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Unsworth RKF, Jones BLH. Map and protect seagrass for biodiversity. Science 2024; 384:394. [PMID: 38662848 DOI: 10.1126/science.adp0937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- R K F Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
- Project Seagrass, Bridgend CF31 2AQ, UK
| | - B L H Jones
- Project Seagrass, Bridgend CF31 2AQ, UK
- Department of Earth and Environment, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, FL, Miami 33199, USA
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Abstract
Seagrasses are remarkable plants that have adapted to live in a marine environment. They form extensive meadows found globally that bioengineer their local environments and preserve the coastal seascape. With the increasing realization of the planetary emergency that we face, there is growing interest in using seagrasses as a nature-based solution for greenhouse gas mitigation. However, seagrass sensitivity to stressors is acute, and in many places, the risk of loss and degradation persists. If the ecological state of seagrasses remains compromised, then their ability to contribute to nature-based solutions for the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis remains in doubt. We examine the major ecological role that seagrasses play and how rethinking their conservation is critical to understanding their part in fighting our planetary emergency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard K F Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK.,Project Seagrass, The Yard, Bridgend Industrial Estate, Bridgend CF31 3EB, Wales, UK
| | - Leanne C Cullen-Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK.,Project Seagrass, The Yard, Bridgend Industrial Estate, Bridgend CF31 3EB, Wales, UK
| | - Benjamin L H Jones
- Project Seagrass, The Yard, Bridgend Industrial Estate, Bridgend CF31 3EB, Wales, UK.,Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Richard J Lilley
- Project Seagrass, The Yard, Bridgend Industrial Estate, Bridgend CF31 3EB, Wales, UK
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McKenzie LJ, Yoshida RL, Aini JW, Andréfouet S, Colin PL, Cullen-Unsworth LC, Hughes AT, Payri CE, Rota M, Shaw C, Skelton PA, Tsuda RT, Vuki VC, Unsworth RKF. Seagrass ecosystems of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories: A global bright spot. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 167:112308. [PMID: 33866203 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass ecosystems exist throughout Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). Despite this area covering nearly 8% of the global ocean, information on seagrass distribution, biogeography, and status remains largely absent from the scientific literature. We confirm 16 seagrass species occur across 17 of the 22 PICTs with the highest number in Melanesia, followed by Micronesia and Polynesia respectively. The greatest diversity of seagrass occurs in Papua New Guinea (13 species), and attenuates eastward across the Pacific to two species in French Polynesia. We conservatively estimate seagrass extent to be 1446.2 km2, with the greatest extent (84%) in Melanesia. We find seagrass condition in 65% of PICTs increasing or displaying no discernible trend since records began. Marine conservation across the region overwhelmingly focuses on coral reefs, with seagrass ecosystems marginalised in conservation legislation and policy. Traditional knowledge is playing a greater role in managing local seagrass resources and these approaches are having greater success than contemporary conservation approaches. In a world where the future of seagrass ecosystems is looking progressively dire, the Pacific Islands appears as a global bright spot, where pressures remain relatively low and seagrass more resilient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Len J McKenzie
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia; Seagrass-Watch, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia.
| | - Rudi L Yoshida
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia; SeagrassFutures Fiji, Ma'afu St, Suva, Fiji
| | - John W Aini
- Ailan Awareness, Kaselok, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Serge Andréfouet
- UMR-9220 ENTROPIE (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de la Réunion, Ifremer, CNRS, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie), 101, promenade Roger-Laroque Anse Vata, BP A5, 98848 Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Patrick L Colin
- Coral Reef Research Foundation, P.O. Box 1765, Koror 96940, Palau
| | - Leanne C Cullen-Unsworth
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, 33 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK; Project Seagrass, PO Box 412, Bridgend CF31 9RL, UK
| | - Alec T Hughes
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Munda, Western Province, Solomon Islands
| | - Claude E Payri
- UMR-9220 ENTROPIE (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de la Réunion, Ifremer, CNRS, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie), 101, promenade Roger-Laroque Anse Vata, BP A5, 98848 Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Manibua Rota
- Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development, Tarawa, Kiribati
| | - Christina Shaw
- Vanuatu Environmental Science Society, PO Box 1630, Port Vila, Vanuatu
| | - Posa A Skelton
- Oceania Research Development Associates, Townsville, Qld, Australia
| | - Roy T Tsuda
- Natural Sciences-Botany, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, HI 96817-2704, USA
| | - Veikila C Vuki
- Oceania Environment Consultants, PO Box 5214, UOG Station, Mangilao 96923, Guam
| | - Richard K F Unsworth
- Project Seagrass, PO Box 412, Bridgend CF31 9RL, UK; Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
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McKenzie LJ, Yoshida RL, Aini JW, Andréfouet S, Colin PL, Cullen-Unsworth LC, Hughes AT, Payri CE, Rota M, Shaw C, Tsuda RT, Vuki VC, Unsworth RKF. Seagrass ecosystem contributions to people's quality of life in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 167:112307. [PMID: 33862380 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass ecosystems provide critical contributions (goods and perceived benefits or detriments) for the livelihoods and wellbeing of Pacific Islander peoples. Through in-depth examination of the contributions provided by seagrass ecosystems across the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), we find a greater quantity in the Near Oceania (New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands) and western Micronesian (Palau and Northern Marianas) regions; indicating a stronger coupling between human society and seagrass ecosystems. We also find many non-material contributions historically have been overlooked and under-appreciated by decision-makers. Closer cultural connections likely motivate guardianship of seagrass ecosystems by Pacific communities to mitigate local anthropogenic pressures. Regional comparisons also shed light on general and specific aspects of the importance of seagrass ecosystems to Pacific Islanders, which are critical for forming evidence-based policy and management to ensure the long-term resilience of seagrass ecosystems and the contributions they provide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Len J McKenzie
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia; Seagrass-Watch, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia.
