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Casal-Porras I, Yamuza-Magdaleno A, Jiménez-Ramos R, Egea LG, Pérez-Lloréns JL, Brun FG. Effects of a chronic impact on Cymodocea nodosa community carbon metabolism and dissolved organic carbon fluxes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167740. [PMID: 37827313 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167740] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass communities have been degraded worldwide experiencing elevated shoot density reduction by anthropogenic chronic pressures. This study aims to assess how a chronic (i.e., low intensity but long-lasting) impact that promotes reduced shoot density in a temperate seagrass population may affect community components and functioning. To this end, shoot density was reduced (0, 40, and 75 %) for three months in contrasting seasons (winter and summer), and assessed its effects on biotic components (i.e., seagrasses, macroalgae, macrofauna, and microphytobenthos), as well as on community carbon metabolism, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fluxes and sediment organic matter (OM) content. Lower shoot densities enhanced the presence of macroalgae and microphytobenthos in the community, while macrofauna remained unchanged. Net community production was significantly reduced with the simulated reduction in shoot density in both seasons (up to 10-fold lower), which shifted the community in winter from being largely autotrophic (CO2 sink) to heterotrophic (CO2 source). This was due to the expected reduction in gross primary production, but also to the unexpected increase in community respiration (up to 2.2-fold higher). Since OM in the sediment was reduced in the simulated shoot density reduction treatments, the increase in sediment bacterial activity may help explain the increase in community respiration. DOC fluxes were also greatly reduced in both seasons (up to 5.5-fold lower), which coupled with the reduced net community production and loss of OM in the sediment may have a continued silent effect on blue carbon capture and storage capacity in this chronically stressed community. This study therefore highlights the importance of chronic impacts that promote the degradation of seagrass communities that may reduce their ability to provide highly valuable ecological services, including the ability to cope with the effects of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Casal-Porras
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional/Global del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
| | - Alba Yamuza-Magdaleno
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional/Global del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Rocío Jiménez-Ramos
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional/Global del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Luis G Egea
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional/Global del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - J Lucas Pérez-Lloréns
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional/Global del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Fernando G Brun
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional/Global del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
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Egea LG, Infantes E, Jiménez-Ramos R. Loss of POC and DOC on seagrass sediments by hydrodynamics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 901:165976. [PMID: 37536591 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Coastal development and climate change are sparking growing concern about the vulnerability of the organic carbon (OC) stocks in marine sediments to remineralization, especially in high threaten coastal ecosystems like seagrass meadows. Uncertainties still exist regarding the role played by hydrodynamics, seagrass canopies and sediment properties in OC resuspension and remineralization. A set of laboratory experiments were conducted to assess, for the first time, the mechanisms by which the particulate and dissolved organic carbon (POC and DOC) may be released and remineralized under hydrodynamic conditions (i.e., unidirectional and oscillatory flows) in two eelgrass densities and sediments properties (i.e., grain size and OC content). After a gradually increase in hydrodynamic forces, our results demonstrated that the presence of eelgrass reduced sediment erosion and OC loss in high-density canopies, while low-density canopies promote OC resuspension (on average, 1.8-fold higher than high-density canopies). We also demonstrated that unidirectional and oscillatory flows released similar DOC from surface sediments (on average, 15.5 ± 1.4 and 18.4 ± 1.8 g m-2, respectively), whereas oscillatory flow released significantly more POC than unidirectional flows (from 10.8 ± 1.1 to 32.1 ± 5.6 g m-2 for unidirectional and oscillatory flows, respectively). POC and DOC released was strongly influenced by both seagrass meadow structure (i.e., lower eelgrass density and shoot area) and sediment properties (i.e., lower mud and higher sediment water content). We found that, although >74 % of OC in upper sediments was remineralized within 30 days, a relatively high amount of OC in high-density canopies is recalcitrant, highlighting its potential for the formation of blue carbon deposits. This study highlights the vulnerability of OC deposits in seagrass sediments to resuspension if the meadow is degraded and/or the climate change yield stronger storms, which could potentially weaken the seagrass meadows' service as blue carbon ecosystem in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G Egea
