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Wesselmann M, Hendriks IE, Johnson M, Jordà G, Mineur F, Marbà N. Increasing spread rates of tropical non-native macrophytes in the Mediterranean Sea. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17249. [PMID: 38572713 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17249] [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: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Warming as well as species introductions have increased over the past centuries, however a link between cause and effect of these two phenomena is still unclear. Here we use distribution records (1813-2023) to reconstruct the invasion histories of marine non-native macrophytes, macroalgae and seagrasses, in the Mediterranean Sea. We defined expansion as the maximum linear rate of spread (km year-1) and the accumulation of occupied grid cells (50 km2) over time and analyzed the relation between expansion rates and the species' thermal conditions at its native distribution range. Our database revealed a marked increase in the introductions and spread rates of non-native macrophytes in the Mediterranean Sea since the 1960s, notably intensifying after the 1990s. During the beginning of this century species velocity of invasion has increased to 26 ± 9 km2 year-1, with an acceleration in the velocity of invasion of tropical/subtropical species, exceeding those of temperate and cosmopolitan macrophytes. The highest spread rates since then were observed in macrophytes coming from native regions with minimum SSTs two to three degrees warmer than in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, most non-native macrophytes in the Mediterranean (>80%) do not exceed the maximum temperature of their range of origin, whereas approximately half of the species are exposed to lower minimum SST in the Mediterranean than in their native range. This indicates that tropical/subtropical macrophytes might be able to expand as they are not limited by the colder Mediterranean SST due to the plasticity of their lower thermal limit. These results suggest that future warming will increase the thermal habitat available for thermophilic species in the Mediterranean Sea and continue to favor their expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Wesselmann
- Global Change Research Group, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, Esporles, Spain
| | - Iris E Hendriks
- Global Change Research Group, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, Esporles, Spain
| | - Mark Johnson
- School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Gabriel Jordà
- Instituto Espanol de Oceanografía, Centre Oceanografic de Balears, Palma, Spain
| | - Frederic Mineur
- School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Núria Marbà
- Global Change Research Group, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, Esporles, Spain
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2
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Losciale R, Day JC, Rasheed MA, Heron SF. The vulnerability of World Heritage seagrass habitats to climate change. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17113. [PMID: 38273578 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17113] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Seagrass is an important natural attribute of 28 World Heritage (WH) properties. These WH seagrass habitats provide a wide range of services to adjacent ecosystems and human communities, and are one of the largest natural carbon sinks on the planet. Climate change is considered the greatest and fastest-growing threat to natural WH properties and evidence of climate-related impacts on seagrass habitats has been growing. The main objective of this study was to assess the vulnerability of WH seagrass habitats to location-specific key climate stressors. Quantitative surveys of seagrass experts and site managers were used to assess exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity of WH seagrass habitats to climate stressors, following the Climate Vulnerability Index approach. Over half of WH seagrass habitats have high vulnerability to climate change, mainly from the long-term increase in sea-surface temperature and short-term marine heatwaves. Potential impacts from climate change and certainty scores associated with them were higher than reported by a similar survey-based study from 10 years prior, indicating a shift in stakeholder perspectives during the past decade. Additionally, seagrass experts' opinions on the cumulative impacts of climate and direct-anthropogenic stressors revealed that high temperature in combination with high suspended sediments, eutrophication and hypoxia is likely to provoke a synergistic cumulative (negative) impact (p < .05). A key component contributing to the high vulnerability assessments was the low adaptive capacity; however, discrepancies between adaptive capacity scores and qualitative responses suggest that managers of WH seagrass habitats might not be adequately equipped to respond to climate change impacts. This thematic assessment provides valuable information to help prioritize conservation actions, monitoring activities and research in WH seagrass habitats. It also demonstrates the utility of a systematic framework to evaluate the vulnerability of thematic groups of protected areas that share a specific attribute.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Losciale
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jon C Day
