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Agulles M, Marbà N, Duarte CM, Jordà G. Mediterranean seagrasses provide essential coastal protection under climate change. Sci Rep 2024; 14:30269. [PMID: 39633005 PMCID: PMC11618301 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-81026-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 11/25/2024] [Indexed: 12/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Seagrasses are vital in coastal areas, offering crucial ecosystem services and playing a relevant role in coastal protection. The decrease in the density of Mediterranean seagrasses over recent decades, due to warming and anthropogenic stressors, may imply a serious environmental threat. Here we quantify the role of coastal impact reduction induced by seagrass presence under present and future climate. We focus in the Balearic Islands, a representative and well monitored region in the Mediterranean. Our results quantify how important the presence of seagrasses is for coastal protection. The complete loss of seagrasses would lead to an extreme water level (eTWL) increase comparable to the projected sea level rise (SLR) at the end of the century under the high end scenario of greenhouse gases emissions. Under that scenario, the eTWL could increase up to ~ 1.4 m, with 54% of that increase attributed to seagrass loss. These findings underscore the importance of seagrass conservation for coastal protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Agulles
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO-CSIC), Palma, Spain.
- Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (CSIC-UIB), Majorca, Spain.
| | - N Marbà
- Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (CSIC-UIB), Majorca, Spain
| | - C M Duarte
- Red Sea Research Centre (RSRC) and Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 23955, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - G Jordà
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO-CSIC), Palma, Spain
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2
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Garthwin RG, Poore AGB, Ferretto G, Wright JT, Vergés A. Seagrass Tolerance to Simulated Herbivory Along a Latitudinal Gradient: Predicting the Potential Effects of Tropicalisation. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70561. [PMID: 39559467 PMCID: PMC11570194 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2024] [Revised: 10/24/2024] [Accepted: 10/29/2024] [Indexed: 11/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The polewards range expansion of tropical herbivorous fish into temperate latitudes is leading to overgrazing of marine habitats and community phase shifts in some regions. Here, we test the potential effects of increased herbivory on the temperate habitat-forming seagrass Posidonia australis. We used a series of simulated herbivory experiments to predict the potential impacts of climate-mediated increases in seagrass consumption along P. australis entire latitudinal range (~9° latitude) in eastern Australia (1700 km of coastline). We subjected treatment plots to two levels of simulated herbivory (10% or 80% of leaves clipped) and compared them to unclipped controls. We measured seagrass leaf growth rates and tissue chemical traits: carbohydrates in rhizomes, leaf phenolics, and nutrients (carbon, nitrogen, and C:N ratio) in leaves and rhizomes. At the warmest range-edge population, we also tested how responses to increased herbivory may vary between summer and winter, or with repeated clipping events. Clipped shoots maintained growth rates similar to unclipped controls despite losing up to 80% of leaf biomass. This was consistent along the full latitudinal range and after repeated simulated herbivory at the northernmost location. One-off clipping events impacted plant architecture, increasing the number of subdividing shoots. At the species range edge, leaves grew more in winter than in summer, and clipping tended to lower seagrass growth only in winter; however, higher levels of shoot subdivision were produced over summer than in winter. Plant chemical traits could not explain consistently the growth patterns observed despite some traits varying with latitude (e.g., leaf nitrogen content decreased with latitude and C:N ratio increased) and/or simulated herbivory. Synthesis: P. australis growth is not affected by increases in simulated herbivory and may be relatively resilient to future increases in seagrass consumption, suggesting that this species could be a relative 'winner' under future climate change conditions that lead to enhanced herbivory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby G. Garthwin
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Alistair G. B. Poore
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Sydney Institute of Marine ScienceMosmanNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Giulia Ferretto
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Biological Sciences & Oceans InstituteUniversity of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Jeffrey T. Wright
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Adriana Vergés
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Sydney Institute of Marine ScienceMosmanNew South WalesAustralia
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3
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Bockel T, Marre G, Delaruelle G, Agel N, Boissery P, Guilhaumon F, Mouquet N, Mouillot D, Guilbert A, Deter J. Early signals of Posidonia oceanica meadows recovery in a context of wastewater treatment improvements. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 201:116193. [PMID: 38428047 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Natural ecological restoration is a cornerstone of modern conservation science and managers need more documented "success stories" to lead the way. In French mediterranean sea, we monitored Posidonia oceanica lower limit using acoustic telemetry and photogrammetry and investigated the descriptors driving its variations, at a national scale and over more than a decade. We showed significant effects of environmental descriptors (region, sea surface temperature and bottom temperature) but also of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents proxies (size of WWTP, time since conformity, and distance to the closest effluent) on the meadows lower limit progression. This work indicates a possible positive response of P. oceanica meadows to improvements in wastewater treatment and a negative effect of high temperatures. While more data is needed, the example of French wastewater policy should inspire stakeholders and coastal managers in their efforts to limit anthropogenic pressures on vulnerable ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bockel
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France; MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France.
