bathymetric extremes (8-10 vs. 25-27 m) of a population situated in Baja California (Mexico). The location is near the southernmost point of the species's broad distribution (from Alaska to Mexico). The study investigated the ecophysiological responses (e.g., photobiology, nitrate uptake, oxidative stress) and growth of adult sporophytes through a two-phase experiment: warming simulating a MHW and a post-MHW phase without warming. Generally, the effects of warming differed depending on the bathymetric origin of the sporophytes. The MHW facilitated essential metabolic functions of deep-water sporophytes, including photosynthesis, and promoted their growth. In contrast, shallow-water sporophytes displayed metabolic stress, reduced growth, and oxidative damage. Upon the cessation of warming, certain responses, such as a decline in nitrate uptake and net productivity, became evident in shallow-water sporophytes, implying a delay in heat-stress response. This indicates that variation in temperatures can result in more prominent effects than warming alone. The greater heat tolerance of sporophytes in deeper waters shows convincing evidence that deep portions of P. californica populations have the potential to serve as refuges from the harmful impacts of MHWs on shallow reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella C Almeida-Saá
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | - Schery Umanzor
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, Alaska, USA
| | | | - Ricardo Cruz-López
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | - Raquel Muñiz-Salazar
- Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | | | - Paula Bonet Melià
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | | | - Laura K Rangel-Mendoza
- Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Mexico
| | - Manuel Vivanco-Bercovich
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | - Leonardo Ruiz-Montoya
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | | | - Jose Miguel Sandoval-Gil
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
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4
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Vivanco-Bercovich M, Sandoval-Gil JM, Bonet-Meliá P, Cabello-Pasini A, Muñiz-Salazar R, Montoya LR, Schubert N, Marín-Guirao L, Procaccini G, Ferreira-Arrieta A. Marine heatwaves recurrence aggravates thermal stress in the surfgrass Phyllospadix scouleri. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 199:115943. [PMID: 38176159 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115943] [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: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The surfgrass Phyllospadix scouleri grows in highly productive meadows along the Pacific coast of North America. This region has experienced increasingly severe marine heatwaves (MHWs) in recent years. Our study evaluated the impact of consecutive MHWs, simulated in mesocosms, on essential ecophysiological features of P. scouleri. Overall, our findings show that the plants' overall physiological status has been progressively declining. Interestingly, the indicators of physiological stress in photosynthesis only showed up once the initial heat exposure stopped (i.e., during the recovery period). The warming caused increased oxidative damage and a decrease in nitrate uptake rates. However, the levels of non-structural carbohydrates and relative growth rates were not affected. Our findings emphasize the significance of incorporating recovery periods in this type of study as they expose delayed stress responses. Furthermore, experiencing consecutive intense MHWs can harm surfgrasses over time, compromising the health of their meadows and the services they offer to the ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Vivanco-Bercovich
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Jose Miguel Sandoval-Gil
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
| | - Paula Bonet-Meliá
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Cabello-Pasini
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Raquel Muñiz-Salazar
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico; Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Leonardo Ruiz Montoya
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Nadine Schubert
- CCMAR - Center of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Lázaro Marín-Guirao
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia, Seagrass Ecology Group, C/Varadero s/n, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Villa Comunale, Naples, Italy
| | - Alejandra Ferreira-Arrieta
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
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5
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Ravaglioli C, De Marchi L, Anselmi S, Dattolo E, Fontanini D, Pretti C, Procaccini G, Rilov G, Renzi M, Silverman J, Bulleri F. Ocean acidification impairs seagrass performance under thermal stress in shallow and deep water. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 241:117629. [PMID: 37967703 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117629] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite the effects of ocean acidification (OA) on seagrasses have been widely investigated, predictions of seagrass performance under future climates need to consider multiple environmental factors. Here, we performed a mesocosm study to assess the effects of OA on shallow and deep Posidonia oceanica plants. The experiment was run in 2021 and repeated in 2022, a year characterized by a prolonged warm water event, to test how the effects of OA on plants are modulated by thermal stress. The response of P. oceanica to experimental conditions was investigated at different levels of biological organization. Under average seawater temperature, there were no effects of OA in both shallow and deep plants, indicating that P. oceanica is not limited by current inorganic carbon concentration, regardless of light availability. In contrast, under thermal stress, exposure of plants to OA increased lipid peroxidation and decreased photosynthetic performance, with deep plants displaying higher levels of heat stress, as indicated by the over-expression of stress-related genes and the activation of antioxidant systems. In addition, warming reduced plant growth, regardless of seawater CO2 and light levels, suggesting that thermal stress may play a fundamental role in the future development of seagrass meadows. Our results suggest that OA may exacerbate the negative effects of future warming on seagrasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Ravaglioli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Lucia De Marchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università of Pisa, Via Livornese (lato monte), 56122, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Serena Anselmi
- Bioscience Research Center, Via Aurelia Vecchia, 32, 58015, Orbetello, GR, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Dattolo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Palermo, Italy.
| | - Debora Fontanini
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Carlo Pretti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università of Pisa, Via Livornese (lato monte), 56122, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy; Interuniversity Consortium of Marine Biology and Applied Ecology "G. Bacci" (CIBM), Viale N.Sauro 4, 57128, Livorno, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Palermo, Italy.
| | - Gil Rilov
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Monia Renzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via Giorgieri, 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Jacob Silverman
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Fabio Bulleri
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per Lo Studio Degli Effetti Del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Italy.
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6
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Novak AB, Plaisted HK, Hughes ZJ, Mittermayr A, Molden E. Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) populations are threatened by high sea-surface temperatures and impaired waters on Nantucket Island, USA. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 197:115689. [PMID: 37951120 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115689] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) is a key foundation species that provides multiple ecosystem services to shallow coastal and estuarine systems in the Northern Hemisphere. It is estimated that, over the last century, up to 50 % of all Z. marina habitat has been lost along the east coast of the USA due to factors including light reduction, eutrophication, and physical disturbance. Warming sea surface temperatures are also believed to be exacerbating losses and the future of this ecosystem is unclear. Here, we assess Z. marina meadows on Nantucket, an island system located 50 km off-shore of Massachusetts, by using common indicators of seagrass plant health and environmental quality. Our results show that Z. marina meadows on Nantucket Island are thermally stressed and light-limited during parts of their peak growing season. This suggests that sea-surface temperatures are a pivotal factor, along with cultural eutrophication, in observed large-scale losses of Z. marina and that further degradation could be expected in the future as the climate continues to warm. Methods from this study may be used by managers as a guide to assess seagrass ecosystem status in degrading systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- A B Novak
- Boston University, Earth and Environment, Boston, MA, United States of America.
| | - H K Plaisted
- US National Park Service, Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network, Wellfleet, MA, United States of America
| | - Z J Hughes
- US National Park Service, Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network, Wellfleet, MA, United States of America
| | - A Mittermayr
- Center for Coastal Studies, Provincetown, MA, United States of America
| | - E Molden
- Nantucket Land Council, Nantucket, MA, United States of America
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7
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Litsi-Mizan V, Efthymiadis PT, Gerakaris V, Serrano O, Tsapakis M, Apostolaki ET. Decline of seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) production over two decades in the face of warming of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 239:2126-2137. [PMID: 37366062 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19084] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The response of Posidonia oceanica meadows to global warming of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, where the increase in sea surface temperature (SST) is particularly severe, is poorly investigated. Here, we reconstructed the long-term P. oceanica production in 60 meadows along the Greek Seas over two decades (1997-2018), using lepidochronology. We determined the effect of warming on production by reconstructing the annual and maximum (i.e. August) SST, considering the role of other production drivers related to water quality (i.e. Chla, suspended particulate matter, Secchi depth). Grand mean (±SE) production across all sites and the study period was 48 ± 1.1 mg DW per shoot yr-1 . Production over the last two decades followed a trajectory of decrease, which was related to the concurrent increase in annual SST and SSTaug . Annual SST > 20°C and SSTaug > 26.5°C was related to production decline (GAMM, P < 0.05), while the rest of the tested factors did not help explain the production pattern. Our results indicate a persistent and increasing threat for Eastern Mediterranean meadows, drawing attention to management authorities, highlighting the necessity of reducing local impacts to enhance the resilience of seagrass meadows to global change threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Litsi-Mizan
- Biology Department, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, PO Box 2208, Heraklion, Crete, GR-70013, Greece
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, GR-71003, Greece
| | - Pavlos T Efthymiadis
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, GR-71003, Greece
| | - Vasilis Gerakaris
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 712, Anavyssos, Attiki, 19013, Greece
| | - Oscar Serrano
- Centre of Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Cala Sant Francesc 14, Blanes, 17300, Spain
- School of Science & Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia
| | - Manolis Tsapakis
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, GR-71003, Greece
| | - Eugenia T Apostolaki
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, GR-71003, Greece
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8
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Santillán-Sarmiento A, Pazzaglia J, Ruocco M, Dattolo E, Ambrosino L, Winters G, Marin-Guirao L, Procaccini G. Gene co-expression network analysis for the selection of candidate early warning indicators of heat and nutrient stress in Posidonia oceanica. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 877:162517. [PMID: 36868282 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The continuous worldwide seagrasses decline calls for immediate actions in order to preserve this precious marine ecosystem. The main stressors that have been linked with decline in seagrasses are 1) the increasing ocean temperature due to climate change and 2) the continuous inputs of nutrients (eutrophication) associated with coastal human activities. To avoid the loss of seagrass populations, an "early warning" system is needed. We used Weighed Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), a systems biology approach, to identify potential candidate genes that can provide an early warning signal of stress in the Mediterranean iconic seagrass Posidonia oceanica, anticipating plant mortality. Plants were collected from both eutrophic (EU) and oligotrophic (OL) environments and were exposed to thermal and nutrient stress in a dedicated mesocosm. By correlating the whole-genome gene expression after 2-weeks exposure with the shoot survival percentage after 5-weeks exposure to stressors, we were able to identify several transcripts that indicated an early activation of several biological processes (BP) including: protein metabolic process, RNA metabolic process, organonitrogen compound biosynthetic process, catabolic process and response to stimulus, which were shared among OL and EU plants and among leaf and shoot apical meristem (SAM), in response to excessive heat and nutrients. Our results suggest a more dynamic and specific response of the SAM compared to the leaf, especially the SAM from plants coming from a stressful environment appeared more dynamic than the SAM from a pristine environment. A vast list of potential molecular markers is also provided that can be used as targets to assess field samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica Pazzaglia
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Miriam Ruocco
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuela Dattolo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Ambrosino
- Research Infrastructure for Marine Biological Resources Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Gidon Winters
- Dead Sea and Arava Science Center (DSASC), Masada National Park, Mount Masada 8698000, Israel.; Eilat Campus, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Hatmarim Blv, Eilat 8855630, Israel
| | - Lázaro Marin-Guirao
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy; Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), Murcia, Spain
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy.