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael A Rasheed
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Scott F Heron
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Physics and Marine Geophysical Laboratory, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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3
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Winters G, Conte C, Beca-Carretero P, Nguyen HM, Migliore L, Mulas M, Rilov G, Guy-Haim T, González MJ, Medina I, Golomb D, Baharier N, Kaminer M, Kitson-Walters K. Superior growth traits of invaded (Caribbean) versus native (Red sea) populations of the seagrass Halophila stipulacea. Biol Invasions 2023; 25:2325-2342. [PMID: 37261082 PMCID: PMC10115387 DOI: 10.1007/s10530-023-03045-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The seagrass Halophila stipulacea is native to the Red Sea. It invaded the Mediterranean over the past century and most of the Caribbean over the last two decades. Understanding the main drivers behind the successful invasiveness of H. stipulacea has become crucial. We performed a comprehensive study including field measurements, a mesocosm experiment, and a literature review to identify 'superior growth traits' that can potentially explain the success story of H. stipulacea. We assessed meadow characteristics and plant traits of three invasive H. stipulacea populations growing off the Island of Sint Eustatius (eastern Caribbean). We compared similar parameters between native (Eilat, northern Red Sea) and invasive (Caribbean) H. stipulacea plants in a common-garden mesocosm. Lastly, we compared our field measurements with published data. The newly arrived H. stipulacea plants from St. Eustatius were characterized by higher percent cover, higher below- and above-ground biomasses, more apical shoots, and faster leaf turnover rates than those measured in both native and older invaded habitats. These results were further confirmed by the mesocosm experiment where the invasive H. stipulacea plants grew faster and developed more apical shoots than the native plants. Results suggest that increased growth vigour is one of the main invasive traits that characterize successful invasive H. stipulacea populations in the Caribbean and potentially in other invaded areas. We encourage long-term monitoring of H. stipulacea in both native and invaded habitats to better understand the future spread of this species and its impacts on communities and their ecosystem functions and services. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10530-023-03045-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gidon Winters
- Dead Sea and Arava Science Center (DSASC), Masada National Park, 8698000 Mount Masada, Israel, Israel
- Eilat Campus, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Hatmarim Blv, 8855630 Eilat, Israel
| | - Chiara Conte
- Department of Biology, Tor Vergata University, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Pedro Beca-Carretero
- Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC), Rúa de Eduardo Cabello, 6, 36208 Vigo, Pontevedra Spain
- Department of Theoretical Ecology and Modelling, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Fahrenheit Strasse 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Hung Manh Nguyen
- Dead Sea and Arava Science Center (DSASC), Masada National Park, 8698000 Mount Masada, Israel, Israel
- French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Dryland, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 8499000 Beersheba, Israel
| | - Luciana Migliore
- Department of Biology, Tor Vergata University, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Mulas
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR), Tel- Shikmona, P.O.B. 9753, 3109701 Haifa, Israel
- The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Koushy Ave., Mount Carmel, 3498838 Haifa, Israel
| | - Gil Rilov
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR), Tel- Shikmona, P.O.B. 9753, 3109701 Haifa, Israel
- The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Koushy Ave., Mount Carmel, 3498838 Haifa, Israel
| | - Tamar Guy-Haim
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR), Tel- Shikmona, P.O.B. 9753, 3109701 Haifa, Israel
| | - María J González
- Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC), Rúa de Eduardo Cabello, 6, 36208 Vigo, Pontevedra Spain
| | - Isabel Medina
- Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC), Rúa de Eduardo Cabello, 6, 36208 Vigo, Pontevedra Spain
| | - Dar Golomb
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR), Tel- Shikmona, P.O.B. 9753, 3109701 Haifa, Israel
| | - Neta Baharier
- Dead Sea and Arava Science Center (DSASC), Masada National Park, 8698000 Mount Masada, Israel, Israel
- University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ UK
| | - Moran Kaminer
- Dead Sea and Arava Science Center (DSASC), Masada National Park, 8698000 Mount Masada, Israel, Israel
| | - Kimani Kitson-Walters
- Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute, L.E. Saddlerweg, POB 65, St Eustatius, Caribbean The Netherlands
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