| | - Guilhem Marre
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France
| | | | - Noémie Agel
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France
| | - Pierre Boissery
- Agence de l'Eau Rhône-Méditerranée-Corse, Délégation de Marseille, immeuble CMCI, 2 rue Henri Barbusse, CS 90464, 13207 Marseille Cedex 01, France
| | - François Guilhaumon
- MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France
| | - Nicolas Mouquet
- MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France; FRB - CESAB, Institut Bouisson Bertrand, 5, rue de l'École de médecine, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - David Mouillot
- MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France
| | - Antonin Guilbert
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France
| | - Julie Deter
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France; MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France
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Csordas M, Starko S, Neufeld CJ, Thompson SA, Baum JK. Multiscale stability of an intertidal kelp (Postelsia palmaeformis) near its northern range edge through a period of prolonged heatwaves. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2024; 133:61-72. [PMID: 37878014 PMCID: PMC10921842 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Climate change, including gradual changes and extreme weather events, is driving widespread species losses and range shifts. These climatic changes are felt acutely in intertidal ecosystems, where many organisms live close to their thermal limits and experience the extremes of both marine and terrestrial environments. A recent series of multiyear heatwaves in the northeast Pacific Ocean might have impacted species even towards their cooler, northern range edges. Among them, the high intertidal kelp Postelsia palmaeformis has traits that could make it particularly vulnerable to climate change, but it is critically understudied. METHODS In 2021 and 2022, we replicated in situ and aerial P. palmaeformis surveys that were conducted originally in 2006 and 2007, in order to assess the state of northern populations following recent heatwaves. Changes in P. palmaeformis distribution, extent, density and morphometrics were assessed between these two time points over three spatial scales, ranging from 250 m grid cells across the entire 167 km study region, to within grid cells and the individual patch. KEY RESULTS We found evidence consistent with population stability at all three scales: P. palmaeformis remained present in all 250 m grid cells in the study region where it was previously found, and neither the extent within cells nor the patch density changed significantly between time points. However, there was evidence of slight distributional expansion, increased blade lengths and a shift to earlier reproductive timing. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that apparent long-term stability of P. palmaeformis might be attributable to thermal buffering near its northern range edge and from the wave-exposed coastlines it inhabits, which may have decreased the impacts of heatwaves. Our results highlight the importance of multiscale assessments when examining changes within species and populations, in addition to the importance of dispersal capability and local conditions in regulating the responses of species to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Csordas
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Samuel Starko
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Christopher J Neufeld
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
- The Kelp Rescue Initiative, Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, BC, V0R 1B0, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of British Columbia Okanogan, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | | | - Julia K Baum
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
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Beca-Carretero P, Winters G, Teichberg M, Procaccini G, Schneekloth F, Zambrano RH, Chiquillo K, Reuters H. Climate change and the presence of invasive species will threaten the persistence of the Mediterranean seagrass community. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 910:168675. [PMID: 37981144 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea has been experiencing rapid increases in temperature and salinity triggering its tropicalization. Additionally, its connection with the Red Sea has been favouring the establishment of non-native species. In this study, we investigated the effects of predicted climate change and the introduction of invasive seagrass species (Halophila stipulacea) on the native Mediterranean seagrass community (Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa) by applying a novel ecological and spatial model with different configurations and parameter settings based on a Cellular Automata (CA). The proposed models use a discrete (stepwise) representation of space and time by executing deterministic and probabilistic rules that develop complex dynamic processes. Model applications were run under two climate scenarios (RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5) projected from 2020 to 2100 in four different regions within the Mediterranean. Results indicate that the slow-growing P. oceanica will be highly vulnerable to climate change, suffering vast declines in its abundance. However, the results also show that western and colder areas of the Mediterranean Sea might represent refuge areas for this species. Cymodocea nodosa has been reported to exhibit resilience to predicted climate scenarios; however, it has shown habitat regression in the warmest predicted regions in the easternmost part of the basin. Our models indicate that H. stipulacea will thrive under projected climate scenarios, facilitating its spread across the basin. Also, H. stipulacea grew at the expense of C. nodosa, limiting the distribution of the latter, and eventually displacing this native species. Additionally, simulations demonstrated that areas from which P. oceanica meadows disappear would be partially covered by C. nodosa and H. stipulacea. These outcomes project that the Mediterranean seagrass community will experience a transition from long-lived, large and slow-growing species to small and fast-growing species as climate change progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Beca-Carretero
- Department of Theoretical Ecology and Modelling, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany; Dead Sea-Arava Science Center, Masada, Israel.
