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
Kira A. Krumhansi, Michael Dowd, Melisa C. Wong
Summary: This study introduces a novel framework for characterizing the response of eelgrass ecosystems to environmental variability, evaluating the importance of different environmental metrics on eelgrass bioindicators. The researchers found that temperature, light, and water motion metrics uniquely impact eelgrass productivity and resilience, with temperature variability playing a significant role. These results highlight the complexity of ecosystem responses to global climate change and emphasize the importance of considering multiple environmental factors simultaneously.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
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
Environmental Sciences
John M. O'Brien, Melisa C. Wong, Ryan R. E. Stanley
Summary: Baseline data on biogenic habitat-forming species are crucial for nearshore habitat management and conservation. Model-based habitat mapping can address data gaps and limitations of remote sensing. A high-resolution ensemble model for eelgrass distribution was developed, showing moderate performance, high sensitivity, and improvement over individual models.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Zhang, Peng Zhao, Shidong Yue, Mingjie Liu, Yongliang Qiao, Shaochun Xu, Ruiting Gu, Xiaomei Zhang, Yi Zhou
Summary: The study showed that anoxic stress significantly reduced leaf Fv/Fm and had a negative impact on photosynthesis and growth of Zostera marina. Metabolomic analysis revealed promotion of glycolysis process and inhibition of the TCA cycle under anoxia, indicating a complex strategy of acclimation and adaptation in seagrass to resist anoxic stress.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria E. Asplund, Stefano Bonaglia, Christoffer Bostrom, Martin Dahl, Diana Deyanova, Karine Gagnon, Martin Gullstrom, Marianne Holmer, Mats Bjork
Summary: Shallow coastal soft bottoms are important carbon sinks, with Nordic seagrass meadows having a high capacity for carbon storage. The relatively low methane emissions from these meadows do not outweigh their importance as carbon sinks.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Roxanne Marino, Melanie Hayn, Robert W. Howarth, Anne E. Giblin, Karen J. Mcglathery, Peter Berg
Summary: This study is part of a long-term research on the effects of nitrogen loading in a shallow temperate lagoon. The results show that nitrogen fixation rates associated with seagrass epiphytes are relatively high, despite the high nitrogen input from contaminated groundwater. Cyanobacteria play an important role in the epiphyte communities. The study also suggests that climatic variation contributes to inter-annual variation in nitrogen fixation rates.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sean B. Hardison, Karen J. Mcglathery, Max C. N. Castorani
Summary: This study examined the abundance and biodiversity of fish species inside and outside a rapidly expanding restored seagrass meadow in coastal Virginia (USA) over a period of 5-7 years (2012-2018). The results showed that restored seagrass beds consistently had higher fish abundance, greater species richness, and diversity compared to adjacent unvegetated areas. The success of seagrass restoration and its benefits were found to be influenced by the dynamic seascapes.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(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
Microbiology
Deanna S. Beatty, Lillian R. Aoki, Brendan Rappazzo, Chelsea Bergman, Lia K. Domke, J. Emmett Duffy, Katie Dubois, Ginny L. Eckert, Carla Gomes, Olivia J. Graham, Leah Harper, C. Drew Harvell, Timothy L. Hawthorne, Margot Hessing-Lewis, Kevin Hovel, Zachary L. Monteith, Ryan S. Mueller, Angeleen M. Olson, Carolyn Prentice, Fiona Tomas, Bo Yang, John J. Stachowicz
Summary: Predicting outcomes of marine disease outbreaks is challenging due to global and local stressors. This study investigates the role of host-associated microbiomes in disease dynamics, particularly in eelgrass (Zostera marina) affected by wasting disease. The study found that the composition of microbiomes varied with disease prevalence and severity, and identified specific microbial members associated with wasting disease. These findings suggest that including microbiomes in disease studies can improve our understanding of infection rates and plant survival.
Article
Ecology
James E. Kaldy, Cheryl A. Brown, Stephen R. Pacella
Summary: This study examined the effects of residence time and temperature on eutrophication responses in a Pacific Northwest Zostera marina-green macroalgal community. The results showed that residence time had minimal impact on eutrophication, while temperature played a larger role. Shoot density of Z. marina increased in cooler temperatures but declined at higher temperatures. Shoot mortality was associated with high CO2 concentrations and carbon limitation. The findings suggest that eutrophication responses are more complex than just light limitation and require further research on the interaction of the biogeochemical environment and plant physiology.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(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
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
Shaochun Xu, Shuai Xu, Yi Zhou, Shidong Yue, Xiaomei Zhang, Ruiting Gu, Yu Zhang, Yongliang Qiao, Mingjie Liu, Yunling Zhang, Zhenhai Zhang
Summary: This study conducted field sampling over 19 months in a large seagrass meadow in a eutrophic bay in northern China to investigate eelgrass population reproduction status and ecological interactions. The results showed that asexual growth was important for maintaining existing meadows, while sexual reproduction played a critical role in colonization of new areas. Nutrient uptake by seagrass might reduce the probability of a red tide in the study area.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Alexander M. Cancelli, Frank A. P. C. Gobas
Summary: A mechanistic model was developed to assess the removal efficiency of pollutants in a wetland system, particularly in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). The model simulated wetland mechanisms of chemical removal and showed that sustained wetland treatment is feasible. It is a helpful tool to evaluate the feasibility of treatment systems and to assess trade-offs in wetland design and operation.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Prakash Singh Thapa, Hiromu Daimaru, Seiji Yanai
Summary: This study assessed the vegetation recovery and erosion condition in a landslide area in central Japan. The results show that the upper slope, where reforestation activities were implemented, has seen significant vegetation recovery and no significant erosion, while the lower slope lacks vegetation and has experienced continued erosion.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Mike Jerauld, Forrest Dierberg, Thomas DeBusk, Scott Jackson, Kevin Grace, John Juston
Summary: The Everglades Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) are constructed wetlands built to remove phosphorus (P) from agricultural and urban runoff in support of Everglades restoration. Research shows that the levels of calcium (Ca) and alkalinity (Alk) have an impact on phosphorus removal in these wetlands.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Kalindhi Larios, Stefan Gerber, Rafael Munoz-Carpena, Patrick Inglett, K. Ramesh Reddy, Michael Chimney
Summary: This study modeled the phosphorus biogeochemical dynamics in one of the best performing Everglades treatment wetlands and found that the complexity of the hydrological system significantly affected the simulated water column P concentration. The modeling tool developed in this study can guide future data collection and optimization efforts for treatment wetlands in the Everglades.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Jing Hu, Benjamin Baiser, R. Thomas James, K. Ramesh Reddy
Summary: This study examined the long-term phosphorus retention in Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) and identified the factors influencing their performance. The results showed that the operational performance of STAs improved over time. There were notable differences among individual STAs, with the co-precipitation of phosphorus with calcium playing a critical role in one of the STAs. This highlights the complexity of phosphorus removal in STAs and the need for site-specific management strategies.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Odi Villapando, K. R. Reddy, J. King
Summary: The biogeochemical response to different flow conditions within two parallel flow-ways in Everglades Stormwater Treatment Area (STA)-2 was studied. It was found that there was a gradual decrease in the total phosphorus (TP) concentration from inflow to outflow for both emergent aquatic vegetation (EAV) and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) dominated systems, with EAV showing a higher reduction rate. Significant increase in TP concentration was observed in the SAV system under no flow condition, possibly due to the production of particulate phosphorus (PP) through various mechanisms.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)