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Conte C, Apostolaki ET, Vizzini S, Migliore L. A Tight Interaction between the Native Seagrass Cymodocea nodosa and the Exotic Halophila stipulacea in the Aegean Sea Highlights Seagrass Holobiont Variations. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:350. [PMID: 36679063 PMCID: PMC9863530 DOI: 10.3390/plants12020350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Seagrasses harbour bacterial communities with which they constitute a functional unit called holobiont that responds as a whole to environmental changes. Epiphytic bacterial communities rapidly respond to both biotic and abiotic factors, potentially contributing to the host fitness. The Lessepsian migrant Halophila stipulacea has a high phenotypical plasticity and harbours a highly diverse epiphytic bacterial community, which could support its invasiveness in the Mediterranean Sea. The current study aimed to evaluate the Halophila/Cymodocea competition in the Aegean Sea by analysing each of the two seagrasses in a meadow zone where these intermingled, as well as in their monospecific zones, at two depths. Differences in holobionts were evaluated using seagrass descriptors (morphometric, biochemical, elemental, and isotopic composition) to assess host changes, and 16S rRNA gene to identify bacterial community structure and composition. An Indicator Species Index was used to identify bacteria significantly associated with each host. In mixed meadows, native C. nodosa was shown to be affected by the presence of exotic H. stipulacea, in terms of both plant descriptors and bacterial communities, while H. stipulacea responded only to environmental factors rather than C. nodosa proximity. This study provided evidence of the competitive advantage of H. stipulacea on C. nodosa in the Aegean Sea and suggests the possible use of associated bacterial communities as an ecological seagrass descriptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Conte
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Ecology and Ecotoxicology, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenia T. Apostolaki
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, P.O. Box 2214, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Salvatrice Vizzini
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy
- CoNISMa, National Interuniversity Consortium for Marine Sciences, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Roma, Italy
| | - Luciana Migliore
- Laboratory of Ecology and Ecotoxicology, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- eCampus University, Via Isimbardi 10, 22060 Novedrate (CO), Italy
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5
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Byrne M, Gall ML, Campbell H, Lamare MD, Holmes SP. Staying in place and moving in space: Contrasting larval thermal sensitivity explains distributional changes of sympatric sea urchin species to habitat warming. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:3040-3053. [PMID: 35108424 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16116] [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: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
For marine ectotherms, larval success, planktonic larval duration and dispersal trajectories are strongly influenced by temperature, and therefore, ocean warming and heatwaves have profound impacts on these sensitive stages. Warming, through increased poleward flow in regions with western boundary currents, such as the East Australia Current (EAC), provides opportunities for range extension as propagules track preferred conditions. Two sea urchin species, Centrostephanus rodgersii and Heliocidaris tuberculata, sympatric in the EAC warming hotspot, exhibit contrasting responses to warming. Over half a century, C. rodgersii has undergone marked poleward range extension, but the range of H. tuberculata has not changed. We constructed thermal performance curves (TPC) to determine if contrasting developmental thermal tolerance can explain this difference. The temperatures tested encompassed present-day distribution and forecast ocean warming/heatwave conditions. The broad and narrow thermal optimum (Topt) ranges for C. rodgersii and H. tuberculata larvae (7.2 and 4.7°C range, respectively) matched their realized (adult distribution) thermal niches. The cool and warm temperatures for 50% development to the feeding larva approximated temperatures at adult poleward range limits. Larval cool tolerances with respect to mean local temperature differed, 6.0 and 3.8°C respectively. Larval warm tolerances were similar for both species as are the adult warm range edges. The larvae of both species would be sensitive to heatwaves. Centrostephanus rodgersii has stayed in place and shifted in space, likely due to its broad cold-warm larval thermal tolerance and large thermal safety margins. Phenotypic plasticity of the planktonic stage of C. rodgersii facilitated its range extension. In contrast, larval cold intolerance of H. tuberculata explains its restricted range and will delay poleward extension as the region warms. In a warming ocean, we show that intrinsic thermal biology traits of the pelagic stage provide an integrative tool to explain species-specific variation in range shift patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Byrne
- School of Life and Environmental Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mailie L Gall
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hamish Campbell
- School of Life and Environmental Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Miles D Lamare
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Sebastian P Holmes
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