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9
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Zhang M, Li H, Zhang L, Liu J. Heat stress, especially when coupled with high light, accelerates the decline of tropical seagrass (Enhalus acoroides) meadows. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:115043. [PMID: 37201350 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Heat stress threatens the survival of seagrass, but its damage mechanisms are unclear. In this study, the results reveal that heat stress exceeding 36 °C in the dark caused inactivation of the PSII reaction center, damaging both the PSII donor and acceptor sides in Enhalus acoroides. High light further increased the damage to the photosynthetic apparatus under heat stress. The stronger the heat stress under high light, the harder the recovery of photosynthetic activity. Therefore, during ebb tide at noon in nature, heat stress combined with strong light would induce a significant, even irreversible decrease in photosynthetic activity. Moreover, the heat stress hindered the transcription of psbA and RuBisCO, enhanced respiratory O2, and induced severe peroxidation even if the SOD, APX, and GPX activities significantly improved. The results clearly suggest that heat stress, especially when coupled with high light, may be an important cause for the decline of E. acoroides meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Zhang
- CAS and Shandong Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Hu Li
- CAS and Shandong Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Litao Zhang
- CAS and Shandong Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 1 Wenhai Road, Aoshanwei Town, Jimo, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Jianguo Liu
- CAS and Shandong Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 1 Wenhai Road, Aoshanwei Town, Jimo, Qingdao 266237, China.
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10
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McDonald AM, McDonald RB, Cebrian J, Sánchez Lizaso JL. Reconstructed life history metrics of the iconic seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) detect localized anthropogenic disturbance signatures. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 186:105901. [PMID: 36753882 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105901] [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: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Substantial losses of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica have initiated investigations into localized resilience declines related to anthropogenic disturbances. In this study, we determined reconstructed shoot age and interannual growth metrics can detect anthropogenic impact effects on P. oceanica production. Interannual rhizome vertical growth, leaf production, and demographics of shoots collected from sewage and trawling impacted areas were examined using mixed effects modeling. Detected impact effects were specific to the type of impact, manifesting as an older-skewed age distribution of sewage outfall shoots and reduced vertical growth and reduced leaf production of trawling site shoots. A stress event period was also detected for all shoots >5 years old, with trawling impacted shoots indicating little recovery. Reconstructed age and growth metrics are simple to measure, incorporate multiple years of in situ shoot development, and are advantageous for identification of declining P. oceanica resilience prior to catastrophic losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M McDonald
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL, USA; University of Florida| IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station, Cedar Key, Florida, USA.
| | | | - Just Cebrian
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL, USA; Northern Gulf Institute, Mississippi State University, Stennis Space Center, MS, USA
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11
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Patrizia S, Vasilis R, Giulia C. Experimental thermocline deepening highlights the resilience of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica: An opportunity to investigate shoot adaptability. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 189:114824. [PMID: 36931153 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The deepening of the thermocline, correlated to the rising temperature, can contribute affecting seagrass performance in a changing climate scenario. Here, the effect of the thermocline deepening on the seagrass Posidonia oceanica has been investigated in Cyprus through a manipulative experiment that allowed also testing the effects of the irradiance, origin depth and translocation. P. oceanica shoots were collected from 31 m of depth and transplanted at 12 m under a shading net, simulating the 31 m light conditions. Morphology (i.e. leaf area, leaf necrosis, number of leaves) and physiology (i.e. growth rate) were evaluated. Thermocline and origin depth effects were found with an increase of leaf necrosis, while a translocation effect was highlighted by a decrease in leaf area. No differences in shoot growth rate due to treatments were found. This experiment indicated an overall wide morphological and physiological acclimation of P. oceanica cuttings in coping with future thermocline conditions and it indirectly provides information for restoration efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stipcich Patrizia
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Resaikos Vasilis
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre (ENALIA), Acropoleos St. 2, Aglanjia 101, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ceccherelli Giulia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Fisiche Matematiche e Naturali, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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12
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Pazzaglia J, Dattolo E, Ruocco M, Santillán-Sarmiento A, Marin-Guirao L, Procaccini G. DNA methylation dynamics in a coastal foundation seagrass species under abiotic stressors. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20222197. [PMID: 36651048 PMCID: PMC9845983 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2197] [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: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation (DNAm) has been intensively studied in terrestrial plants in response to environmental changes, but its dynamic changes in a temporal scale remain unexplored in marine plants. The seagrass Posidonia oceanica ranks among the slowest-growing and longest-living plants on Earth, and is particularly vulnerable to sea warming and local anthropogenic pressures. Here, we analysed the dynamics of DNAm changes in plants collected from coastal areas differentially impacted by eutrophication (i.e. oligotrophic, Ol; eutrophic, Eu) and exposed to abiotic stressors (nutrients, temperature increase and their combination). Levels of global DNAm (% 5-mC) and the expression of key genes involved in DNAm were assessed after one, two and five weeks of exposure. Results revealed a clear differentiation between plants, depending on environmental stimuli, time of exposure and plants' origin. % 5-mC levels were higher during the initial stress exposure especially in Ol plants, which upregulated almost all genes involved in DNAm. Contrarily, Eu plants showed lower expression levels, which increased under chronic exposure to stressors, particularly to temperature. These findings show that DNAm is dynamic in P. oceanica during stress exposure and underlined that environmental epigenetic variations could be implicated in the regulation of acclimation and phenotypic differences depending on local conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Pazzaglia
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Emanuela Dattolo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Miriam Ruocco
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Alex Santillán-Sarmiento
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
- Faculty of Engineering, National University of Chimborazo, Riobamba, Ecuador
| | - Lazaro Marin-Guirao
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Centre of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Murcia, Spain
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
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13
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Jiménez-Casero J, Belando MD, Bernardeau-Esteller J, Marín-Guirao L, García-Muñoz R, Sánchez-Lizaso JL, Ruiz JM. A Critical Gap in Seagrass Protection: Impact of Anthropogenic Off-Shore Nutrient Discharges on Deep Posidonia oceanica Meadows. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:457. [PMID: 36771541 PMCID: PMC9921266 DOI: 10.3390/plants12030457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In the Mediterranean, anthropogenic pressures (specifically those involving nutrient loads) have been progressively moved to deeper off-shore areas to meet current policies dealing with the protection of marine biodiversity (e.g., European Directives). However, conservation efforts devoted to protecting Posidonia oceanica and other vulnerable marine habitats against anthropogenic pressures have dedicated very little attention to the deepest areas of these habitats. We studied the remote influence of off-shore nutrient discharge on the physiology and structure of deep P. oceanica meadows located nearest to an urban sewage outfall (WW; 1 km) and an aquaculture facility (FF; 2.5 km). Light reduction and elevated external nutrient availability (as indicated by high δ15N, total N and P content and N uptake rates of seagrass tissues) were consistent with physiological responses to light and nutrient stress. This was particularly evident in the sites located up to 2.5 km from the WW source, where carbon budget imbalances and structural alterations were more evident. These results provide evidence that anthropogenic nutrient inputs can surpass critical thresholds for the species, even in off-shore waters at distances within the km scale. Therefore, the critical distances between this priority habitat and nutrient discharge points have been underestimated and should be corrected to achieve a good conservation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Jiménez-Casero
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
- Seagrass Ecology Group (GEAM), IEO, CSIC, Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
| | - Maria Dolores Belando
- Seagrass Ecology Group (GEAM), IEO, CSIC, Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
| | - Jaime Bernardeau-Esteller
- Seagrass Ecology Group (GEAM), IEO, CSIC, Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
| | - Lazaro Marín-Guirao
- Seagrass Ecology Group (GEAM), IEO, CSIC, Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
| | - Rocio García-Muñoz
- Seagrass Ecology Group (GEAM), IEO, CSIC, Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
| | - José Luis Sánchez-Lizaso
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group (GEAM), IEO, CSIC, Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
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14
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Sandoval-Gil JM, Ruiz JM, Marín-Guirao L. Advances in understanding multilevel responses of seagrasses to hypersalinity. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 183:105809. [PMID: 36435174 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Human- and nature-induced hypersaline conditions in coastal systems can lead to profound alterations of the structure and vitality of seagrass meadows and their socio-ecological benefits. In the last two decades, recent research efforts (>50 publications) have contributed significantly to unravel the physiological basis underlying the seagrass-hypersalinity interactions, although most (∼70%) are limited to few species (e.g. Posidonia oceanica, Zostera marina, Thalassia testudinum, Cymodocea nodosa). Variables related to photosynthesis and carbon metabolism are among the most prevalent in the literature, although other key metabolic processes such as plant water relations and responses at molecular (i.e. gene expression) and ultrastructure level are attracting attention. This review emphasises all these latest insights, offering an integrative perspective on the interplay among biological responses across different functional levels (from molecular to clonal structure), and their interaction with biotic/abiotic factors including those related to climate change. Other issues such as the role of salinity in driving the evolutionary trajectory of seagrasses, their acclimation mechanisms to withstand salinity increases or even the adaptive properties of populations that have historically lived under hypersaline conditions are also included. The pivotal role of the costs and limits of phenotypic plasticity in the successful acclimation of marine plants to hypersalinity is also discussed. Finally, some lines of research are proposed to fill the remaining knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Miguel Sandoval-Gil
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, 22860, Mexico
| | - Juan M Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), C/ Varadero s/n, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Lázaro Marín-Guirao
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), C/ Varadero s/n, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain.
