Dissertations / Theses: 'Seagrass'

1

Mvungi, Esther Francis. "Seagrasses and Eutrophication : Interactions between seagrass photosynthesis, epiphytes, macroalgae and mussels." Doctoral thesis, Stockholms universitet, Botaniska institutionen, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-55808.

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Seagrass meadows are highly productive, ecologically and economically valuable ecosystems. However, increased human activities along the coastal areas leading to processes such as eutrophication have resulted in the rapid loss and deterioration of seagrass ecosystems worldwide. This thesis focuses on the responses of seagrasses to increases in nutrients, subsequent increases in ephemeral algae, and changes in the physical-chemical properties of seawater induced by interaction with other marine biota. Both in situ and laboratory experiments conducted on the tropical seagrasses Cymodocea serrulata and Thalassia hemprichii revealed that increased concentrations of water column nutrients negatively affected seagrass photosynthesis by stimulating the growth of the epiphytic biomass on the seagrass leaves. Interaction between seagrasses and other marine organisms induced different responses in seagrass photosynthesis. Ulva intestinalis negatively affected the photosynthetic performance of the temperate seagrass Zostera marina both by reducing the light and by increasing the pH of the surrounding water. On the other hand, the coexistence of mussels Pinna muricata and seagrass Thalassia hemprichii enhanced the photosynthetic activity of the seagrass, but no effect on the mussels' calcification was recorded. This study demonstrates that seagrass productivity is affected by a multitude of indirect effects induced by nutrient over-enrichment, which act singly or in concert with each other. Understanding the responsive mechanisms involved is imperative to safeguard the ecosystem by providing knowledge and proposing measures to halt nutrient loading and to predict the future performance of seagrasses in response to increasing natural and human perturbations.
At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Papers 1, 3 and 4: Submitted. Paper 2: Manuscript.
Swedish Agency for Research Cooperation (Sida/SAREC) marine bilateral programme

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2

Moore, Althea F. P. "The Effects of Seagrass Species and Trophic Interactions in Experimental Seagrass Communities." W&M ScholarWorks, 2011. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539617911.

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3

Uku, Jacqueline. "Seagrasses and their epiphytes : Characterization of abundance and productivity in tropical seagrass beds." Doctoral thesis, Stockholm University, Department of Botany, 2005. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-527.

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Seagrass beds cover large intertidal and subtidal areas in coastal zones around the world and they are subjected to a wide variety of anthropogenic influences, such as nutrient enrichment due to sewage seepage. This study was undertaken to address specific questions focusing on whether near shore tropical seagrasses that receive a constant influx of groundwater nutrient inputs, would exhibit a higher productivity and to what extent epiphytic algae reflect the impacts of nutrient inputs. An additional aspect of study was to determine the prevalence of “acid zones” in tropical seagrasses. The productivity of the seagrasses Cymodocea rotundata, Thalassia hemprichii and Thalassodendron ciliatum was compared in two sites along the Kenyan coast; Nyali (a high nutrient site) and Vipingo (a low nutrient site). Of the three seagrasses T. hemprichii showed the most distinct differences with higher growth and biomass in the nutrient rich site whereas the growth of C. rotundata was similar in the two sites. A high epiphytic cover was found on the shoots of T. ciliatum found in the high nutrient site Nyali.

Morphological and genetic characterization of bacterial and cyanobacterial epiphytes showed specific associations of nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria on the seagrass C. rotundata in the low nutrient site (Vipingo). At this site, shoots of C. rotundata had a higher C:N ratio compared to shoots in the high nutrient site (Nyali) indicating that the association with nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria is a strategy, for this species, to meet its nutrient needs. Bacterial epiphytes belonging to the group Cytophaga-Flavobacteria-Bacteroides (CFB) were found on T. ciliatum and T. hemprichii from the two sites. CFB bacteria are characteristic of waste water, particularly from livestock farming areas, thereby confirming seepage of groundwater from surrounding catchment areas. These prokaryotic associations were specific for the different seagrasses and it appears that the establishment of epiphytic associations may not be a random encounter but a specific association that meets specific needs.

The seagrass T. ciliatum in the high nutrient site had an abundance of macroalgal epiphytes and the impact of the epiphytic coverage was assessed using Pulse Amplitude Modulated (PAM) fluorometry. The photosynthetic activity of seagrass parts that were covered by epiphytes was suppressed but the productivity of the whole shoot was not significantly reduced. In the nutrient rich site, epiphytes were found to contribute up to 45% of the total estimated gross productivity, during the SE monsoon season, while epiphytic contribution in the nutrient poor site, was 8%. Epiphytic abundance and contribution to productivity decreased during the NE monsoon. The photosynthetic activity of T. ciliatum shoots was similar in the two study sites with shoots in the nutrient rich site growing faster. T. ciliatum, in the low nutrient site, invested in the development of below ground root tissue which may indicate the development of a strategy to gain access to pore water nutrient pools.

Carbon uptake strategies of eight tropical seagrasses were re-evaluated to determine how common the “acid zone” mechanism is among tropical seagrasses. Six of the eight species studied showed photosynthetic inorganic carbon (Ci) acquisition based on carbonic anhydrase catalysed HCO₃^- to CO₂ conversions within an acidified diffusion boundary layer (“acid zone”). Cymodocea serrulata appeared to maintain its carbon uptake by extracellular carbonic anhydrase catalysed CO₂formation from HCO₃^- without the need for acidic zones, whereas, Halophila ovalis appeared to have a system in which H⁺ extrusion may be followed by HCO₃^--H⁺ co-transport into the cells. These findings indicate that competition for carbon, between the host seagrass species and epiphytes, could determine seagrass-epiphyte associations.

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4

Uku, Jacqueline Nduku. "Seagrasses and their epiphytes : characterization of abundance and productivity in tropical seagrass beds /." Stockholm : Dept. of Botany, Stockholm university, 2005. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-527.

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5

au, keulen@murdoch edu, and Michael van Keulen. "Water Flow in Seagrass Ecosystems." Murdoch University, 1998. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20040518.91242.

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Water motion has been shown to influence almost every aspect of the ecology of seagrass communities; seagrass communities have likewise been shown to significantly influence water movement around them. This thesis examines the important role of water motion on seagrass ecosystems by integrating field and laboratory studies of several aspects of seagrass ecology influenced by water motion. To facilitate the study of hydrodynamics of seagrass ecosystems, a solid state electronic current meter was designed and developed, using thermistors as flow sensing devices. Important characteristics of the meters include: no moving parts, compact size, high sensitivity (resolution better than ± 0.5 cm s-1), and high sampling rate (greater than 0.2 Hz). Deployment of the meters in field measurements provided reliable and meaningful results of flow conditions through seagrass canopies, and they show great potential for use in many studies of marine ecology. Field studies of water velocity profiles revealed significant differences between the shapes of profiles of different seagrass species, particularly between species of Posidonia and Amphibolis. Of particular note is the observation of a region of high water velocity beneath the leafy canopy of Amphibolis, which was not present in the Posidonia plants. Water velocity profile measurements, sediment grain size analyses and standing stock measurements were conducted across an exposure gradient in a Posidonia sinuosa meadow. These studies revealed that, while the exposed location experienced a higher ambient water velocity than the sheltered site, the baffling influence of the seagrass canopy reduced the water velocity to approximately the same at both sites, within the meadow, although the effects varied seasonally. It was also observed that the seagrass meadow produced apparent skimming flow under the low flow conditions measured at the sheltered location; this phenomenon reflects the capacity for flow redirection over the canopy, and has important implications for the sub-canopy ecosystem and the protective role of seagrasses on the seabed. Field and laboratory studies on the role of seagrass density on the hydrodynamic nature of seagrass ecosystems revealed that water velocity profiles through meadows of reduced densities, and different shoot arrangements, were markedly different to natural profiles, implying the existence of a critical density (approximately 25 % of natural meadow density) with regard to canopy hydraulics. The role of water motion at an individual leaf scale was investigated with a series of laboratory flume studies of photosynthetic rates of seagrass and algae. The results show that the response of photosynthetic rate to water velocity depends very much on the plant species, with the algae markedly more productive (on a unit chlorophyll basis) than the seagrasses tested. Increases in photosynthetic rate were observed at water velocities above approximately 2.5 cm s-1; negligible photosynthetic activity was observed below this velocity. Calculation of P v. I curves indicated that the Posidonia species had high Ik values at low velocities (1360 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for P. australis and 250.8 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for P. sinuosa at 1.58 cm s-1), which decreased with increasing water velocity (to 138.9 and 24.77 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for P. australis and P. sinuosa respectively), while the algal species had relatively constant values of Ik across all water velocities (85.42 to 312.7 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for Ulva lactuca and 169.7 to 573.9 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for Laurencia cruciata). Dye visualization studies showed that the algae remained quite rigid at all the velocities tested, while the seagrass leaves compressed as velocity increased. This resulted in an increased rate of turbulence creation by the algae, which is believed to enhance photosynthetic rates, through improved nutrient exchange rates across the boundary layer adjacent to the thallus. Further dye visualization studies revealed the significance of blade morphology on the creation of microscale turbulence at the surface of seagrass leaves. Epiphytic growth on seagrass leaves was observed to play an important role in breaking up water flow across the leaf surface, thereby enhancing the creation of microscale turbulence. From these studies, it is clear that water motion influences all aspects of the functioning of all components of seagrass communities, playing a role in nutrient supply, reproduction, physical stability, temperature and metabolic functions. The influence of seagrass meadows on coastal hydrodynamics is also apparent, with potential impacts on sediment stability, recruitment of benthic species and coastal erosion. This thesis has clearly demonstrated that water motion is an important parameter in seagrass ecology, and requires serious consideration in seagrass research, conservation and rehabilitation programmes.

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6

van, Keulen Michael. "Water flow in seagrass ecosystems." Thesis, van Keulen, Michael ORCID: 0000-0001-6235-5788 (1998) Water flow in seagrass ecosystems. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 1998. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/377/.

Full text

Abstract:

Water motion has been shown to influence almost every aspect of the ecology of seagrass communities; seagrass communities have likewise been shown to significantly influence water movement around them. This thesis examines the important role of water motion on seagrass ecosystems by integrating field and laboratory studies of several aspects of seagrass ecology influenced by water motion. To facilitate the study of hydrodynamics of seagrass ecosystems, a solid state electronic current meter was designed and developed, using thermistors as flow sensing devices. Important characteristics of the meters include: no moving parts, compact size, high sensitivity (resolution better than plus-minus 0.5 cm s-1), and high sampling rate (greater than 0.2 Hz). Deployment of the meters in field measurements provided reliable and meaningful results of flow conditions through seagrass canopies, and they show great potential for use in many studies of marine ecology. Field studies of water velocity profiles revealed significant differences between the shapes of profiles of different seagrass species, particularly between species of Posidonia and Amphibolis. Of particular note is the observation of a region of high water velocity beneath the leafy canopy of Amphibolis, which was not present in the Posidonia plants. Water velocity profile measurements, sediment grain size analyses and standing stock measurements were conducted across an exposure gradient in a Posidonia sinuosa meadow. These studies revealed that, while the exposed location experienced a higher ambient water velocity than the sheltered site, the baffling influence of the seagrass canopy reduced the water velocity to approximately the same at both sites, within the meadow, although the effects varied seasonally. It was also observed that the seagrass meadow produced apparent skimming flow under the low flow conditions measured at the sheltered location; this phenomenon reflects the capacity for flow redirection over the canopy, and has important implications for the sub-canopy ecosystem and the protective role of seagrasses on the seabed. Field and laboratory studies on the role of seagrass density on the hydrodynamic nature of seagrass ecosystems revealed that water velocity profiles through meadows of reduced densities, and different shoot arrangements, were markedly different to 'natural' profiles, implying the existence of a 'critical density' (approximately 25 % of natural meadow density) with regard to canopy hydraulics. The role of water motion at an individual leaf scale was investigated with a series of laboratory flume studies of photosynthetic rates of seagrass and algae. The results show that the response of photosynthetic rate to water velocity depends very much on the plant species, with the algae markedly more productive (on a unit chlorophyll basis) than the seagrasses tested. Increases in photosynthetic rate were observed at water velocities above approximately 2.5 cm s-1; negligible photosynthetic activity was observed below this velocity. Calculation of P v. I curves indicated that the Posidonia species had high Ik values at low velocities (1360 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for P. australis and 250.8 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for P. sinuosa at 1.58 cm s-1), which decreased with increasing water velocity (to 138.9 and 24.77 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for P. australis and P. sinuosa respectively), while the algal species had relatively constant values of Ik across all water velocities (85.42 to 312.7 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for Ulva lactuca and 169.7 to 573.9 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for Laurencia cruciata). Dye visualization studies showed that the algae remained quite rigid at all the velocities tested, while the seagrass leaves compressed as velocity increased. This resulted in an increased rate of turbulence creation by the algae, which is believed to enhance photosynthetic rates, through improved nutrient exchange rates across the boundary layer adjacent to the thallus. Further dye visualization studies revealed the significance of blade morphology on the creation of microscale turbulence at the surface of seagrass leaves. Epiphytic growth on seagrass leaves was observed to play an important role in breaking up water flow across the leaf surface, thereby enhancing the creation of microscale turbulence. From these studies, it is clear that water motion influences all aspects of the functioning of all components of seagrass communities, playing a role in nutrient supply, reproduction, physical stability, temperature and metabolic functions. The influence of seagrass meadows on coastal hydrodynamics is also apparent, with potential impacts on sediment stability, recruitment of benthic species and coastal erosion. This thesis has clearly demonstrated that water motion is an important parameter in seagrass ecology, and requires serious consideration in seagrass research, conservation and rehabilitation programmes.

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7

van, Keulen Michael. "Water flow in seagrass ecosystems." van Keulen, Michael (1998) Water flow in seagrass ecosystems. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 1998. http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/377/.