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7
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Ledet J, Campbell H, Byrne M, Poore AGB. Differential tolerance of species alters the seasonal response of marine epifauna to extreme warming. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 797:149215. [PMID: 34346350 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149215] [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: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Marine heatwaves are occurring with greater frequency and magnitude worldwide and can significantly alter community structure and ecosystem function. Predicting changes in community structure in extreme temperatures requires an understanding of variation among species in their thermal tolerance, and how potential acclimatization to recent temperatures influences survival. To address this, we determined the tolerance to extreme temperatures in a crustacean epifaunal assemblage that inhabits macroalgae in the southeast Australian ocean warming hotspot. Amphipods were the most abundant group and the thermal tolerance of the most abundant species (two in winter and four in summer) was tested to determine their thermal limits and probability of survival in near-future extreme temperatures. Survival, measured as time to immobilization, was compared across species, sexes, life stage and body size. The greatest variation in tolerance to extreme temperatures was among species (not body sizes or life stages), indicating that heatwaves could shift the composition of the macroalgal associated epifaunal assemblage. Comparison of recent thermal history (between 18 °C to 22 °C) revealed greater thermal tolerance of warm acclimatized individuals. Our results indicate that the impacts of a marine heatwave will depend on local species composition and their timing relative to recent climate conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Ledet
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Hamish Campbell
- School of Medical and Life and School of Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Maria Byrne
- School of Medical and Life and School of Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Alistair G B Poore
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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8
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Helber SB, Winters G, Stuhr M, Belshe EF, Bröhl S, Schmid M, Reuter H, Teichberg M. Nutrient History Affects the Response and Resilience of the Tropical Seagrass Halophila stipulacea to Further Enrichment in Its Native Habitat. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:678341. [PMID: 34421939 PMCID: PMC8374242 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.678341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Eutrophication is one of the main threats to seagrass meadows, but there is limited knowledge on the interactive effects of nutrients under a changing climate, particularly for tropical seagrass species. This study aimed to detect the onset of stress in the tropical seagrass, Halophila stipulacea, by investigating the effect of in situ nutrient addition during an unusually warm summer over a 6-month period. We measured a suite of different morphological and biochemical community metrics and individual plant traits from two different sites with contrasting levels of eutrophication history before and after in situ fertilization in the Gulf of Aqaba. Nutrient stress combined with summer temperatures that surpassed the threshold for optimal growth negatively affected seagrass plants from South Beach (SB), an oligotrophic marine protected area, while H. stipulacea populations from North Beach (NB), a eutrophic and anthropogenically impacted area, benefited from the additional nutrient input. Lower aboveground (AG) and belowground (BG) biomass, reduced Leaf Area Index (LAI), smaller internodal distances, high sexual reproductive effort and the increasing occurrence of apical shoots in seagrasses from SB sites indicated that the plants were under stress and not growing under optimal conditions. Moreover, AG and BG biomass and internodal distances decreased further with the addition of fertilizer in SB sites. Results presented here highlight the fact that H. stipulacea is one of the most tolerant and plastic seagrass species. Our study further demonstrates that the effects of fertilization differ significantly between meadows that are growing exposed to different levels of anthropogenic pressures. Thus, the meadow's "history" affects it resilience and response to further stress. Our results suggest that monitoring efforts on H. stipulacea populations in its native range should focus especially on carbohydrate reserves in leaves and rhizomes, LAI, internodal length and percentage of apical shoots as suitable warning indicators for nutrient stress in this seagrass species to minimize future impacts on these valuable ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie B. Helber
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Gidon Winters
- The Dead Sea and Arava Science Center (ADSSC), Jerusalem, Israel
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Eilat, Israel
| | - Marleen Stuhr
- Tropical Coral Ecophysiology, Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences - Eilat (IUI), Eilat, Israel
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University (BIU), Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - E. F. Belshe