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEI·MAR), 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - E Infantes
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences - Kristineberg, University of Gothenburg, Fiskebäckskil 45178, Sweden
| | - R Jiménez-Ramos
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEI·MAR), 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
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Egea LG, Pérez-Estrada CJ, Jiménez-Ramos R, Hernández I, López-López S, Brun FG. Changes in carbon metabolism and dissolved organic carbon fluxes on seagrass patches (Halodule wrightii) with different ages in Southern Gulf of California. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 191:106136. [PMID: 37591164 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106136] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows are highly dynamic, particularly in sites where extreme climatological events may produce a mosaic of patches with different ages. This study evaluates the community carbon metabolism, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fluxes and associated fauna in patches of Halodule wrightii with different ages since establishment. Net community production declined as patch age increased, probably due to the increase in non-photosynthetic tissues, higher respiration rates of the community assemblage and a likely increase in self-shading of the canopy. The export of DOC was significantly higher in the youngest patches, mainly as a consequence of the lower seagrass net production recorded in older meadows. We concluded that 'colonizers' seagrass species may show higher production rates and DOC release during the first stages of colonization, which suggest that, the production, organic carbon exportation and their role as relevant blue carbon communities may be higher than expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis G Egea
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEIMAR), 11510 Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain.
| | - Claudia J Pérez-Estrada
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEIMAR), 11510 Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain; Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C., Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Col. Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, 23096 La Paz, BCS, Mexico
| | - Rocío Jiménez-Ramos
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEIMAR), 11510 Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
| | - Ignacio Hernández
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEIMAR), 11510 Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
| | - Silverio López-López
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR), Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional s/n, Col. Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, C. P. 23096, La Paz, BCS, Mexico
| | - Fernando G Brun
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEIMAR), 11510 Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
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Yin S, Wang J, Zeng H. A bibliometric study on carbon cycling in vegetated blue carbon ecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27816-2. [PMID: 37243764 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27816-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Understanding carbon cycling in blue carbon ecosystems is key to sequestrating more carbon in these ecosystems to mitigate climate change. However, limited information is available on the basic characteristics of publications, research hotspots, research frontiers, and the evolution of topics related to carbon cycling in different blue carbon ecosystems. Here, we conducted bibliometric analysis on carbon cycling in salt marsh, mangrove, and seagrass ecosystems. The results showed that interest in this field has dramatically increased with time, particularly for mangroves. The USA has substantially contributed to the research on all ecosystems. Research hotspots for salt marshes were sedimentation process, carbon sequestration, carbon emissions, lateral carbon exchange, litter decomposition, plant carbon fixation, and carbon sources. In addition, biomass estimation by allometric equations was a hotspot for mangroves, and carbonate cycling and ocean acidification were hotspots for seagrasses. Topics involving energy flow, such as productivity, food webs, and decomposition, were the predominant areas a decade ago. Current research frontiers mainly concentrated on climate change and carbon sequestration for all ecosystems, while methane emission was a common frontier for mangroves and salt marshes. Ecosystem-specific research frontiers included mangrove encroachment for salt marshes, ocean acidification for seagrasses, and aboveground biomass estimation and restoration for mangroves. Future research should expand estimates of lateral carbon exchange and carbonate burial and strengthen the exploration of the impacts of climate change and restoration on blue carbon. Overall, this study provides the research status of carbon cycling in vegetated blue carbon ecosystems, which favors knowledge exchanges for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Yin