Full text

Abstract:

Water motion has been shown to influence almost every aspect of the ecology of seagrass communities; seagrass communities have likewise been shown to significantly influence water movement around them. This thesis examines the important role of water motion on seagrass ecosystems by integrating field and laboratory studies of several aspects of seagrass ecology influenced by water motion. To facilitate the study of hydrodynamics of seagrass ecosystems, a solid state electronic current meter was designed and developed, using thermistors as flow sensing devices. Important characteristics of the meters include: no moving parts, compact size, high sensitivity (resolution better than plus-minus 0.5 cm s-1), and high sampling rate (greater than 0.2 Hz). Deployment of the meters in field measurements provided reliable and meaningful results of flow conditions through seagrass canopies, and they show great potential for use in many studies of marine ecology. Field studies of water velocity profiles revealed significant differences between the shapes of profiles of different seagrass species, particularly between species of Posidonia and Amphibolis. Of particular note is the observation of a region of high water velocity beneath the leafy canopy of Amphibolis, which was not present in the Posidonia plants. Water velocity profile measurements, sediment grain size analyses and standing stock measurements were conducted across an exposure gradient in a Posidonia sinuosa meadow. These studies revealed that, while the exposed location experienced a higher ambient water velocity than the sheltered site, the baffling influence of the seagrass canopy reduced the water velocity to approximately the same at both sites, within the meadow, although the effects varied seasonally. It was also observed that the seagrass meadow produced apparent skimming flow under the low flow conditions measured at the sheltered location; this phenomenon reflects the capacity for flow redirection over the canopy, and has important implications for the sub-canopy ecosystem and the protective role of seagrasses on the seabed. Field and laboratory studies on the role of seagrass density on the hydrodynamic nature of seagrass ecosystems revealed that water velocity profiles through meadows of reduced densities, and different shoot arrangements, were markedly different to 'natural' profiles, implying the existence of a 'critical density' (approximately 25 % of natural meadow density) with regard to canopy hydraulics. The role of water motion at an individual leaf scale was investigated with a series of laboratory flume studies of photosynthetic rates of seagrass and algae. The results show that the response of photosynthetic rate to water velocity depends very much on the plant species, with the algae markedly more productive (on a unit chlorophyll basis) than the seagrasses tested. Increases in photosynthetic rate were observed at water velocities above approximately 2.5 cm s-1; negligible photosynthetic activity was observed below this velocity. Calculation of P v. I curves indicated that the Posidonia species had high Ik values at low velocities (1360 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for P. australis and 250.8 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for P. sinuosa at 1.58 cm s-1), which decreased with increasing water velocity (to 138.9 and 24.77 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for P. australis and P. sinuosa respectively), while the algal species had relatively constant values of Ik across all water velocities (85.42 to 312.7 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for Ulva lactuca and 169.7 to 573.9 :mol quanta m-2 s-1 for Laurencia cruciata). Dye visualization studies showed that the algae remained quite rigid at all the velocities tested, while the seagrass leaves compressed as velocity increased. This resulted in an increased rate of turbulence creation by the algae, which is believed to enhance photosynthetic rates, through improved nutrient exchange rates across the boundary layer adjacent to the thallus. Further dye visualization studies revealed the significance of blade morphology on the creation of microscale turbulence at the surface of seagrass leaves. Epiphytic growth on seagrass leaves was observed to play an important role in breaking up water flow across the leaf surface, thereby enhancing the creation of microscale turbulence. From these studies, it is clear that water motion influences all aspects of the functioning of all components of seagrass communities, playing a role in nutrient supply, reproduction, physical stability, temperature and metabolic functions. The influence of seagrass meadows on coastal hydrodynamics is also apparent, with potential impacts on sediment stability, recruitment of benthic species and coastal erosion. This thesis has clearly demonstrated that water motion is an important parameter in seagrass ecology, and requires serious consideration in seagrass research, conservation and rehabilitation programmes.

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8

Moniruzzaman, Md. "Seagrass detection using deep learning." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2019. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2261.

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Seagrasses play an essential role in the marine ecosystem by providing foods, nutrients, and habitat to the marine lives. They work as marine bioindicators by reflecting the health condition of aquatic environments. Seagrasses also act as a significant atmospheric carbon sink that mitigates global warming and rapid climate changes. Considering the importance, it is critical to monitor seagrasses across the coastlines which includes detection, mapping, percentage cover calculation, and health estimation. Remote sensing-based aerial and spectral images, acoustic images, underwater two-dimensional and three-dimensional digital images have so far been used to monitor seagrasses. For close monitoring, different machine learning classifiers such as the support vector machine (SVM), the maximum likelihood classifier (MLC), the logistic model tree (LMT) and the multilayer perceptron (MP) have been used for seagrass classification from two-dimensional digital images. All of these approaches used handcrafted feature extraction methods, which are semi-automatic. In recent years, deep learning-based automatic object detection and image classification have achieved tremendous success, especially in the computer vision area. However, to the best of our knowledge, no attempts have been made for using deep learning for seagrass detection from underwater digital images. Possible reasons include unavailability of enough image data to train a deep neural network. In this work, we have proposed a Faster R-CNN architecture based deep learning detector that automatically detects Halophila ovalis (a common seagrass species) from underwater digital images. To train the object detector, we have collected a total of 2,699 underwater images both from real-life shorelines, and from an experimental facility. The selected seagrass (Halophila ovalis) are labelled using LabelImg software, commonly used by the research community. An expert in seagrass reviewed the extracted labels. We have used VGG16, Resnet50, Inception V2, and NASNet in the Faster R-CNN object detection framework which were originally trained on COCO dataset. We have applied the transfer learning technique to re-train them using our collected dataset to be able to detect the seagrasses. Inception V2 based Faster R-CNN achieved the highest mean average precision (mAP) of 0.261. The detection models proposed in this dissertation can be transfer learned with labelled two-dimensional digital images of other seagrass species and can be used to detect them from underwater seabed images automatically.

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Bridgwood, Samantha. "Seagrass landscapes along a wave gradient." Thesis, Bridgwood, Samantha (2006) Seagrass landscapes along a wave gradient. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 2006. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/5118/.

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Seagrasses of southern Western Australia grow in coastal waters exposed to varying degrees of physical exposure from oceanic swell waves and waves created by strong seasonal wind patterns. Seagrass species have preferred niches within these exposures; however knowledge as to how a continuum of exposure effects seagrass distributions and landscape patterns is limited. This thesis examined long term and seasonal variability occurring in a seagrass landscape along a gradient of wave exposure on the North Sands platform, Warnbro Sound, Western Australia. Long term changes to the seagrass landscape were investigated over a 49 year time period. Seagrass areal extent was mapped from aerial photographs and compared through the years. Over the period, 1953 to 2002, there was a 27% loss of seagrass; from 273 ha in 1953 to 200 ha in 2002. Loss was separated into two causes anthropogenic (boat mooring/propeller scars) and natural. Boat mooring/propeller scars accounted for only 2%. The development of a large sand bar, growing from 27 ha to 89 ha, accounted for 66% of the loss. Historical records show a similar large-scale sediment event occurring in Warnbro Sound 170 years ago. Increased fragmentation of offshore seagrass meadows through time accounted for the remaining 32%. To confirm the gradient in exposure, several methods incorporating the effects of time and space were used to characterise water flow. Wind effects were characterised into exposure indices, significant wave heights, bottom flow velocities and surface flows were modelled and in situ flow velocity was measured. Modelling 4 and in-situ measurement of flow velocities showed the shape, bathymetry and topography of Warnbro Sound coupled with seasonal wind patterns, contributed to complex flow circulations within the bay. All flow velocities modelled and measured showed a reduction in flow shorewards. Modelled flows were highest during winter storms whereas wind effects were greatest in summer; due to the consistent and strong summer sea breezes. A comparison of two transects along this flow gradient revealed differences between them. Sediment grain size analyses were used to indicate longer term flow characteristics along the gradient of flow. Sediment profiles were coarser in the offshore exposed sites and finer in the inshore sheltered sites, but there was some modification by the seagrass. A comparison of sediment profiles between two transects along the gradient of flow showed differences. There was also a seasonal influence. Seagrass landscapes were investigated along the gradient. Aerial photographs showed a progressive increase in fragmentation of seagrass meadows from inshore to offshore. Two transects were used, each with five different seagrass landscapes progressing from solid through to fragmented. The two transects could be separated into three zones each. The middle zones were similar in landscape but differed in seagrass species. The inshore and offshore zones were the same, both in species and landscape. Distribution of seagrass species along the two transects was correlated to the flows measured over the transects. There was a relationship between seagrass distribution for the whole platform and wave exposure. 5 Amphibolis spp. occurred in the offshore region that had high flow velocities. Posidonia spp. occurred in the nearshore region that had low flow velocities. Distribution of seagrass species and fragmentation patterns were strongly correlated with wave exposure gradients. A strong correlation (r2 = 0.8) existed in winter between seagrass species (density and landscape) and environmental factors associated with exposure. Despite the strong winds in summer these had minimal effect on the seagrasses (low correlation). Winter flow conditions are therefore the driver of patterns in species distribution and fragmentation seen in the seagrass landscape of Warnbro Sound.

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Mishra, Amrit Kumar. "Global change effects on seagrass ecosystem." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/11296.

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Rising carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere will increase the average pCO2 level in the world oceans, which will have a knock-on effect on the marine ecosystem. Coastal seagrass communities one of the most productive marine ecosystems are predicted to benefit from the increase in CO2 levels, but long-term effects of elevated CO2 on seagrass communities are less understood. Population reconstruction techniques was used to investigate the population dynamics of Cymodocea nodosa meadows, exposed to long term elevated CO2 at volcanic seeps off Greece and Italy. Effect of elevated CO2 was noticed on the growth, morphometry, density, biomass and age structure at CO2 seeps. Above to below ground biomass ratio of C. nodosa were higher at CO2 seeps than at reference sites. The plastochrome interval were similar at all CO2 seeps. The shoot age and shoot longevity of plants were lower at seeps than reference sites. The present recruitment (sampled year) of the seagrass were higher than long-term average recruitment of the communities near the seeps. Carbon to nitrogen ratios (%DW) of C. nodosa were higher in leaves at seeps. Annual leaf production was higher near the seeps. This study suggests increased production of C. nodosa under elevated CO2 levels, but other co-factors such as nutrients, trace metal toxicity must also be taken into consideration while predicting effects of future CO2 concentrations. Volcanic CO2 seeps are now being used as natural analogues for ocean acidification studies although these areas can be affected by trace element input and may alter ecosystem responses to gradient in carbonate chemistry. Here Fe and a range of trace elements (Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, Ni and Zn) were analysed from sediments and from the roots, rhizomes and leaves of seagrass at six CO2 seeps and reference sites off Greece and Italy. There were higher metal levels in sediment and seagrasses at all CO2 seeps than reference sites. Sediment Quality Guideline Quotient, a commonly used pollution index, indicated that some of the metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni) were in high enough concentrations to have adverse biological effects, such as Cu at Ischia site and Hg at Vulcano. Higher accumulation of elements from sediments in roots and leaves at CO2 seeps were found from Bio Sediment Accumulation Factor index. There were higher levels of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in leaves and rhizomes for P. oceanica and higher levels of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe and Zn in C. nodosa compartments at CO2 seeps. Fe and Mn were found with positive correlation within sediment-roots and sediment-rhizomes, whereas Cd, Co and Pb were found with positive correlation in compartments of C. nodosa. In P. oceanica positive correlation were only observed for Cd within sediment-roots and plant compartments. Low pH and ocean acidification increased the concentration of elements at CO2 seeps than reference sites. Thus, caution is needed, when using volcanic seep systems as analogue for the effects of rising CO2, as metals can reach levels that are toxic to seagrass, masking any potential benefits of increased levels of carbon dioxide for seagrass productivity. Net community production (NCP) and community respiration (CR) were measured under air exposed and CO2 enriched conditions for intertidal Z. noltei meadows and unvegetated sediment communities during emersion in summer and winter seasons. Community production and respiration were measured in-situ using benthic chambers. CO2 flux under air and CO2 enriched conditions were measured over a series of short term incubations (30min) using an infra-red gas analyser. Incident photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) was recorded during the incubations covering the daily and seasonal variation. Linear regression model was used to test the effects of irradiance on net community production. NCP of Z. noltei community were higher under CO2 enriched conditions than air exposed conditions in both summer and winter seasons. There was no effect of CO2 on the CR rate of Z. noltei community in summer season. NCP of sediment community were higher in summer season and winter season under CO2 enriched conditions. Sediment CR rates were higher in winter than summer season. The light compensation point of Z. noltei and sediment community were lower in both seasons under CO2 enriched conditions. Seasonal budget of community production was higher in Z. noltei than sediment communities. A clear effect of PAR was noticed on the net community production of both communities. Higher PAR intensities resulted in higher NCP under CO2 enriched conditions for both communities. CO2 enrichment will have a positive effect on the intertidal communities during emersion.

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DeAmicis, Stacey Lynn. "The long-term effects of Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt invasion on Zostera marina L. and its associated epibiota." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/1007.