| | - Rudi L Yoshida
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia; SeagrassFutures Fiji, Ma'afu St, Suva, Fiji
| | - John W Aini
- Ailan Awareness, Kaselok, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Serge Andréfouet
- UMR-9220 ENTROPIE (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de la Réunion, Ifremer, CNRS, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie), 101, promenade Roger-Laroque Anse Vata, BP A5, 98848 Noumea, New Caledonia
| | - Patrick L Colin
- Coral Reef Research Foundation, P.O. Box 1765, Koror 96940, Palau
| | - Leanne C Cullen-Unsworth
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, 33 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK; Project Seagrass, PO Box 412, Bridgend CF31 9RL, UK
| | - Alec T Hughes
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Munda, Western Province, Solomon Islands
| | - Claude E Payri
- UMR-9220 ENTROPIE (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de la Réunion, Ifremer, CNRS, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie), 101, promenade Roger-Laroque Anse Vata, BP A5, 98848 Noumea, New Caledonia
| | - Manibua Rota
- Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development, Tarawa, Kiribati
| | - Christina Shaw
- Vanuatu Environmental Science Society, Po Box 1630, Port Vila, Vanuatu
| | - Roy T Tsuda
- Natural Sciences-Botany, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, HI 96817-2704, USA
| | - Veikila C Vuki
- Oceania Environment Consultants, PO Box 5214, UOG Station, Mangilao 96923, Guam
| | - Richard K F Unsworth
- Project Seagrass, PO Box 412, Bridgend CF31 9RL, UK; Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
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Green AE, Unsworth RKF, Chadwick MA, Jones PJS. Historical Analysis Exposes Catastrophic Seagrass Loss for the United Kingdom. Front Plant Sci 2021; 12:629962. [PMID: 33747011 PMCID: PMC7970192 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.629962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The spatial extent of seagrass is poorly mapped, and knowledge of historical loss is limited. Here, we collated empirical and qualitative data using systematic review methods to provide unique analysis on seagrass occurrence and loss in the United Kingdom. We document 8,493 ha of recently mapped seagrass in the United Kingdom since 1998. This equates to an estimated 0.9 Mt of carbon, which, in the current carbon market represents about £22 million. Using simple models to estimate seagrass declines triangulated against habitat suitability models, we provide evidence of catastrophic seagrass loss; at least 44% of United Kingdom's seagrasses have been lost since 1936, 39% since the 1980's. However, losses over longer time spans may be as high as 92%. Based on these estimates, historical seagrass meadows could have stored 11.5 Mt of carbon and supported approximately 400 million fish. Our results demonstrate the vast scale of losses and highlight the opportunities to restore seagrass to support a range of ecosystems services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alix E. Green
- Department of Geography, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard K. F. Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
- Project Seagrass, Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | | | - Peter J. S. Jones
- Department of Geography, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
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Bertelli CM, Bull JC, Cullen-Unsworth LC, Unsworth RKF. Unravelling the Spatial and Temporal Plasticity of Eelgrass Meadows. Front Plant Sci 2021; 12:664523. [PMID: 34093622 PMCID: PMC8174302 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.664523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The phenotypic plasticity of seagrasses enables them to adapt to changes in environmental conditions and withstand or recover from disturbance. This plasticity was demonstrated in the large variation recorded throughout a suite of bioindicators measured within Zostera marina meadows around Wales and SW England, United Kingdom. Short-term spatial data were analysed alongside long-term monitoring data to determine which bioindicators best described the status of eelgrass meadows subjected to a range of environmental and anthropogenic drivers. Shoot density, leaf length, leaf nutrients (C:N ratio, %N, %P) including stable isotope of δ13C and δ15N provided insight into the longer-term status of the meadows studied and a good indication of the causes of long-term decline. Meadows ranged from those in the Isles of Scilly with little evidence of impact to those in Littlewick in Milford Haven, Wales that showed the highest levels of impacts of all sites. Bioindicators at Littlewick showed clear warning signs of nutrient loading reflected in the long-term decline in shoot density, and prevalence of wasting disease. This study highlights the need for continuous consistent monitoring and the benefits of using extra tools in the form of shoot nutrient analysis to determine causes of decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara M. Bertelli
- Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Chiara M. Bertelli,
| | - James C. Bull
- Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
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McClure EC, Sievers M, Brown CJ, Buelow CA, Ditria EM, Hayes MA, Pearson RM, Tulloch VJD, Unsworth RKF, Connolly RM. Artificial Intelligence Meets Citizen Science to Supercharge Ecological Monitoring. Patterns (N Y) 2020; 1:100109. [PMID: 33205139 PMCID: PMC7660425 DOI: 10.1016/j.patter.2020.100109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The development and uptake of citizen science and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for ecological monitoring is increasing rapidly. Citizen science and AI allow scientists to create and process larger volumes of data than possible with conventional methods. However, managers of large ecological monitoring projects have little guidance on whether citizen science, AI, or both, best suit their resource capacity and objectives. To highlight the benefits of integrating the two techniques and guide future implementation by managers, we explore the opportunities, challenges, and complementarities of using citizen science and AI for ecological monitoring. We identify project attributes to consider when implementing these techniques and suggest that financial resources, engagement, participant training, technical expertise, and subject charisma and identification are important project considerations. Ultimately, we highlight that integration can supercharge outcomes for ecological monitoring, enhancing cost-efficiency, accuracy, and multi-sector engagement. Citizen science and artificial intelligence (AI) are often used in isolation for ecological monitoring, but their integration likely has emergent benefits for management and scientific inquiry. We explore the complementarity of citizen science and AI for ecological monitoring, highlighting key opportunities and challenges. We show that strategic integration of citizen science and AI can improve outcomes for conservation activities. For example, coupling the public engagement benefits of citizen science with the advanced analytical capabilities of AI can increase multi-stakeholder accord on issues of public and scientific interest. Furthermore, both techniques speed up data collection and processing compared with conventional scientific techniques, suggesting that their integration can fast-track monitoring and conservation actions. We present key project attributes that will assist project managers in prioritizing the resources needed to implement citizen science, AI, or preferably both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva C McClure
- Australian Rivers Institute - Coast and Estuaries, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Michael Sievers
- Australian Rivers Institute - Coast and Estuaries, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Christopher J Brown
- Australian Rivers Institute - Coast and Estuaries, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Christina A Buelow
- Australian Rivers Institute - Coast and Estuaries, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Ellen M Ditria
- Australian Rivers Institute - Coast and Estuaries, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Matthew A Hayes
- Australian Rivers Institute - Coast and Estuaries, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Ryan M Pearson
- Australian Rivers Institute - Coast and Estuaries, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Vivitskaia J D Tulloch
- Department of Forest and Conservation Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Richard K F Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Rod M Connolly
- Australian Rivers Institute - Coast and Estuaries, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
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Jones RE, Griffin RA, Januchowski-Hartley SR, Unsworth RKF. The influence of bait on remote underwater video observations in shallow-water coastal environments associated with the North-Eastern Atlantic. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9744. [PMID: 32923180 PMCID: PMC7457931 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of baited remote underwater video (BRUV) for examining and monitoring marine biodiversity in temperate marine environments is rapidly growing, however many aspects of their effectiveness relies on assumptions based on studies from the Southern Hemisphere. The addition of bait to underwater camera systems acts as a stimulus for attracting individuals towards the camera field of view, however knowledge of the effectiveness of different bait types in northern temperate climbs is limited, particularly in dynamic coastal environments. Studies in the Southern Hemisphere indicate that oily baits are most effective whilst bait volume and weight do not impact BRUV effectiveness to any great degree. The present study assesses the influence of four bait types (mackerel, squid, crab and no bait (control)) on the relative abundance, taxonomic diversity and faunal assemblage composition at two independent locations within the North-Eastern Atlantic region; Swansea Bay, UK and Ria Formosa Lagoon, Portugal. Two different bait quantities (50 g and 350 g) were further trialled in Swansea Bay. Overall, patterns showed that baited deployments recorded statistically higher values of relative abundance and taxonomic diversity when compared to un-baited deployments in Swansea Bay but not in Ria Formosa Lagoon. No statistical evidence singled out one bait type as best performing for attracting higher abundances and taxonomic diversity in both locations. Faunal assemblage composition was however found to differ with bait type in Swansea Bay, with mackerel and squid attracting higher abundances of scavenging species compared to the crab and control treatments. With the exception of squid, bait quantity had minimal influence on bait attractiveness. It is recommended for consistency that a minimum of 50 g of cheap, oily fish such as mackerel is used as bait for BRUV deployments in shallow dynamic coastal environments in the North-Eastern Atlantic Region.
