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Vieira VMNCS, Lopes IE, Creed JC. A model for the biomass-density dynamics of seagrasses developed and calibrated on global data. BMC Ecol 2019; 19:4. [PMID: 30683077 PMCID: PMC6346591 DOI: 10.1186/s12898-019-0221-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seagrasses are foundation species in estuarine and lagoon systems, providing a wide array of services for the ecosystem and the human population. Understanding the dynamics of their stands is essential in order to better assess natural and anthropogenic impacts. It is usually considered that healthy seagrasses aim to maximize their stand biomass (g DW m-2) which may be constrained by resource availability i.e., the local environment sets a carrying capacity. Recently, this paradigm has been tested and reassessed, and it is believed that seagrasses actually maximize their efficiency of space occupation-i.e., aim to reach an interspecific boundary line (IBL)-as quick as possible. This requires that they simultaneously grow in biomass and iterate new shoots to increase density. However, this strategy depresses their biomass potential. RESULTS to comply with this new paradigm, we developed a seagrass growth model that updates the carrying capacities for biomass and shoot density from the seagrass IBL at each time step. The use of a joint biomass and density growth rates enabled parameter estimation with twice the sample sizes and made the model less sensitive to episodic error in either of the variables. The use of instantaneous growth rates enabled the model to be calibrated with data sampled at widely different time intervals. We used data from 24 studies of six seagrass species scattered worldwide. The forecasted allometric biomass-density growth trajectories fit these observations well. Maximum growth and decay rates were found consistently for each species. The growth rates varied seasonally, matching previous observations. CONCLUSIONS State-of-art models predicting both biomass and shoot density in seagrass have not previously incorporated our observation across many seagrass species that dynamics depend on current state relative to IBL. Our model better simulates the biomass-density dynamics of seagrass stands while shedding light on its intricacies. However, it is only valid for established patches where dynamics involve space-filling, not for colonization of new areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasco M. N. C. S. Vieira
- MARETEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês E. Lopes
- MARETEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joel C. Creed
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20559-900 Brazil
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Pereda-Briones L, Tomas F, Terrados J. Field transplantation of seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) seedlings: Effects of invasive algae and nutrients. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 134:160-165. [PMID: 28964500 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Seedlings are a key life stage in seagrasses, providing genetic diversity and being a useful tool for restoration. We examined the influence of increased sediment nutrients and the presence of the invasive macroalga Caulerpa cylindracea on the success of in situ transplanting Posidonia oceanica seedlings in a six-month experiment. Our results indicate that one-year old seedlings successfully survive in the field and their survival and growth are positively affected by the presence of C. cylindracea. Furthermore, nutrient addition in the sediment had positive effects on both C. cylindracea (increasing its cover) and seedlings (increasing leaf development), and the increased C. cylindracea cover did not result in detrimental effects on seedlings. Therefore, biological invasions and nutrient addition do not reinforce each other in the short term to negatively impact transplanted seedlings, which highlights facilitative interactions between invasive algae and native seagrass and provides useful information for successful strategies of seagrass restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Pereda-Briones
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Miquel Marques 21, 07190 Esporles, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - F Tomas
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Miquel Marques 21, 07190 Esporles, Illes Balears, Spain; Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
| | - J Terrados
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Miquel Marques 21, 07190 Esporles, Illes Balears, Spain
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Whitehead S, Cambridge ML, Renton M. A functional-structural model of ephemeral seagrass growth influenced by environment. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2018; 121:897-908. [PMID: 29370337 PMCID: PMC5906912 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcx156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Background and Aims Ephemeral seagrasses that respond rapidly to environmental changes are important marine habitats. However, they are under threat due to human activity and are logistically difficult and expensive to study. This study aimed to develop a new functional-structural environmentally dependent model of ephemeral seagrass, able to integrate our understanding of ephemeral seagrass growth dynamics and assess options for potential management interventions, such as seagrass transplantation. Methods A functional-structural plant model was developed in which growth and senescence rates are mechanistically linked to environmental variables. The model was parameterized and validated for a population of Halophila stipulacea in the Persian Gulf. Key Results There was a good match between empirical and simulated results for the number of apices, net rhizome length or net number of internodes using a 330 d simulation. Simulated data were more variable than empirical data. Simulated structural patterns of seagrass rhizome growth qualitatively matched empirical observations. Conclusions This new model successfully simulates the environmentally dependent growth and senescence rates of our case-study ephemeral seagrass species. It produces numerical and visual outputs that help synthesize our understanding of how the influence of environmental variables on plant functional processes affects overall growth patterns. The model can also be used to assess the potential outcomes of management interventions like seagrass transplantation, thus providing a useful management tool. It is freely available and easily adapted for new species and locations, although validation with more species and environments is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Whitehead
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - M L Cambridge
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - M Renton
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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Benham CF, Beavis SG, Hendry RA, Jackson EL. Growth effects of shading and sedimentation in two tropical seagrass species: Implications for port management and impact assessment. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2016; 109:461-470. [PMID: 27269385 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows in many parts of the globe are threatened by a range of processes including port development, dredging and land clearing in coastal catchments, which can reduce water clarity and increase sedimentation pressure. As rates of seagrass loss increase, there is an urgent need to understand the potential impacts of development on these critical species. This research compares the effects of shading and burial by fine sand on two seagrass species Zostera muelleri and Halophila ovalis in Port Curtis Bay, an industrial harbour located on the continental margin adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Heritage Area, Australia. The research finds that shading in combination with burial causes a significant decline in growth rates in both species, but that burial ≥10mm reduces growth rates to a greater extent than shading. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of these findings for port management and impact assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia F Benham
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra 2600, Australia.