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In this thesis I review how Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt, an invasive alga from Asia, has spread globally due to human activities and describe how this species can affect seagrass ecosystems. Abiotic factors such as nutrient and substratum availability may facilitate the spread of S. muticum into Zostera marina L. meadows, but analyses of seawater nutrients, and sediment particle size and % organic content revealed no significant differences between experimental quadrats in seagrass meadows either with, or without the presence of S. muticum. Phenolic compounds were examined because they form the basis of defensive mechanisms in plants and algae, therefore any change in phenolic content may affect the ability of Z. marina to protect itself from disease, herbivory and invasive species through allelopathic interactions. Results from a four year field study and multiple annual laboratory experiments showed significant reductions (p = 0.034 and p = 0.002, respectively) in the caffeic and tannic acids equivalents content of Z. marina when in the presence of S. muticum. As the abundance of S. muticum increases, other changes in the physiology of Z. marina may occur including variations in growth rates, nutrient partitioning and chlorophyll fluorescence, but data from multiple laboratory experiments illustrated no significant differences in growth. Chlorophyll fluorescence analyses revealed significant differences between treatments with and without S. muticum (p = 0.008), but pairwise comparisons indicated these differences only occurred in 2008 (p < 0.001). Significant differences were also found in nutrient partitioning amongst functional regions of the shoots (p = 0.024), but pairwise comparisons detected these differences between a biomass control treatment (ZZ: Zostera + Zostera) and the ZS (with S. muticum) and ZM (Z. marina on its own at a lower biomass per replicate) treatments (p = 0.013 and p = 0.019, respectively), but not between ZS and ZM. Previous in situ research has found negative effects of S. muticum presence on densities of kelp and other algae. Results from the long-term field study indicated significantly lower mean in situ Z. marina densities within the ZS treatment (p < 0.001). Epibiota found living on the blades of Z. marina provide food for organisms within seagrass ecosystems and also create microhabitats for other species to occupy. Alterations in the abundances of epibiota and microhabitats formed could further modify seagrass ecosystems through shifts in timing of food availability, food preferences and microhabitats created. The long-term field study data revealed significantly lower epibiota abundances within the ZS treatment (p = 0.019), but differences in biomass between treatments were not detected. Changes in the biochemistry, physiology, vegetative physiognomy and epibiota assemblages of Z. marina revealed during experimental manipulations are presented and considered within the context of long-term seagrass survival in light of increasing S. muticum invasion.

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Waspe, Christopher Themba. "Interactive effects of temperature and grazing by seagrass limpets (Siphonaria compressa and Fissurella mutabilis) on seagrass (Zostera capensis)." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20010.

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Climate change is a reality. One of the main ecological concerns regarding climate change is the predicted increase in atmospheric and sea temperatures. The latter is expected to rise by roughly 2.5°C by the end of 2050 with dramatic impacts on marine ecosystems predicted around the world. Seagrass ecosystems are a good example of vital ecosystems that are threatened by climate change and other anthropogenic factors. A decline in global seagrass cover of 29% has been estimated over the last century, and at a local level, cover of the seagrass Zostera capensis has declined by 38% over the last 50 years in Langebaan Lagoon, with associated losses of invertebrate abundance by 70% in certain areas. Two limpets, Siphonaria compressa and Fissurella mutabilis depend on Zostera capensis for their survival in Langebaan Lagoon, feeding on epiphytic diatoms, filamentous algae and bacteria growing on blades on seagrass. Siphonaria compressa occurs exclusively in beds of Zostera capensis and is currently listed as critically endangered. Increasing sea temperatures have been found to directly and indirectly affect seagrass growth and survival. Temperature changes influence epiphytic microalgal growth on seagrass blades, thereby limiting light and nutrient availability to seagrasses. Key grazers, however, can potentially limit microalgal growth on seagrasses, but this function is dependant on how they respond to temperature change. Therefore, understanding the effects of temperature on seagrasses and their grazing limpets is vital to seagrass health and ultimately their persistence in marine ecosystems. To quantify the latter, a mesocosm experiment was conducted to assess the interactive effect of temperature changes and grazing by the limpets S. compressa and F. mutabilis on the seagrass Z. capensis. One of the main outcomes of the experiment was that Increasing temperatures significantly enhanced algae biomass fouling seagrass leaves. At the same time, limpet feeding significantly decreases algal fouling, especially at higher temperatures. S. compressa was significantly more effective at removing algae from the blades of Z. capensis than F. mutabilis, particularly at higher temperatures. Increasing temperatures and the feedback from grazer presence had no substantial impact on the growth of Z. capensis but vi significantly influenced the survival of the seagrass blades. Another important result for predicting future effects of temperature rise on seagrass ecosystems was that mortality of F. mutabilis was significantly greater than S. compressa at higher temperatures. Overall, the study demonstrates that increasing temperatures clearly impacts the dynamics of seagrass ecosystems, either directly by impacting seagrasses or indirectly, by increasing algal fouling. The presence of limpets is also vital in controlling the levels of algae, with S. compressa performing more of a beneficial role in keeping blades of seagrass free of fouling. These findings are relevant for the conservation of seagrasses in Langebaan Lagoon, as they indicate the importance of preserving populations of the endangered limpet S. compressa in order to maintain healthy functioning seagrass ecosystems under future warming scenarios.

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Tarquinio, Flavia. "The role of the seagrass leaf microbiome in assisting nitrogen uptake by the Western Australian seagrass, Posidonia sinuosa." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2017. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2046.

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Microorganisms play a key role in facilitating the cycling of several elements in coastal environments, including nitrogen (N). N is a key component for maintaining high seagrass productivity and is often the limiting nutrient in marine environments. Seagrasses harbour an abundant and diverse microbial community (the ‘microbiome’), however their ecological and functional roles related to the seagrass host are still poorly understood, in particular regarding N cycling. Microorganisms capable of mineralising dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) may play a pivotal role in enhancing N availability in coastal environments such as seagrass meadows. Thus, the overall aim of my thesis was to enhance current understanding of abundance and diversity of the microbial community associated with seagrass meadows and their ecological role, with specific focus on N cycling. This was achieved by using molecular techniques together with 15N-enrichment experiments and nanoscale imaging techniques. Firstly, I reviewed the literature on the potential effects that microorganisms associated with both the above- and belowground seagrass tissue may have on plant fitness and the relevance of the seagrass microbiome and I have highlighted literature gaps. For my second chapter, I determined the abundance and community composition of bacteria and archaea associated with seagrass Posidonia sinuosa meadows in Marmion Marine Park, southwestern Australia. Data were collected from different seagrass meadows and meadow ‘microenvironments’, i.e. seagrass leaf surface, sediment and water column. I performed the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) targeting a series of bacterial and archaeal genes: 16S rRNA, ammonia oxidation genes (amoA) and genes involved in mineralisation of DON, via the urease enzyme (ureC). High-throughput sequencing was applied to 16S rRNA and amoA genes, to explore the diversity of these microbial assemblages related to P. sinuosa meadow microenvironments. Results from this chapter show that the P. sinuosa leaf biofilm represents a favourable habitat for microorganisms, as it hosts a significantly higher microbial abundance compared to the sediment and water. Moreover, 16S rRNA and amoA sequencing data indicate a high degree of compartmentalisation of functional microbial communities between the microenvironments of the seagrass meadow (leaf, sediment and water column), pointing towards the existence of a core seagrass leaf microbiome that could have specific interactions with the plant. For my third chapter I determined the role that microorganisms inhabiting P. sinuosa seagrass leaves may play in the recycling of DON, and subsequent transfer of inorganic N (DIN) into plant tissues. To achieve this, I performed an experiment whereby seagrass leaves with and without microorganisms were incubated with DO15N, and I traced the fine-scale uptake and assimilation of microbially processed N into seagrass cells, using nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS). Results from this chapter show for the first time that seagrass leaf epiphytic microorganisms facilitated the uptake of 15N from DON, which was unavailable to the plant in the absence of epiphytes. This indicates that seagrass leaves have limited to no ability to take up DON, and the seagrass leaf microbiome could therefore play a much more significant role than previously thought in enhancing plant health and productivity. Finally, I determined the net nitrification rates associated with ammoniaoxidising microorganisms (AOM) inhabiting P. sinuosa leaf surfaces, and explored whether AOM facilitated, or competed for, the plant’s N uptake. My findings show that AOM may compete with seagrasses for NH4 + uptake, but that their potential to outcompete seagrass epiphytic algae for DIN uptake indicates that AOM on seagrass leaves may serve as a ‘biocontrol’ over excess epiphytic algal growth. In summary, the present thesis represents a significant advance in our understanding of the seagrass leaf-microbiome relationship and transformations of N within seagrass meadows. Moreover, it opens up new questions for future research not only on seagrass-microbiome interactions but other macrophytes in aquatic systems that may benefit from the presence of specific N-cycling microorganisms.

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Vivoni-Gallart, Enrique Rafael 1975. "Turbulence structure of a model seagrass meadow." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/35483.

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Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1998.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 235-239).
A laboratory study of the hydrodynamics of a seagrass meadow was conducted to investigate the effect of water depth and velocity variations during a tidal cycle on the mean and turbulent velocity fields in and above the vegetation layer. The principal goal was to characterize the turbulence structure of a depth-limited canopy, a gap that presently exists in the knowledge concerning the interaction of a unidirectional flow with an assemblage of plants. The experiments were carried out in an open channel flume with a model seagrass canopy. Proper modeling of the system for both the geometric and dynamic behavior of natural Zostera marina communities allows the results to be extrapolated to the conditions in a coastal, tidal meadow. The results also serve as an important comparative case to the characterization of turbulence within atmospheric plant canopies. The laboratory study included the measurement of the mean and turbulent velocity fields with the use of an acoustic Doppler velocimeter and a laser Doppler velocimeter. Standard turbulence parameters were evaluated including the velocity moments, the turbulence spectra. the turbulent kinetic energy budget and the quadrant distribution of the Reynolds stress. Each of these provided a means of describing the effect of submergence depth and the degree of canopy waving (monami) on the transport of momentum and mass between the canopy and its surrounding fluid environment. In addition. surface slope measurements were made with surface displacement gauges. the plant motion was quantified using video and camera images. and the canopy morphology was recorded from measurements taken from a random sampling of the model plants. The investigation showed a clear link between the shear generated eddies arising at the interface of the canopy and the surface layer and the vertical exchange of momentum. the plant motion characteristics and the turbulence time and length scales. The turbulence field within the seagrass meadow was composed of a shear-generated turbulence zone near the canopy height and a wake-generated zone near the bed In addition. a mean flow due to the pressure gradient from the water surface slope created a region of secondary maxima in the mean velocity profile near the bed. The parameter determining the seagrass turbulence structure was found to be the characteristic depth (H' h). defined such that the effective canopy height. reflects the plant deflection. Across the range of values considered for H/h. the flow characteristics showed a clear transition from a confined to an unbounded canopy flow. This transition was observed in all the principal turbulence parameters. From this analysis. a critical surface layer depth governing the transition between the two extreme canopy flow conditions was identified as half the effective canopy height. H'h = 1.50.
by Ernique Rafael Vivoni Gallart.
S.M.

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15

Sanmartí, Boixeda Neus. "Biological interactions and resilience of seagrass ecosystems." Doctoral thesis, Universitat de Barcelona, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/672259.