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Temmink RJM, Christianen MJA, Fivash GS, Angelini C, Boström C, Didderen K, Engel SM, Esteban N, Gaeckle JL, Gagnon K, Govers LL, Infantes E, van Katwijk MM, Kipson S, Lamers LPM, Lengkeek W, Silliman BR, van Tussenbroek BI, Unsworth RKF, Yaakub SM, Bouma TJ, van der Heide T. Mimicry of emergent traits amplifies coastal restoration success. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3668. [PMID: 32699271 PMCID: PMC7376209 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17438-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Restoration is becoming a vital tool to counteract coastal ecosystem degradation. Modifying transplant designs of habitat-forming organisms from dispersed to clumped can amplify coastal restoration yields as it generates self-facilitation from emergent traits, i.e. traits not expressed by individuals or small clones, but that emerge in clumped individuals or large clones. Here, we advance restoration science by mimicking key emergent traits that locally suppress physical stress using biodegradable establishment structures. Experiments across (sub)tropical and temperate seagrass and salt marsh systems demonstrate greatly enhanced yields when individuals are transplanted within structures mimicking emergent traits that suppress waves or sediment mobility. Specifically, belowground mimics of dense root mats most facilitate seagrasses via sediment stabilization, while mimics of aboveground plant structures most facilitate marsh grasses by reducing stem movement. Mimicking key emergent traits may allow upscaling of restoration in many ecosystems that depend on self-facilitation for persistence, by constraining biological material requirements and implementation costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph J M Temmink
- Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Marjolijn J A Christianen
- Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Wageningen University & Research, Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gregory S Fivash
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and Utrecht University, 4401 NT, Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - Christine Angelini
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School for Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, PO Box 116580, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Christoffer Boström
- Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Karin Didderen
- Bureau Waardenburg, Varkensmarkt 9, 4101 CK, 4100 AJ, Culemborg, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nicole Esteban
- Bioscience Department, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Jeffrey L Gaeckle
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA, 98504, USA
| | - Karine Gagnon
- Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Laura L Govers
- Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9700 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department Coastal Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and Utrecht University, 1790 AB, Den Burg, The Netherlands
| | - Eduardo Infantes
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg Marine Research Station, Kristineberg 566, 45178, Fiskebäckskil, Sweden
| | - Marieke M van Katwijk
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Silvija Kipson
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Leon P M Lamers
- Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- B-WARE Research Centre, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter Lengkeek
- Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Bureau Waardenburg, Varkensmarkt 9, 4101 CK, 4100 AJ, Culemborg, The Netherlands
| | - Brian R Silliman
- Division of Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, 135 Duke Marine Lab Road, Beaufort, NC, USA
| | - Brigitta I van Tussenbroek
- Reef Systems Unit, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 77580, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Richard K F Unsworth
- Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA, UK
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Siti Maryam Yaakub
- Department Ecological Habitats and Processes, DHI Water & Environment, 2 Venture Drive, 18-18 Vision Exchange, Singapore, 608526, Singapore
| | - Tjeerd J Bouma
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and Utrecht University, 4401 NT, Yerseke, The Netherlands
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9700 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Building with Nature group, HZ University of Applied Sciences, Postbus 364, 4380 AJ, Vlissingen, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tjisse van der Heide
- Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9700 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Department Coastal Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and Utrecht University, 1790 AB, Den Burg, The Netherlands.
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Jones BL, Unsworth RKF. The perverse fisheries consequences of mosquito net malaria prophylaxis in East Africa. Ambio 2020; 49:1257-1267. [PMID: 31709492 PMCID: PMC7190679 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01280-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a serious global health issue, with around 200 million cases per year. As such, great effort has been put into the mass distribution of bed nets as a means of prophylaxis within Africa. Distributed mosquito nets are intended to be used for malaria protection, yet increasing evidence suggests that fishing is a primary use for these nets, providing fresh concerns for already stressed coastal ecosystems. While research documents the scale of mosquito net fisheries globally, no quantitative analysis of their landings exists. The effects of these fisheries on the wider ecosystem assemblages have not previously been examined. In this study, we present the first detailed analysis of the sustainability of these fisheries by examining the diversity, age class, trophic structure and magnitude of biomass removal. Dragnet landings, one of two gear types in which mosquito nets can be utilised, were recorded across ten sites in northern Mozambique where the use of Mosquito nets for fishing is common. Our results indicate a substantial removal of juveniles from coastal seagrass meadows, many of which are commercially important in the region or play important ecological roles. We conclude that the use of mosquito nets for fishing may contribute to food insecurity, greater poverty and the loss of ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L. Jones
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA UK
| | - Richard K. F. Unsworth
- Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA UK
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea University, Wallace Building, Swansea, SA2 8PP UK
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11
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Reynolds PL, Stachowicz JJ, Hovel K, Boström C, Boyer K, Cusson M, Eklöf JS, Engel FG, Engelen AH, Eriksson BK, Fodrie FJ, Griffin JN, Hereu CM, Hori M, Hanley TC, Ivanov M, Jorgensen P, Kruschel C, Lee KS, McGlathery K, Moksnes PO, Nakaoka M, O'Connor MI, O'Connor NE, Orth RJ, Rossi F, Ruesink J, Sotka EE, Thormar J, Tomas F, Unsworth RKF, Whalen MA, Duffy JE. Latitude, temperature, and habitat complexity predict predation pressure in eelgrass beds across the Northern Hemisphere. Ecology 2019; 99:29-35. [PMID: 29083472 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Latitudinal gradients in species interactions are widely cited as potential causes or consequences of global patterns of biodiversity. However, mechanistic studies documenting changes in interactions across broad geographic ranges are limited. We surveyed predation intensity on common prey (live amphipods and gastropods) in communities of eelgrass (Zostera marina) at 48 sites across its Northern Hemisphere range, encompassing over 37° of latitude and four continental coastlines. Predation on amphipods declined with latitude on all coasts but declined more strongly along western ocean margins where temperature gradients are steeper. Whereas in situ water temperature at the time of the experiments was uncorrelated with predation, mean annual temperature strongly positively predicted predation, suggesting a more complex mechanism than simply increased metabolic activity at the time of predation. This large-scale biogeographic pattern was modified by local habitat characteristics; predation declined with higher shoot density both among and within sites. Predation rates on gastropods, by contrast, were uniformly low and varied little among sites. The high replication and geographic extent of our study not only provides additional evidence to support biogeographic variation in predation intensity, but also insight into the mechanisms that relate temperature and biogeographic gradients in species interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela L Reynolds
- Data Science Initiative, University of California, Davis, California, 95616, USA.,Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California, 95616, USA.,Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary, Gloucester Point, Virginia, 23062, USA
| | - John J Stachowicz
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California, 95616, USA
| | - Kevin Hovel
- Department of Biology, Coastal & Marine Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, 92182, USA
| | | | - Katharyn Boyer
- San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, 94132, USA
| | - Mathieu Cusson
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, Québec, G7H 2B1, Canada
| | | | - Friederike G Engel
- University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | | | | | - F Joel Fodrie
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, North Carolina, 28557, USA
| | - John N Griffin
- College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Clara M Hereu