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Bröhl
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
| | - Michael Schmid
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
| | - Hauke Reuter
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
- Faculty for Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Mirta Teichberg
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
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Villeneuve AR, Komoroske LM, Cheng BS. Diminished warming tolerance and plasticity in low-latitude populations of a marine gastropod. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab039. [PMID: 34136259 PMCID: PMC8201192 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Models of species response to climate change often assume that physiological traits are invariant across populations. Neglecting potential intraspecific variation may overlook the possibility that some populations are more resilient or susceptible than others, creating inaccurate predictions of climate impacts. In addition, phenotypic plasticity can contribute to trait variation and may mediate sensitivity to climate. Quantifying such forms of intraspecific variation can improve our understanding of how climate can affect ecologically important species, such as invasive predators. Here, we quantified thermal performance (tolerance, acclimation capacity, developmental traits) across seven populations of the predatory marine snail (Urosalpinx cinerea) from native Atlantic and non-native Pacific coast populations in the USA. Using common garden experiments, we assessed the effects of source population and developmental acclimation on thermal tolerance and developmental traits of F1 snails. We then estimated climate sensitivity by calculating warming tolerance (thermal tolerance - habitat temperature), using field environmental data. We report that low-latitude populations had greater thermal tolerance than their high latitude counterparts. However, these same low-latitude populations exhibited decreased thermal tolerance when exposed to environmentally realistic higher acclimation temperatures. Low-latitude native populations had the greatest climate sensitivity (habitat temperatures near thermal limits). In contrast, invasive Pacific snails had the lowest climate sensitivity, suggesting that these populations are likely to persist and drive negative impacts on native biodiversity. Developmental rate significantly increased in embryos sourced from populations with greater habitat temperature but had variable effects on clutch size and hatching success. Thus, warming can produce widely divergent responses within the same species, resulting in enhanced impacts in the non-native range and extirpation in the native range. Broadly, our results highlight how intraspecific variation can alter management decisions, as this may clarify whether management efforts should be focused on many or only a few populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Villeneuve
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Gloucester Marine Station, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Gloucester, MA 01930, USA
| | - Lisa M Komoroske
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Gloucester Marine Station, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Gloucester, MA 01930, USA
| | - Brian S Cheng
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Gloucester Marine Station, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Gloucester, MA 01930, USA
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Wesselmann M, Geraldi NR, Duarte CM, Garcia-Orellana J, Díaz-Rúa R, Arias-Ortiz A, Hendriks IE, Apostolaki ET, Marbà N. Seagrass (Halophila stipulacea) invasion enhances carbon sequestration in the Mediterranean Sea. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:2592-2607. [PMID: 33843114 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The introduction and establishment of exotic species often result in significant changes in recipient communities and their associated ecosystem services. However, usually the magnitude and direction of the changes are difficult to quantify because there is no pre-introduction data. Specifically, little is known about the effect of marine exotic macrophytes on organic carbon sequestration and storage. Here, we combine dating sediment cores (210 Pb) with sediment eDNA fingerprinting to reconstruct the chronology of pre- and post-arrival of the Red Sea seagrass Halophila stipulacea spreading into the Eastern Mediterranean native seagrass meadows. We then compare sediment organic carbon storage and burial rates before and after the arrival of H. stipulacea and between exotic (H. stipulacea) and native (C. nodosa and P. oceanica) meadows since the time of arrival following a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) approach. This analysis revealed that H. stipulacea arrived at the areas of study in Limassol (Cyprus) and West Crete (Greece) in the 1930s and 1970s, respectively. Average sediment organic carbon after the arrival of H. stipulacea to the sites increased in the exotic meadows twofold, from 8.4 ± 2.5 g Corg m-2 year-1 to 14.7 ± 3.6 g Corg m-2 year-1 , and, since then, burial rates in the exotic seagrass meadows were higher than in native ones of Cymodocea nodosa and Posidonia oceanica. Carbon isotopic data indicated a 50% increase of the seagrass contribution to the total sediment Corg pool since the arrival of H. stipulacea. Our results demonstrate that the invasion of H. stipulacea may play an important role in maintaining the blue carbon sink capacity in the future warmer Mediterranean Sea, by developing new carbon sinks in bare sediments and colonizing areas previously occupied by the colder thermal affinity P. oceanica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Wesselmann