| | - Sara G Beavis
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra 2600, Australia
| | - Rebecca A Hendry
- School of Medical and Applied Science, CQUniversity, Gladstone 4680, Australia
| | - Emma L Jackson
- School of Medical and Applied Science, CQUniversity, Gladstone 4680, Australia
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Benjamin CS, Punongbayan AT, dela Cruz DW, Villanueva RD, Baria MVB, Yap HT. Use of Bayesian analysis with individual-based modeling to project outcomes of coral restoration. Restor Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caryl S. Benjamin
- The Marine Science Institute; University of the Philippines; Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
| | - Andalus T. Punongbayan
- The Marine Science Institute; University of the Philippines; Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
| | - Dexter W. dela Cruz
- The Marine Science Institute; University of the Philippines; Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering; Southern Cross University; Lismore NSW 2480 Australia
| | - Ronald D. Villanueva
- The Marine Science Institute; University of the Philippines; Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
| | - Maria Vanessa B. Baria
- The Marine Science Institute; University of the Philippines; Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
| | - Helen T. Yap
- The Marine Science Institute; University of the Philippines; Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
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Effects of 10-year management regimes on the soil seed bank in saline-alkaline grassland. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0122319. [PMID: 25902145 PMCID: PMC4406562 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Management regimes for vegetation restoration of degraded grasslands can significantly affect the process of ecological succession. However, few studies have focused on variation in the soil seed bank during vegetation restoration under different management regimes, especially in saline-alkaline grassland habitats. Our aim was to provide insights into the ecological effects of grassland management regimes on soil seed bank composition and vegetation establishment in mown, fenced, transplanted and natural grassland sites, all dominated by the perennial rhizomatous grass Leymus chinensis. METHODOLOGY We studied species composition and diversity in both the soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation in differently managed grasslands in Northeast China. An NMDS (nonmetric multidimensional scaling) was used to evaluate the relationship between species composition, soil seed banks, aboveground vegetation and soil properties. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Fenced and mown grassland sites had high density and species richness in both the soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation. The Transplanted treatment exhibited the highest vegetation growth and seed production of the target species L. chinensis. Seeds of L. chinensis in the soil occurred only in transplanted and natural grassland. Based on the NMDS analysis, the number of species in both the soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation were significantly related to soil Na+, Cl-, RSC (residual sodium carbonate), alkalinity, ESP (exchangeable sodium percentage) and AP (available phosphorus). CONCLUSIONS Soil seed bank composition and diversity in the saline-alkaline grassland were significantly affected by the management regimes implemented, and were also significantly related to the aboveground vegetation and several soil properties. Based on vegetative growth, reproductive output and maintenance of soil seed bank, the transplanting was identified as the most effective method for relatively rapid restoration of the target species L. chinensis. This approach could be beneficial for the restoration of dominant species in a wide range of degraded grassland ecosystems.
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Brigolin D, Facca C, Franco A, Franzoi P, Pastres R, Sfriso A, Sigovini M, Soldatini C, Tagliapietra D, Torricelli P, Zucchetta M, Pranovi F. Linking food web functioning and habitat diversity for an ecosystem based management: a Mediterranean lagoon case-study. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2014; 97:58-66. [PMID: 24656573 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2014.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Revised: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We propose a modelling approach relating the functioning of a transitional ecosystem with the spatial extension of its habitats. A test case is presented for the lagoon of Venice, discussing the results in the context of the application of current EU directives. The effects on food web functioning due to changes related to manageable and unmanageable drivers were investigated. The modelling procedure involved the use of steady-state food web models and network analysis, respectively applied to estimate the fluxes of energy associated with trophic interactions, and to compute indices of food web functioning. On the long term (hundred years) temporal scale, the model indicated that the expected loss of salt marshes will produce further changes at the system level, with a lagoon showing a decrease in the energy processing efficiency. On the short term scale, simulation results indicated that fishery management accompanied by seagrass restoration measures would produce a slight transition towards a more healthy system, with higher energy cycling, and maintaining a good balance between processing efficiency and resilience. Scenarios presented suggest that the effectiveness of short term management strategies can be better evaluated when contextualized in the long term trends of evolution of a system. We also remark the need for further studying the relationship between habitat diversity and indicators of food web functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Brigolin
- Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Marine Sciences, DAIS, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy.