- School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
- College of Urban and Environment Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Junjian Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Hui Zeng
- School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
- College of Urban and Environment Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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5
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Jiménez-Ramos R, Brun FG, Pérez-Lloréns JL, Vergara JJ, Delgado-Cabezas F, Sena-Soria N, Egea LG. Resistance and recovery of benthic marine macrophyte communities to light reduction: Insights from carbon metabolism and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fluxes, and implications for resilience. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 188:114630. [PMID: 36708615 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A crucial factor in the long-term survival of benthic macrophyte communities under light-reduction stress is how they balance carbon metabolism during photosynthesis and respiration. In turn, the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) released by these communities, which can be highly light-dependent, stands as a source of carbon, fuelling marine communities and playing an important role in the ocean carbon sequestration. This is the first study to evaluate light-reduction stress and recovery in the seagrass Zostera noltei and the macroalga Caulerpa prolifera. Light reduction led to a significant decrease in the production of both communities from autotrophic to heterotrophic. Results indicated that most of the DOC released by vegetated coastal communities comes from photosynthetic activity, and that the net DOC fluxes can be greatly affected by shading events. Finally, both communities showed resilience underpinned by high recovery but low resistance capacity, with C. prolifera showing the highest resilience to unfavourable light conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Jiménez-Ramos
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Fernando G Brun
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - José L Pérez-Lloréns
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Juan J Vergara
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Fátima Delgado-Cabezas
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Noelia Sena-Soria
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Luis G Egea
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
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Jiménez-Ramos R, Tomas F, Reynés X, Romera-Castillo C, Pérez-Lloréns JL, Egea LG. Carbon metabolism and bioavailability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fluxes in seagrass communities are altered under the presence of the tropical invasive alga Halimeda incrassata. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 839:156325. [PMID: 35649455 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156325] [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: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass beds act as blue carbon sinks globally as they enhance the trapping of recalcitrant (i.e., low biodegradability) organic carbon in their sediments. Recent studies also show that the recalcitrant fraction of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool in seawater has an important role as long-term carbon sequestration in oceans. Although seagrasses are known for the large amount of DOC they export, little attention has been given to its biodegradability, which ultimately determinates its fate in the coastal carbon cycle. In turn, invasive algae are a major global concern in seagrass ecosystems since they can deeply modify their structure and functions, which may affect carbon metabolism and DOC release. This work assesses how the presence of Halimeda incrassata, an invasive tropical calcareous macroalga, modifies carbon metabolism and DOC fluxes in invaded areas dominated by the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. Our results show that stands with the presence of this seagrass (i.e., both monospecific and mixed meadow) had the highest production values, acting as high DOC producers in both winter (mainly of labile DOC; DOCL) and summer (mainly as recalcitrant DOC; DOCR). In contrast, monospecific H. incrassata beds exhibited low production values, and the presence of this macroalga (either as monospecific beds or mixed with C. nodosa) triggered the shift from a net DOC-producing-system in summer (mainly DOCL) to a net DOC-consuming-system in winter. This work thus suggests that C. nodosa meadows have the potential to export a significant fraction of both labile and recalcitrant DOC, and that the spread of this invasive alga might decrease the C export capacity of seagrass meadows. Such shift would imply the reduction of a quick and efficient transfer of carbon and energy to higher trophic levels, and might reduce the blue carbon potential of seagrasses as dissolved form in the water column.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Jiménez-Ramos
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEI·MAR), 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain; Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, IMEDEA, UIB-CSIC, Mallorca, Spain.
| | - F Tomas
- Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, IMEDEA, UIB-CSIC, Mallorca, Spain.