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15
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Stipcich P, Pansini A, Beca-Carretero P, Stengel DB, Ceccherelli G. Field thermo acclimation increases the resilience of Posidonia oceanica seedlings to marine heat waves. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 184:114230. [PMID: 36307950 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Acclimation is a response that results from chronic exposure of an individual to a new environment. This study aimed to investigate whether the thermal environment affects the early development of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica, and whether the effects of a field-simulated Marine Heat Wave (MHW) on seedlings change depending on acclimation. The experiment was done in the field using a crossed design of Acclimation (acclimated vs unacclimated) and MHW (present vs absent) factors. Acclimation has initially constrained the development of P. oceanica seedlings, but then it increased their resilience to the MHW, under both a morphological and biochemical (fatty acid saturation) level. This treatment could be considered in P. oceanica restoration projects in a climate change-impaired sea, by purposely inducing an increased resistance to heat before transplants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Stipcich
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Arianna Pansini
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Pedro Beca-Carretero
- Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain; Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Dagmar B Stengel
- Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Giulia Ceccherelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Fisiche, Matematiche e Naturali, Università degli Studi di Sassari, via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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16
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De novo assembly and annotation of the transcriptome of the endangered seagrass Zostera capensis: Insights from differential gene expression under thermal stress. Mar Genomics 2022; 66:100984. [PMID: 36116404 DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2022.100984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Seagrasses are important marine ecosystem engineers but anthropogenic impacts and climate change have led to numerous population declines globally. In South Africa, Zostera capensis is endangered due to fragmented populations and heavy anthropogenic pressures on estuarine ecosystems that house the core of the populations. Addressing questions of how pressures such as climate change affect foundational species, including Z. capensis are crucial to supporting their conservation and underpin restoration efforts. Here we use ecological transcriptomics to study key functional responses of Z. capensis through quantification of gene expression after thermal stress and present the first reference transcriptome of Z. capensis. Four de novo reference assemblies (Trinity, IDBA-tran, RNAspades, SOAPdenovo) filtered through the EvidentialGene pipeline resulted in 153,755 transcripts with a BUSCO score of 66.1% for completeness. Differential expression analysis between heat stressed (32 °C for three days) and pre-warming plants identified genes involved in photosynthesis, oxidative stress, translation, metabolic and biosynthetic processes in the Z. capensis thermal stress response. This reference transcriptome is a significant contribution to the limited available genomic resources for Z. capensis and represents a vital tool for addressing questions around the species restoration and potential functional responses to warming marine environments.
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17
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Pruckner S, Bedford J, Murphy L, Turner JA, Mills J. Adapting to heatwave-induced seagrass loss: Prioritizing management areas through environmental sensitivity mapping. ESTUARINE, COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE 2022; 272:107857. [PMID: 35937418 PMCID: PMC9189866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2022.107857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows support complex species assemblages and provide ecosystem services with a multitude of socio-economic benefits. However, they are sensitive to anthropogenic pressures such as coastal development, agricultural run-off, and overfishing. The increasing prevalence of marine heatwaves (MHWs) due to climate change poses an additional and growing threat. In this study, we apply the environmental sensitivity mapping approach MESA (Mapping Environmentally Sensitive Assets) to explore the potential consequences of MHWs on the ecosystem services that Posidonia oceanica provides to coastal communities. Under the intermediate climate change scenario Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5, Mediterranean marine heatwaves will be severe by 2050, and will very likely increase mortality of P. oceanica. However, the societal risk of seagrass loss is not evenly distributed across the Mediterranean. The spatial distribution of socio-economic implications of seagrass loss is highlighted through two case studies on seagrass-dependent fisheries and coastal hazards. Coastal communities in Tunisia and Libya show very high sensitivity to a loss of fisheries due to a combination of increasingly intense and frequent MHWs, coupled with high proportions of regional seagrass-dependent fisheries catch. The coastlines of Italy, Tunisia, and Cyprus are shown to potentially be highly sensitive to loss of seagrass due to high levels of coastal hazards, and seagrass meadows susceptible to MHW-induced degradation. These coastlines are likely to suffer from reduced coastal protection services provided by intact seagrass meadows. We demonstrate the implications of MHWs for ecosystem service provision to coastal communities in the Mediterranean and the need for policy instruments to help mitigate and adapt to its effect. We also highlight the potential for environmental sensitivity mapping to help support policymakers with rapid screening tools to prioritize resources more effectively to areas where in-depth local planning is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Pruckner
- UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), 219 Huntingdon Road, CB30DL, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jacob Bedford
- UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), 219 Huntingdon Road, CB30DL, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Leo Murphy
- Fauna & Flora International, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke St, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph A. Turner
- UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), 219 Huntingdon Road, CB30DL, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Juliet Mills
- UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), 219 Huntingdon Road, CB30DL, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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18
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Pazzaglia J, Santillán-Sarmiento A, Ruocco M, Dattolo E, Ambrosino L, Marín-Guirao L, Procaccini G. Local environment modulates whole-transcriptome expression in the seagrass Posidonia oceanica under warming and nutrients excess. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 303:119077. [PMID: 35276251 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The intensification of anomalous events of seawater warming and the co-occurrence with local anthropogenic stressors are threatening coastal marine habitats, including seagrasses, which form extensive underwater meadows. Eutrophication highly affects coastal environments, potentially summing up to the widespread effects of global climate changes. In the present study, we investigated for the first time in seagrasses, the transcriptional response of different plant organs (i.e., leaf and shoot apical meristem, SAM) of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica growing in environments with a different history of nutrient enrichment. To this end, a mesocosm experiment exposing plants to single (nutrient enrichment or temperature increase) and multiple stressors (nutrient enrichment plus temperature increase), was performed. Results revealed a differential transcriptome regulation of plants under single and multiple stressors, showing an organ-specific sensitivity depending on plants' origin. While leaf tissues were more responsive to nutrient stress, SAM revealed a higher sensitivity to temperature treatments, especially in plants already impacted in their native environment. The exposure to stress conditions induced the modulation of different biological processes. Plants living in an oligotrophic environment were more responsive to nutrients compared to plants from a eutrophic environment. Evidences that epigenetic mechanisms were involved in the regulation of transcriptional reprogramming were also observed in both plants' organs. These results represent a further step in the comprehension of seagrass response to abiotic stressors pointing out the importance of local pressures in a global warming scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Pazzaglia
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alex Santillán-Sarmiento
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy; Faculty of Engineering, National University of Chimborazo, Riobamba, Ecuador
| | - Miriam Ruocco
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuela Dattolo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Ambrosino
- Department of Research Infrastructure for Marine Biological Resources, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - Lazaro Marín-Guirao
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy; Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), Murcia, Spain
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy.
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Deguette A, Barrote I, Silva J. Physiological and morphological effects of a marine heatwave on the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7950. [PMID: 35562537 PMCID: PMC9106744 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12102-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are increasing in frequency and intensity as part of climate change, yet their impact on seagrass is poorly known. The present work evaluated the physiological and morphological responses of Cymodocea nodosa to a MHW. C. nodosa shoots were transplanted into a mesocosm facility. To simulate a MHW, water temperature was raised from 20 to 28 °C, kept 7 days at 28 °C, cooled down back to 20 °C and then maintained at 20 °C during an 8-day recovery period. The potentially stressful effects of the simulated heatwave on the photosynthetic performance, antioxidative-stress level and area vs dry weight ratio of leaves were investigated. The maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (ΦPSII) increased during the heatwave, allowing the plants to maintain their photosynthetic activity at control level. Negative effects on the photosynthetic performance and leaf biomass of C. nodosa were observed during the recovery period. No significant oxidative stress was observed throughout the experiment. Overall, although C. nodosa showed a relative tolerance to MHWs compared to other species, its population in Ria Formosa is likely to be negatively affected by the forecasted climate change scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alizé Deguette
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Barrote
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - João Silva
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal.