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Our world is subjected to a panoply of drivers of change. In this context, the understanding on how our biosphere resists, absorbs or is altered by the changes, appears as a hot question in ecology. In this respect, two ecological concepts appear as essential, resilience and biotic interactions. Resilience is related to how ecosystems persist under stress or suffering disturbances. Interactions among species are to a large part responsible for the delivery of ecosystem functions, and form the architecture of biodiversity. Moreover, a substantial part of ecosystem resilience is founded on species interactions. This thesis is an attempt to shed some light on these issues through the deep exploration of specific case studies in seagrass ecosystems, in particular how seagrasses respond to external drivers (or how resilient they are), how these responses affect species interactions and which mechanisms allow coexistence of species linked by positive and negative interactions. Our approach is based upon field observations and field manipulative experiments. Chapter 1 shows how an increase of organic matter in sediment weakens the mutualism between the bivalve Loripes lucinalis and the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. The mechanism implied is the effect of this increase (and, probably, the resulting anoxia) on seagrass root morphology (plant trait), which results in a lower provision of habitat for the bivalves, whose abundance decreases. The weakening of the mutualism can potentially decrease the resilience of these ecosystems to eutrophication and, therefore, compromise their persistence. Chapter 2 describes a facilitative cascade in which the seagrass C. nodosa favors the abundance of the pen shell Pinna nobilis, which positively affects the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, which in turn consumes the seagrass. We suggest that the persistence of this three-species assemblage rests on the very local impact of sea urchins on the seagrass, likely driven by behavioural and denso-dependent processes. Chapter 3 and 4 show that fast-growing species such as C. nodosa are highly resilient to stress or disturbances when affecting only the aboveground parts, recovering fast (within two weeks) from a single event of disturbance. C. nodosa shows several mechanisms of tolerance, such as compensatory growth, reallocation of internal resources and enhancement of the formation of new modules, when coping to repeated defoliation simulating herbivory. However, when the belowground parts are lost by disturbances, recovery is highly delayed up to two years and is dependent on the characteristics of the disturbance such as size and timing. Overall, this research has contributed to increase our understanding on how ecosystems respond to changes and how species interactions are maintained and disrupted. We have shown that environmental changes can alter the functioning of seagrass ecosystems at least in two directions. Firstly, by altering fundamental biological interactions, such as the seagrass-lucinid mutualism and, secondly, by affecting the resilience of ecosystems dominated by a foundation species, which promote species coexistence. Advances in the two complementary and interlinked directions will be crucial to better manage and preserve ecosystems and prevent their potential collapse under the increasing human-induced change the world is submitted to.
El nostre món està sotmès a un ampli ventall de forces que tendeixen a provocar canvis. En aquest context, entendre com la biosfera resisteix, absorbeix o és alterada per aquestes forces resulta una qüestió candent, especialment per l'ecologia. Al respecte, dos conceptes ecològics esdevenen essencials: la resiliència i les interaccions biològiques. La resiliència és la capacitat de persistència o recuperació que tenen els ecosistemes sotmesos a estrès o pertorbacions. Les interaccions entre espècies (efectes de l'existència d'una espècie sobre la fitness d'una altra) contribueixen al manteniment de les funcions ecosistèmiques i, en un cert sentit, constitueixen l'arquitectura de la biodiversitat. A més, la resiliència dels ecosistemes depèn , en gran part, d’aquestes interaccions. Aquesta tesi és un intent d’aprofundir en els aspectes esmentats a través d'una sèrie de casos d’estudi en ecosistemes d’angiospermes marines. Concretament, el que fem és estudiar com els ecosistemes d’angiospermes marines responen a les forces causants de canvis, com aquestes respostes vénen mitjançades per canvis en la interacció entre espècies, i provar d'esbrinar els mecanismes que permeten la coexistència d’espècies que es troben vinculades per interaccions positives i negatives. La nostra aproximació es basa tant en observacions com en experiments en el camp. El Capítol 1 mostra com un increment de matèria orgànica en el sediment debilita el mutualisme entre el bivalve Loripes lucinalis i l’angiosperma marina Cymodocea nodosa. El mecanisme implicat que es proposa per explicar-ho està relacionat amb la plasticitat morfològica de la planta. Així, un increment en la matèria orgànica del sediment (i, probablement, l’anòxia que se'n segueix), fa que la planta modifiqui la morfologia de les seves arrels, que esdevenen molt menys ramificades i fan disminuir per tant la disponibilitat d'hàbitat per als bivalves. Una debilitació del mutualisme pot, potencialment, disminuir la resiliència d’aquests ecosistemes a l’eutrofització i, per tant, comprometre la seva persistència. El Capítol 2 descriu una cascada de facilitació en la qual l’angiosperma marina C. nodosa afavoreix l’abundància del gran bivalve Pinna nobilis, que ajuda a incrementar l'abundància de la garota Paracentrotus lividus, que al seu torn consumeix l’angiosperma. Suggerim que la persistència d’aquest sistema de tres espècies, aparentment inestable (tres interaccions concatenades circularment, dues de positives i una de negativa) es basa en què la interacció negativa (l’efecte de les garotes sobre l’angiosperma) té un abast molt limitat, probablement degut tant al seu comportament alimentari com a les defenses de la planta enfront de l'herbivorisme. Els Capítols 3 i 4 mostren que les espècies de creixement ràpid, com ara C. nodosa, són altament resilients a l'estrès o a les pertorbacions quan aquestes afecten només les parts aèries de les plantes (defoliació parcial o total), recuperant-se ràpidament (dues setmanes) després d'una pertorbació puntual en el temps. C. nodosa mostra diversos mecanismes de tolerància a la defoliació, com ara el creixement compensatori, la reassignació de recursos interns i l’increment en la taxa de formació de nous mòduls. Tanmateix, quan les pertorbacions provoquen la pèrdua de les parts subterrànies (rizomes i arrels), la recuperació és molt més lenta, i triga fins a dos anys. A més, aquesta recuperació depèn de les característiques de la pertorbació com ara la mida de l'àrea afectada i l’època de l'any en què es produeix. En general, aquesta tesi ha contribuït a comprendre millor les respostes dels ecosistemes als canvis. Hem pogut documentar alguns processos que permeten la coexistència entre espècies, així com mecanismes de resiliència específics que esdevenen ecosistèmics quan es manifesten en espècies fundadores d'hàbitat. També hem demostrat com els canvis, més enllà d'afectar espècies individuals més o menys emblemàtiques, poden provocar alteracions de formes més subtils, com ara erosionant la seva resiliència mitjançant la modificació d’interaccions biològiques. Els avenços en totes aquestes direccions complementàries i interrelacionades són crucials per a gestionar i preservar els ecosistemes i evitar el seu possible col·lapse.

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Jamaludin, Mohammad Rozaimi. "Carbon storage and preservation in seagrass meadows." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2015. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1683.

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Seagrass meadows are important ‘Blue Carbon’ sinks but many questions remain unaddressed in regards to the organic carbon (OC) sequestration capacity and processes leading to retention and persistence of OC in seagrass sediments. The research summarised in this dissertation examined 37 sediment cores from twelve Australian seagrass meadows (Posidonia australis and Halophila ovalis) in order to improve our understanding of OC storage and preservation in seagrass sediments. The research: quantified the OC storage in seagrass meadows and the reduction in stores after ecosystem degradation; the rates of OC accumulation; the roles of species composition and the depositional nature of the habitat as factors affecting OC storage; and, characterised the sedimentary organic matter (OM) accumulated over millennia using techniques not previously applied to seagrass sediments. In Oyster Harbour, Western Australia, P. australis had been present over the past 6000 years, as evidenced from radiocarbon analysis of sedimentary matter. Both seagrass- and nonseagrass-derived OM contributed to high sedimentary organic stores (10.79-11.42 kg OC m- 2; 150 cm sediment depth). The persistence of sedimentary OM over millennial scales indicated that the carbon was well-preserved, thus showing a link between carbon storage and its preservation. By quantifying accumulation rates, and using historical accounts of the highest areal cover (6.1 to 6.7 km2) and recent losses in cover (by 2.8-3.1 km2) due to eutrophication, it was estimated that up to 11.17 Gg OC has been lost from shallow sediments (50 cm depth) following seagrass loss. This carbon was potentially remineralisable and may, therefore, have been liberated back to the atmospheric CO2 pool. Nine Posidonia australis meadows were then investigated for the effect of the depositional environment on sedimentary OC stores. Based on hydrodynamic differences of meadows categorised as More Sheltered, Less Sheltered, and Exposed, the More Sheltered sites had OC stores 6-fold higher (4.57 ± 0.16 to 13.51 ± 0.53 kg OC m-2; 140 cm sediment depth) compared to Exposed meadows (2.24 ± 0.31 to 3.77 ± 0.85 kg OC m-2). The OC stores of Less Sheltered meadows were not significantly different to either of the other two categories. It was concluded that the depositional nature of a seagrass habitat can affect the OC stores, though the affects may be influenced by other site-specific characteristics. The effect of species composition on OC stores and accumulation rates was subsequently investigated by comparing the stores in estuarine P. australis and H. ovalis meadows. Comparisons were based on stratigraphic- (OC stores over a set depth) and temporal-based (i.e. accumulation over a set period of time, and as accumulation rates) measures. Organic carbon stores were between 2- (P. australis: 10.81 ± 2.06 kg OC m-2, H. ovalis: 5.17 ± 2.16 kg OC m-2; 150 cm depth) and 11-fold (P. australis: 10.87 ± 2.86 kg OC m-2, H. ovalis: 0.97 ± 0.47 kg OC m-2; 2500 yr accumulation) different between meadows of the two species. While the OC stores were different between species, it was also apparent that environmental factors also contributed to the variability, with some H. ovalis meadows having stores comparable to some P. australis meadows. Thus, both the species and environmental factors needs to be considered for robust predictions of OC storage in seagrass meadows. The final study reported here investigated the preservation of sedimentary OC in the P. australis meadow of Oyster Harbour. A range of biogeochemical variables (age, sediment grain size, anoxia, OM and OC contents, and _13C values) were characterised at increasing depth within a sediment core. Solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance was applied to a seagrass core for the first time to characterise the biochemical constituents of the sedimentary OM. There was a 76-80% contribution of seagrass-derived organics (lignin, carbohydrate, and a black-carbon-like OM) into the sediment. The proportion of black-carbon-like material increased with age/depth, indicating that it underwent selective preservation. Carbohydrates decreased with depth/age and lignin showed no changes, indicating that they have undergone non-selective preservation. There was remarkable consistency in the biochemical makeup of the OM with depth, which accumulated over the past 1900 years, indicating a very high preservation potential within seagrass sediments. Cumulatively, the research presented in this dissertation has highlighted the variability of OC stores in seagrass meadows and how OC may be preserved. The research has indicated that any attempts to estimate regional or global carbon stores must take into account both the species of seagrass that dominate the meadows and the type of depositional environment that the meadows occur in. It is also clear that Posidonia meadows in south-western Australia have the potential to store very large amount of Blue Carbon, comparable in some instances to the highest stores recorded globally, and to preserve these stores over millennia. Modelling future Blue Carbon stores requires an understanding of the fate of the stored carbon following disturbance. It is clear that this carbon can be lost from the meadow, but much of it appears to be in highly recalcitrant forms and it is unclear whether this material is available for subsequent re-mineralisation.

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Nowicki, Robert J. "Effects of Catastrophic Seagrass Loss and Predation Risk on the Ecological Structure and Resilience of a Model Seagrass Ecosystem." FIU Digital Commons, 2016. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2994.

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As climate change continues, climactic extremes are predicted to become more frequent and intense, in some cases resulting in dramatic changes to ecosystems. The effects of climate change on ecosystems will be mediated, in part, by biotic interactions in those ecosystems. However, there is still considerable uncertainty about where and how such biotic interactions will be important in the context of ecosystem disturbance and climactic extremes. Here, I review the role of consumers in seagrass ecosystems and investigate the ecological impacts of an extreme climactic event (marine heat wave) and subsequent widespread seagrass die-off in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Specifically, I compare seagrass cover, shark catch rates, and encounter rates of air breathing fauna in multiple habitat types before and after the seagrass die-off to describe post-disturbance dynamics of the seagrass community, shifts in consumer abundances, and changes in risk-sensitive habitat use patterns by a variety of mesoconsumers at risk of predation from tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier). Finally, I conducted a 16 month field experiment to assess whether xi loss of top predators, and predicted shifts in dugong foraging, could destabilize remaining seagrass. I found that the previously dominant temperate seagrass Amphibolis antarctica is stable, but not increasing. Conversely, an early-successional tropical seagrass, Halodule uninervis, is expanding. Following the die-off, the densities of several consumer species (cormorants, green turtles, sea snakes, and dugongs) declined, while others (Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead sea turtles, tiger sharks) remained stable. Stable tiger shark abundances following the seagrass die-off suggest that the seascape of fear remains intact in this system. However, several consumers (dolphins, cormorants) began to use dangerous but profitable seagrass banks more often following seagrass decline, suggesting a relaxation of anti-predator behavior. Experimental results suggest that a loss of tiger sharks would result in a behaviorally mediated trophic cascade (BMTC) in degraded seagrass beds, further destabilizing them and potentially resulting in a phase shift. My work shows that climactic extremes can have strong but variable impacts on ecosystems mediated in part by species identity, and that maintenance of top predator populations may by important to ecological resilience in the face of climate change.

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Samsonova, Maria. "Tropicalisation of temperate seagrass meadows in Western Australia: Predicting the impact of tropical herbivorous fishes on temperate seagrass meadows." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2020. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2294.

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Rising sea temperatures through climate change produce shifts in the distribution of tropical species to temperate regions, a process termed “tropicalisation”. The poleward expansion of tropical herbivores into temperate seagrass meadows is predicted to increase grazing pressure and alter ecosystem services and processes in these seagrass systems. This study attempted to examine the effects of tropicalisation on temperate seagrass meadows along the western coast of Australia, where the increasing abundance of tropical consumers such as the herbivorous Siganus fuscescens has already been documented. Through the assessment of fish assemblages in seagrass meadows and the grazing levels on seagrass in 2001 and 2016/17, as well as in situ and mesocosm feeding preference experiments, this study attempted to estimate the grazing rates and impact that the growing abundance of S. fuscescens may have in temperate seagrass meadows. Shifts in the grazing rates on seagrass between 2001 and 2016/17 were inconsistent, varying between seagrass species and location. Based on observational data on the bites on seagrass leaves, rates of consumption increased for Posidonia sinuosa while no similar pattern was found for Posidonia australis. This was despite an apparent greater consumption on P. australis compared to P. sinuosa in 2001, and the minimal amount of grazing on tethered seagrass. The higher observed level of P. sinuosa consumption in 2016/17 is likely explained by the changed herbivorous fish species composition, even though no fish were clearly observed feeding on seagrass in the current study. The tropical herbivore S. fuscescens was more abundant in 2016/17 that 2001, although abundances were patchy and no fish was observed feeding on seagrass. The higher level of P. sinuosa consumption in 2016/17, compared to 2001, supports the prediction that with increasing abundances in temperate seagrass ecosystems, tropical herbivores will enhance the consumption of seagrass. However, seagrass consumption is likely to be strongly influenced by the availability of macroalgae which were shown as the preferred food sources. Feeding trials in mesocosms were compromised by the large number of deaths and the limited grazing on natural food sources by S. fuscescens, suggesting that the population in the Perth region is susceptible to adverse handling and husbandry effects. To maximise the survival rate of captured fish, the fishing and handling procedures were altered to adapt to the ongoing observations in the response of fish to handling in the field or in the mesocosm facilities. Lesson learned from the capture, handling and husbandry of S. fuscescens in feeding trials in the current study will hopefully provide greater success for feeding preference experiments in the future. The sampling program initiated in 2001 and repeated in 2016/17 provides base-line data and the opportunity to monitor and track the shift in abundances of tropical herbivores and resultant increases in grazing rates to test the above predictions. The consequences of tropicalisation will depend on the variety of abiotic and biotic factors, including the fish assemblages in the area, the abundance of tropical species, the availability of food, and the feeding preferences that invading species will develop in response to the changed environmental conditions.

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Wicks, Elinor Caroline. "The effect of sea level rise on seagrasses is sediment adjacent to retreating marshes suitable for seagrass growth? /." College Park, Md. : University of Maryland, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1903/3277.

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Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2005.
Thesis research directed by: Marine, Estuarine, Environmental Sciences Graduate Program. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.

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20

Eklöf, Johan S. "Anthropogenic Disturbances and Shifts in Tropical Seagrass Ecosystems." Doctoral thesis, Stockholm University, Department of Systems Ecology, 2008. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-7285.