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Masakazu Hori
- National Research Institute of Fisheries and Environment of Inland Sea (FEIS) Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency (FRA) Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, 739-0452, Japan
| | - Torrance C Hanley
- Northeastern University Marine Science Center, Nahant, Massachusetts, 01908, USA
| | | | - Pablo Jorgensen
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.,Geomare, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | | | | | | | - Per-Olav Moksnes
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Masahiro Nakaoka
- Akkeshi Marine Station, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Akkeshi, Hokkaido, 088-1113, Japan
| | - Mary I O'Connor
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | | | - Robert J Orth
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary, Gloucester Point, Virginia, 23062, USA
| | - Francesca Rossi
- CNRS, UMR 9190 MARBEC, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Erik E Sotka
- College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, 29412, USA
| | | | - Fiona Tomas
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA.,Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, Illes Balears UIB-CSIC, Spain
| | | | - Matthew A Whalen
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California, 95616, USA
| | - J Emmett Duffy
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary, Gloucester Point, Virginia, 23062, USA.,Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network, Smithsonian Institution, Edgewater, Maryland, 21037, USA
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12
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Unsworth RKF, Bertelli CM, Cullen-Unsworth LC, Esteban N, Jones BL, Lilley R, Lowe C, Nuuttila HK, Rees SC. Sowing the Seeds of Seagrass Recovery Using Hessian Bags. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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13
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Unsworth RKF, McKenzie LJ, Collier CJ, Cullen-Unsworth LC, Duarte CM, Eklöf JS, Jarvis JC, Jones BL, Nordlund LM. Global challenges for seagrass conservation. Ambio 2019; 48:801-815. [PMID: 30456457 PMCID: PMC6541581 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-018-1115-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Seagrasses, flowering marine plants that form underwater meadows, play a significant global role in supporting food security, mitigating climate change and supporting biodiversity. Although progress is being made to conserve seagrass meadows in select areas, most meadows remain under significant pressure resulting in a decline in meadow condition and loss of function. Effective management strategies need to be implemented to reverse seagrass loss and enhance their fundamental role in coastal ocean habitats. Here we propose that seagrass meadows globally face a series of significant common challenges that must be addressed from a multifaceted and interdisciplinary perspective in order to achieve global conservation of seagrass meadows. The six main global challenges to seagrass conservation are (1) a lack of awareness of what seagrasses are and a limited societal recognition of the importance of seagrasses in coastal systems; (2) the status of many seagrass meadows are unknown, and up-to-date information on status and condition is essential; (3) understanding threatening activities at local scales is required to target management actions accordingly; (4) expanding our understanding of interactions between the socio-economic and ecological elements of seagrass systems is essential to balance the needs of people and the planet; (5) seagrass research should be expanded to generate scientific inquiries that support conservation actions; (6) increased understanding of the linkages between seagrass and climate change is required to adapt conservation accordingly. We also explicitly outline a series of proposed policy actions that will enable the scientific and conservation community to rise to these challenges. We urge the seagrass conservation community to engage stakeholders from local resource users to international policy-makers to address the challenges outlined here, in order to secure the future of the world's seagrass ecosystems and maintain the vital services which they supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard K. F. Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea University, Wallace Building, Swansea, SA2 8PP UK
- Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA UK
| | - Len J. McKenzie
- Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Catherine J. Collier
- Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Leanne C. Cullen-Unsworth
- Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA UK
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, 33 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA UK
| | - Carlos M. Duarte
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900 Saudi Arabia
| | - Johan S. Eklöf
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jessie C. Jarvis
- Department of Biology & Marine Biology, Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 South College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403 USA
| | - Benjamin L. Jones
- Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA UK
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, 33 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA UK
| | - Lina M. Nordlund
- Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, NRHU Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Campus Gotland, Sweden
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14
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Esteban N, Unsworth RKF, Gourlay JBQ, Hays GC. The discovery of deep-water seagrass meadows in a pristine Indian Ocean wilderness revealed by tracking green turtles. Mar Pollut Bull 2018; 134:99-105. [PMID: 29573811 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of global seagrass ecosystems comes largely from regions characterized by human impacts with limited data from habitats defined as notionally pristine. Seagrass assessments also largely focus on shallow-water coastal habitats with comparatively few studies on offshore deep-water seagrasses. We satellite tracked green turtles (Chelonia mydas), which are known to forage on seagrasses, to a remote, pristine deep-water environment in the Western Indian Ocean, the Great Chagos Bank, which lies in the heart of one of the world's largest marine protected areas (MPAs). Subsequently we used in-situ SCUBA and baited video surveys to survey the day-time sites occupied by turtles and discovered extensive monospecific seagrass meadows of Thalassodendron ciliatum. At three sites that extended over 128 km, mean seagrass cover was 74% (mean range 67-88% across the 3 sites at depths to 29 m. The mean species richness of fish in seagrass meadows was 11 species per site (mean range 8-14 across the 3 sites). High fish abundance (e.g. Siganus sutor: mean MaxN.site-1 = 38.0, SD = 53.7, n = 5) and large predatory shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) (mean MaxN.site-1 = 1.5, SD = 0.4, n = 5) were recorded at all sites. Such observations of seagrass meadows with large top predators, are limited in the literature. Given that the Great Chagos Bank extends over approximately 12,500 km2 and many other large deep submerged banks exist across the world's oceans, our results suggest that deep-water seagrass may be far more abundant than previously suspected.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Esteban
- Swansea University, Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, Department of Biosciences, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
| | - R K F Unsworth
- Swansea University, Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, Department of Biosciences, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - J B Q Gourlay
- Swansea University, Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, Department of Biosciences, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - G C Hays
- Deakin University, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Warrnambool campus, Victoria, Australia
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15
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Cullen-Unsworth LC, Jones BL, Seary R, Newman R, Unsworth RKF. Reasons for seagrass optimism: Local ecological knowledge confirms presence of dugongs. Mar Pollut Bull 2018; 134:118-122. [PMID: 29137813 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Dugongs (Dugong dugon) depend on seagrass meadows for food. As such seagrass and dugong conservation should go hand in hand. Assessing dugong populations is notoriously challenging. In the most resource dependent communities Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) is generally high and can provide an alternative to the use of expensive ecological surveys to understand dugong populations and support associated resource management decisions. Residents of the Wakatobi National Park (WNP), SE Sulawesi, Indonesia are highly dependent on marine resources for livelihoods and correspondingly LEK is high. Here LEK documents the presence of D. dugon in the WNP and infers changes in population size. Interviews with local residents in 2012-2013 revealed 99 sightings of dugongs since 1942, 48 of which occurred between 2002 and 2012, with 79.82% of respondents having seen a dugong. Declines in the frequency of sightings within the lifetime of several respondents were reported, respondents speculating that populations are reduced. This information can guide further cooperative research and conservation efforts for the protection of a vulnerable species and the seagrass habitat on which it depends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne C Cullen-Unsworth
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, 33 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK; Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK.
