Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laura L. Govers, Jannes H. T. Heusinkveld, Max L. E. Graefnings, Quirin Smeele, Tjisse van der Heide
Summary: This study aims to address the decline in seagrass populations in the Dutch Wadden Sea through seed-based restoration experiments. The researchers found that by optimizing plant densities and reducing seed losses, they were able to increase seagrass densities and decrease seed loss. However, self-sustaining seagrass populations have not yet been achieved.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Maria Potouroglou, Danielle Whitlock, Luna Milatovic, Gillian MacKinnon, Hilary Kennedy, Karen Diele, Mark Huxham
Summary: Seagrasses are highly productive ecosystems that provide numerous benefits to the environment and people. This study evaluates the carbon storage capacity of Zostera noltii and Zostera marina in intertidal seagrass meadows in Scotland, finding that seagrass areas show enhanced carbon storage compared to reference unvegetated ones. However, the variability in carbon storage across depth, sites, and estuaries indicates a need for further research and effective management strategies.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Joseph A. Butler, J. David Lambert, Michelle DeDeo, Daniel P. Murphy
Summary: Diamondback terrapins are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List Index of Threatened Species due to various threats including habitat loss and mortality caused by predators and human activities. This study aimed to locate populations and nesting areas of diamondback terrapins in four counties in Florida. The researchers collected data on terrapin activity and found that the presence of specific woody plant species influenced nesting site choices.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ane Pastor, Andres Ospina-Alvarez, Janus Larsen, Flemming Thorbjorn Hansen, Dorte Krause-Jensen, Marie Maar
Summary: This study aims to identify the connectivity of eelgrass populations to guide site selection for restoration. Using a coupled biophysical model and network analysis, the study evaluated potential connectivity between populations and identified key areas for restoring Z. marina patches.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ane Pastor, Andres Ospina-Alvarez, Janus Larsen, Flemming Thorbjorn Hansen, Dorte Krause-Jensen, Marie Maar
Summary: The North Sea, the Baltic Sea, and coastal waters of Denmark have seen a significant decrease in eelgrass coverage, necessitating restoration efforts. A study using a coupled biophysical model and network analysis identified connectivity between eelgrass populations to guide restoration site selection. Collaboration between ecologists, oceanographers, and practitioners is crucial for supporting marine conservation efforts.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Md Mehedi Iqbal, Masahiko Nishimura, Md. Nurul Haider, Susumu Yoshizawa
Summary: This study investigated the microbial community structure and diversity of Zostera marina growing in Futtsu bathing water, Chiba prefecture, Japan. The composition of leaf-attached microbes changed with the relative age of the eelgrass leaf. The microbial communities of marine particles resembled those of eelgrass leaves, suggesting that leaf-attached microbes may derive from suspended particles and move between eelgrass leaves and the water column.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Holly K. K. Plaisted, Erin C. C. Shields, Alyssa B. B. Novak, Christopher P. P. Peck, Forest Schenck, Jillian Carr, Paul A. A. Duffy, N. Tay Evans, Sophia E. E. Fox, Stephen M. M. Heck, Robbie Hudson, Trevor Mattera, Kenneth A. A. Moore, Betty Neikirk, David B. B. Parrish, Bradley J. J. Peterson, Frederick T. T. Short, Amanda I. I. Tinoco
Summary: This study suggests vulnerability in eelgrass meadows of the Northeast USA due to changes in water temperature, with higher than average summer temperatures leading to a decrease in eelgrass presence.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiao-Fan Deng, Yan-Hao Zhang, Jie Liu, Bing Yu, Hong-Chen Li, Pei-Dong Zhang
Summary: This study quantified the responses of Zostera marina seeds to different planting times and found that mid-September to mid-October is the optimal time for seed planting, which is crucial for successful eelgrass restoration.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Margaret M. Lamont, Darren Johnson, Daniel J. Catizone
Summary: The research tracked two diamondback terrapin individuals in Northwest Florida using satellite tags for 146 and 147 days, revealing unexpectedly long distances traveled and larger home ranges than previously reported. These findings suggest that habitat protection for this species may need to be expanded to incorporate more distant foraging sites.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
R. K. F. Unsworth, S. C. Rees, C. M. Bertelli, N. E. Esteban, E. J. Furness, B. Walter
Summary: To maximize the potential of seagrass as a nature-based solution, large-scale restoration is needed. This study investigated the success of planting seagrass seeds using various treatments. The results showed that the addition of nutrients to sediment can improve seagrass shoot emergence and growth. However, the study also highlighted the variability in planting methods and the need for further research in seagrass restoration.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Clazina Kwakernaak, Dieuwke J. J. Hoeijmakers, Maarten P. A. Zwarts, Allert I. Bijleveld, Sander Holthuijsen, Dick J. Jong, Laura L. Govers
Summary: Seagrasses globally decline and restoration efforts face challenges, such as predation by macroinvertebrates. The study investigates how common ragworms may act as predators on eelgrass seeds, hindering seed-based restoration. Experimental findings show that high ragworm biomass can completely hamper seedling establishment, indicating a potential bottleneck for restoration efforts. Furthermore, the study reveals that ragworm infestations overlap with potential eelgrass growth sites, highlighting the significance of this finding for restoration efforts.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yan-Hao Zhang, Bing Yu, You-Cai Liu, Wang Ma, Wen-Tao Li, Pei-Dong Zhang
Summary: Low salinity promotes the growth and propagation of temperate seagrasses, with an optimal salinity range of 18-21 PSU for Zostera marina shoots. Decreased salinity levels enhance the survival and growth of the shoots through increased chlorophyll content and accumulated nonstructural carbohydrates.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yan-Hao Zhang, Jian-Du Li, Zhong-Xun Wu, Shun-Jie Yuan, Wen-Tao Li, Pei-Dong Zhang
Summary: The study found that exposing Zostera marina plants to prolonged light duration of 4 hours per day is beneficial for their survival and growth, mainly due to increased chlorophyll content and the accumulation and synthesis of non-structural carbohydrates.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yan-Hao Zhang, He-Hu Wang, Fan Li, Jie Sun, Wen-Tao Li, Pei-Dong Zhang
Summary: This study examined the effects of planting density and sediment fertilization on the survival, growth, productivity, and leaf characteristics of eelgrass shoots. The results showed that the optimal planting density for eelgrass propagation was 501-530 shoots per square meter, while the optimal sediment fertilization range was 51-60 grams per square meter. Increased chlorophyll content and accumulation of non-structural carbohydrates played a key role in promoting the survival and propagation of eelgrass shoots.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Yan-Hao Zhang, Bing Yu, Guo-Xu Yu, Yan-Ping Li, Wen-Tao Li, Pei-Dong Zhang
Summary: By manipulating the seawater HCO3- concentration under controlled conditions, it was found that a concentration in the range of 4.8-5.5 mmol L-1 could promote the growth and propagation of Zostera marina, increasing survivorship and contributing to the accumulation of nonstructural carbohydrates and an increase in chlorophyll content.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2023)