- Global Change Research Group, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, Esporles, Spain
| | - Nathan R Geraldi
- Red Sea Research Centre (RSRC) and Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlos M Duarte
- Red Sea Research Centre (RSRC) and Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jordi Garcia-Orellana
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Física, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Rubén Díaz-Rúa
- Red Sea Research Centre (RSRC) and Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ariane Arias-Ortiz
- Ecosystem Science Division, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Institute of Marine Science, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Iris E Hendriks
- Global Change Research Group, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, Esporles, Spain
| | - Eugenia T Apostolaki
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Núria Marbà
- Global Change Research Group, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, Esporles, Spain
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Pazzaglia J, Reusch TBH, Terlizzi A, Marín‐Guirao L, Procaccini G. Phenotypic plasticity under rapid global changes: The intrinsic force for future seagrasses survival. Evol Appl 2021; 14:1181-1201. [PMID: 34025759 PMCID: PMC8127715 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Coastal oceans are particularly affected by rapid and extreme environmental changes with dramatic consequences for the entire ecosystem. Seagrasses are key ecosystem engineering or foundation species supporting diverse and productive ecosystems along the coastline that are particularly susceptible to fast environmental changes. In this context, the analysis of phenotypic plasticity could reveal important insights into seagrasses persistence, as it represents an individual property that allows species' phenotypes to accommodate and react to fast environmental changes and stress. Many studies have provided different definitions of plasticity and related processes (acclimation and adaptation) resulting in a variety of associated terminology. Here, we review different ways to define phenotypic plasticity with particular reference to seagrass responses to single and multiple stressors. We relate plasticity to the shape of reaction norms, resulting from genotype by environment interactions, and examine its role in the presence of environmental shifts. The potential role of genetic and epigenetic changes in underlying seagrasses plasticity in face of environmental changes is also discussed. Different approaches aimed to assess local acclimation and adaptation in seagrasses are explored, explaining strengths and weaknesses based on the main results obtained from the most recent literature. We conclude that the implemented experimental approaches, whether performed with controlled or field experiments, provide new insights to explore the basis of plasticity in seagrasses. However, an improvement of molecular analysis and the application of multi-factorial experiments are required to better explore genetic and epigenetic adjustments to rapid environmental shifts. These considerations revealed the potential for selecting the best phenotypes to promote assisted evolution with fundamental implications on restoration and preservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Pazzaglia
- Department of Integrative Marine EcologyStazione Zoologica Anton DohrnNaplesItaly
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
| | - Thorsten B. H. Reusch
- Marine Evolutionary EcologyGEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research KielKielGermany
| | - Antonio Terlizzi
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine OrganismsStazione Zoologica Anton DohrnNaplesItaly
| | - Lázaro Marín‐Guirao
- Department of Integrative Marine EcologyStazione Zoologica Anton DohrnNaplesItaly
- Seagrass Ecology GroupOceanographic Center of MurciaSpanish Institute of OceanographyMurciaSpain
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Department of Integrative Marine EcologyStazione Zoologica Anton DohrnNaplesItaly
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Beca-Carretero P, Teichberg M, Winters G, Procaccini G, Reuter H. Projected Rapid Habitat Expansion of Tropical Seagrass Species in the Mediterranean Sea as Climate Change Progresses. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:555376. [PMID: 33304358 PMCID: PMC7701102 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.555376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