| | - Benjamin L Jones
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, 33 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK; Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK
| | - Rachel Seary
- Cambridge Coastal Research Unit, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Downing Pl, Cambridge CB2 3EN, UK
| | - Rhian Newman
- School of Applied Sciences, University of South Wales, Pontypridd CF37 4BE, UK
| | - Richard K F Unsworth
- Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK; Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Wallace Building, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
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16
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Jones BL, Unsworth RKF, McKenzie LJ, Yoshida RL, Cullen-Unsworth LC. Crowdsourcing conservation: The role of citizen science in securing a future for seagrass. Mar Pollut Bull 2018; 134:210-215. [PMID: 29137812 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows are complex social-ecological systems. Understanding seagrass meadows demands a fresh approach integrating "the human dimension". Citizen science is widely acknowledged for providing significant contributions to science, education, society and policy. Although the take up of citizen science in the marine environment has been slow, the need for such methods to fill vast information gaps is arguably great. Seagrass meadows are easy to access and provide an example of where citizen science is expanding. Technological developments have been pivotal to this, providing new opportunities for citizens to engage with seagrass. The increasing use of online tools has created opportunities to collect and submit as well as help process and analyse data. Citizen science has helped researchers integrate scientific and local knowledge and engage communities to implement conservation measures. Here we use a selection of examples to demonstrate how citizen science can secure a future for seagrass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L Jones
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK; Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA, UK.
| | - Richard K F Unsworth
- Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA, UK; Seagrass Ecosystems Research Group, College of Science, Swansea University, Wallace Building, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Len J McKenzie
- Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
| | - Rudi L Yoshida
- Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
| | - Leanne C Cullen-Unsworth
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK; Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA, UK
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17
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Unsworth RKF, Ambo-Rappe R, Jones BL, La Nafie YA, Irawan A, Hernawan UE, Moore AM, Cullen-Unsworth LC. Indonesia's globally significant seagrass meadows are under widespread threat. Sci Total Environ 2018; 634:279-286. [PMID: 29627551 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Indonesia's marine ecosystems form a fundamental part of the world's natural heritage, representing a global maxima of marine biodiversity and supporting the world's second largest production of seafood. Seagrasses are a key part of that support. In the absence of empirical data we present evidence from expert opinions as to the state of Indonesia's seagrass ecosystems, their support for ecosystem services, with a focus on fisheries, and the damaging activities that threaten their existence. We further draw on expert opinion to elicit potential solutions to prevent further loss. Seagrasses and the ecosystem services they support across the Indonesian archipelago are in a critical state of decline. Declining seagrass health is the result of shifting environmental conditions due largely to coastal development, land reclamation, and deforestation, as well as seaweed farming, overfishing and garbage dumping. In particular, we also describe the declining state of the fisheries resources that seagrass meadows support. The perilous state of Indonesia's seagrasses will compromise their resilience to climate change and result in a loss of their high ecosystem service value. Community supported management initiatives provide one mechanism for seagrass protection. Exemplars highlight the need for increased local level autonomy for the management of marine resources, opening up opportunities for incentive type conservation schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard K F Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Wallace Building, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK; Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK
| | - Rohani Ambo-Rappe
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Hasanuddin University, Tamalanrea Km. 10, Makassar 90245, Indonesia
| | - Benjamin L Jones
- Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK; Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, 33 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA, UK
| | - Yayu A La Nafie
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Hasanuddin University, Tamalanrea Km. 10, Makassar 90245, Indonesia
| | - A Irawan
- Research Center for Deep Sea - Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Y. Syaranamual Street, Ambon 97233, Indonesia
| | - Udhi E Hernawan
- Research Centre for Oceanography, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia
| | - Abigail M Moore
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Hasanuddin University, Tamalanrea Km. 10, Makassar 90245, Indonesia
| | - Leanne C Cullen-Unsworth
- Project Seagrass, 33 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK; Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, 33 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA, UK.