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20
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Aurelle D, Thomas S, Albert C, Bally M, Bondeau A, Boudouresque C, Cahill AE, Carlotti F, Chenuil A, Cramer W, Davi H, De Jode A, Ereskovsky A, Farnet A, Fernandez C, Gauquelin T, Mirleau P, Monnet A, Prévosto B, Rossi V, Sartoretto S, Van Wambeke F, Fady B. Biodiversity, climate change, and adaptation in the Mediterranean. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Didier Aurelle
- Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO Marseille France
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS Sorbonne Université, EPHE Paris France
| | - Séverine Thomas
- Aix Marseille Université, Labex‐OT‐Med Aix‐en‐Provence France
| | - Cécile Albert
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
| | - Marc Bally
- Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO Marseille France
| | - Alberte Bondeau
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
| | | | | | - François Carlotti
- Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO Marseille France
| | - Anne Chenuil
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
| | - Wolfgang Cramer
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
| | - Hendrik Davi
- INRAE, Ecologie des Forêts Méditerranéennes (URFM) Avignon France
| | - Aurélien De Jode
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
- Department of Marine Sciences‐Tjärnö University of Gothenburg, Tjärnö Marine Laboratory Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Alexander Ereskovsky
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
- Saint‐Petersburg State University St. Petersburg Russia
| | - Anne‐Marie Farnet
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
| | | | - Thierry Gauquelin
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
| | - Pascal Mirleau
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
| | | | | | - Vincent Rossi
- Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO Marseille France
| | | | - France Van Wambeke
- Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO Marseille France
| | - Bruno Fady
- INRAE, Ecologie des Forêts Méditerranéennes (URFM) Avignon France
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21
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Rodríguez A, Moreno-Borges S, Brito A. Response of Cymodocea nodosa to ocean acidification and warming in the Canary Islands: Direct and indirect effects. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 176:105603. [PMID: 35325757 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As detected in warming and ocean acidification, global change can have profound impact on marine life. Its effects on seagrasses are becoming increasingly well-known, since several studies have focused on the responses of these species to global change conditions. However a few studies have assessed the combined effect of temperature and acidification on seagrasses. Overall in this study, the combined effects of increased ocean temperature and pH levels expected at the end of this century (+5 °C and pH 7.5) on Cymodocea nodosa from Canary Islands, were evaluated for one month through manipulative laboratory experiments. Growth, net production, respiration, gross primary production, chlorophyll-a concentration and its vulnerability to herbivory were quantified. Results showed a positive effect of decreased pH on growth and gross primary production, as well as greater vulnerability to consumption by the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. In contrast, increased temperature limited net and gross primary production. This study shows than in future scenarios, C. nodosa from the Canary Islands may be a losing species in the global change stakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Rodríguez
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología. Grupo de investigación BIOECOMAC. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain; Grupo de investigación BIOCON, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
| | - Sergio Moreno-Borges
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología. Grupo de investigación BIOECOMAC. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Alberto Brito
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología. Grupo de investigación BIOECOMAC. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain
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22
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Tsioli S, Koutalianou M, Gkafas GA, Exadactylos A, Papathanasiou V, Katsaros CI, Orfanidis S, Küpper FC. Responses of the Mediterranean seagrass Cymodocea nodosa to combined temperature and salinity stress at the ionomic, transcriptomic, ultrastructural and photosynthetic levels. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 175:105512. [PMID: 35176528 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Little Neptune grass Cymodocea nodosa is a key seagrass species in the Mediterranean Sea, forming extensive and patchy meadows in shallow coastal and transitional ecosystems. In such habitats, high temperatures and salinities, separately and in combination, can be significant stressors in the context of climate change, particularly during heatwave events, and seawater desalination plant effluents. Despite well-documented negative, macroscopic effects, the underlying cellular and molecular processes of the combined effects of increasing temperature and salinities have remained largely elusive in C. nodosa - which are addressed by the present study. High salinity and high temperature, alone and in combination, affected ion equilibrium in the plant cells. Non-synonymous mutations marked the transcriptomic response to salinity and temperature stress at loci related to osmotic stress. Cell structure, especially the nucleus, chloroplasts, mitochondria and organization of the MT cytoskeleton, was also altered. Both temperature and salinity stress negatively affected photosynthetic activity as evidenced by ΔF/Fm', following an antagonistic interaction type. Overall, this study showed that all biological levels investigated were strongly affected by temperature and salinity stress, however, with the latter having more severe effects. The results have implications for the operation of desalination plants and for assessing the impacts of marine heat waves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soultana Tsioli
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens, 157 84, Greece; Benthic Ecology & Technology Laboratory, Fisheries Research Institute (Hellenic Agricultural Organization-DEMETER), 64007, Nea Peramos, Kavala, Greece
| | - Maria Koutalianou
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens, 157 84, Greece
| | - Georgios A Gkafas
- Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, Fytokou str., 384 46, Volos, Greece
| | - Athanasios Exadactylos
- Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, Fytokou str., 384 46, Volos, Greece
| | - Vasilis Papathanasiou
- Benthic Ecology & Technology Laboratory, Fisheries Research Institute (Hellenic Agricultural Organization-DEMETER), 64007, Nea Peramos, Kavala, Greece
| | - Christos I Katsaros
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens, 157 84, Greece
| | - Sotiris Orfanidis
- Benthic Ecology & Technology Laboratory, Fisheries Research Institute (Hellenic Agricultural Organization-DEMETER), 64007, Nea Peramos, Kavala, Greece
| | - Frithjof C Küpper
- School of Biological Sciences, Cruickshank Bldg., University of Aberdeen, St. Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, Scotland, UK; Marine Biodiversity Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, Scotland, UK; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, CA, 92182-1030, USA.
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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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24
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Pazzaglia J, Badalamenti F, Bernardeau-Esteller J, Ruiz JM, Giacalone VM, Procaccini G, Marín-Guirao L. Thermo-priming increases heat-stress tolerance in seedlings of the Mediterranean seagrass P. oceanica. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 174:113164. [PMID: 34864463 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Seawater warming and increased incidence of marine heatwaves (MHW) are threatening the integrity of coastal marine habitats including seagrasses, which are particularly vulnerable to climate changes. Novel stress tolerance-enhancing strategies, including thermo-priming, have been extensively applied in terrestrial plants for enhancing resilience capacity under the re-occurrence of a stress event. We applied, for the first time in seedlings of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica, a thermo-priming treatment through the exposure to a simulated warming event. We analyzed the photo-physiological and growth performance of primed and non-primed seedlings, and the gene expression responses of selected genes (i.e. stress-, photosynthesis- and epigenetic-related genes). Results revealed that during the re-occurring stress event, primed seedlings performed better than unprimed showing unaltered photo-physiology supported by high expression levels of genes related to stress response, photosynthesis, and epigenetic modifications. These findings offer new opportunities to improve conservation and restoration efforts in a future scenario of environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Pazzaglia
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabio Badalamenti
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy; CNR-IAS, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo 4521, 90149 Palermo, Italy
| | - Jaime Bernardeau-Esteller
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan M Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy.
| | - Lazaro Marín-Guirao
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy; Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Murcia, Spain
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25
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Ruocco M, Barrote I, Hofman JD, Pes K, Costa MM, Procaccini G, Silva J, Dattolo E. Daily Regulation of Key Metabolic Pathways in Two Seagrasses Under Natural Light Conditions. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.757187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The circadian clock is an endogenous time-keeping mechanism that enables organisms to adapt to external environmental cycles. It produces rhythms of plant metabolism and physiology, and interacts with signaling pathways controlling daily and seasonal environmental responses through gene expression regulation. Downstream metabolic outputs, such as photosynthesis and sugar metabolism, besides being affected by the clock, can also contribute to the circadian timing itself. In marine plants, studies of circadian rhythms are still way behind in respect to terrestrial species, which strongly limits the understanding of how they coordinate their physiology and energetic metabolism with environmental signals at sea. Here, we provided a first description of daily timing of key core clock components and clock output pathways in two seagrass species, Cymodocea nodosa and Zostera marina (order Alismatales), co-occurring at the same geographic location, thus exposed to identical natural variations in photoperiod. Large differences were observed between species in the daily timing of accumulation of transcripts related to key metabolic pathways, such as photosynthesis and sucrose synthesis/transport, highlighting the importance of intrinsic biological, and likely ecological attributes of the species in determining the periodicity of functions. The two species exhibited a differential sensitivity to light-to-dark and dark-to-light transition times and could adopt different growth timing based on a differential strategy of resource allocation and mobilization throughout the day, possibly coordinated by the circadian clock. This behavior could potentially derive from divergent evolutionary adaptations of the species to their bio-geographical range of distributions.
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26
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Ruiz-Montoya L, Sandoval-Gil JM, Belando-Torrentes MD, Vivanco-Bercovich M, Cabello-Pasini A, Rangel-Mendoza LK, Maldonado-Gutiérrez A, Ferrerira-Arrieta A, Guzmán-Calderón JM. Ecophysiological responses and self-protective canopy effects of surfgrass (Phyllospadix torreyi) in the intertidal. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 172:105501. [PMID: 34656017 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105501] [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: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Intertidal seagrasses are subjected to desiccation and direct solar radiation during low tides. It is assumed that the canopy structure can self-protect the underlying shoots during these events, although there is no evidence on a physiological basis. The physiological responses of the surfgrass Phyllospadix torreyi were examined when emerged during low tide, on i) shoots overlaying the canopy, and ii) shoots sheltered within the canopy. Leaf water potential and water content decreased in external leaves after emersion, and the higher concentration of organic osmolytes reflected osmoregulation. Additionally, these shoots also exhibited a drastic reduction in carbohydrates after re-immersion, likely from cellular damage. Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity increments were also detected, while photosynthetic efficiency strongly diminished from direct exposure to solar radiation. Conversely, the sheltered shoots did not dehydrate and solely accumulated some oxidative stress, likely resulting from the warming of the canopy. In conclusion, the leaf canopy structure buffers physiological stress in the sheltered shoots, thus acting as a self-protective mechanism to cope with emersion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Ruiz-Montoya
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, 22830, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Jose Miguel Sandoval-Gil
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, 22830, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
| | | | - Manuel Vivanco-Bercovich
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, 22830, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Cabello-Pasini
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, 22830, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Laura Karina Rangel-Mendoza
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, 22830, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Maldonado-Gutiérrez
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, 22830, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Ferrerira-Arrieta
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, 22830, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Jose Manuel Guzmán-Calderón
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, 22830, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
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27
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Pansini A, La Manna G, Pinna F, Stipcich P, Ceccherelli G. Trait gradients inform predictions of seagrass meadows changes to future warming. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18107. [PMID: 34518602 PMCID: PMC8438026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97611-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Comparing populations across temperature gradients can inform how global warming will impact the structure and function of ecosystems. Shoot density, morphometry and productivity of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica to temperature variation was quantified at eight locations in Sardinia (western Mediterranean Sea) along a natural sea surface temperature (SST) gradient. The locations are spanned for a narrow range of latitude (1.5°), allowing the minimization of the effect of eventual photoperiod variability. Mean SST predicted P. oceanica meadow structure, with increased temperature correlated with higher shoot density, but lower leaf and rhizome width, and rhizome biomass. Chlorophyll a (Chl-a) strongly impacted seagrass traits independent of SST. Disentangling the effects of SST and Chl-a on seagrass meadow shoot density revealed that they work independently, but in the same direction with potential synergism. Space-for-time substitution predicts that global warming will trigger denser seagrass meadows with slender shoots, fewer leaves, and strongly impact seagrass ecosystem. Future investigations should evaluate if global warming will erode the ecosystem services provided by seagrass meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Pansini
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Dipartimento di Architettura, Design, Urbanistica, Università di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Gabriella La Manna
- MareTerra Onlus-Environmental Research and Conservation, Regione Sa Londra 9, 07041 Alghero, Italy
| | - Federico Pinna
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Dipartimento di Architettura, Design, Urbanistica, Università di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Stipcich
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Dipartimento di Architettura, Design, Urbanistica, Università di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giulia Ceccherelli
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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28
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Sensitivity of Photosynthesis to Warming in Two Similar Species of the Aquatic Angiosperm Ruppia from Tropical and Temperate Habitats. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13169433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Climate change-related events, such as marine heatwaves, are increasing seawater temperatures, thereby putting pressure on marine biota. The cosmopolitan distribution and significant contribution to marine primary production by the genus Ruppia makes them interesting organisms to study thermal tolerance and local adaptation. In this study, we investigated the photosynthetic responses in Ruppia to the predicted future warming in two contrasting bioregions, temperate Sweden and tropical Thailand. Through DNA barcoding, specimens were determined to Ruppia cirrhosa for Sweden and Ruppia maritima for Thailand. Photosynthetic responses were assessed using pulse amplitude-modulated fluorometry, firstly in short time incubations at 18, 23, 28, and 33 °C in the Swedish set-up and 28, 33, 38, and 43 °C in the Thai set-up. Subsequent experiments were conducted to compare the short time effects to longer, five-day incubations in 28 °C for Swedish plants and 40 °C for Thai plants. Swedish R. cirrhosa displayed minor response, while Thai R. maritima was more sensitive to both direct and prolonged temperature stress with a drastic decrease in the photosynthetic parameters leading to mortality. The results indicate that in predicted warming scenarios, Swedish R. cirrhosa may sustain an efficient photosynthesis and potentially outcompete more heat-sensitive species. However, populations of the similar R. maritima in tropical environments may suffer a decline as their productivity will be highly reduced.