| | - C Facca
- Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Marine Sciences, DAIS, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy
| | - A Franco
- Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies, University of Hull, United Kingdom
| | - P Franzoi
- Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Marine Sciences, DAIS, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy
| | - R Pastres
- Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Marine Sciences, DAIS, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy
| | - A Sfriso
- Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Marine Sciences, DAIS, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy
| | - M Sigovini
- CNR - National Research Council of Italy, ISMAR - Marine Sciences Institute, Arsenale-Tesa 104, Castello 2737/F, 30122 Venice, Italy
| | - C Soldatini
- Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Marine Sciences, DAIS, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy
| | - D Tagliapietra
- CNR - National Research Council of Italy, ISMAR - Marine Sciences Institute, Arsenale-Tesa 104, Castello 2737/F, 30122 Venice, Italy
| | - P Torricelli
- Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Marine Sciences, DAIS, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy
| | - M Zucchetta
- Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Marine Sciences, DAIS, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy
| | - F Pranovi
- Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Marine Sciences, DAIS, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy
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Bell SS, Middlebrooks ML, Hall MO. The Value of Long-Term Assessment of Restoration: Support from a Seagrass Investigation. Restor Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Susan S. Bell
- Department of Integrative Biology; University of South Florida; 4202 E. Fowler Avenue Tampa FL 33620-5200 U.S.A
| | - Michael L. Middlebrooks
- Department of Integrative Biology; University of South Florida; 4202 E. Fowler Avenue Tampa FL 33620-5200 U.S.A
| | - Margaret O. Hall
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute; 100 Eighth Avenue S.E. St. Petersburg FL 33701 U.S.A
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Hamisi M, Díez B, Lyimo T, Ininbergs K, Bergman B. Epiphytic cyanobacteria of the seagrass Cymodocea rotundata: diversity, diel nifH expression and nitrogenase activity. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2013; 5:367-76. [PMID: 23754717 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2011] [Revised: 12/31/2012] [Accepted: 12/31/2012] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Seagrasses are photoautotrophic, ecologically important components of many globally widespread coastal ecosystems, in which combined nitrogen may limit their production. We examined the biodiversity and diazotrophic capacity of microbial epiphytes associated with the phyllosphere of the seagrass Cymodocea rotundata of the Western Indian Ocean. Light microscopy, 16S rRNA and nifH gene analysis revealed the dominance of cyanobacteria in the epiphytic microbial community. Most phylotypes were related to free-living uncultured benthic cyanobacteria, while some to cyanobacterial endosymbionts of marine diatoms. Novel and potentially diazotrophic species, some of known pantropical distribution, were also discovered. Significant diel nitrogenase activities (acetylene reduction assay) were recorded (up to 358 ± 232 nmol C2H4 g(-1) of seagrass FW h(-1)). The nifH gene expression patterns showed that heterocystous phylotypes may be the dominant diazotrophs during the day and non-heterocystous at night. These data show that C. rotundata is colonized by diverse diazotrophic cyanobacteria species and suggest that these may be beneficial partners of seagrasses in nitrogen-depleted waters.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylene/metabolism
- Alismatales/microbiology
- Bacterial Proteins/genetics
- Bacterial Proteins/metabolism
- Cyanobacteria/classification
- Cyanobacteria/enzymology
- Cyanobacteria/genetics
- DNA, Bacterial/classification
- DNA, Bacterial/genetics
- DNA, Bacterial/metabolism
- Ecosystem
- Enzyme Assays
- Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
- Gene Library
- Genetic Variation
- Indian Ocean
- Microbial Consortia/genetics
- Nitrogen Fixation/physiology
- Oxidoreductases/genetics
- Oxidoreductases/metabolism
- Phylogeny
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/classification
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/metabolism
- Symbiosis/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Hamisi
- College of Natural & Mathematical Sciences, The University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania.
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DeJong TM, Da Silva D, Vos J, Escobar-Gutiérrez AJ. Using functional–structural plant models to study, understand and integrate plant development and ecophysiology. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2011; 108:987-9. [PMID: 22084818 PMCID: PMC3189848 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcr257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Functional–structural plant models (FSPMs) explore and integrate relationships between a plant’s structure and processes that underlie its growth and development. In recent years, the range of topics being addressed by scientists interested in functional–structural plant modelling has expanded greatly. FSPM techniques are now being used to dynamically simulate growth and development occurring at the microscopic scale involving cell division in plant meristems to the macroscopic scales of whole plants and plant communities. The plant types studied also cover a broad spectrum from algae to trees. FSPM is highly interdisciplinary and involves scientists with backgrounds in plant physiology, plant anatomy, plant morphology, mathematics, computer science, cellular biology, ecology and agronomy. This special issue of Annals of Botany features selected papers that provide examples of comprehensive functional–structural models, models of key processes such as partitioning of resources, software for modelling plants and plant environments, data acquisition and processing techniques and applications of functional–structural plant models for agronomic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore M DeJong
- Plant Sciences Department, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
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