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18
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Bertelli CM, Robinson MT, Mendzil AF, Pratt LR, Unsworth RKF. Finding some seagrass optimism in Wales, the case of Zostera noltii. Mar Pollut Bull 2018; 134:216-222. [PMID: 28847630 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
There exists limited understanding of the long-term dynamics of the seagrass Zostera noltii and how this is influenced by anthropogenic pressures. Milford Haven is a heavily industrialised estuary and also one of the important sites for Zostera sp. in the UK. In this study we examine all available long-term spatial variability and abundance data of Zostera noltii within Milford Haven using historic datasets. Results show that Z. noltii in all sites have shown meadow expansion when compared to the first obtainable records. Little change in abundance over the past 10-15years for the two sites confirms certain seagrass populations to be robust and thriving. We hypothesise that these populations are showing a level of resilience to the high nutrient levels, disturbance and high turbidity present within the water column of the Haven.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara M Bertelli
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK.
| | - Max T Robinson
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - Anouska F Mendzil
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - Laura R Pratt
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3BA, Wales, UK
| | - Richard K F Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
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Jones BL, Cullen-Unsworth LC, Unsworth RKF. Tracking Nitrogen Source Using δ 15N Reveals Human and Agricultural Drivers of Seagrass Degradation across the British Isles. Front Plant Sci 2018; 9:133. [PMID: 29467789 PMCID: PMC5808166 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Excess nutrients shift the ecological balance of coastal ecosystems, and this eutrophication is an increasing problem across the globe. Nutrient levels may be routinely measured, but monitoring rarely attempts to determine the source of these nutrients, even though bio-indicators are available. Nitrogen stable isotope analysis in biota is one such bio-indicator, but across the British Isles, this is rarely used. In this study, we provide the first quantitative evidence of the anthropogenic drivers of reduced water quality surrounding seagrass meadows throughout the British Isles using the stable nitrogen isotope δ15N. The values of δ15N ranged from 3.15 to 20.16‰ (Mean ± SD = 8.69 ± 3.50‰), and were high within the Thames Basin suggesting a significant influx of urban sewage and livestock effluent into the system. Our study provides a rapid 'snapshot' indicating that many seagrass meadows in the British Isles are under anthropogenic stress given the widespread inefficiencies of current sewage treatment and farming practices. Ten of the 11 seagrass meadows sampled are within European marine protected sites. The 10 sites all contained seagrass contaminated by nutrients of a human and livestock waste origin leading us to question whether generic blanket protection is working for seagrasses in the United Kingdom. Infrastructure changes will be required if we are to develop strategic wastewater management plans that are effective in the long-term at protecting our designated Special Areas of Conservation. Currently, sewage pollution is a concealed issue; little information exists and is not readily accessible to members of the public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L. Jones
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Project Seagrass, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Leanne C. Cullen-Unsworth
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Project Seagrass, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Richard K. F. Unsworth
- Project Seagrass, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Wallace Building, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
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Unsworth RKF, Williams B, Jones BL, Cullen-Unsworth LC. Rocking the Boat: Damage to Eelgrass by Swinging Boat Moorings. Front Plant Sci 2017; 8:1309. [PMID: 28791040 PMCID: PMC5526064 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows commonly reside in shallow sheltered embayments typical of the locations that provide an attractive option for mooring boats. Given the potential for boat moorings to result in disturbance to the seabed due to repeated physical impact, these moorings may present a significant threat to seagrass meadows. The seagrass Zostera marina (known as eelgrass) is extensive across the northern hemisphere, forming critical fisheries habitat and creating efficient long-term stores of carbon in sediments. Although boat moorings have been documented to impact seagrasses, studies to date have been conducted on the slow growing Posidonia species' rather than the fast growing and rapidly reproducing Z. marina that may have a higher capacity to resist and recover from repeated disturbance. In the present study we examine swinging chain boat moorings in seagrass meadows across a range of sites in the United Kingdom to determine whether such moorings have a negative impact on the seagrass Zostera marina at the local and meadow scale. We provide conclusive evidence from multiple sites that Z. marina is damaged by swinging chain moorings leading to a loss of at least 6 ha of United Kingdom seagrass. Each swinging chain mooring was found to result in the loss of 122 m2 of seagrass. Loss is restricted to the area surrounding the mooring and the impact does not appear to translate to a meadow scale. This loss of United Kingdom seagrass from boat moorings is small but significant at a local scale. This is because it fragments existing meadows and ultimately reduces their resilience to other stressors. Boat moorings are prevalent in seagrass globally and it is likely this impairs their ecosystem functioning. Given the extensive ecosystem service value of seagrasses in terms of factors such as carbon storage and fish habitat such loss is of cause for concern. This indicates the need for the widespread use of seagrass friendly mooring systems in and around seagrass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard K. F. Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea UniversitySwansea, United Kingdom
- Project SeagrassCardiff, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Richard K. F. Unsworth,
| | - Beth Williams
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea UniversitySwansea, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin L. Jones
- Project SeagrassCardiff, United Kingdom
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff UniversityCardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Leanne C. Cullen-Unsworth
- Project SeagrassCardiff, United Kingdom
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff UniversityCardiff, United Kingdom
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21
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Maxwell PS, Eklöf JS, van Katwijk MM, O'Brien KR, de la Torre-Castro M, Boström C, Bouma TJ, Krause-Jensen D, Unsworth RKF, van Tussenbroek BI, van der Heide T. The fundamental role of ecological feedback mechanisms for the adaptive management of seagrass ecosystems - a review. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2016; 92:1521-1538. [PMID: 27581168 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows are vital ecosystems in coastal zones worldwide, but are also under global threat. One of the major hurdles restricting the success of seagrass conservation and restoration is our limited understanding of ecological feedback mechanisms. In these ecosystems, multiple, self-reinforcing feedbacks can undermine conservation efforts by masking environmental impacts until the decline is precipitous, or alternatively they can inhibit seagrass recovery in spite of restoration efforts. However, no clear framework yet exists for identifying or dealing with feedbacks to improve the management of seagrass ecosystems. Here we review the causes and consequences of multiple feedbacks between seagrass and biotic and/or abiotic processes. We demonstrate how feedbacks have the potential to impose or reinforce regimes of either seagrass dominance or unvegetated substrate, and how the strength and importance of these feedbacks vary across environmental gradients. Although a myriad of feedbacks have now been identified, the co-occurrence and likely interaction among feedbacks has largely been overlooked to date due to difficulties in analysis and detection. Here we take a fundamental step forward by modelling the interactions among two distinct above- and belowground feedbacks to demonstrate that interacting feedbacks are likely to be important for ecosystem resilience. On this basis, we propose a five-step adaptive management plan to address feedback dynamics for effective conservation and restoration strategies. The management plan provides guidance to aid in the identification and prioritisation of likely feedbacks in different seagrass ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul S Maxwell
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, Australia
| | - Johan S Eklöf