| | | | - Mirta Teichberg
- The Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabian Schneekloth
- Department of Theoretical Ecology and Modelling, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany
| | - Ramon H Zambrano
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, University of Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Kelcie Chiquillo
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hauke Reuters
- Department of Theoretical Ecology and Modelling, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany
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Ravaglioli C, De Marchi L, Anselmi S, Dattolo E, Fontanini D, Pretti C, Procaccini G, Rilov G, Renzi M, Silverman J, Bulleri F. Ocean acidification impairs seagrass performance under thermal stress in shallow and deep water. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 241:117629. [PMID: 37967703 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite the effects of ocean acidification (OA) on seagrasses have been widely investigated, predictions of seagrass performance under future climates need to consider multiple environmental factors. Here, we performed a mesocosm study to assess the effects of OA on shallow and deep Posidonia oceanica plants. The experiment was run in 2021 and repeated in 2022, a year characterized by a prolonged warm water event, to test how the effects of OA on plants are modulated by thermal stress. The response of P. oceanica to experimental conditions was investigated at different levels of biological organization. Under average seawater temperature, there were no effects of OA in both shallow and deep plants, indicating that P. oceanica is not limited by current inorganic carbon concentration, regardless of light availability. In contrast, under thermal stress, exposure of plants to OA increased lipid peroxidation and decreased photosynthetic performance, with deep plants displaying higher levels of heat stress, as indicated by the over-expression of stress-related genes and the activation of antioxidant systems. In addition, warming reduced plant growth, regardless of seawater CO2 and light levels, suggesting that thermal stress may play a fundamental role in the future development of seagrass meadows. Our results suggest that OA may exacerbate the negative effects of future warming on seagrasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Ravaglioli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Lucia De Marchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università of Pisa, Via Livornese (lato monte), 56122, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Serena Anselmi
- Bioscience Research Center, Via Aurelia Vecchia, 32, 58015, Orbetello, GR, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Dattolo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Palermo, Italy.
| | - Debora Fontanini
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Carlo Pretti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università of Pisa, Via Livornese (lato monte), 56122, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy; Interuniversity Consortium of Marine Biology and Applied Ecology "G. Bacci" (CIBM), Viale N.Sauro 4, 57128, Livorno, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Palermo, Italy.
| | - Gil Rilov
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Monia Renzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via Giorgieri, 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Jacob Silverman
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Fabio Bulleri
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per Lo Studio Degli Effetti Del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Italy.