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Seagrasses constitute the basis for diverse and productive ecosystems worldwide. In East Africa, they provide important ecosystem services (e.g. fisheries) but are potentially threatened by increasing resource use and lack of enforced management regulations. The major aim of this PhD thesis was to investigate effects of anthropogenic distur-bances, primarily seaweed farming and coastal fishery, in East African seagrass beds. Seaweed farming, often depicted as a sustainable form of aquaculture, had short- and long-term effects on seagrass growth and abundance that cascaded up through the food web to the level of fishery catches. The coastal fishery, a major subsistence activity in the region, can by removing urchin predators indirectly increase densities of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla, which has overgrazed seagrasses in several areas. A study using simulated grazing showed that high magnitude leaf removal – typical of grazing urchins – affected seagrasses more than low magnitude removal, typical of fish grazing. Different responses in two co-occurring seagrass species furthermore indicate that high seagrass diversity in tropical seagrass beds could buffer overgrazing effects in the long run. Finally, a literature synthesis suggests that anthropogenic disturbances could drive shifts in seagrass ecosystems to an array of alternative regimes dominated by other or-ganisms (macroalgae, bivalves, burrowing shrimp, polychaetes, etc.). The formation of novel feedback mechanisms makes these regimes resilient to disturbances like seagrass recovery and transplantation projects. Overall, this suggests that resource use activities linked to seagrasses can have large-scale implications if the scale exceeds critical levels. This emphasizes the need for holistic and adaptive management at the seascape level, specifically involving improved techniques for seaweed farming and fisheries, protection of keystone species, and ecosystem-based management approaches.

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Sweatman, Jennifer L. "Gammaridean Amphipods as Bioindicators in Subtropical Seagrass Ecosystems." FIU Digital Commons, 2016. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2603.

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Anthropogenic disturbances are ubiquitous in coastal marine ecosystems. As such, more intensive monitoring efforts are necessary to conserve these valuable habitats. Bioindicators, organisms that predictably respond to changes in environmental variables, may be utilized in monitoring efforts to assess ecosystem functioning. To incorporate organisms into monitoring programs as bioindicators managers need to first understand the difference between the natural phenology of the focal organisms and their responses to different forms of anthropogenic disturbance. To determine if gammaridean amphipods could be used as indicators of changes in environmental quality in sub-tropical seagrass ecosystems, I conducted spatial and temporal surveys of amphipod communities in south Florida. Amphipod community structure varied significantly across sites and seasons. Variation in community structure was largely driven by macrophyte biomass, food availability, seasonally variable factors (epiphyte abundance, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and temperature), water-column nitrogen concentration, and factors related to freshwater input, including low Thalassia testudinum and high Halodule wrightii densities, and salinity. Amphipods are also susceptible to mechanical damage in seagrass habitats and could be used as indicators of ecological functioning of a region. A major source of mechanical damage in seagrass ecosystems is caused by boat propellers. I simulated propeller scars in continuous seagrass beds to investigate the effects of scarring on seagrass ecosystem functioning. Seagrasses located adjacent to propeller scars experienced a shift in the limiting resource from light to phosphorus. Amphipod community structure, however, was not impacted by scarring, but amphipod density was reduced in fragmented patches. To determine if plant-herbivore interactions were impacted by propeller scarring, we removed amphipods from half of the experimental plots and measured epiphyte biomass and community composition. Top-down control on epiphyte biomass or community composition by amphipods was not affected by fragmentation, despite reduced amphipod densities. My dissertation research demonstrates that amphipods could be incorporated into existing management programs in sub-tropical seagrass ecosystems as environmental indicators. Reduced amphipod densities in fragmented seagrass beds suggests that amphipods could also be used as ecological indicators, but more research is needed to determine the extent of the impacts of fragmentation on higher trophic levels.

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Dewsbury, Bryan. "The Ecology and Economics of Seagrass Community Structure." FIU Digital Commons, 2014. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1237.

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Coastline communities have experienced a marked increase in human populations over the last few decades. This increase in population places disproportionate pressure on coastal ecosystems to provide economic services to support local economies. At the same time, overuse of these services can aid in the destruction of the ecosystems responsible for them. Seagrass ecosystems are mainly found near coastlines, and are typically a chief provider of some of these economic goods and services. Many previous studies have documented the ecological functions of this seagrasses. Unfortunately, our increasing knowledge of seagrass structure and function has not been fully incorporated into economic models estimating their value. In this dissertation, I focus on the seagrass ecosystem in southern Biscayne Bay, and simultaneously study the ecological dynamics of the seagrass beds, and estimate its economic value. This value is based on recent ecological models in the literature as well as data I collected from the system. I focused on Biscayne Bay due to, 1) the relevance that this question had to the relationship between Biscayne Bay and the Miami metropolis, and 2) the lack of existing reliable models that explore this relationship in this area. More specifically, I became very interested in this question while working for Biscayne National Park, where such a model would have improved seagrass restoration work taking place there. I found that southern Biscayne Bay is dominated by Thalassia testudinum, with other seagrasses following a spatial pattern primarily determined by salinity and water column nutrient distribution. Syringodium filiforme was mostly found east of the islands, Halodule wrightii was mostly found near the shoreline, and Halophila engelmenii was spotted at only two of the 190 sites visited. T. testudinum distribution was largely unaffected by nutrient enrichment at all sites, but it appeared to induce severe herbivory further from the coastline. For the calendar year 2004, we deduced using a Total Ecosystems Valuation (TEV) model that seagrass ecosystems potentially contributed over $198 million US dollars to the local economy. We argue that a simultaneous understanding and use of both ecological and economic models is important for future conservation efforts of seagrass ecosystems.

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Eklöf, Johan S. "Anthropogenic disturbances and shifts in tropical seagrass ecosystems /." Stockholm : Department of Systems Ecology, Stockholm University, 2008. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-7285.

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24

Ryer, Clifford H. "Studies of pipefish foraging in simulated seagrass habitats." W&M ScholarWorks, 1987. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539616836.

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Laboratory experiments determined the effects of two levels of habitat complexity upon pipefish (Syngnathus fuscus) foraging for amphipods. Habitats were composed of equal densities of either narrow (low complexity) or wide (high complexity) leafed artificial seagrass. The response to habitat, as measured by rate of encounter with amphipods, probability of attack after encounter, probability of success after attack, and overall rate of amphipod consumption, was determined for combinations of two fish size classes and three amphipod size classes. Small fish did not experience visually inhibitive effects in either habitat, while large fish had their visual fields impinged upon in the wide leaf habitat and encountered fewer amphipods. There was a general trend for encounter rate to increase with amphipod size. Large fish attack probability was positively related to amphipod size in the narrow leaf habitat, but negatively related to amphipod size in the wide leaf habitat. Small fish attack probability was negatively related to amphipod size in both habitats. Success was negatively related to a ratio of prey size to fish size, and showed no overall effect of habitat. Pipefish have flexible behaviors, allowing them to minimize unsuccessful attacks. Due to their position in the structure of vegetation, amphipods have a distribution of vulnerabilities; a criterion by which pipefish select prey. Size-selective predation on gammarid amphipods by pipefish was examined utilizing simulation modeling and laboratory experimentation. Three computer simulation models were developed: (1) a mechanistic model based on empirically derived size-dependent mechanisms of pipefish-amphipod interaction, (2) an optimal diet breadth model in which the rate of energy intake is maximized, and (3) an optimal diet breadth model where switching from energy maximization to time minimization occurs as consumption becomes limited by gastric processing (i.e. satiation). None of these models successfully accounted for the observed pattern of prey size selection. Pipefish concentrated their feeding upon smaller, energetically more profitable amphipods, in excess of what was predicted by either the mechanistic or optimal diet breadth models. This pattern of selection was evident through out 4 hour feeding bouts, indicating that diet breadth compression did not occur.

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25

Scapin, Luca <1989&gt. "Habitat use of fish in seagrass meadows of the Venice lagoon: implications for seagrass restoration and for conservation of the lagoon seascape." Doctoral thesis, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10579/12910.

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Seagrass meadows play a primary role in supporting ecosystem services in coastal lagoons. Still, their importance as habitat for fish in transitional waters is poorly understood. Moreover, the persistent loss of seagrass beds during the last decades requires conservationists to provide scientifically sound plans to enhance their preservation. The objectives of this work are i) to investigate the influence of environmental factors, including habitat characteristics, on seagrass fish assemblages in the Venice lagoon (northern Adriatic Sea, Italy); ii) to evaluate the suitability of fish fauna as indicator of the effectiveness of seagrass restoration. Ultimately, this work aims at presenting approaches for planning seagrass conservation efforts and assessing their outcomes. This work features three main sections. Firstly, the role of different floristic composition and habitat structure of seagrass beds was linked to distribution of pipefishes and seahorses (Syngnathidae), highlighting the importance of enhancing conservation of Zostera marina meadows in shallow coastal lagoon waters. Secondly, the role of seagrass fish and other nekton fauna as indicator of the success of conservation actions was investigated. A seagrass restoration scheme that recently started in the Venice lagoon allowed to test a model-based method, to predict reference conditions for nekton fauna in Z. marina and Z. noltei transplantation sites, and provide an assessment of the progress of restoration towards designed goals. Thirdly, the potential role of habitat mosaic structure in influencing seagrass fish in the Venice lagoon was evaluated. The study highlighted the importance of conservation of seagrass habitat quality at multiple spatial scales for the preservation of the associated fish assemblages, and the need for including seascape ecology in seagrass restoration projects. On the whole, this thesis provides some new insights into the critical role of seagrass conservation for the maintenance of biodiversity, and suggestions for more successful management strategies in coastal lagoons.

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Bourque, Amanda. "Ecosystem structure in disturbed and restored subtropical seagrass meadows." FIU Digital Commons, 2012. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/792.

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Shallow seagrass ecosystems frequently experience physical disturbance from vessel groundings. Specific restoration methods that modify physical, chemical, and biological aspects of disturbances are used to accelerate recovery. This study evaluated loss and recovery of ecosystem structure in disturbed seagrass meadows through plant and soil properties used as proxies for primary and secondary production, habitat quality, benthic metabolism, remineralization, and nutrient storage and exchange. The efficacy of common seagrass restoration techniques in accelerating recovery was also assessed. Beyond removal of macrophyte biomass, disturbance to seagrass sediments resulted in loss of organic matter and stored nutrients, and altered microbial and infaunal communities. Evidence of the effectiveness of restoration actions was variable. Fill placement prevented additional erosion, but the resulting sediment matrix had different physical properties, low organic matter content and nutrient pools, reduced benthic metabolism, and less primary and secondary production relative to the undisturbed ecosystem. Fertilization was effective in increasing nitrogen and phosphorus availability in the sediments, but concurrent enhancement of seagrass production was not detected. Seagrass herbivores removed substantial seagrass biomass via direct grazing, suggesting that leaf loss to seagrass herbivores is a spatially variable but critically important determinant of seagrass transplanting success. Convergence of plant and sediment response variables with levels in undisturbed seagrass meadows was not detected via natural recovery of disturbed sites, or through filling and fertilizing restoration sites. However, several indicators of ecosystem development related to primary production and nutrient accumulation suggest that early stages of ecosystem development have begun at these sites. This research suggests that vessel grounding disturbances in seagrass ecosystems create more complex and persistent resource losses than previously understood by resource managers. While the mechanics of implementing common seagrass restoration actions have been successfully developed by the restoration community, expectations of consistent or rapid recovery trajectories following restoration remain elusive.

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Unsworth, R. K. F. "Aspects of the ecology of Indo-Pacific seagrass systems." Thesis, University of Essex, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.442526.

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28

Burkholder, Derek A. "Top Down Control in a Relatively Pristine Seagrass Ecosystem." FIU Digital Commons, 2012. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/799.

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The loss of large-bodied herbivores and/or top predators has been associated with large-scale changes in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems around the world. Understanding the consequences of these declines has been hampered by a lack of studies in relatively pristine systems. To fill this gap, I investigated the dynamics of the relatively pristine seagrass ecosystem of Shark Bay, Australia. I began by examining the seagrass species distributions, stoichiometry, and patterns of nutrient limitation across the whole of Shark Bay. Large areas were N-limited, P-limited, or limited by factors other than nutrients. Phosphorus-limitation was centered in areas of restricted water exchange with the ocean. Nutrient content of seagrasses varied seasonally, but the strength of seasonal responses were species-specific. Using a cafeteria-style experiment, I found that fast-growing seagrass species, which had higher nutrient content experienced higher rates of herbivory than slow-growing species that are dominant in the bay but have low nutrient content. Although removal rates correlated well with nutrient content at a broad scale, within fast-growing species removal rates were not closely tied to N or P content. Using a combination of stable isotope analysis and animal borne video, I found that green turtles (Chelonia mydas) – one of the most abundant large-bodied herbivores in Shark Bay – appear to assimilate little energy from seagrasses at the population level. There was, however, evidence of individual specialization in turtle diets with some individuals foraging largely on seagrasses and others feeding primarily on macroalgae and gelatinous macroplankton. Finally, I used exclusion cages, to examine whether predation-sensitive habitat shifts by megagrazers (green turtles, dugongs) transmitted a behavior-mediated trophic cascade (BMTC) between sharks and seagrasses. In general, data were consistent with predictions of a behavior-mediated trophic cascade. Megaherbivore impacts on seagrasses were large only in the microhabitat where megaherbivores congregate to reduce predation risk. My study highlights the importance of large herbivores in structuring seagrass communities and, more generally, suggests that roving top predators likely are important in structuring communities - and possibly ecosystems - through non-consumptive pathways.

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29

Maxwell, Paul Stuart. "Ecological Resilience Theory : Application and Testing in Seagrass Ecosystems." Thesis, Griffith University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/365921.