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29
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Entrambasaguas L, Ruocco M, Verhoeven KJF, Procaccini G, Marín-Guirao L. Gene body DNA methylation in seagrasses: inter- and intraspecific differences and interaction with transcriptome plasticity under heat stress. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14343. [PMID: 34253765 PMCID: PMC8275578 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93606-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of DNA methylation and its interaction with gene expression and transcriptome plasticity is poorly understood, and current insight comes mainly from studies in very few model plant species. Here, we study gene body DNA methylation (gbM) and gene expression patterns in ecotypes from contrasting thermal environments of two marine plants with contrasting life history strategies in order to explore the potential role epigenetic mechanisms could play in gene plasticity and responsiveness to heat stress. In silico transcriptome analysis of CpGO/E ratios suggested that the bulk of Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa genes possess high levels of intragenic methylation. We also observed a correlation between gbM and gene expression flexibility: genes with low DNA methylation tend to show flexible gene expression and plasticity under changing conditions. Furthermore, the empirical determination of global DNA methylation (5-mC) showed patterns of intra and inter-specific divergence that suggests a link between methylation level and the plants' latitude of origin and life history. Although we cannot discern whether gbM regulates gene expression or vice versa, or if other molecular mechanisms play a role in facilitating transcriptome responsiveness, our findings point to the existence of a relationship between gene responsiveness and gbM patterns in marine plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Entrambasaguas
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - Miriam Ruocco
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - Koen J F Verhoeven
- Terrestrial Ecology Department, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Lazaro Marín-Guirao
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, C/Varadero, 30740, San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
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30
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Hu ZM, Zhang QS, Zhang J, Kass JM, Mammola S, Fresia P, Draisma SGA, Assis J, Jueterbock A, Yokota M, Zhang Z. Intraspecific genetic variation matters when predicting seagrass distribution under climate change. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:3840-3855. [PMID: 34022079 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Seagrasses play a vital role in structuring coastal marine ecosystems, but their distributional range and genetic diversity have declined rapidly in recent decades. To improve conservation of seagrass species, it is important to predict how climate change may impact their ranges. Such predictions are typically made with correlative species distribution models (SDMs), which can estimate a species' potential distribution under present and future climatic scenarios given species' presence data and climatic predictor variables. However, these models are typically constructed with species-level data, and thus ignore intraspecific genetic variability, which can give rise to populations with adaptations to heterogeneous climatic conditions. Here, we explore the link between intraspecific adaptation and niche differentiation in Thalassia hemprichii, a seagrass broadly distributed in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean and a crucial provider of habitat for numerous marine species. By retrieving and re-analysing microsatellite data from previous studies, we delimited two distinct phylogeographical lineages within the nominal species and found an intermediate level of differentiation in their multidimensional environmental niches, suggesting the possibility for local adaptation. We then compared projections of the species' habitat suitability under climate change scenarios using species-level and lineage-level SDMs. In the Central Tropical Indo-Pacific region, models for both levels predicted considerable range contraction in the future, but the lineage-level models predicted more severe habitat loss. Importantly, the two modelling approaches predicted opposite patterns of habitat change in the Western Tropical Indo-Pacific region. Our results highlight the necessity of conserving distinct populations and genetic pools to avoid regional extinction due to climate change and have important implications for guiding future management of seagrasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Min Hu
- Ocean School, YanTai University, Yantai, China
| | | | - Jie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Jamie M Kass
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Stefano Mammola
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Water Research Institute (IRSA, National Research Council of Italy (CNR, Verbania Pallanza, Italy
| | - Pablo Fresia
- Pasteur+INIA Joint Unit (UMPI), Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Stefano G A Draisma
- Excellence Center for Biodiversity of Peninsular Thailand, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Jorge Assis
- CCMAR, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Alexander Jueterbock
- Algal and Microbial Biotechnology Division, Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
| | - Masashi Yokota
- Graduate School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Zhixin Zhang
- Arctic Research Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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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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Da Ros Z, Corinaldesi C, Dell'Anno A, Gambi C, Torsani F, Danovaro R. Restoration of
Cymodocea nodosa
seagrass meadows: efficiency and ecological implications. Restor Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zaira Da Ros
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente Università Politecnica delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche Ancona Italy
| | - Cinzia Corinaldesi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Ingegneria della Materia, dell'Ambiente ed Urbanistica Università Politecnica delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche Ancona Italy
| | - Antonio Dell'Anno
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente Università Politecnica delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche Ancona Italy
| | - Cristina Gambi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente Università Politecnica delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche Ancona Italy
| | - Fabrizio Torsani
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente Università Politecnica delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche Ancona Italy
| | - Roberto Danovaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente Università Politecnica delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche Ancona Italy
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Villa Comunale Naples Italy
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Noisette F, Depetris A, Kühl M, Brodersen KE. Flow and epiphyte growth effects on the thermal, optical and chemical microenvironment in the leaf phyllosphere of seagrass ( Zostera marina). J R Soc Interface 2020; 17:20200485. [PMID: 33050780 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Intensified coastal eutrophication can result in an overgrowth of seagrass leaves by epiphytes, which is a major threat to seagrass habitats worldwide, but little is known about how epiphytic biofilms affect the seagrass phyllosphere. The physico-chemical microenvironment of Zostera marina L. leaves with and without epiphytes was mapped with electrochemical, thermocouple and scalar irradiance microsensors as a function of four irradiance conditions (dark, low, saturating and high light) and two water flow velocities (approx. 0.5 and 5 cm s-1), which resemble field conditions. The presence of epiphytes led to the build up of a diffusive boundary layer and a thermal boundary layer which impeded O2 and heat transfer between the leaf surface and the surrounding water, resulting in a maximum increase of 0.8°C relative to leaves with no epiphytes. Epiphytes also reduced the quantity and quality of light reaching the leaf, decreasing plant photosynthesis. In darkness, epiphyte respiration exacerbated hypoxic conditions, which can lead to anoxia and the production of potential phytotoxic nitric oxide in the seagrass phyllosphere. Epiphytic biofilm affects the local phyllosphere physico-chemistry both because of its metabolic activity (i.e. photosynthesis/respiration) and its physical properties (i.e. thickness, roughness, density and back-scattering properties). Leaf tissue warming can lead to thermal stress in seagrasses living close to their thermal stress threshold, and thus potentially aggravate negative effects of global warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Noisette
- Department of Marine Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Hohenbergstraße 2, 24105 Kiel, Germany.,Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, 20 Castray Esplanade, Battery Point, 7004 TAS Hobart, Australia
| | - Anna Depetris
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Route Cantonale, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael Kühl
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, 3000 Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Kasper Elgetti Brodersen
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, 3000 Helsingør, Denmark
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34
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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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35
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Nguyen HM, Kim M, Ralph PJ, Marín-Guirao L, Pernice M, Procaccini G. Stress Memory in Seagrasses: First Insight Into the Effects of Thermal Priming and the Role of Epigenetic Modifications. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:494. [PMID: 32411166 PMCID: PMC7199800 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
While thermal priming and the relative role of epigenetic modifications have been widely studied in terrestrial plants, their roles remain unexplored in seagrasses so far. Here, we experimentally compared the ability of two different functional types of seagrass species, dominant in the Southern hemisphere, climax species Posidonia australis and pioneer species Zostera muelleri, to acquire thermal-stress memory to better survive successive stressful thermal events. To this end, a two-heatwave experimental design was conducted in a mesocosm setup. Findings across levels of biological organization including the molecular (gene expression), physiological (photosynthetic performances and pigments content) and organismal (growth) levels provided the first evidence of thermal priming in seagrasses. Non-preheated plants suffered a significant reduction in photosynthetic capacity, leaf growth and chlorophyll a content, while preheated plants were able to cope better with the recurrent stressful event. Gene expression results demonstrated significant regulation of methylation-related genes in response to thermal stress, suggesting that epigenetic modifications could play a central role in seagrass thermal stress memory. In addition, we revealed some interspecific differences in thermal responses between the two different functional types of seagrass species. These results provide the first insights into thermal priming and relative epigenetic modifications in seagrasses paving the way for more comprehensive forecasting and management of thermal stress in these marine foundation species in an era of rapid environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mikael Kim
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Murcia, Spain
| | - Peter J. Ralph
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Murcia, Spain
| | - Lázaro Marín-Guirao
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples, Italy
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mathieu Pernice
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Murcia, Spain
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36
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Gong S, Jin X, Xiao Y, Li Z. Ocean Acidification and Warming Lead to Increased Growth and Altered Chloroplast Morphology in the Thermo-Tolerant Alga Symbiochlorum hainanensis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:585202. [PMID: 33281847 PMCID: PMC7705064 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.585202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Ocean acidification and warming affect the growth and predominance of algae. However, the effects of ocean acidification and warming on the growth and gene transcription of thermo-tolerant algae are poorly understood. Here we determined the effects of elevated temperature (H) and acidification (A) on a recently discovered coral-associated thermo-tolerant alga Symbiochlorum hainanensis by culturing it under two temperature settings (26.0 and 32.0°C) crossed with two pH levels (8.16 and 7.81). The results showed that the growth of S. hainanensis was positively affected by H, A, and the combined treatment (AH). However, no superimposition effect of H and A on the growth of S. hainanensis was observed under AH. The analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence, pigment content, and subcellular morphology indicated that the chloroplast morphogenesis (enlargement) along with the increase of chlorophyll fluorescence and pigment content of S. hainanensis might be a universal mechanism for promoting the growth of S. hainanensis. Transcriptomic profiles revealed the effect of elevated temperature on the response of S. hainanensis to acidification involved in the down-regulation of photosynthesis- and carbohydrate metabolism-related genes but not the up-regulation of genes related to antioxidant and ubiquitination processes. Overall, this study firstly reports the growth, morphology, and molecular response of the thermo-tolerant alga S. hainanensis to future climate changes, suggesting the predominance of S. hainanensis in its associated corals and/or coral reefs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanqiang Gong
- Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuejie Jin
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yilin Xiao
- Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyong Li
- Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiyong Li,
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37
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Ruocco M, De Luca P, Marín-Guirao L, Procaccini G. Differential Leaf Age-Dependent Thermal Plasticity in the Keystone Seagrass Posidonia oceanica. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1556. [PMID: 31850036 PMCID: PMC6900526 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Gene-expression patterns and their upstream regulatory mechanisms (e.g. epigenetic) are known to modulate plant acclimatability and thus tolerance to heat stress. Within species, thermal plasticity (i.e. temperature-sensitive phenotypic plasticity) and differential thermo-tolerance are recognized among different genotypes, development stages, organs or tissues. Leaf age and lifespan have been demonstrated to strongly affect photosynthetic thermo-tolerance in terrestrial species, whereas there is no information available for marine plants. Materials and Methods: Here, we investigated how an intense warming event affects molecular and photo-physiological functions in the large-sized seagrass Posidonia oceanica, at fine spatial resolution. Plants were exposed for one week at 34°C in a controlled-mesocosm system. Subsequent variations in the expression of 12 target genes and global DNA methylation level were evaluated in three leaf-age sections (i.e. basal, medium and high) established along the longitudinal axis of youngest, young and fully mature leaves of the shoot. Targeted genes were involved in photosynthesis, chlorophyll biosynthesis, energy dissipation mechanisms, stress response and programmed cell death. Molecular analyses paralleled the assessment of pigment content and photosynthetic performance of the same leaf segments, as well as of plant growth inhibition under acute warming. Results: Our data revealed, for the first time, the presence of variable leaf age-dependent stress-induced epigenetic and gene-expression changes in seagrasses, underlying photo-physiological and growth responses to heat stress. An investment in protective responses and growth arrest was observed in immature tissues; while mature leaf sections displayed a higher ability to offset gene down-regulation, possibly through the involvement of DNA methylation changes, although heat-induced damages were visible at photo-physiological level. Discussion: Overall, mature and young leaf tissues exhibited different strategies to withstand heat stress and thus a variable thermal plasticity. This should be taken in consideration when addressing seagrass response to warming and other stressors, especially in large-sized species, where sharp age differences are present within and among leaves, and other gradients of environmental factors (e.g. light) could be at play. Molecular and physiological evaluations conducted only on adult leaf tissues, as common practice in seagrass research, could give inadequate estimates of the overall plant state, and should not be considered as a proxy for the whole shoot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Ruocco
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale De Luca
- Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Lázaro Marín-Guirao
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
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38
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Mancini G, Casoli E, Ventura D, Jona-Lasinio G, Criscoli A, Belluscio A, Ardizzone GD. Impact of the Costa Concordia shipwreck on a Posidonia oceanica meadow: a multi-scale assessment from a population to a landscape level. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 148:168-181. [PMID: 31425859 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The Costa Concordia shipwreck permitted to assess how multiple disturbances affected marine biota at different spatial and temporal scales, evaluating the effects of mechanical and physical disturbances on Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, an endemic seagrass species of the Mediterranean Sea. To assess the impacts of the shipwreck and its salvaging from 2012 to 2017 at a population and a landscape level, a diversified approach was applied based on the application of a geographical information system coupled with seascape metrics and structural descriptors. Benthic habitat maps and seascape metrics highlighted cenotic transitions, as well as fragmentation and erosion phenomena, resulting in 9952 m2 of seagrass area impacted. Regression of the meadow was unveiled by both multivariate and interpolation analysis, revealing a clear spatio-temporal gradient of impacts based on distances from the wreck. Results highlighted the effectiveness of the descriptors involved that permitted to reveal temporal changes at both fine and large scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Mancini
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, Rome 00185, Italy.
| | - E Casoli
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, Rome 00185, Italy.
| | - D Ventura
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, Rome 00185, Italy.
| | - G Jona-Lasinio
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Statistical Sciences, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, Rome 00185, Italy.
| | - A Criscoli
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, Rome 00185, Italy.
| | - A Belluscio
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, Rome 00185, Italy.
| | - G D Ardizzone
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, Rome 00185, Italy.
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39
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Ontoria Y, Cuesta-Gracia A, Ruiz JM, Romero J, Pérez M. The negative effects of short-term extreme thermal events on the seagrass Posidonia oceanica are exacerbated by ammonium additions. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222798. [PMID: 31536606 PMCID: PMC6752784 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Global warming is increasingly affecting our biosphere. However, in addition to global warming, a panoply of local stressors caused by human activities is having a profound impact on our environment. The risk that these local stressors could modify the response of organisms to global warming has attracted interest and fostered research on their combined effect, especially with a view to identifying potential synergies. In coastal areas, where human activities are heavily concentrated, this scenario is particularly worrying, especially for foundation species such as seagrasses. In this study we explore these potential interactions in the seagrass Posidonia oceanica. This species is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. It is well known that the Mediterranean is already experiencing the effects of global warming, especially in the form of heat waves, whose frequency and intensity are expected to increase in the coming decades. Moreover, this species is especially sensitive to stress and plays a key role as a foundation species. The aim of this work is thus to evaluate plant responses (in terms of photosynthetic efficiency and growth) to the combined effects of short-term temperature increases and ammonium additions.To achieve this, we conducted a mesocosm experiment in which plants were exposed to three thermal treatments (20°C, 30°C and 35°C) and three ammonium concentrations (ambient, 30 μM and 120 μM) in a full factorial experiment. We assessed plant performance by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence variables (maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), effective quantum yield of photosystem II (ΔF/Fm'), maximum electron transport rate (ETRmax) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ)), shoot growth rate and leaf necrosis incidence. At ambient ammonium concentrations, P. oceanica tolerates short-term temperature increases up to 30°C. However, at 35°C, the plant loses functionality as indicated by a decrease in photosynthetic performance, an inhibition of plant growth and an increase of the necrosis incidence in leaves. On the other hand, ammonium additions at control temperatures showed only a minor effect on seagrass performance. However, the combined effects of warming and ammonium were much worse than those of each stressor in isolation, given that photosynthetic parameters and, above all, leaf growth were affected. This serves as a warning that the impact of global warming could be even worse than expected (based on temperature-only approaches) in environments that are already subject to eutrophication, especially in persistent seagrass species living in oligotrophic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaiza Ontoria
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ainhoa Cuesta-Gracia
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan M. Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Centre of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Javier Romero
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Pérez
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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40
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Marín-Guirao L, Entrambasaguas L, Ruiz JM, Procaccini G. Heat-stress induced flowering can be a potential adaptive response to ocean warming for the iconic seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:2486-2501. [PMID: 30938465 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea is particularly vulnerable to warming and the abrupt declines experienced by the endemic Posidonia oceanica populations after recent heatwaves have forecasted severe consequences for the ecological functions and socio-economical services this habitat forming species provides. Nevertheless, this highly clonal and long-lived species could be more resilient to warming than commonly thought since heat-sensitive plants massively bloomed after a simulated heatwave, which provides the species with an opportunity to adapt to climate change. Taking advantage of this unexpected plant response, we investigated for the first time the molecular and physiological mechanisms involved in seagrass flowering through the transcriptomic analysis of bloomed plants. We also aimed to identify if flowering is a stress-induced response as suggested from the fact that heat-sensitive but not heat-tolerant plants flowered. The transcriptomic profiles of flowered plants showed a strong metabolic activation of sugars and hormones and indications of an active transport of these solutes within the plant, most likely to induce flower initiation in the apical meristem. Preflowered plants also activated numerous epigenetic-related genes commonly used by plants to regulate the expression of key floral genes and stress-tolerance genes, which could be interpreted as a mechanism to survive and optimize reproductive success under stress conditions. Furthermore, these plants provided numerous molecular clues suggesting that the factor responsible for the massive flowering of plants from cold environments (heat-sensitive) can be considered as a stress. Heat-stress induced flowering may thus be regarded as an ultimate response to survive extreme warming events with potential adaptive consequences for the species. Fitness implications of this unexpected stress-response and the potential consequences on the phenotypic plasticity (acclimation) and evolutionary (adaptation) opportunity of the species to ocean warming are finally discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Juan M Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
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41
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Ontoria Y, Gonzalez-Guedes E, Sanmartí N, Bernardeau-Esteller J, Ruiz JM, Romero J, Pérez M. Interactive effects of global warming and eutrophication on a fast-growing Mediterranean seagrass. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 145:27-38. [PMID: 30795849 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Coastal ecosystems, such as seagrasses, are subjected to local (e.g. eutrophication) and global (e.g. warming) stressors. While the separate effects of warming and eutrophication on seagrasses are relatively well known, their joint effects remain largely unstudied. In order to fill this gap, and using Cymodocea nodosa as a model species, we assessed the joint effects of warming (three temperatures, 20 °C, 30 °C and 35 °C) with two potential outcomes of eutrophication: (i) increase in nutrients concentration in the water column (30 and 300 μM), and (ii) organic enrichment in the sediment). Our results confirm that temperature in isolation clearly affects plant performance; while plants exposed to 30 °C performed better than control plants, plants exposed to 35 °C showed clear symptoms of deterioration (e.g. decline of photosynthetic capacity, increase of incidence of necrotic tissue). Plants were unaffected by high ammonium concentrations; however, organic enrichment of sediment had deleterious effects on plant function (photosynthesis, growth, demographic balance). Interestingly, these negative effects were exacerbated by increased temperature. Our findings indicate that in addition to the possibility of the persistence of C. nodosa being directly jeopardized by temperature increase, the joint effects of warming and eutrophication may further curtail its survival. This should be taken into consideration in both predictions of climate change consequences and in local planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaiza Ontoria
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Eva Gonzalez-Guedes
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Neus Sanmartí
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jaime Bernardeau-Esteller
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, C/ Varadero, 30740, San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Juan M Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, C/ Varadero, 30740, San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Javier Romero
- 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.