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Stipcich P, Balmas V, Jimenez CE, Oufensou S, Ceccherelli G. Cultivable mycoflora on bleached, decaying and healthy Posidonia oceanica leaves in a warm-edge Mediterranean location. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 192:106188. [PMID: 37769557 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Marine fungi are widely distributed in the ocean, playing an important role in the ecosystems, but only little information is available about their occurrence and activity. Seagrass bleaching is also a neglected phenomenon that seems to be linked to warm environments, even though the causes are still to be defined. In this study, the cultivable mycoflora associated to the leaf conditions (bleached, necrotic and live) and section (from the base to the tip) in the seagrass Posidonia oceanica was investigated in a Mediterranean warm-edge location (Cyprus). A total of 17 Ascomycota species/taxon were identified and results highlighted that mycoflora composition changed significantly in relation to both the leaf condition and section. A few known pathogens of terrestrial plants were detected only on bleached leaves, but it remains unknown whether they have any direct connections with P. oceanica bleaching phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Stipcich
- Department of Chemical Physical Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Virgilio Balmas
- Department of Agricultural Sciences and Desertification Research Centre (NRD), University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39a, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Carlos E Jimenez
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre (ENALIA), Akropoleos 2, Aglantzia 2101, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Safa Oufensou
- Department of Agricultural Sciences and Desertification Research Centre (NRD), University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39a, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giulia Ceccherelli
- Department of Chemical Physical Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Litsi-Mizan V, Efthymiadis PT, Gerakaris V, Serrano O, Tsapakis M, Apostolaki ET. Decline of seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) production over two decades in the face of warming of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 239:2126-2137. [PMID: 37366062 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The response of Posidonia oceanica meadows to global warming of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, where the increase in sea surface temperature (SST) is particularly severe, is poorly investigated. Here, we reconstructed the long-term P. oceanica production in 60 meadows along the Greek Seas over two decades (1997-2018), using lepidochronology. We determined the effect of warming on production by reconstructing the annual and maximum (i.e. August) SST, considering the role of other production drivers related to water quality (i.e. Chla, suspended particulate matter, Secchi depth). Grand mean (±SE) production across all sites and the study period was 48 ± 1.1 mg DW per shoot yr-1 . Production over the last two decades followed a trajectory of decrease, which was related to the concurrent increase in annual SST and SSTaug . Annual SST > 20°C and SSTaug > 26.5°C was related to production decline (GAMM, P < 0.05), while the rest of the tested factors did not help explain the production pattern. Our results indicate a persistent and increasing threat for Eastern Mediterranean meadows, drawing attention to management authorities, highlighting the necessity of reducing local impacts to enhance the resilience of seagrass meadows to global change threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Litsi-Mizan
- Biology Department, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, PO Box 2208, Heraklion, Crete, GR-70013, Greece
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, GR-71003, Greece
| | - Pavlos T Efthymiadis
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, GR-71003, Greece
| | - Vasilis Gerakaris
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 712, Anavyssos, Attiki, 19013, Greece
| | - Oscar Serrano
- Centre of Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Cala Sant Francesc 14, Blanes, 17300, Spain
- School of Science & Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia
| | - Manolis Tsapakis
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, GR-71003, Greece
| | - Eugenia T Apostolaki
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, GR-71003, Greece
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9
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Bass AV, Falkenberg LJ. Two tropical seagrass species show differing indicators of resistance to a marine heatwave. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10304. [PMID: 37456075 PMCID: PMC10345732 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are a growing threat to marine species globally, including economically and ecologically important foundation species, such as seagrasses. Seagrasses in tropical regions may already be near their thermal maxima, and, therefore, particularly susceptible to increases in temperature, such as from MHWs. Here, we conducted a 10-day MHW experiment (control +4°C) to determine the effects of such events on the two tropical seagrasses Halophila beccarii and Halophila ovalis. We found that both species were largely resistant to the MHW, however, there were differences between the species' responses. For H. beccarii, the surface area of existing leaves was smaller under MHW conditions, yet a substantial increase in the number of new leaves under the MHW indicated its tolerance to-or even increased performance under-the MHW. While there was no direct effect of the MHW on H. ovalis, this species saw less epiphyte biomass and percentage cover on its leaves under the MHW. While a lower epiphyte cover can potentially increase the health and ecophysiological performance of the seagrass, the change of epiphytes can lead to bottom-up trophic implications via the influence on mesograzer feeding. Together, the results of this study demonstrate the species-specific responses of seagrasses of the same genus to a warming event. With the current global decline of seagrasses, our results are encouraging for these important habitat formers as we show that anomalous warming events may not necessarily lead to ecosystem collapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alissa V. Bass