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marieke M van Katwijk
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Katherine R O'Brien
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, Australia
| | | | - Christoffer Boström
- Environmental and Marine Biology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Artillerigatan 6, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Tjeerd J Bouma
- Department of Yerseke Spatial Ecology, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, 4401 NT, Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - Dorte Krause-Jensen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Vejlsøvej 25, 8600, Silkeborg, Denmark.,Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 8, 8000, Århus C, Denmark
| | - Richard K F Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, U.K
| | - Brigitta I van Tussenbroek
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Unidad Académica Sistemas Arrecifales/Puerto Morelos, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 1152, Cancún 77500, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Tjisse van der Heide
- Department of Aquatic Ecology & Environmental Biology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Unsworth RKF, Jones BL, Cullen-Unsworth LC. Seagrass meadows are threatened by expected loss of peatlands in Indonesia. Glob Chang Biol 2016; 22:2957-2958. [PMID: 27286228 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard K F Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Benjamin L Jones
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, 33 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BA, UK
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne C. Cullen-Unsworth
- Sustainable Places Research Institute; Cardiff University; Cardiff UK
- Project Seagrass; 33 Park Place Cardiff CF10 3BA UK
| | - Richard K. F. Unsworth
- Project Seagrass; 33 Park Place Cardiff CF10 3BA UK
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group; College of Science; Swansea University; Swansea UK
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Abstract
Seagrass ecosystems face widespread threat from reduced water quality, coastal development and poor land use. In recent decades, their distribution has declined rapidly, and in the British Isles, this loss is thought to have been extensive. Given increasing knowledge of how these ecosystems support fisheries production, the understanding of their potential rapid loss, and the difficulty in restoring them, it is vital we develop an understanding of the risks they are under, so that management actions can be developed accordingly. Developing an understanding of their environmental status and condition is therefore critical to their long-term management. This study provided, to our knowledge, the first examination of the environmental health of seagrass meadows around the British Isles. This study used a bioindicator approach and involved collecting data on seagrass density and morphology alongside analysis of leaf biochemistry. Our study provides, to the best of our knowledge, the first strong quantitative evidence that seagrass meadows of the British Isles are mostly in poor condition in comparison with global averages, with tissue nitrogen levels 75% higher than global values. Such poor status places their long-term resilience in doubt. Elemental nutrient concentrations and morphological change suggest conditions of excess nitrogen and probable low light, placing many of the meadows sampled in a perilous state, although others, situated away from human populations were perceived to be healthy. Although some sites were of a high environmental health, all sites were considered at risk from anthropogenic impacts, particularly poor water quality and boating-based disturbances. The findings of this study provide a warning of the need to take action, with respect to water quality and disturbance, to prevent the further loss and degradation of these systems across the British Isles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L. Jones
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK
- Project Seagrass, Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK
| | - Richard K. F. Unsworth
- Project Seagrass, Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea University, Wallace Building, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
- Author for correspondence: Richard K. F. Unsworth e-mail:
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Unsworth RKF, Collier CJ, Waycott M, Mckenzie LJ, Cullen-Unsworth LC. A framework for the resilience of seagrass ecosystems. Mar Pollut Bull 2015; 100:34-46. [PMID: 26342389 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Revised: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2015] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass ecosystems represent a global marine resource that is declining across its range. To halt degradation and promote recovery over large scales, management requires a radical change in emphasis and application that seeks to enhance seagrass ecosystem resilience. In this review we examine how the resilience of seagrass ecosystems is becoming compromised by a range of local to global stressors, resulting in ecological regime shifts that undermine the long-term viability of these productive ecosystems. To examine regime shifts and the management actions that can influence this phenomenon we present a conceptual model of resilience in seagrass ecosystems. The model is founded on a series of features and modifiers that act as interacting influences upon seagrass ecosystem resilience. Improved understanding and appreciation of the factors and modifiers that govern resilience in seagrass ecosystems can be utilised to support much needed evidence based management of a vital natural resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard K F Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea University SA2 8PP, UK.
| | - Catherine J Collier
- Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia; College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
| | - Michelle Waycott
- School of Biological Sciences, Environment Institute, Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, The University of Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Len J Mckenzie
- Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
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Abstract
Seagrass meadows globally are disappearing at a rapid rate with physical disturbances being one of the major drivers of this habitat loss. Disturbance of seagrass can lead to fragmentation, a reduction in shoot density, canopy height and coverage, and potentially permanent loss of habitat. Despite being such a widespread issue, knowledge of how such small scale change affects the spatial distribution and abundances of motile fauna remains limited. The present study investigated fish and macro faunal community response patterns to a range of habitat variables (shoot length, cover and density), including individual species habitat preferences within a disturbed and patchy intertidal seagrass meadow. Multivariate analysis showed a measurable effect of variable seagrass cover on the abundance and distribution of the fauna, with species specific preferences to both high and low seagrass cover seagrass. The faunal community composition varied significantly with increasing/decreasing cover. The faunal species composition of low cover seagrass was more similar to sandy control plots than to higher cover seagrass. Shannon Wiener Diversity (H′) and species richness was significantly higher in high cover seagrass than in low cover seagrass, indicating increasing habitat value as density increases. The results of this study underline how the impacts of small scale disturbances from factors such as anchor damage, boat moorings and intertidal vehicle use on seagrass meadows that reduce shoot density and cover can impact upon associated fauna. These impacts have negative consequences for the delivery of ecosystem services such as the provision of nursery habitat.
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McKenzie LJ, Yoshida RL, Unsworth RKF. Disturbance influences the invasion of a seagrass into an existing meadow. Mar Pollut Bull 2014; 86:186-196. [PMID: 25077448 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Future impacts from climate change and human activities may increase the likelihood of invasions of native marine species into existing habitats as a result of range shifts. To provide an understanding of the invasion of a native seagrass species (Syringodium isoetifolium) into a tropical multi-species meadow, detailed field assessments were conducted over a six year period. After establishing in a discrete patch, the extent and standing crop of S.isoetifolium increased 800 and 7000 fold, respectively, between 1988 and 2003 (∼300-260,000 m(2) and<1 kg DW to 7596±555 kg DW). The expansion of S.isoetifolium was confined to subtidal areas and appears primarily from clonal growth. The observed expansion of this species into a new locality was found to be clearly influenced by cumulative impacts and chronic small-scale physical disturbances. This study has immediate relevance to managing impacts which influence the spread of invasive species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Len J McKenzie
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia.