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In response to growing global impact on ecosystems, we design programs for conservation and restoration to maintain and enhance biodiversity, productivity and ecosystem resilience. To ensure the greatest return for these programs, there is an implicit requirement for identifying and understanding the complex non-linear relationships that can exist between impact gradients, ecosystem structure and the processes that mediate the two. Ecological resilience theory has developed as one of the fundamental explanations of this complexity. The application of ecological resilience theory in a local management context, however, is often hampered by a disparity between the theory and what is practical to test empirically. This thesis used seagrass ecosystems in Moreton Bay, Queensland as a model system for the development and testing of a practical framework to examine the potential for incorporating measures of feedback loops into the empirical assessment of resilience. I focussed on the behaviour of feedback processes in relation to changing levels of impact with a view to developing a generic, testable hypothesis that could be used to assess ecological resilience more broadly. A Bayesian network was used to synthesis the known relationships between impact and seagrass response to identify three key feedback processes that stabilise seagrass ecosystems in Moreton Bay......
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Griffith School of Environment
Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
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30

Haig, Jodie. "A Phylogeographic Study of Seagrass-Associated Shrimp in Queensland." Thesis, Griffith University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/366639.

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Seagrasses are ephemeral, patchy habitats, under increasing risk of fragmentation due to anthropogenic changes. The ongoing and increasing loss of seagrass makes it essential that we understand the processes of movement and connectivity of the animals which rely on seagrass as a habitat. Shrimp are among the most abundant and diverse animals in seagrass habitats. Much of the published literature remains focused on one particular facet of shrimp life. Ecologists tend to generalise habitat-scale patterns of shrimp family groups where more specific studies on individual species may only focus on the biology, taxonomy or phylogeography alone. Few studies combine ecology, biology and phylogeography. This thesis attempts to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the biology, ecology, diversity, distribution, connectivity, and phylogeography of one of the most abundant shrimp taxa from Queensland seagrasses: Phycomenes zostericola. This holistic approach provides a solid foundation of information against which to compare future connectivity studies and also other seagrass species. In general, caridean shrimp are planktonic during their early life stages and will then recruit into the same habitat type which their parents occupy. Having a planktonic larval phase allows them the potential for broad dispersal. This study found that the potential for movement among P. zostericola populations is considerable; the adults were found to frequently move among seagrass patches and larvae have a planktonic phase of anywhere up to three weeks. Surprisingly, P. zostericola show a surprising amount of genetic structure for a marine species with a planktonic larval phase. The close association of adults to seagrass habitat and the reliance of P. zostericola larvae on a current to maintain suspension may be the limiting factors preventing P. zostericola from fulfilling their migration and dispersal potential. P. zostericola has a broad distribution and can be found in most seagrass habitats around Queensland. A cryptic (morphologically indistinguishable) sibling species was discovered that is sympatric throughout the northern range of the P. zostericola distribution. The discovery of the divergent taxon provided a unique opportunity for a comparative phylogeographic study. The two sibling taxa diverged between 3.2 and 4.6 million years ago and since then have been exposed to similar biogeographic influences. A mitochondrial dataset, using the gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI), describes the historical and contemporary levels of connectivity and demographic change in response to marine biogeographic boundaries, sea level changes and currents. While regional 3 genetic structure was found to be similar between the two species, demographic changes were not. The two populations of Phycomenes are also under some kind of north vs. south selective pressures. The nuclear gene, myosin heavy chain (MyHC), shows a distinct latitudinal pattern in both Phycomenes species. This genetic pattern indicates that groups north and south of far northeast Queensland are exposed to significantly different conditions resulting in different selective forces operating on the myosin gene. Both the mitochondrial gene COI and the nuclear gene MyHC were analysed for broadly distributed populations of two other seagrass caridean species; Latreutes mucronatus and Cuapetes sp. Similar to Phycomenes, both of these species contained multiple, morphologically identical, yet genetically distinct species. The deep levels of divergence indicate that speciation had occurred between 8 and 25 million years ago. The multiple cryptic taxa found in this study confirm two commonly stated hypotheses about marine taxa: firstly, cryptic speciation is common in marine taxa and this is just as true for seagrass caridean shrimp as other groups. Secondly, biodiversity estimates in shallow marine systems are currently underestimated due to high levels of unidentified cryptic taxa. A loss of statistical power is unavoidable in sampled populations which contain cryptic taxa. Although small sample numbers of Latreutes and Cuapetes species did not allow rigorous genetic statistical analysis they did provide some insight into the structure of these populations. All analysed seagrass shrimp taxa (Phycomenes, Latreutes and Cuapetes) maintained signals of demographic expansions prior to the last glacial maximum, suggesting that the vast and rapidly changing sea-levels throughout the Pleistocene did not have drastic demographic impacts on seagrass shrimp populations over broad spatial scales. Although lowered sea levels did not have dramatic demographic effects, low sea levels and strong currents probably provided the necessary conditions for long distance migration / dispersal events; this is evident in the haplotype sharing between geographically distant populations for most of the study taxa. This study provides valuable insight into the contemporary levels of connectivity and the past responses to major environmental and habitat changes. These data will hopefully contribute to the much needed baseline data used to guide future conservation efforts of inshore marine habitats.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Griffith School of Environment
Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
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Gustafson, Johan Albin. "Value of Small Seagrass Patches as Tidal Flow-Refuges." Thesis, Griffith University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/367575.

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One central challenge in the study of seagrass meadows is explaining the abundance and diversity of nekton associated with these productive habitats. While many models have been proposed to explain fish use of seagrass habitats, mainly focusing on their nursery and predator-avoidance values based on the complex habitat structure, most empirical studies were conducted on relatively large patches using catch data collected from invasive capture methods. Seagrass meadows on peri-urban coasts, however, continually being threatened and fragmented, while invasive surveying techniques could bias fish abundance data. This thesis aims to determine if small remnant Zostera capricorni patches in a peri-urban estuary provide small mobile fish with a flow-refuge within a strong tidal flow environment, using non-invasive video surveying techniques to monitor fish abundance and behaviour. The hydrodynamic characteristics of three small patches of Z. capricorni were measured using in situ deployment of Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) at the front and rear of the patches during tidal current flow between 20 and 30 cm/s. Seagrass canopies of densities and morphologies covered by these patches significantly baffled the free-stream flow (X), creating a near-zero, turbulent free, within-canopy hydraulic environment 0.25m from the canopy’s leading edge. Flows were deflected over the canopy surface causing the leaves to bend, compressing the canopy and thereby reducing the vertical flux under high flows. While lower flows were still significantly reduced, a small vertical flux occurred, with large turbulent eddies generating from the canopy friction. The hydraulic environment behind the patch was significantly different to that at the patch’s front – characterised by near zero flows and turbulent fluctuations (at 0m), and flow velocities increasing with downstream distance. This effect was noticeable due to the velocity above the canopy being significantly reduced from flows above the canopy (fast). This difference diminished with downstream distance, gradually resembling the front profile. The rear environment close to the patch edge matched those of other flow-refuges.
Thesis (Masters)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Griffith School of Environment
Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
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32

Baumstark, René Dieter. "Remote Sensing and Spatial Metrics for Quantifying Seagrass Landscape Changes: A Study on the 2011 Indian River Lagoon Florida Seagrass Die-off Event." Scholar Commons, 2018. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7124.

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Florida’s seagrasses are ecologically important marine environments which have suffered major degradation caused by increasing anthropogenic pressures. A 2011 seagrass die-off event caused by an algal bloom in the Florida Indian River Lagoon (IRL) was particularly severe with a majority of seagrass lost in areas such as the Banana River. An understanding of how this coastal marine environment changed is an important step toward better managing resources for conservation. Modern tools and methods provide new opportunities to study these changes at the landscape scale, a scale that informs on the larger more comprehensive state of a system. Classified satellite imagery and spatial landscape metrics were used to quantify changes in IRL Banana River seagrass landscape patterns following the die-off event. Thirty-six landscape metrics in four categories (Area-Edge, Shape, Core Area and Aggregation) were used to discern the spatial complexities of habitat changes over space and time in the IRL study area. Seagrass loss from 2011 to 2013 based on image classifications was as high as 91% in the Banana River study areas. Landscape metrics indicate that following the seagrass die-off in the IRL, meadows became more fragmented, patches became more isolated, and the amount and spatial complexity of meadow edge was reduced. For the most part, these landscape structural changes in the IRL increased with more severe amounts of seagrass loss. The metrics were evaluated and scored for their effectiveness in detecting seagrass landscape changes and their ability to provide consistent detection with variable resolution imagery. The top metrics in order of highest evaluation score were Total Edge, Splitting Index, Total Core Area, Effective Mesh Size, Landscape Shape Index, Edge Density, Perimeter-Area Ratio Distribution, Average Core Area, Disjunct Core Area Distribution Mean and Patch Shape Index. Area-edge and aggregation type metrics were identified as the best metrics for evaluating landscape changes under different degrees of seagrass loss in the IRL. Landscape metrics applied to classified images have the ability to provide quantitative and informative techniques for monitoring seagrass health.

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Hossain, Md Mustafa Kamal, and res cand@acu edu au. "An Examination of Seagrass Monitoring Protocols as Applied to Two New South Wales Estuarine Settings." Australian Catholic University. School of Arts and Sciences (NSW), 2005. http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/digitaltheses/public/adt-acuvp81.25092005.

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Many recent studies have sought to monitor health characteristics of seagrasses, including changes in aerial extent, biomass and fish community structure. While these studies have provided important information on the ecology of seagrass communities on southeast Australia, little attempt has been made to subject these sampling procedures to rigorous experimental testing and review. This study employed commonly-used standard methods for sampling seagrass community characteristics in two sites in New South Wales. Where possible, sampling protocols were tested for accuracy and efficiency at a range of temporal and spatial scales. The ARCView Geographic Information System was used to construct vegetation polygons of seagrass distribution on the Tweed River, and in the Ukerebagh Channel annually over a 5-year period. For one year (2000), distributions from identical photographs were mapped twice to identify procedural errors. In general, errors relating to incorrect boundary identification were low compared to inter-annual variability. Inter-annual variability in seagrass beds was higher than for adjacent mangrove and saltmarsh. Estimates of biomass were derived from standard replicate 0.25m x 0.25m quadrats. The experiment contrasted two sites of similar geomorphic setting. Ukerebagh Channel on the Tweed River, and Woolooware Bay with Botany Bay are both shallow, sandy marine deltaic settings supporting stands of Zostera capricorni. Significant differences were found in the degree of replication required to identify significant changes in seagrass biomass at the two sites. Ukerebagh Channel supported relatively dense stands of Z. capricorni with low intra-site variability. Here 8 replicates were sufficient to detect 10 percent change. Towra Point presented a contrast, in which 15 replicates were required to detect a similar level of change. Woolooware Bay at Towra Point has suffered from increased sedimentation relating to alterations in current velocities at Towra Point, and the result highlights the greater degree of replication required to determine significance changes in disturbed systems. The fish populations in the seagrass at Towra Point were sampled using buoyant pop nets. Fish communities differed significantly from those sampled in adjacent mangrove and saltmarsh. Differences in fish assemblages between spring high tides, neap high tides and low tides are attributed to movements of fish between seagrass and adjacent mangrove and saltmarsh. This mosaic of habitats is utilized by a number of species over a tidal cycle, with seagrass providing an important low-tide refuge for many species utilizing mangrove and saltmarsh at high tide. Limitations in the efficiency of buoyant pop nets were exposed in a novel experiment which demonstrated differences in escape rates between species. Flat-tailed mullet (Liza argenta) are likely to be under-represented in experiments using this technique. Recommendations are made regarding optimal sampling protocols for monitoring seagrass in the region. All techniques tested are suitable, though some require modification. Some texts have under-estimated the degree of replication required to appropriately monitor changes in seagrass biomass in disturbed systems, where density is lower and intra-site variability higher. The buoyant pop-nets may require modification in open-water seagrass situations where escape by Liza argenta and Acanthopagrus australis were at unacceptable levels.

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Land, Frederick Joseph. "Experiments to examine transplant procedures on the seagrass Halodule beaudettei." Texas A&M University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/5949.

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During the growing seasons of 1999 and 2000 five experiments were performed to test growth of the seagrass Halodule beaudettei (shoal-grass) in nursery pond conditions. Sediment oxidation state, sediment source, container type, flow regime, and light transmittance were tested to improve nursery pond cultivation techniques and to test assumptions about the decline of seagrasses in Galveston Bay, Texas. Oxidized and reduced sediments exhibited no statistical difference as mean percent change in the number of stems of shoal-grass, after 47 days. Sediment from three source locations, West Bay, East Beach Lagoons, and the experimental pond bottoms, showed no significant difference in the mean percent change in the number of stems of shoal-grass at 48 and 95 days. A statistical difference was seen in the container type experiment, trays versus pots, at 48 days where shoal-grass had double the number of stems produced in trays; however no significant difference was found at 93 days. A significant difference was found in the flow regime experiment, no-flow versus flow, at 47 days in the mean percent change of shoal-grass with double the number of stems produced in the flow regime. Significant differences were observed between the low light and high light treatments with shoal-grass, widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima), star grass (Halophila engelmannii), and turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum), with survival and growth occurring in the high light treatment and decline and death occurring in the low light treatment. The importance of reduced sediment may have been overstated in the past as sediment reduction occurs rapidly with submersion. It appears that while West Bay sediment did not have a deleterious effect on shoal-grass, West Bay simulated light conditions did. Container type seems to be important at first but not so much in the long term. Some flow, water movement, or current appears to be important.

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Dahl, Martin. "Natural and human-induced carbon storage variability in seagrass meadows." Doctoral thesis, Stockholms universitet, Institutionen för ekologi, miljö och botanik, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-148400.