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science LaboratoryThe Chinese University of Hong KongSha TinNew TerritoriesHong Kong SAR
| | - Laura J. Falkenberg
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science LaboratoryThe Chinese University of Hong KongSha TinNew TerritoriesHong Kong SAR
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10
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Pansini A, Beca-Carretero P, González MJ, La Manna G, Medina I, Ceccherelli G. Sources of variability in seagrass fatty acid profiles and the need of identifying reliable warming descriptors. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10000. [PMID: 37340008 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36498-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Global warming is expected to have inexorable and profound effects on marine ecosystems, particularly in foundation species such as seagrasses. Identifying responses to warming and comparing populations across natural temperature gradients can inform how future warming will impact the structure and function of ecosystems. Here, we investigated how thermal environment, intra-shoot and spatial variability modulate biochemical responses of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Through a space-for-time substitution study, Fatty acid (FA) profiles on the second and fifth leaf of the shoots were quantified at eight sites in Sardinia along a natural sea surface temperature (SST) summer gradient (about 4 °C). Higher mean SST were related to a decrease in the leaf total fatty acid content (LTFA), a reduction in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), omega-3/omega-6 PUFA and PUFA/saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratios and an increase in SFA, monounsaturated fatty acids and carbon elongation index (CEI, C18:2 n-6/C16:2 n-6) ratio. Results also revealed that FA profiles were strongly influenced by leaf age, independently of SST and spatial variability within sites. Overall, this study evidenced that the sensitive response of P. oceanica FA profiles to intra-shoot and spatial variability must not be overlooked when considering their response to temperature changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Pansini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Fisiche Matematiche e Naturali, Università Degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Pedro Beca-Carretero
- Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC), 36208, Vigo, Spain
| | - Maria J González
- Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC), 36208, Vigo, Spain
| | - Gabriella La Manna
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Fisiche Matematiche e Naturali, Università Degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy
- MareTerra Onlus, Environmental Research and Conservation, 07041, Alghero, SS, Italy
| | - Isabel Medina
- Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC), 36208, Vigo, Spain
| | - Giulia Ceccherelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Fisiche Matematiche e Naturali, Università Degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy
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Patrizia S, Vasilis R, Giulia C. Experimental thermocline deepening highlights the resilience of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica: An opportunity to investigate shoot adaptability. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 189:114824. [PMID: 36931153 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The deepening of the thermocline, correlated to the rising temperature, can contribute affecting seagrass performance in a changing climate scenario. Here, the effect of the thermocline deepening on the seagrass Posidonia oceanica has been investigated in Cyprus through a manipulative experiment that allowed also testing the effects of the irradiance, origin depth and translocation. P. oceanica shoots were collected from 31 m of depth and transplanted at 12 m under a shading net, simulating the 31 m light conditions. Morphology (i.e. leaf area, leaf necrosis, number of leaves) and physiology (i.e. growth rate) were evaluated. Thermocline and origin depth effects were found with an increase of leaf necrosis, while a translocation effect was highlighted by a decrease in leaf area. No differences in shoot growth rate due to treatments were found. This experiment indicated an overall wide morphological and physiological acclimation of P. oceanica cuttings in coping with future thermocline conditions and it indirectly provides information for restoration efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stipcich Patrizia
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Resaikos Vasilis
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre (ENALIA), Acropoleos St. 2, Aglanjia 101, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ceccherelli Giulia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Fisiche Matematiche e Naturali, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Santana-Garcon J, Bennett S, Marbà N, Vergés A, Arthur R, Alcoverro T. Tropicalization shifts herbivore pressure from seagrass to rocky reef communities. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20221744. [PMID: 36629100 PMCID: PMC9832549 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate-driven species redistributions are reshuffling the composition of marine ecosystems. How these changes alter ecosystem functions, however, remains poorly understood. Here we examine how impacts of herbivory change across a gradient of tropicalization in the Mediterranean Sea, which includes a steep climatic gradient and marked changes in plant nutritional quality and fish herbivore composition. We quantified individual feeding rates and behaviour of 755 fishes of the native Sarpa salpa, and non-native Siganus rivulatus and Siganus luridus. We measured herbivore and benthic assemblage composition across 20 sites along the gradient, spanning 30° of longitude and 8° of latitude. We coupled patterns in behaviour and composition with temperature measurements and nutrient concentrations to assess changes in herbivory under tropicalization. We found a transition in ecological impacts by fish herbivory across the Mediterranean from a predominance of seagrass herbivory in the west to a dominance of macroalgal herbivory in the east. Underlying this shift were changes in both individual feeding behaviour (i.e. food choice) and fish assemblage composition. The shift in feeding selectivity was consistent among temperate and warm-affiliated herbivores. Our findings suggest herbivory can contribute to the increased vulnerability of seaweed communities and reduced vulnerability of seagrass meadows in tropicalized ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Santana-Garcon