| | - X Reynés
- Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, IMEDEA, UIB-CSIC, Mallorca, Spain
| | | | - J L Pérez-Lloréns
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEI·MAR), 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
| | - L G Egea
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEI·MAR), 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
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Noisette F, Pansch C, Wall M, Wahl M, Hurd CL. Role of hydrodynamics in shaping chemical habitats and modulating the responses of coastal benthic systems to ocean global change. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:3812-3829. [PMID: 35298052 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16165] [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: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Marine coastal zones are highly productive, and dominated by engineer species (e.g. macrophytes, molluscs, corals) that modify the chemistry of their surrounding seawater via their metabolism, causing substantial fluctuations in oxygen, dissolved inorganic carbon, pH, and nutrients. The magnitude of these biologically driven chemical fluctuations is regulated by hydrodynamics, can exceed values predicted for the future open ocean, and creates chemical patchiness in subtidal areas at various spatial (µm to meters) and temporal (minutes to months) scales. Although the role of hydrodynamics is well explored for planktonic communities, its influence as a crucial driver of benthic organism and community functioning is poorly addressed, particularly in the context of ocean global change. Hydrodynamics can directly modulate organismal physiological activity or indirectly influence an organism's performance by modifying its habitat. This review addresses recent developments in (i) the influence of hydrodynamics on the biological activity of engineer species, (ii) the description of chemical habitats resulting from the interaction between hydrodynamics and biological activity, (iii) the role of these chemical habitat as refugia against ocean acidification and deoxygenation, and (iv) how species living in such chemical habitats may respond to ocean global change. Recommendations are provided to integrate the effect of hydrodynamics and environmental fluctuations in future research, to better predict the responses of coastal benthic ecosystems to ongoing ocean global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Noisette
- Institut des Sciences de la Mer, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Marine Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Christian Pansch
- Department of Marine Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
- Department of Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Åbo, Finland
| | - Marlene Wall
- Department of Marine Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
- Bentho-Pelagic Processes, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Martin Wahl
- Department of Marine Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - Catriona L Hurd
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Berlinghof J, Peiffer F, Marzocchi U, Munari M, Quero GM, Dennis L, Wild C, Cardini U. The role of epiphytes in seagrass productivity under ocean acidification. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6249. [PMID: 35428831 PMCID: PMC9012757 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10154-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocean Acidification (OA), due to rising atmospheric CO2, can affect the seagrass holobiont by changing the plant's ecophysiology and the composition and functioning of its epiphytic community. However, our knowledge of the role of epiphytes in the productivity of the seagrass holobiont in response to environmental changes is still very limited. CO2 vents off Ischia Island (Italy) naturally reduce seawater pH, allowing to investigate the adaptation of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica L. (Delile) to OA. Here, we analyzed the percent cover of different epiphytic groups and the epiphytic biomass of P. oceanica leaves, collected inside (pH 6.9–7.9) and outside (pH 8.1–8.2) the CO2 vents. We estimated the contribution of epiphytes to net primary production (NPP) and respiration (R) of leaf sections collected from the vent and ambient pH sites in laboratory incubations. Additionally, we quantified net community production (NCP) and community respiration (CR) of seagrass communities in situ at vent and ambient pH sites using benthic chambers. Leaves at ambient pH sites had a 25% higher total epiphytic cover with encrusting red algae (32%) dominating the community, while leaves at vent pH sites were dominated by hydrozoans (21%). Leaf sections with and without epiphytes from the vent pH site produced and respired significantly more oxygen than leaf sections from the ambient pH site, showing an average increase of 47 ± 21% (mean ± SE) in NPP and 50 ± 4% in R, respectively. Epiphytes contributed little to the increase in R; however, their contribution to NPP was important (56 ± 6% of the total flux). The increase in productivity of seagrass leaves adapted to OA was only marginally reflected by the results from the in situ benthic chambers, underlining the complexity of the seagrass community response to naturally occurring OA conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Berlinghof
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Naples, Italy. .,Department of Marine Ecology, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Friederike Peiffer
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Naples, Italy.,Department of Marine Ecology, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Ugo Marzocchi
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Naples, Italy.,Department of Biology, Center for Water Technology - WATEC, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Center for Electromicrobiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marco Munari
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Naples, Italy
| | - Grazia M Quero
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology, National Research Council (IRBIM-CNR), Ancona, Italy
| | - Laura Dennis
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Naples, Italy
| | - Christian Wild
- Department of Marine Ecology, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Ulisse Cardini
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Naples, Italy.