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Seagrasses are considered highly important CO2 sinks, with the capacity to store substantial quantities of organic carbon in the living biomass and sediments, and thereby acting as a buffer against climate change. In this thesis, I have studied carbon storage variability in temperate and tropical seagrass habitats and identified factors influencing this variation. In addition, as seagrass areas are decreasing worldwide, I have assessed effects of different anthropogenic disturbances on carbon sequestration processes. The result from this thesis showed that there was a large variation in carbon storage within and among temperate, tropical and subtropical regions. The highest organic carbon stocks were found in temperate Zostera marina meadows, which also showed a larger carbon storage variability than the subtropical and tropical seagrass habitats. The tropical and subtropical seagrass meadows had inorganic carbon pools exceeding the organic carbon accumulation, which could potentially weakens the carbon sink function. The variability in organic carbon stocks was generally strongly related to the sediment characteristics of the seagrass habitats. In Z. marina meadows, the strength of the carbon sink function was mainly driven by the settings of the local environment, which in turn indicates that depositional areas will likely have higher organic carbon stocks than more exposed meadows, while in the tropics seagrass biomass was also influencing sedimentary carbon levels. Furthermore, locations with large areas of seagrass were associated with higher carbon storage in tropical and subtropical regions, which could be related to increased accumulation of both autochthonous and allochthonous carbon. In an in situ experiment, impacts on carbon sequestration processes from two types of disturbances (with two levels of intensity) were tested by simulating reduced water quality (by shading) and high grazing pressure (through removal of shoot biomass). At high disturbance intensity, reductions in the net community production and seagrass biomass carbon were observed, which negatively affected carbon sequestration and could impact the sedimentary organic carbon stocks over time. In the treatments with simulated grazing, erosion was also seen, likely due to an increase in near-bed hydrodynamics. When experimentally testing effects of increased current flow on organic carbon suspension in Z. marina sediment, a ten-fold release of organic carbon with higher current flow velocities was measured, which resulted in an increase in the proportion of suspended organic carbon by three times in relation to other sediment particles. Therefore, periods with enhanced hydrodynamic activity could result in a removal of organic carbon and thereby likely reduce the seagrass meadows’ capacity to store carbon. The findings of this thesis add to the emerging picture that there is a large natural variability in seagrasses’ capacity to store carbon, and highlight how human-induced disturbances could negatively affect the carbon sink function in seagrass meadows.

At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Manuscript.

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Connolly, Roderick Martin. "The role of shallow seagrass meadows as habitat for fish /." Title page, contents and summary only, 1994. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phc7524.pdf.

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37

Sobocinski, Kathryn L. "Fishes in Seagrass Habitats: Species Composition, Trophic Interactions, and Production." W&M ScholarWorks, 2014. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539791566.

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The value of habitats in terms of biological production is of interest to ecologists and resource managers. Seagrasses are a commonly occurring habitat type in shallow marine waters and have been shown to support high abundances of fish and invertebrates. In lower Chesapeake Bay, seagrasses grow in a shallow fringe in the subtidal zone. Although, ample evidence exists for the value of these habitats as foraging and rearing areas for a variety of organisms, the connectivity among species and the benefits derived from these habitats in terms of production have not been well described, especially for small, seasonally occurring finfishes. The main objective of this research was to document fish occurrence and abundance, describe trophic interactions within the seagrass community, and quantify export of biomass from the habitat using a model species to demonstrate the value of these habitats in terms of finfish production.;To address the research objective, I employed a variety of models---statistical, ecosystem, and individual-based. In Chapter 1, I conducted as census of finfishes in seagrass habitats and compared contemporary occurrences and abundances to data from the 1970s. This chapter showed that the fish fauna in these habitats is dominated by a small number of abundant and commonly occurring species, including Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), Silver Perch ( Bairdiella chrysoura), Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli), Atlantic Silverside (Menidia menidia), Dusky Pipefish ( Syngnathus floridae), and Northern Pipefish (Syngnathus fuscus ). While abundances had changed since the 1970s for some species, most were highly variable with no discernible trend. There was a small decrease in species richness from the historical dataset to the contemporary dataset and multivariate analysis showed a shift in community composition. The data from this chapter formed the basis for the ecosystem model developed in Chapter 2. In this model, biomass, production, and diet data were inputs, and using a mass-balance approach, a food web model was iteratively developed. There were 35 model compartments in the model and scenarios based upon historical data and future projections were developed for comparison. Mesozooplankton were the most highly connected group, while piscivorous birds, several piscivorous fishes, and mesograzers were all considered keystone groups, controlling food web dynamics. In Chapter 3, an individual-based model was developed for Silver Perch, to assess growth and production within a seagrass habitat. Because Silver Perch settle in this habitat, grow during the summer season, and migrate to deeper waters in the fall, they were an appropriate model species for determining the contribution of seagrass habitats to production. With high seasonal abundance and rapid growth (~0.19 g/d), this species contributes a considerable amount of biomass to Chesapeake Bay, biomass that originates in seagrass habitats and moved via trophic transfer.;This study presents a quantitative view of community ecology in lower Chesapeake Bay seagrass habitats. With changing temperatures and habitat loss, these habitats are at risk, and this study demonstrates that their value to the Chesapeake Bay food web extends beyond the small fringe of their occurrence.

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Bailey, Eva Machelor. "Processes Affecting Macroalgal-Seagrass Dynamics in the York River, Virginia." W&M ScholarWorks, 1998. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539617969.

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Widén, Britta. "Nitrification and denitrification in seagrass communities in Chwaka bay, Zanzibar." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskap, 1996. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-393143.

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As a response to the environmental degradation of many coastal areas in east Africa research have been initiated aiming towards the understanding of the coastal ecosystems and the interactions between them. The sediment of three seagrass communities were investigated with regard to nitrification, denitrification, pore water nutrient content, organic content and physical character. The aim was to estimate the magnitude and importance of nitrification and denitrification and correlate those to any difference in organic load. Total organic carbon and total nitrogen decreased while C:N ratio increased with distance from the mangroves indicating a larger organic load closer to the mangroves. There was however no significant difference between the sites regarding ammonium and nitrate + nitrite concentrations in the porewater; nor regarding denitrification. Recalculated to ambient nitrate concentrations denitrification was less than 157 nmol N m-2h-1. No trend could be seen for nitrification either. Nitrification ranged from 0-12.0 µmol N m-2h-1, but the method used may underestimate the rates. Denitrification, and especially nitrification rates, varied considerably within each site indicating an extremely patchy environment. Considering that nutrient regeneration rates in tropical environments are usually high, nitrification and denitrification seemed to be minor pathways in the nitrogen cycle irrespective of organic load. The study also suggests that nitrification and denitrification may be of less importance in Chwaka bay compared to other areas studied.
Som svar på den försämrade miljön i flera kustområden i Östafrika har forskning påbörjats inriktad på förståelsen av kustliga ekosystem samt samspelet dem emellan. Sedimentet i tre sjögräsområden undersöktes med avseende på nitrifikation, denitrifikation, näringshalt i porvattnet, organisk halt samt fysikalisk karaktär. Syftet var att uppskatta storleken och betydelsen av nitrifikation och denitrifikation samt att korrelera dessa med organisk belastning. Totala halten organiskt kol och totala halten kväve minskade medan C:N kvoten ökade med avståndet till mangroven vilket tyder på en större organisk belastning närmare mangroven. Det var däremot ingen signifikant skillnad mellan områdena beträffande ammonium- eller nitrat + nitrit koncentrationen i porvattnet; inte heller beträffande denitrifikation. Omräknad till föreliggande nitratkoncentrationer var denitrifikationen mindre än 157 nmol N m-2h-1. Nitrifikationen varierade från 0-12.0 µmol N m-2h-1, men den använda metoden kan ha underskattat hastigheterna. Någon trend i nitrifikationen syntes inte heller. Denitrifikationen och speciellt nitrifikationen varierade avsevärt inom varje område vilket tyder på en extremt omväxlande miljö. Med tanke på att regenerationen av näringsämnen ofta är hög i tropiska miljöer så verkade nitrifikationen och denitrifikationen vara mindre betydelsefulla delar i kvävecykeln oavsett organisk belastning. Denna studie tyder också på att nitrifikation och denitrifikation är mindre betydelsefulla i Chwaka bay än i andra studerade områden.

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Howard, Jason Lee. "PATTERNS OF CARBON METABOLISM, STORAGE, AND REMINERALIZATION IN SEAGRASS ECOSYSTEMS." FIU Digital Commons, 2018. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3719.

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Coastal marine sediments have recently been identified as globally important stocks of organic carbon (Corg) that, if compromised, could significantly exacerbate global greenhouse gas emissions. While resource managers and policy makers are eager to incorporate this ecosystem service into seagrass ecosystem valuation frameworks, similar to those already in existence for terrestrial forests, there has been insufficient information regarding how environmental conditions and seagrass ecology control carbon storage. These include the influence of the seagrass to the production and preservation of soil organic matter, the fate of stored carbon following conversion of coastal wetlands, and the interactions between organic and inorganic carbon cycling. This dissertation intends to to understand the drivers of Corg storage and preservation to better prioritize and evaluate the worth of seagrasses to large scale carbon cycles and greenhouse gas mitigation planning. Long-term experiments and thorough field surveys reveal that seagrasses are not categorically necessary nor sufficient for long-term Corg storage. Soil Corg stocks as well as their recalcitrance and breakdown rates are all correlated with sediment grain size, where muddy, fine sediments have higher Corg stocks that are less likely to breakdown. Sediment grain size can be influenced by the presence of seagrasses at some sites, likely where the leaf canopy can modify local hydrology enough to create a depositional environmental that wouldn’t otherwise exist. However, similar depositional environments that collect and store Corg can be obtained through local geomorphological features and natural hydrology, independent of benthic flora. This distinction has important implications on how soil C is managed to continue its preservation. The relation between seagrass Corg and CO2 can be blurred by calcification and carbonate dissolution processes that occur concurrently, and have direct but antagonistic effects on CO2. Carbonate processes are dependent on local environmental factors, though augmented by biological processes, thus the ability of carbonate processes to interfere with seagrass Corg storage and loss is limited to geographic areas where processes can occur. Warm, shallow waters, like those in Florida Bay, encourage calcification, though the magnitude of soil inorganic and organic carbon interaction can vary locally as well. Seagrasses are declining globally thus additional ecosystem value via greenhouse gas mitigation could greatly benefit conservation efforts. To make conservation efforts worthwhile to greenhouse gas mitigation, these findings help to consider and prioritize sites where risk and impact of Corg lost is more severe.

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Gartner, Adam. "Trophic implications of light reductions for Amphibolis Griffithii seagrass fauna." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2010. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/134.

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The ongoing threat of seagrass loss from reduced light availability, coupled with our lack of knowledge of associated trophic responses has motivated this characterization of the flow-on effects of light reductions to Amphibolis griffithii seagrass fauna. Recently, field manipulations of varying light reductions, induced disturbances in a A. griffithii seagrass meadow that have been shown to effect potential food resources and the structural complexity of seagrass habitats for macroinvertebrates. This offered the opportunity to assess the flow-on effects to seagrass for fauna, a topic that has seldom been examined. This study investigated the effects of different light reduction intensity (high: ~92% reduction; moderate: ~84% reduction), duration (3, 6 and 9 mo) and timing (post-winter and post-summer) on the density, biomass and community composition of macroinvertebrate epifauna within an A. griffithii seagrass ecosystem (Western Australia). Shade structures, placed within a healthy A. griffithii meadow, were used to create the light reduction treatments. Following shading, there were significant interactions between all three light reduction factors, and generally there was decline in the density and biomass of fauna (between 38% and 89% in density) and the number of families with increasing duration and intensity of light reduction (between 11 and 53% fewer families in light reduction treatments). There was also an effect of time, with taxa abundance and family composition Post-summer differing to Post-winter.

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MISSON, GLORIA. "Beach-cast seagrass wracks: greenhouse gas emissions and energy recovery." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Trieste, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/11368/2961323.

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Seagrass meadows are among the most productive ecosystems in marine environments. Like many terrestrial higher plants, marine seagrasses lose their old leaves during annual or inter-annual senescence, and a significant proportion of these residues is transported in surface waters and washed up on shores by surf, tides and winds. These beach-cast seagrass wracks provide important ecosystem services, such as reducing wave impact, protecting beaches from erosion, providing habitat to birds and invertebrate species that colonize shorelines, and being a primary food resource for beach detritivores. However, seagrass residues accumulation on beaches, following meadows degradation, can negatively impact tourism. Therefore, wrack piles are frequently collected and disposed of in landfills or biomass waste facilities, and the adoption of these management practices implies substantial environmental and economic costs. On the other hand, wrack piles might be a significant source of greenhouse emissions (GHGs). Recent studies reported CO2 and CH4 emission rates and suggested possible mitigation options, such as energy conversion and biochar production through pyrolysis. Even though quantitative estimates of both seagrass coastal distribution and residues disposal to seashores are partially available, at least at regional level, the assessment of their contribution to global GHGs emissions is still lacking, due to a knowledge gap about the effects of peculiar beach ecosystems environmental conditions on seagrass decay rates. Moreover, many studies have proposed several reuse options of beached seagrass residues in order to reduce both economic costs of collection from the shoreline and disposal in landfills and to offer a more sustainable beaches management. seagrass biomass use for energy production is under consideration in several countries of the world, as it combines the continuous increase in energy demand, sustainable costs of applied technology and social acceptance. In this research, the seagrass wracks decomposition dynamics were investigated in both controlled conditions and experimental fields in North-East Italy, with focus on CO2 and CH4 emissions, as a function of temperature, salinity, water supply. Moreover, the problems and perspectives concerning the assessment of beach-cast wrack contribution to the global GHGs emissions were highlighted. Using obtained results, the research then focused on energy recovery of beached seagrass litter as biomass source for anaerobic digestion. It was determined the potential methane production, the average biogas yields using different relative concentrations of seagrass biomass and sewage sludge and salinity effect on anaerobic digestion. Moreover, through genetic analysis, salinity and temperature effect on the anaerobic bacterial community composition was highlighted and the most relevant microbial families for biogas production were determined.