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42
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Marín-Guirao L, Bernardeau-Esteller J, García-Muñoz R, Ramos A, Ontoria Y, Romero J, Pérez M, Ruiz JM, Procaccini G. Carbon economy of Mediterranean seagrasses in response to thermal stress. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 135:617-629. [PMID: 30301080 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.07.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Increased plant mortality in temperate seagrass populations has been recently observed after summer heatwaves, although the underlying causes of plant death are yet unknown. The potential energetic constrains resulting from anomalous thermal events could be the reason that triggered seagrass mortality, as demonstrated for benthic invertebrates. To test this hypothesis, the carbon balance of Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa plants from contrasting thermal environments was investigated during a simulated heatwave, by analyzing their photosynthetic performance, carbon balance (ratio photosynthesis:respiration), carbohydrates content, growth and mortality. Both species were able to overcome and recover from the thermal stress produced by the six-week exposure to temperatures 4 °C above mean summer levels, albeit plants from cold waters were more sensitive to warming than plants from warm waters as reflected by their inability to maintain their P:R ratio unaltered. The strategies through which plants tend to preserve their energetic status varied depending on the biology of the species and the thermal origin of plants. These included respiratory homeostasis (P. oceanica warm-plants), carbon diversion from growth to respiration (C. nodosa cold-plants) or storage (P. oceanica warm-plants) and changes in biomass allocation (C. nodosa warm-plants). Findings suggest an important geographic heterogeneity in the overall response of Mediterranean seagrasses to warming with potential negative impacts on the functions and services offered by seagrass meadows including among others their capacity for carbon sequestration and carbon export to adjacent ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Marín-Guirao
- Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy.
| | - J Bernardeau-Esteller
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography C/Varadero, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - R García-Muñoz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography C/Varadero, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - A Ramos
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography C/Varadero, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Y Ontoria
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Romero
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Pérez
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - J M Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography C/Varadero, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - G Procaccini
- Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy
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Chefaoui RM, Duarte CM, Serrão EA. Dramatic loss of seagrass habitat under projected climate change in the Mediterranean Sea. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2018; 24:4919-4928. [PMID: 30006980 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Although climate warming is affecting most marine ecosystems, the Mediterranean is showing earlier impacts. Foundation seagrasses are already experiencing a well-documented regression in the Mediterranean which could be aggravated by climate change. Here, we forecast distributions of two seagrasses and contrast predicted loss with discrete regions identified on the basis of extant genetic diversity. Under the worst-case scenario, Posidonia oceanica might lose 75% of suitable habitat by 2050 and is at risk of functional extinction by 2100, whereas Cymodocea nodosa would lose only 46.5% in that scenario as losses are compensated with gained and stable areas in the Atlantic. Besides, we predict that erosion of present genetic diversity and vicariant processes can happen, as all Mediterranean genetic regions could decrease considerably in extension in future warming scenarios. The functional extinction of Posidonia oceanica would have important ecological impacts and may also lead to the release of the massive carbon stocks these ecosystems stored over millennia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa M Chefaoui
- CCMAR-Centro de Ciências do Mar, CIMAR Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Carlos M Duarte
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ester A Serrão
- CCMAR-Centro de Ciências do Mar, CIMAR Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
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44
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Ruiz JM, Marín-Guirao L, García-Muñoz R, Ramos-Segura A, Bernardeau-Esteller J, Pérez M, Sanmartí N, Ontoria Y, Romero J, Arthur R, Alcoverro T, Procaccini G. Experimental evidence of warming-induced flowering in the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 134:49-54. [PMID: 29102072 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.10.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction in predominantly clonal marine plants increases recombination favoring adaptation and enhancing species resilience to environmental change. Recent studies of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica suggest that flowering intensity and frequency are correlated with warming events associated with global climate change, but these studies have been observational without direct experimental support. We used controlled experiments to test if warming can effectively trigger flowering in P. oceanica. A six-week heat wave was simulated under laboratory mesocosm conditions. Heating negatively impacted leaf growth rates, but by the end of the experiment most of the heated plants flowered, while controls plants did not. Heated and control plants were not genetically distinct and flowering intensity was significantly correlated with allelic richness and heterozygosity. This is an unprecedented finding, showing that the response of seagrasses to warming will be more plastic, more complex and potentially more resilient than previously imagined.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, C/ Varadero, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - L Marín-Guirao
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - R García-Muñoz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, C/ Varadero, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - A Ramos-Segura
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, C/ Varadero, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - J Bernardeau-Esteller
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, C/ Varadero, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - M Pérez
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Sanmartí
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Y Ontoria
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Romero
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Arthur
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Blanes 17300, Spain; Nature Conservation Foundation, 3076/5, 4th Cross, Gokulam Park, Mysore, India
| | - T Alcoverro
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Blanes 17300, Spain; Nature Conservation Foundation, 3076/5, 4th Cross, Gokulam Park, Mysore, India
| | - G Procaccini
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy.
