Seagrass ecosystem recovery: Experimental removal and synthesis of disturbance studies DOI Creative Commons
Spencer J. Tassone, Carolyn J. Ewers Lewis, Karen J. McGlathery

et al.

Limnology and Oceanography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 69(7), P. 1593 - 1605

Published: June 27, 2024

Abstract Net global losses of seagrasses have accelerated efforts to understand recovery from disturbances. Stressors causing disturbances (e.g., storms, heatwaves, boating) vary temporally and spatially within meadows potentially affecting recovery. To test differential recovery, we conducted a removal experiment at sites that differed in thermal stress for temperate seagrass ( Zostera marina ). We also synthesized prior studies assess general patterns. Seagrass shoots were removed 28.3 m 2 plots edge central meadow South Bay, Virginia, USA. hypothesized faster where greater oceanic exchange reduces stress. Contrary our hypothesis was most rapid the matching control site shoot density 24 months. Recovery incomplete estimated require 158 Differences likely due storm‐driven sediment erosion sites. Based on data studies, which primarily monospecific , recover across broad range conditions with positive, nonlinear relationship between disturbance area time. Our indicates position affects susceptibility length Linking this finding literature synthesis suggests increased attention spatial context will contribute better understanding variation rates.

Language: Английский

Bottom-use conflicts in shallow coastal zones: hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) aquaculture and restored seagrass (Zostera marina) DOI Creative Commons
Grace Arabella Breitenbeck,

Carol Johnston,

David J. Wilcox

et al.

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 26, 2025

Abstract Multiple-use conflicts of the marine benthos (“bottom-use conflicts”) are increasing as humans expand use coastal zone. These necessitate balanced management policies that consider economic and ecological benefits different bottom uses. In Virginia lagoons, there is a potential bottom-use conflict between hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) aquaculture restored seagrass (Zostera marina) meadows. We leveraged two decades (2001–2021) aerial imagery environmental data to quantify historic trends in conflict, assess realized niche across five variables (depth, sand fraction, root mean square [RMS] velocity, fetch, sea surface temperature anomaly), used random forest models predict extent seagrass, aquaculture, future. found growth areal coverage both uses over past twenty years with corresponding increase though area remained relatively minor. quantified significant but subtle differences distribution depth, RMS anomaly. Our predicted great for expansion small spatial overlap under current regulatory conditions. results illustrate how species can be understand impacts on natural ecosystems inform resource managers policy makers create objective balance socioeconomic ecologic needs.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Global Variability and Future Projections of Marine Heatwave Onset and Decline Rates DOI Creative Commons

Yingping Pan,

Wenjin Sun, Senliang Bao

et al.

Remote Sensing, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(8), P. 1362 - 1362

Published: April 11, 2025

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) can significantly impact marine ecosystems and socio-economic systems, their severity may increase with global warming. Nevertheless, research on the onset decline rates of MHWs remains limited, historical future variations are not yet fully understood. This study, therefore, analyzes spatiotemporal characteristics MHW by using sea surface temperature data from OISSTv2.1 CMIP6. The results indicate that during period 1982 to 2014, were higher in eddy-active mid-latitude current systems western tropical region but lower subtropical gyres. A remarkably high correlation (0.94) exists between rates; regions also tend have rates. Approximately 49.69% ocean exhibits an increasing trend rates, significant increases observed Eastern Equatorial Pacific. Meanwhile, 92.87% oceanic exhibit Looking ahead (2015~2100), both SSP245 SSP585 scenarios display consistent spatial patterns Kuroshio-Oyashio Extension, Gulf Stream, Antarctic Circumpolar Current, Brazil-Malvinas Confluence relatively Under scenario, than those under scenario. indicates as warming intensifies, more extreme likely occur. finding it is necessary pay attention rate when mitigating its potential impacts.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Eelgrass meadow response to heat stress. II. Impacts of ocean warming and marine heatwaves measured by novel metrics DOI Creative Commons

AC Berger,

Peter Berg,

KJ McGlathery

et al.

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 736, P. 47 - 62

Published: April 16, 2024

In June 2015, a marine heatwave triggered severe eelgrass Zostera marina die-off event at the Virginia Coast Reserve (USA), followed by slow and spatially heterogeneous recovery. We investigated effects of heat stress on seagrass loss Using hourly summer water temperature measurements from 2016-2020, we developed novel approach to quantifying ocean warming meadows. defined 2 metrics: cumulative (as heating degree-hours, HDHs) relief cooling CDHs), relative 28.6°C ecosystem thermal tolerance threshold previously determined this site aquatic eddy covariance measurements. These metrics were compared spatiotemporal patterns summertime shoot density length. found that healthiest parts meadow benefited greater (2-3×) due tidal (inputs cooler through inlets) during warm periods, resulting in ~65% higher densities center meadow, which experienced (2×) less relief. also calculated amount preceding was ~100-200°C-hours peak growing season. Sulfur isotope analyses leaves sediment suggested sulfide toxicity likely contributed decline. Overall, our incorporate physiological tolerances with duration intensity relief, thus lay groundwork for forecasting vulnerability resilience future oceans.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Seagrass ecosystem recovery: Experimental removal and synthesis of disturbance studies DOI Creative Commons
Spencer J. Tassone, Carolyn J. Ewers Lewis, Karen J. McGlathery

et al.

Limnology and Oceanography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 69(7), P. 1593 - 1605

Published: June 27, 2024

Abstract Net global losses of seagrasses have accelerated efforts to understand recovery from disturbances. Stressors causing disturbances (e.g., storms, heatwaves, boating) vary temporally and spatially within meadows potentially affecting recovery. To test differential recovery, we conducted a removal experiment at sites that differed in thermal stress for temperate seagrass ( Zostera marina ). We also synthesized prior studies assess general patterns. Seagrass shoots were removed 28.3 m 2 plots edge central meadow South Bay, Virginia, USA. hypothesized faster where greater oceanic exchange reduces stress. Contrary our hypothesis was most rapid the matching control site shoot density 24 months. Recovery incomplete estimated require 158 Differences likely due storm‐driven sediment erosion sites. Based on data studies, which primarily monospecific , recover across broad range conditions with positive, nonlinear relationship between disturbance area time. Our indicates position affects susceptibility length Linking this finding literature synthesis suggests increased attention spatial context will contribute better understanding variation rates.

Language: Английский

Citations

2