During the last 150 years, the tropical seagrass species Halophila stipulacea has established itself in the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea. More recently (2018), Halophila decipiens was observed for the first time in the eastern Mediterranean, and was described as the second non-native seagrass species in the Mediterranean Sea. We implemented a species distribution model (SDM) approach to (1) hindcast the habitat suitability of H. stipulacea over the last 100 years in the Mediterranean basin, and (2) to model the increase in the potential habitat suitability of H. stipulacea and H. decipiens during the current century under two very different climate scenarios, RCP 2.6 (lowest carbon emission scenario) and RCP 8.5 (highest carbon emission scenario). In addition, a principal component analysis (PCA) and k-means cluster based on temperature and salinity drivers were applied to visualize the distance and relatedness between the native and invasive H. stipulacea and H. decipiens populations. Results from this PCA suggest that the H. stipulacea populations of the Mediterranean and Red Sea are likely to be similar. In contrast, H. decipiens from the Mediterranean is more related to the Atlantic populations rather than to the Red Sea populations. The hindcast model suggests that the expansion of H. stipulacea was related to the increases in seawater temperatures in the Mediterranean over the last 100 years. The SDMs predict that more suitable habitat will become available for both tropical species during this century. The habitat suitability for H. stipulacea will keep expanding westward and northward as the Mediterranean continues to become saltier and warmer. In comparison, the SDMs built for H. decipiens forecast a restricted habitat suitability in the south-eastern Mediterranean Sea at the present environmental conditions and predicts a progressive expansion with a potential increase in habitat suitability along 85% of the Mediterranean coastline. The predicted rapid expansion of non-native seagrass species could alter the Mediterranean's seagrass community and may entail massive impacts on associated ecosystem functions and services, impacts that have severe socio-economic consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Beca-Carretero
- Department of Theoretical Ecology and Modelling, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany
- Dead Sea-Arava Science Center, Masada, Israel
- Department of Ecology, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany
| | - Mirta Teichberg
- Department of Ecology, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany
| | - Gidon Winters
- Dead Sea-Arava Science Center, Masada, Israel
- Eilat Campus, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Eilat, Israel
| | | | - Hauke Reuter
- Department of Theoretical Ecology and Modelling, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany
- Faculty for Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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Viana IG, Moreira-Saporiti A, Teichberg M. Species-Specific Trait Responses of Three Tropical Seagrasses to Multiple Stressors: The Case of Increasing Temperature and Nutrient Enrichment. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:571363. [PMID: 33224162 PMCID: PMC7674176 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.571363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows are declining globally. The decrease of seagrass area is influenced by the simultaneous occurrence of many factors at the local and global scale, including nutrient enrichment and climate change. This study aims to find out how increasing temperature and nutrient enrichment affect the morphological, biochemical and physiological responses of three coexisting tropical species, Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea serrulata and Halophila stipulacea. To achieve these aims, a 1-month experiment under laboratory conditions combining two temperature (maximum ambient temperature and current average temperature) and two nutrient (high and low N and P concentrations) treatments was conducted. The results showed that the seagrasses were differentially affected by all treatments depending on their life-history strategies. Under higher temperature treatments, C. serrulata showed photo-acclimation strategies, while T. hemprichii showed decreased photo-physiological performance. In contrast, T. hemprichii was resistant to nutrient over-enrichment, showing enhanced nutrient content and physiological changes, but C. serrulata suffered BG nutrient loss. The limited response of H. stipulacea to nutrient enrichment or high temperature suggests that this seagrass is a tolerant species that may have a dormancy state with lower photosynthetic performance and smaller-size individuals. Interaction between both factors was limited and generally showed antagonistic effects only on morphological and biochemical traits, but not on physiological traits. These results highlight the different effects and strategies co-inhabiting seagrasses have in response to environmental changes, showing winners and losers of a climate change scenario that may eventually cause biodiversity loss. Trait responses to these stressors could potentially make the seagrasses weaker to cope with following events, due to BG biomass or nutrient loss. This is of importance as biodiversity loss in tropical seagrass ecosystems could change the overall effectiveness of ecosystem functions and services provided by the seagrass meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés G. Viana
- Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research GmbH, Bremen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Inés G. Viana, ;
| | - Agustín Moreira-Saporiti
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research GmbH, Bremen, Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Mirta Teichberg
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research GmbH, Bremen, Germany
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