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9
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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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Li L, Jiang Z, Wu Y, He J, Fang Y, Lin J, Liu S, Huang X. Interspecific differences in root exudation for three tropical seagrasses and sediment pore-water dissolved organic carbon beneath them. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113059. [PMID: 34715432 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113059] [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: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass beds act as blue carbon sinks globally; however, little attention has been given to carbon dynamics in the seagrass rhizosphere. Hence, in this study, the quantity and characteristics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from root exudation of the three dominant tropical seagrasses (Thalassia hemprichii, Enhalus acoroides, and Cymodocea rotundata) and sediment pore water beneath them were compared, to examine their interspecific differences, and to establish a connection between seagrass root exudation and sediment carbon. The rate of root-exuded DOC from T. hemprichii (2.15 ± 1.06 mg g DW root-1 h-1) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that from E. acoroides (0.72 ± 0.39 mg g DW root-1 h-1) and C. rotundata (0.46 ± 0.25 mg g DW root-1 h-1). Root exudation rates were more affected by root hair density and root hair length than by root carbon, nitrogen, and soluble sugar content. Simultaneously, DOC concentrations of the sediment pore water beneath T. hemprichii, E. acoroides and C. rotundata were 22.05 ± 11.61 mg l-1, 15.55 ± 2. 66 mg l-1, and 14.32 ± 1.82 mg l-1, respectively. The corresponding absorption coefficients at 254 nm (a254) were 30.53 ± 18.00, 17.31 ± 2.24, and 14.07 ± 2.03, respectively, while the relevant specific ultraviolet absorbances at 254 nm (SUVA254) were 1.38 ± 0.29, 1.19 ± 0.26 and 1.03 ± 0.28, respectively. Therefore, the roots of T. hemprichii exuded DOC at a higher rate, leading to a higher pore-water DOC pool in the sediment. This suggests that T. hemprichii played a greater role in the sediment carbon pool through root exudation. Thus, it can be considered as the priority species for transplantation to promote the carbon sink function of seagrass beds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linglan Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhijian Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 511458, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Sanya Institute of Oceanology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Sanya 572100, China.
| | - Yunchao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 511458, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Sanya Institute of Oceanology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Sanya 572100, China
| | - Jialu He
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Marine Development Planning and Research Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510220, China
| | - Yang Fang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jizhen Lin
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Songlin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 511458, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Sanya Institute of Oceanology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Sanya 572100, China
| | - Xiaoping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 511458, China; Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Sanya National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Sanya Institute of Oceanology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Sanya 572100, China.
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Murphy GE, Dunic JC, Adamczyk EM, Bittick SJ, Côté IM, Cristiani J, Geissinger EA, Gregory RS, Lotze HK, O’Connor MI, Araújo CA, Rubidge EM, Templeman ND, Wong MC. From coast to coast to coast: ecology and management of seagrass ecosystems across Canada. Facets (Ott) 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2020-0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Seagrass meadows are among the most productive and diverse marine ecosystems, providing essential structure, functions, and services. They are also among the most impacted by human activities and in urgent need of better management and protection. In Canada, eelgrass ( Zostera marina) meadows are found along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic coasts, and thus occur across a wide range of biogeographic conditions. Here, we synthesize knowledge of eelgrass ecosystems across Canada’s coasts, highlighting commonalities and differences in environmental conditions, plant, habitat, and community structure, as well as current trends and human impacts. Across regions, eelgrass life history, phenology, and general species assemblages are similar. However, distinct regional differences occur in environmental conditions, particularly with water temperature and nutrient availability. There is considerable variation in the types and strengths of human activities among regions. The impacts of coastal development are prevalent in all regions, while other impacts are of concern for specific regions, e.g., nutrient loading in the Atlantic and impacts from the logging industry in the Pacific. In addition, climate change represents a growing threat to eelgrass meadows. We review current management and conservation efforts and discuss the implications of observed differences from coast to coast to coast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace E.P. Murphy
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 1 Challenger Drive, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - Jillian C. Dunic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Emily M. Adamczyk
- Department of Zoology, Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Sarah J. Bittick