- Global Change Research Group, Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats (IMEDEA), CSIC-UIB, Esporles, Spain,Flourishing Oceans Initiative, The Minderoo Foundation, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Scott Bennett
- Global Change Research Group, Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats (IMEDEA), CSIC-UIB, Esporles, Spain,Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Núria Marbà
- Global Change Research Group, Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats (IMEDEA), CSIC-UIB, Esporles, Spain
| | - Adriana Vergés
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rohan Arthur
- Nature Conservation Foundation, 3076/5, 4th Cross, Gokulam Park, Mysore, Karnataka 570 002, India,Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Accés a la cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300 Blanes, Spain
| | - Teresa Alcoverro
- Nature Conservation Foundation, 3076/5, 4th Cross, Gokulam Park, Mysore, Karnataka 570 002, India,Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Accés a la cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300 Blanes, Spain
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Stipcich P, Pansini A, Beca-Carretero P, Stengel DB, Ceccherelli G. Field thermo acclimation increases the resilience of Posidonia oceanica seedlings to marine heat waves. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 184:114230. [PMID: 36307950 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Acclimation is a response that results from chronic exposure of an individual to a new environment. This study aimed to investigate whether the thermal environment affects the early development of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica, and whether the effects of a field-simulated Marine Heat Wave (MHW) on seedlings change depending on acclimation. The experiment was done in the field using a crossed design of Acclimation (acclimated vs unacclimated) and MHW (present vs absent) factors. Acclimation has initially constrained the development of P. oceanica seedlings, but then it increased their resilience to the MHW, under both a morphological and biochemical (fatty acid saturation) level. This treatment could be considered in P. oceanica restoration projects in a climate change-impaired sea, by purposely inducing an increased resistance to heat before transplants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Stipcich
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Arianna Pansini
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Pedro Beca-Carretero
- Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain; Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Dagmar B Stengel
- Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Giulia Ceccherelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Fisiche, Matematiche e Naturali, Università degli Studi di Sassari, via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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O’Dea CM, Lavery PS, Webster CL, McMahon KM. Increased extent of waterfowl grazing lengthens the recovery time of a colonizing seagrass ( Halophila ovalis) with implications for seagrass resilience. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:947109. [PMID: 36105704 PMCID: PMC9465301 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.947109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Herbivore distributions and abundance are shifting because of climate change, leading to intensified grazing pressure on foundation species such as seagrasses. This, combined with rapidly increasing magnitudes of change in estuarine ecosystems, may affect seagrass resilience. While the overall resilience of seagrasses is generally well-studied, the timeframes of recovery has received comparatively little attention, particularly in temperate estuaries. We investigated how the recovery time (RT) of seagrass is affected by simulated grazing in a southwestern Australian estuary. Whilst excluding swans, we simulated different grazing intensities (25, 50, 75, and 100% removal from 1 m2 plots) at four locations in the Swan-Canning Estuary, Western Australia during summer and tracked the recovery of seagrass over 3 months, using seagrass cover as the main measure of recovery. We found that seagrass recovered within 4-6 weeks from the lower grazing intensities (25 and 50%) and 7-19 weeks from the higher grazing intensities (75 and 100%) across the estuary. Increased grazing intensity led to not only longer recovery times (RTs), but also greater variability in the RT among experimental locations. The RT from the higher grazing intensities at one location in particular was more than double other locations. Seagrass recovery was through vegetative mechanisms and not through sexual reproduction. There was a significant grazing treatment effect on seagrass meadow characteristics, particularly belowground biomass which had not recovered 3 months following grazing. As the pressure of climate change on estuarine environments increases, these quantified RTs for seagrass provide a baseline for understanding grazing pressure as a singular disturbance. Future work can now examine how grazing and other potentially interacting pressures in our changing climate could impact seagrass recovery even further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn M. O’Dea
- Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Aquatic Science Branch, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Paul S. Lavery
- Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Chanelle L. Webster
- Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Kathryn M. McMahon
- Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
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