| | - Rudi L Yoshida
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia
| | - Richard K F Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Wallace Building, Swansea University SA2 8PP, UK
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Cullen-Unsworth LC, Nordlund LM, Paddock J, Baker S, McKenzie LJ, Unsworth RKF. Seagrass meadows globally as a coupled social-ecological system: implications for human wellbeing. Mar Pollut Bull 2014; 83:387-97. [PMID: 23800460 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2013] [Accepted: 06/02/2013] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass ecosystems are diminishing worldwide and repeated studies confirm a lack of appreciation for the value of these systems. In order to highlight their value we provide the first discussion of seagrass meadows as a coupled social-ecological system on a global scale. We consider the impact of a declining resource on people, including those for whom seagrass meadows are utilised for income generation and a source of food security through fisheries support. Case studies from across the globe are used to demonstrate the intricate relationship between seagrass meadows and people that highlight the multi-functional role of seagrasses in human wellbeing. While each case underscores unique issues, these examples simultaneously reveal social-ecological coupling that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. We conclude that understanding seagrass meadows as a coupled social-ecological system is crucial in carving pathways for social and ecological resilience in light of current patterns of local to global environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lina Mtwana Nordlund
- Western Indian Ocean - Community, Awareness, Research, and Environment (WIO CARE), P.O. Box 4199, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | - Jessica Paddock
- Climate Change Consortium of Wales at Cardiff School of Social Sciences and School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Susan Baker
- Cardiff School of Social Sciences and Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Len J McKenzie
- Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
| | - Richard K F Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Wallace Building, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
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Bertelli CM, Unsworth RKF. Protecting the hand that feeds us: seagrass (Zostera marina) serves as commercial juvenile fish habitat. Mar Pollut Bull 2014; 83:425-9. [PMID: 23998854 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Revised: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Although fisheries are of major economic and food security importance we still know little about specific juvenile habitats that support such production. This is a major issue given the degradation to and lack of protection afforded to potential juvenile habitats such as seagrass meadows. In the present study we investigate the role of seagrass in supporting juvenile fish of commercial value. By assessing seagrass relative to adjacent sand we determined the presence of abundant juvenile fish. Nine commercial species were recorded and the most abundant of these were Plaice, Pollock and Herring. We provide the first quantitative evidence of the presence of juvenile fish of commercial value in seagrass surrounding Great Britain. Although the species that we found in seagrass as juveniles are not obligate seagrass users the resources that seagrass meadows offer to these fish provide significant long-term fitness benefits, potentially enhancing the whole population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara M Bertelli
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Wallace Building, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Richard K F Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Wallace Building, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
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Abstract
Seagrass meadows are valuable ecosystem service providers that are now being lost globally at an unprecedented rate, with water quality and other localised stressors putting their future viability in doubt. It is therefore critical that we learn more about the interactions between seagrass meadows and future environmental change in the anthropocene. This needs to be with particular reference to the consequences of poor water quality on ecosystem resilience and the effects of change on trophic interactions within the food web. Understanding and predicting the response of seagrass meadows to future environmental change requires an understanding of the natural long-term drivers of change and how these are currently influenced by anthropogenic stress. Conservation management of coastal and marine ecosystems now and in the future requires increased knowledge of how seagrass meadows respond to environmental change, and how they can be managed to be resilient to these changes. Finding solutions to such issues also requires recognising people as part of the social-ecological system. This special issue aims to further enhance this knowledge by bringing together global expertise across this field. The special issues considers issues such as ecosystem service delivery of seagrass meadows, the drivers of long-term seagrass change and the socio-economic consequences of environmental change to seagrass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard K F Unsworth
- Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea University, Wallace Building, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
| | - Mike van Keulen
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Rob G Coles
- Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
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Unsworth RKF, Rasheed MA, Chartrand KM, Roelofs AJ. Solar radiation and tidal exposure as environmental drivers of Enhalus acoroides dominated seagrass meadows. PLoS One 2012; 7:e34133. [PMID: 22479541 PMCID: PMC3315502 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2011] [Accepted: 02/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There is strong evidence of a global long-term decline in seagrass meadows that is widely attributed to anthropogenic activity. Yet in many regions, attributing these changes to actual activities is difficult, as there exists limited understanding of the natural processes that can influence these valuable ecosystem service providers. Being able to separate natural from anthropogenic causes of seagrass change is important for developing strategies that effectively mitigate and manage anthropogenic impacts on seagrass, and promote coastal ecosystems resilient to future environmental change. The present study investigated the influence of environmental and climate related factors on seagrass biomass in a large ≈250 ha meadow in tropical north east Australia. Annual monitoring of the intertidal Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle seagrass meadow over eleven years revealed a declining trend in above-ground biomass (54% significant overall reduction from 2000 to 2010). Partial Least Squares Regression found this reduction to be significantly and negatively correlated with tidal exposure, and significantly and negatively correlated with the amount of solar radiation. This study documents how natural long-term tidal variability can influence long-term seagrass dynamics. Exposure to desiccation, high UV, and daytime temperature regimes are discussed as the likely mechanisms for the action of these factors in causing this decline. The results emphasise the importance of understanding and assessing natural environmentally-driven change when interpreting the results of seagrass monitoring programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard K F Unsworth
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom.
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Sofonia JJ, Unsworth RKF. Development of water quality thresholds during dredging for the protection of benthic primary producer habitats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 12:159-63. [DOI: 10.1039/b904986j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Haapkylä J, Unsworth RKF, Seymour AS, Melbourne-Thomas J, Flavell M, Willis BL, Smith DJ. Spatio-temporal coral disease dynamics in the Wakatobi Marine National Park, South-East Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dis Aquat Organ 2009; 87:105-115. [PMID: 20095246 DOI: 10.3354/dao02160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
In the present study we investigated inter-annual coral disease dynamics, in situ disease progression rates, and disease-associated coral tissue mortality in the Wakatobi Marine National Park (WMNP) situated in the coral triangle in South-East Sulawesi, Indonesia. In 2005, only 2 known syndromes were recorded within the sampling area transect surveys: white syndrome (WS; 0.42% prevalence) and growth anomalies (GA; 0.15% prevalence), whilst 4 diseases were recorded in 2007: WS (0.19%), Porites ulcerative white spot disease (PUWS; 0.08%), GA (0.05%) and black band disease (BBD; 0.02%). Total disease prevalence decreased from 0.57% in 2005 to 0.33% in 2007. In addition to prevalence surveys, in situ progression rates of 4 diseases were investigated in 2007: BBD on Pachyseris foliosa, P. rugosa and Diploastrea heliopora, WS on Acropora clathrata, and brown band (BrB) and skeletal eroding band (SEB) diseases on Acropora pulchra. BrB and WS had the highest progression rates, 1.2 +/- 0.36 and 1.1 +/- 0.07 cm d(-1), respectively, indicating that diseases may have a significant impact on local Acropora populations. BBD had the lowest progression rate (0.39 +/- 0.14 cm d(-1)). WS caused the most severe recorded total tissue mortality: 53 923 cm2 over a period of 36 d. Sedimentation and coral cover were studied and a highly significant drop in coral cover was observed. This study provides the first documentation of spatio-temporal coral disease dynamics from Indonesia. Despite low total disease prevalence, progression rates comparable to the ones observed in the Caribbean and Australia indicate that diseases may threaten the reef framework in some locations and add to the degradation of coral reefs in a region already at high risk from anthropogenic impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Haapkylä
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.
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