- Department of Zoology, Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Isabelle M. Côté
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - John Cristiani
- Department of Zoology, Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | | | - Robert S. Gregory
- Department of Biology, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. John’s, NL A1A 5J7, Canada
| | - Heike K. Lotze
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Mary I. O’Connor
- Department of Zoology, Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Carlos A.S. Araújo
- Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Emily M. Rubidge
- Institute of Ocean Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Sidney, BC V8L 4B2, Canada
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | | | - Melisa C. Wong
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 1 Challenger Drive, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2, Canada
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Egea LG, Jiménez–Ramos R, Hernández I, Brun FG. Effect of In Situ short-term temperature increase on carbon metabolism and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fluxes in a community dominated by the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210386. [PMID: 30640926 PMCID: PMC6331083 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Seagrasses form one of the most productive and threatened ecosystems worldwide because of global change and anthropogenic pressures. The frequency of extreme climatic events, such as heat waves, are expected to increase and may drive even more adverse effects than gradual warming. This study explores for the first time the effects of a sudden and temporary increase of temperature in situ on carbon metabolism and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fluxes in a community dominated by a seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa) during two contrasting seasons (winter and summer). Results showed a positive correlation between temperature and seagrass production between seasons, while the experimental sudden and temporary increase in water temperature did not produce significant differences in carbon community metabolism and DOC fluxes in winter. In contrast, high temperature conditions in summer enhanced significantly the net community production and affected positively to DOC fluxes. Hence, this study indicates that a sudden and temporary increase in water temperature, which characterize marine heat waves, in temperate areas may enhance the autotrophic metabolism of seagrass communities and can yield an increase in the DOC released, in contrast to previous researches suggesting solely negative effects on seagrasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis G. Egea
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Rocío Jiménez–Ramos
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
| | - Ignacio Hernández
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
| | - Fernando G. Brun
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
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Jiménez-Ramos R, Egea LG, Vergara JJ, Bouma TJ, Brun FG. The role of flow velocity combined with habitat complexity as a top-down regulator in seagrass meadows. OIKOS 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.05452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Jiménez-Ramos
- Dept of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Univ. of Cadiz; Puerto Real Cadiz Spain
| | - L. G. Egea
- Dept of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Univ. of Cadiz; Puerto Real Cadiz Spain
| | - J. J. Vergara
- Dept of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Univ. of Cadiz; Puerto Real Cadiz Spain
| | - T. J. Bouma
- Dept of Estuarine and Delta systems, Royal Netherlands Inst. for Sea Research (NIOZ); Yerseke the Netherlands
| | - F. G. Brun
- Dept of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Univ. of Cadiz; Puerto Real Cadiz Spain
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14
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Egea LG, Jiménez-Ramos R, Vergara JJ, Hernández I, Brun FG. Interactive effect of temperature, acidification and ammonium enrichment on the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 134:14-26. [PMID: 29475735 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Global (e.g. climate change) and local factors (e.g. nutrient enrichment) act together in nature strongly hammering coastal ecosystems, where seagrasses play a critical ecological role. This experiment explores the combined effects of warming, acidification and ammonium enrichment on the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa under a full factorial mesocosm design. Warming increased plant production but at the expense of reducing carbon reserves. Meanwhile, acidification had not effects on plant production but increased slightly carbon reserves, while a slight stimulation of net production and a slight decrease on carbon reserves under ammonium supply were recorded. When all the factors were combined together improved the production and carbon reserves of Cymodocea nodosa, indicating that acidification improved ammonium assimilation and buffered the enhanced respiration promoted by temperature. Therefore, it could indicate that this temperate species may benefit under the simulated future scenarios, but indirect effects (e.g. herbivory, mechanical stress, etc.) may counteract this balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G Egea
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain.
| | - R Jiménez-Ramos
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
| | - J J Vergara
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
| | - I Hernández
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
| | - F G Brun
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
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