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45
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Beca-Carretero P, Guihéneuf F, Marín-Guirao L, Bernardeau-Esteller J, García-Muñoz R, Stengel DB, Ruiz JM. Effects of an experimental heat wave on fatty acid composition in two Mediterranean seagrass species. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 134:27-37. [PMID: 29331284 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.12.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Global warming is emerging as one of the most critical threats to terrestrial and marine species worldwide. This study assessed the effects of simulated warming events in culture on two seagrass species, Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa, which play a key role in coastal ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea. Changes in fatty acids as key metabolic indicators were assessed in specimens from two geographical populations of each species adapted to different in situ temperature regimes. Total fatty acid (TFA) content and composition were compared in C. nodosa and P. oceanica from natural populations and following exposure to heat stress in culture. After heat exposure, individuals of C. nodosa and P. oceanica adapted to colder temperatures in situ accumulated significantly more TFA than controls. For both species, the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) decreased, and the percentage of saturated fatty acids (SFA) increased significantly after the heat treatment. These results highlight that populations of both species living at warmest temperatures in situ were more thermo-tolerant and exhibited a greater capacity to cope with heat stress by readjusting their lipid composition faster. Finally, exposure of seagrasses to warmer conditions may induce a decrease in PUFA/SFA ratio which could negatively affect their nutritional value and generate important consequences in the healthy state of next trophic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Beca-Carretero
- Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
| | - Freddy Guihéneuf
- Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Lázaro Marín-Guirao
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanography Centre of Murcia, Spanish Oceanography Institute, Spain; Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Rocío García-Muñoz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanography Centre of Murcia, Spanish Oceanography Institute, Spain
| | - Dagmar B Stengel
- Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Juan M Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanography Centre of Murcia, Spanish Oceanography Institute, Spain
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46
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Jahnke M, D'Esposito D, Orrù L, Lamontanara A, Dattolo E, Badalamenti F, Mazzuca S, Procaccini G, Orsini L. Adaptive responses along a depth and a latitudinal gradient in the endemic seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Heredity (Edinb) 2018; 122:233-243. [PMID: 29955171 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-018-0103-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Seagrass meadows provide important ecosystem services and are critical for the survival of the associated invertebrate community. However, they are threatened worldwide by human-driven environmental change. Understanding the seagrasses' potential for adaptation is critical to assess not only their ability to persist under future global change scenarios, but also to assess the persistence of the associated communities. Here we screened a wild population of Posidonia oceanica, an endemic long-lived seagrass in the Mediterranean Sea, for genes that may be target of environmental selection, using an outlier and a genome-wide transcriptome analysis. We identified loci where polymorphism or differential expression was associated with either a latitudinal or a bathymetric gradient, as well as with both gradients in an effort to identify loci associated with temperature and light. We found the candidate genes underlying growth and immunity to be divergent between populations adapted to different latitudes and/or depths, providing evidence for local adaptation. Furthermore, we found evidence of reduced gene flow among populations including adjacent populations. Reduced gene flow, combined with low sexual recombination, small effective population size, and long generation time of P. oceanica raises concerns for the long-term persistence of this species, especially in the face of rapid environmental change driven by human activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Jahnke
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela D'Esposito
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Orrù
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria, Centro di ricerca per la genomica vegetale, 29017, Fiorenzuola d'Arda, Italy
| | - Antonella Lamontanara
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria, Centro di ricerca per la genomica vegetale, 29017, Fiorenzuola d'Arda, Italy
| | - Emanuela Dattolo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabio Badalamenti
- CNR-IAMC, Via G. Da Verrazzano 17, 91014, Castellammare del Golfo, TP, Italy
| | - Silvia Mazzuca
- Department of Chemistry and Technology, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Luisa Orsini
- Environmental Genomics Group, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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47
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Ceccherelli G, Oliva S, Pinna S, Piazzi L, Procaccini G, Marin-Guirao L, Dattolo E, Gallia R, La Manna G, Gennaro P, Costa MM, Barrote I, Silva J, Bulleri F. Seagrass collapse due to synergistic stressors is not anticipated by phenological changes. Oecologia 2018; 186:1137-1152. [PMID: 29357032 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-4075-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Seagrasses are globally declining and often their loss is due to synergies among stressors. We investigated the interactive effects of eutrophication and burial on the Mediterranean seagrass, Posidonia oceanica. A field experiment was conducted to estimate whether shoot survival depends on the interactive effects of three levels of intensity of both stressors and to identify early changes in plants (i.e., morphological, physiological and biochemical, and expression of stress-related genes) that may serve to detect signals of imminent shoot density collapse. Sediment burial and nutrient enrichment produced interactive effects on P. oceanica shoot survival, as high nutrient levels had the potential to accelerate the regression of the seagrass exposed to high burial (HB). After 11 weeks, HB in combination with either high or medium nutrient enrichment caused a shoot loss of about 60%. Changes in morphology were poor predictors of the seagrass decline. Likewise, few biochemical variables were associated with P. oceanica survival (the phenolics, ORAC and leaf δ34S). In contrast, the expression of target genes had the highest correlation with plant survival: photosynthetic genes (ATPa, psbD and psbA) were up-regulated in response to high burial, while carbon metabolism genes (CA-chl, PGK and GADPH) were down-regulated. Therefore, die-offs due to high sedimentation rate in eutrophic areas can only be anticipated by altered expression of stress-related genes that may warn the imminent seagrass collapse. Management of local stressors, such as nutrient pollution, may enhance seagrass resilience in the face of the intensification of extreme climate events, such as floods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ceccherelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Natura e del Territorio, Polo Bionaturalistico, University of Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Silvia Oliva
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Natura e del Territorio, Polo Bionaturalistico, University of Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Stefania Pinna
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Natura e del Territorio, Polo Bionaturalistico, University of Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Luigi Piazzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Natura e del Territorio, Polo Bionaturalistico, University of Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Roberto Gallia
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella La Manna
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Natura e del Territorio, Polo Bionaturalistico, University of Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy.,MareTerra - Environmental Research and Conservation, Regione Sa Londra 9, Alghero, SS, Italy
| | - Paola Gennaro
- Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), via di Castel Romano 100, Rome, Italy
| | - Monya M Costa
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Barrote
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - João Silva
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Fabio Bulleri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, Pisa, Italy
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48
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Tutar O, Marín-Guirao L, Ruiz JM, Procaccini G. Antioxidant response to heat stress in seagrasses. A gene expression study. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 132:94-102. [PMID: 29126631 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2017.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Seawater warming associated to the ongoing climate change threatens functioning and survival of keystone coastal benthic species such as seagrasses. Under elevated temperatures, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is increased and plants must activate their antioxidant defense mechanisms to protect themselves from oxidative damage. Here we explore from a molecular perspective the ability of Mediterranean seagrasses to activate heat stress response mechanisms, with particular focus on antioxidants. The level of expression of targeted genes was analyzed in shallow and deep plants of the species Posidonia oceanica and in shallow plants of Cymodocea nodosa along an acute heat exposure of several days and after recovery. The overall gene expression response of P. oceanica was more intense and complete than in C. nodosa and reflected a higher oxidative stress level during the experimental heat exposure. The strong activation of genes with chaperone activity (heat shock proteins and a luminal binding protein) just in P. oceanica plants, suggested the higher sensitivity of the species to increased temperatures. In spite of the interspecific differences, genes from the superoxide dismutase (SOD) family seem to play a pivotal role in the thermal stress response of Mediterranean seagrasses as previously reported for other marine plant species. Shallow and deep P. oceanica ecotypes showed a different timing of response to heat. Shallow plants early responded to heat and after a few days relaxed their response which suggests a successful early metabolic adjustment. The response of deep plants was delayed and their recovery incomplete evidencing a lower resilience to heat in respect to shallow ecotypes. Moreover, shallow ecotypes showed some degree of pre-adaptation to heat as most analyzed genes showed higher constitutive expression levels than in deep ecotypes. The recurrent exposure of shallow plants to elevated summer temperatures has likely endowed them with a higher basal level of antioxidant defense and a faster responsiveness to warming than deep plants. Our findings match with previous physiological studies and supported the idea that warming will differently impact Mediterranean seagrass meadows depending on the species as well as on the depth (i.e. thermal regimen) at which the meadow grows. The increase in the incidence of summer heat waves could therefore produce a significant change in the distribution and composition of Mediterranean seagrass meadows with considerable consequences for the functioning of the whole ecosystem and for the socio-economic services that these ecosystems offer to the riverine populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Tutar
- Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 4-20126 Milano, Italy
| | - L Marín-Guirao
- Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy.
| | - J M Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, C/ Varadero, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - G Procaccini
- Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy
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49
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Guerrero-Meseguer L, Marín A, Sanz-Lázaro C. Future heat waves due to climate change threaten the survival of Posidonia oceanica seedlings. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 230:40-45. [PMID: 28644983 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Extreme weather events are major drivers of ecological change, and their occurrence is likely to increase due to climate change. The transient increases in atmospheric temperatures are leading to a greater occurrence of heat waves, extreme events that can produce a substantial warming of water, especially in enclosed basins such as the Mediterranean Sea. Here, we tested the effects of current and predicted heat waves on the early stages of development of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Temperatures above 27 °C limited the growth of the plant by inhibiting its photosynthetic system. It suffered a reduction in leaf growth and faster leaf senescence, and in some cases mortality. This study demonstrates that the greater frequency of heat waves, along with anticipated temperature rises in coming decades, are expected to negatively affect the germination of P. oceanica seedlings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Guerrero-Meseguer
- Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - Arnaldo Marín
- Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Carlos Sanz-Lázaro
- Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Pabellón 13, Universidad de Alicante, P.O. Box 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain
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50
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Rasmusson LM, Lauritano C, Procaccini G, Gullström M, Buapet P, Björk M. Respiratory oxygen consumption in the seagrass Zostera marina varies on a diel basis and is partly affected by light. MARINE BIOLOGY 2017; 164:140. [PMID: 28596620 PMCID: PMC5446554 DOI: 10.1007/s00227-017-3168-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The seagrass Zostera marina is an important marine ecosystem engineer, greatly influencing oxygen and carbon fluctuations in temperate coastal areas. Although photosynthetically driven gas fluxes are well studied, the impact of the plant's mitochondrial respiration on overall CO2 and O2 fluxes in marine vegetated areas is not yet understood. Likewise, the gene expression in relation to the respiratory pathway has not been well analyzed in seagrasses. This study uses a combined approach, studying respiratory oxygen consumption rates in darkness simultaneously with changes in gene expression, with the aim of examining how respiratory oxygen consumption fluctuates on a diel basis. Measurements were first made in a field study where samples were taken directly from the ocean to the laboratory for estimations of respiratory rates. This was followed by a laboratory study where measurements of respiration and expression of genes known to be involved in mitochondrial respiration were conducted for 5 days under light conditions mimicking natural summer light (i.e., 15 h of light and 9 h of darkness), followed by 3 days of constant darkness to detect the presence of a potential circadian clock. In the field study, there was a clear diel variation in respiratory oxygen consumption with the highest rates in the late evening and at night (0.766 and 0.869 µmol O2 m-2 s-1, respectively). These repetitive diel patterns were not seen in the laboratory, where water conditions (temperature, pH, and oxygen) showed minor fluctuations and only light varied. The gene expression analysis did not give clear evidence on drivers behind the respiratory fluxes; however, expression levels of the selected genes generally increased when the seagrass was kept in constant darkness. While light may influence mitochondrial respiratory fluxes, it appears that other environmental factors (e.g., temperature, pH, or oxygen) could be of significance too. As seagrasses substantially alter the proportions of both oxygen and inorganic carbon in the water column and respiration is a great driver of these alterations, we propose that acknowledging the presence of respiratory fluctuations in nature should be considered when estimating coastal carbon budgets. As dark respiration in field at midnight was approximately doubled from that of midday, great over-, or underestimations of the respiratory carbon dioxide release from seagrasses could be made if values are just obtained at one specific time point and considered constant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina M. Rasmusson
- Seagrass Ecology and Physiology Research Group, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chiara Lauritano
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Martin Gullström
- Seagrass Ecology and Physiology Research Group, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pimchanok Buapet
- Seagrass Ecology and Physiology Research Group, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112 Thailand
| | - Mats Björk
- Seagrass Ecology and Physiology Research Group, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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