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Salinas, Zapata Cristian C. "Seagrass soils as paleoenvironmental tools and biogeochemical sinks for management." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2022. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2542.

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Coastal vegetation plays an essential role in regulating climate change and water quality, especially seagrass meadows that cover up to 1.6 million km2 worldwide and have been identified as globally significant filters and sinks of biogeochemical elements, including organic carbon (Corg) and nitrogen (N). Over the past century, the accelerating intensity and duration of natural and anthropogenic disturbances have caused severe regime shifts in estuarine and other coastal ecosystem dynamics, causing seagrass losses and affecting their valuable ecosystem services. Although knowledge of long-term seagrass ecosystem dynamics is scarce, including baseline conditions prior to major disturbances, the limited available information has been crucial to assess the human and natural impacts on coastal ecosystems. For example, it has provided answers to key questions related to seagrass ecology, climate change and management, including the estimation of the ecological significance and the monetary value of the biogeochemical sinks associated with seagrass ecosystems. This thesis aims to use seagrasses biogeochemical sinks as archives to reconstruct and understand : 1) baseline conditions in Australian estuaries, and spatial variability in environmental change, including perturbations that triggered the loss of seagrass meadows; 2) the significance of seagrasses in global biogeochemical cycles, as well as the processes that support their potential to store carbon and nitrogen; and 3) the losses of biogeochemical sinks as a consequence of seagrass meadow losses through human-induced impacts and extreme weather events. In this thesis, seagrass sedimentary archives encompassing the last few centuries have been studied to decipher centennial-scale environmental change in temperate estuaries, and the impacts of marine heatwaves and eutrophication on the Corg and N biogeochemical sinks associated to seagrass ecosystems. In the first data chapter of this thesis, the impact of land-use change on the ecological dynamics of temperate estuaries in Australia is reconstructed based on the analysis of multiple proxies in seagrass sedimentary archives encompassing the last 500 years. This palaeoecological study revealed the effect of land-use change following European settlement in the 1800s in Australia on the ecological condition of the estuaries, highlighting the deterioration of seagrass meadows following increased coastal development and agriculture activity after World War II. The second data chapter examined the effect of seagrass loss due to eutrophication on seagrass soil Corg stocks and fluxes, and provides pioneering estimates of CO2 emissions following disturbance of seagrass ecosystems that can be used to support the development of seagrass blue carbon projects (conservation and restoration) to mitigate climate change. The results showed that seagrass loss alone does not necessarily drive erosion of soil Corg, but when combined with sufficient hydrodynamic energy at the sediment surface ( > 0.20 m/s in this case), significant losses occurred (88–95% of soil Corg stocks). The study provided first-order estimates of potential CO2 emissions from eutrophication-induced seagrass loss since the 1950s in Australia, with 161,150 hectares of seagrass habitat loss that likely resulted in the release of 11–21 Tg CO2 (equivalent to a 2% increase in annual CO2 emissions from land-use change). These data will be crucial to inform the implementation of seagrass blue carbon into the Australian climate change mitigation policy. The third data chapter assessed soil N stocks and accumulation rates in Australian seagrass meadows, and provides pioneering estimates of soil N depletion following disturbance of seagrass meadows due to eutrophication and marine heatwaves, and identified the main drivers and potential ecological consequences of those losses. The results showed that Australian seagrasses capture 216–910 Gg N yr-1, equivalent to 96–105% of N runoff from Australian catchments. On the other hand, Australian-wide seagrass losses since the 1950s likely resulted in the loss of 435-720 Gg N from their soils, which likely enhanced eutrophication processes and resulted in adverse ecological consequences. This thesis provides novel and key information on the role of seagrasses as biogeochemical sinks and sources. This information can inform management practices of estuarine and other coastal ecosystems and highlights the value of seagrass sedimentary archives for determining baseline cycles and to reconstruct the time-course of ecological change in response to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. This thesis also highlights the need to conserve and restore seagrass meadows due to their value as natural archives and biogeochemical sinks, demonstrating their potential as a Natural-based Solution for contributing to climate change mitigation.

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Samiaji, Joko. "The ecology of a Zostera noltii bed ecosystem in the Solent." Thesis, University of Southampton, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.368150.

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Gell, Fiona Rachel. "Fish and fisheries in the seagrass beds of the Quirimba Archipelago, Northern Mozambique." Thesis, University of York, 1999. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/14028/.

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Henderson, Christopher. "Seascape Context and Marine Reserves in Seagrass Ecosystems: Managing Harvested Fish Communities." Thesis, Griffith University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/365948.

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Marine ecosystems are undergoing rapid change from a suite of human-induced stressors including overexploitation of resources, habitat fragmentation and loss, reduced habitat quality and changes to ecosystem functioning. Reserves are implemented and designed to reduce these influences, by preserving biodiversity, conserving marine habitats, increasing resilience of biota to disturbances, enhancing productivity, and facilitating the recovery of exploited fishery species. Although marine reserves can alter the structure and functioning of ecosystems, other factors such as seascape context and temporal variability can influence fish communities, ultimately determining the effectiveness of marine reserves. Ecosystem processes, abundances of harvested species and the spatial use of marine reserves can be largely influenced by the spatial properties that make up an ecosystem and other environmental factors such as climate. Although there is growing recognition of these processes, many of the key ecological characteristics that occur in protected seagrass ecosystems remain hitherto unstudied. I, therefore, aim to assess the influence of seascape context and temporal variability relative to the effectiveness of marine reserves for the protection of harvested seagrass fish species and the functions they provide. Ultimately, this thesis aims to determine the most suitable form of management of fish communities within seagrass ecosystems.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Griffith School of Environment
Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
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ZUNINO, SERENA. "ASSESSMENT OF ACIDIFICATION IMPACTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA: FROM META-ANALYSIS TO ECOSYSTEM SERVICES VALUATION." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Trieste, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/11368/2924763.

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Since the industrial revolution and the extensive use of fossil fuels, oceans worldwide have absorbed about a quarter of the anthropogenic CO2 released by human activities. The continued uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere alters the carbonate chemistry of the oceans and increases the concentration of hydrogen ions, thereby reducing pH, a phenomenon called ocean acidification (OA). Ocean acidification is expected to cause significant changes in the marine environment over the coming century leading to relevant effects on the biological, biogeochemical and ecological components of the marine environment, as well as potentially relevant – but still not fully quantified – consequences on related socio-economic dimensions. The aim of the work is to analyse the effects of ocean acidification in the Mediterranean Sea from organisms responses to the ecosystems functioning levels. In particular, this work focuses on two important habitats, the coralligenous formations and Posidonia oceanica meadows, and investigates the provisioning and cultural services provided by these habitats. Among the relevant services in the context of OA, we analysed provisioning services using fisheries landing indicators and cultural services using values related to the scuba-diving tourism. These assessments are applied to the Italian seas and highlight the potential degradation cost caused by seawater acidification. Chapter 1 presents a quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis) of the OA studies performed in the Mediterranean Sea within a realistic range of pH alteration in agreement with the expected CO2 emission trends forecasted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change for the “business as usual” emission scenario for the year 2100. The results of the meta-analysis highlight the existence of direct effects but also suggest the instauration of indirect effects that could trigger habitats modifications. In Chapter 2, the results of the meta-analysis present in Chapter 1 and additional literature information are used to build conceptual models of the responses of two vulnerable habitats of the Mediterranean Sea (coralligenous formations and P. oceanica meadows) to OA impacts. The models aim at identifying ecosystem functions, services (ES) and benefits at current and future acidified conditions. Hence, an index to assess the food provisioning services of these habitats have been developed. The index allows the definition of provisioning service at current status and the analysis of the relative change in service provision in future acidified status. Chapter 3 presents an ecological simulation model based on the model developed by Prato et al. (2016) . The simulation model, built on Ecopath with Ecosim, represents the trophic web of the Portofino MPA. The model allows for the analysis of processes on different hierarchical levels of biological organization and is used to represent OA effects at both trophic and non-trophic levels among multiple species. The study uses a combination of scenarios to predict the potential effects of habitat loss due to climate change. In Chapter 4 a choice experiment among Italian scuba divers is undertaken to value the impact of OA on the recreational diving activities related to coralligenous and P. oceanica. The questionnaire assesses the cultural services of these habitats and the loss in the willingness to pay of the divers due to the habitats degradation related to the possible OA impacts.

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Hebert, Andrew Brian. "Diagenesis in seagrass vegetated sediments: biogeochemical processes on diurnal time scales." Texas A&M University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/2712.

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Seagrass productivity is largely limited by nutrient and light availability. However, increasing evidence suggests that sedimentary geochemical processes may play an essential role in seagrass productivity/health. Much of this work has been largely phenomenalistic and has not clearly identified the spatio-temporal behavior of the major geochemical parameters involved in diagenesis of seagrass sediments. In this study, a much broader range of both dissolved and solid phase chemical parameters in eelgrass vegetated sediments was investigated. Parallel measurements were made on adjacent unvegetated sediments (<10 m) to more clearly refine the specific influences of seagrass (Zostera marina) on chemical gradients in associated sediments. Previous studies have pointed strongly toward diurnal ??ventilation?? of sediments vegetated with seagrass by the exudation of photosynthetically produced oxygen. However, strong lateral variability of sediment geochemical parameters among and between seagrass vegetated and unvegetated sediments made the observation of diurnal effects sufficiently difficult. Changes resulting from temporal variability were difficult to discern within the spatial variability. A critical question that is often not dealt with in the study of the early diagenesis of sediments is what spatial and temporal sampling intervals are required to account for the dominant source of variability. The auto-covariance function (ACF) was used to determine the optimum scaling length for sample intervals (?x) of ?H2S and Fe2+. Characteristic scale lengths obtained for sediments from seagrass environments are not significantly different from those observed for unvegetated sediments and averaged 13.7?? 2.2 mm. Lateral variations in our scales analyses showed that scale length approximated our sampling interval and that lateral sampling intervals were smaller than the vertical sampling intervals. Our results indicate that macrofauna dwelling in the sediment, the seagrass root/rhizomes, and aggregations of bacteria, microalgae, and meiofauna may be responsible for the vertical and lateral variability. Model calibrations and sensitivity analyses from a sediment-seagrass diagenetic model revealed that changes in physical parameters of the sediments (irrigation, advection, and porosity, for example) had the greatest effect on organic carbon and total dissolved sulfides. This study revealed that sedimentary geochemical parameters that are both vertically and laterally heterogeneous may also affect seagrass productivity.

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Bessey, Cindy. "The Role of Teleost Grazers in a Relatively Pristine Seagrass Ecosystem." FIU Digital Commons, 2013. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/911.

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Trophic downgrading of ecosystems necessitates a functional understanding of trophic cascades. Identifying the presence of cascades, and the mechanisms through which they occur, is particularly important for seagrass meadows, which are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. Shark Bay, Western Australia provides a model system to investigate the potential importance of top-down effects in a relatively pristine seagrass ecosystem. The role of megagrazers in the Shark Bay system has been previously investigated, but the role of macrograzers (i.e., teleosts), and their importance relative to megagrazers, remains unknown. The objective of my dissertation was to elucidate the importance of teleost macrograzers in transmitting top-down effects in seagrass ecosystems. Seagrasses and macroalgae were the main food of the abundant teleost Pelates octolineatus, but stable isotopic values suggested that algae may contribute a larger portion of assimilated food than suggested by gut contents. Pelates octolineatus is at risk from numerous predators, with pied cormorants (Phalacrocorax varius) taking the majority of tethered P. octolineatus. Using a combination of fish trapping and unbaited underwater video surveillance, I found that the relative abundance of P. octolineatus was greater in interior areas of seagrass banks during the cold season, and that the mean length of P. octolineatus was greater in these areas compared to along edges of banks. Finally, I used seagrass transplants and exclosure experiments to determine the relative effect of megagrazers and macrograzers on the establishment and persistence of three species of seagrasses in interior microhabitats. Teleost grazing had the largest impact on seagrass species with the highest nutrient content, and these impacts were primarily observed during the warm season. My findings are consistent with predictions of a behaviorally-mediated trophic cascade initiated by tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) and transmitted through herbivorous fishes and their predators.

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D'Esposito, Daniela. "The molecular signature for local adaptation in the seagrass Posidonia oceanica." Thesis, Open University, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.590668.

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In the last century, seagrass ecosystems have suffered a worldwide decline ascribed to multiple environmental stressors, among which the reduction of light available for the photosynthesis and the increase in temperature represent the strongest constraints for their growth and survival. Despite conservation, this decline is at present still continuing. in order to understand the genetic adaptive response to light and temperature in the seagrass Posidonia ocxanica, two different strategies have been pursued: a genome scan approach along a latitudinal and a bathymetric gradient and a differential gene expression analysis along the bathymetric gradient, where light and temperature were the two main selective factors. For the genome scan approach 6 populations (Delimara - Malta, Lacco Ameno - Island of Ischia, Italy, Marettimo Island- Italy, Me10ria - Italy, Piombino - Italy and Stareso - Corsica, France) were sampled along the bathymetric gradient at two different depths (-5m and -25m). The same populations were used for the latitudinal gradient analysis by grouping them on the basis of their geographic location (Southern group: Delimara. Lacco Ameno and Marettimo; Northern group: Meloria, Piombino and Stareso). No genes under selection were identified in the genome scan along the bathymetric gradient. Three putative genes under selection were identified in the genome scan along the latitudinal gradient and were involved in the photosynthesis and in the translation process. For assessing differential gene expression, a transcriptome sequencing of plants sampled at two different depths and different times of the day in the Stareso meadow was performed by RNAseq technology. The analysis highlighted the capability of plants living in shallow waters to cope with environmental stresses imposed by high light and high temperature. Transcriptome data generated from this study increased the resources available in P. oceanica and will be very useful for further investigations of the adaptation of in this plant

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Seagrass'

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