We have just launched a journal club for the Project Seagrass team. These monthly meetups work much like a book club, members of the team each suggest a relevant scientific paper, vote on their favourite, then read the winning paper prior to meeting. During the journal club we critically discuss
Seagrass meadows play a critical role in keeping our oceans healthy and stocked with food, providing valuable nursery habitat to over 1/5th of the world’s largest 25 fisheries. Seagrass meadows are also important to small-scale fisheries, particularly as a place to find and collect a reliable source of food with some
Researchers from the University of Liège (BE) studied the fate of the material produced by Posidonia seagrass meadows. This study, carried out in the Mediterranean Sea at STARESO, shows that the dead leaves of what is commonly known as Neptune grass accumulate in shallow areas, where they break down like
With data from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission, researchers have revealed seasonal variations in intertidal seagrass across Western Europe and North Africa. As a key indicator of biodiversity, these new findings offer valuable insights for the conservation and restoration of these vital ecosystems. The intertidal zone is the area where the
An invasive species of seagrass has been on a steady march across the world, taking over ecosystems well beyond its native waters of the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. Scientists have long wondered when it would reach the waters off the coast of Florida. Florida International University scientists
Seagrass meadows are essential for the health of our oceans. They provide vital habitats for marine life, improve water quality, and store significant amounts of carbon. Unfortunately, these vital ecosystems are in decline. Here at Project Seagrass, we are on a mission to restore seagrass meadows to help create a
Scientists from The University of Western Australia have partnered with Indigenous rangers on a seagrass restoration project in Gathaagudu (Shark Bay) to help moderate climate change and conserve biodiversity. Dr. Elizabeth Sinclair and Professor Gary Kendrick, from UWA’s School of Biological Sciences and Oceans Institute, were co-authors of the paper published in Ocean
An international team of researchers discovered that coastal urban seagrass ecosystems can significantly reduce human bacterial pathogens, including those with widespread antibiotic resistance, in marine bivalves—a vital food source for people around the world. The study, published Aug 2 in the journal Nature Sustainability, sheds light on the significant role seagrass meadows play
196 of the world’s nations are committed under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to tackling nature loss. Habitat restoration is a major pathway to tackling this loss. For marine habitats such as seagrass, such restoration is often portrayed as an easy answer to fighting many of our planetary ills causing
Researchers predict that climate change will drive a substantial redistribution of brown seaweeds and seagrasses at the global scale. The projected changes are alarming due to the fundamental role of seaweeds and seagrasses in coastal ecosystems, and provide evidence of the pervasive impacts of climate change on marine life. In
We have just launched a journal club for the Project Seagrass team. These monthly meetups work much like a book club, members of the team each suggest a relevant scientific paper, vote on their favourite, then read the winning paper prior to meeting. During the journal club we critically discuss the paper and analyse how it relates to our own research. Seagrass science is continually evolving, with researchers across the globe constantly pushing the boundaries of our understanding of how these dynamic ecosystems function and work. This journal club helps us keep abreast of new research, and as it’s held online keeps our team connected across our UK sites. We launched this month with a paper integral to the core values of Project Seagrass: research, community and action. Seagrass meadows globally as a coupled social–ecological system: Implications for human wellbeing, published in 2013 by our CEO, Dr Leanne Cullen-Unsworth and our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Richard Unsworth, among others. Using this paper to launch Journal club allowed the team to focus on factors influencing the development of Project Seagrass, and to reflect on how our current work aligns with these. The paper describes 7 globally spread case studies highlighting the intricate and dynamic relationship between seagrass and humans, to demonstrate the importance of a social-ecological approach in the field. One reoccurring finding highlights the role of seagrass as a foundation marine species, and nursery ground as vital to subsistence fisheries (fishing for direct community nutrition). Practices such as gleaning (small scale collection of invertebrates from the intertidal using simple gear), and artisanal fin fishing were found key in providing food security and wellbeing for coastal communities, with the highlighted case studies evidencing seagrass decline. The human dependence on seagrass highlights the importance in understanding the associated decline in communities’ capacities for resilience when facing environmental changes. By viewing seagrass meadows as a coupled social-ecological system, projects can carve pathways supporting resilience for both seagrass and people, which in turn support each other. Discussions focussed on a ‘knock before you enter’ approach, and the importance of carrying out stakeholder mapping and social science research to understand complex linkages. This knowledge coupled with ecological site assessments allows conservation and restoration efforts to align with local needs, ensuring social and ecological resilience into the future for seagrass projects. You can access the paper at this link to explore the findings in more depth. Our next journal club meets on the 5th of November, we look forward to sharing the paper and our thoughts on it then. Explore our blog for insights on the latest research from across the globe. Click here
Seagrass meadows play a critical role in keeping our oceans healthy and stocked with food, providing valuable nursery habitat to over 1/5th of the world’s largest 25 fisheries. Seagrass meadows are also important to small-scale fisheries, particularly as a place to find and collect a reliable source of food with some countries (e.g., Indonesia) seeing up to 60% of coastal populations dependant on seagrass for access to food. However, fisheries are more than just sources of food—they are also lifelines for millions of people worldwide, underpinning livelihoods, culture, and well-being. Yet despite their important role, managing these resources, especially in the face of climate change and overfishing, is becoming harder due to a lack of solid data. This is where Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) could support Fisheries Science. A recent study undertaken by Project Seagrass systematically reviewed 397 fisheries-related research articles and revealed that Indigenous and local communities hold key insights into the ecosystems they live in. Indigenous and local communities have often been fishing in their local areas for generations and possess detailed knowledge about species behaviour, habitats, and environmental changes which could fill significant gaps in formal scientific research. The Problem: Gaps Between Indigenous and Local Knowledge and Scientific KnowledgeWhile the scientific community acknowledges the importance of ILK, a large challenge remains: ILK is largely qualitative, based on observations and traditions, whereas fisheries management is based on quantitative data—numbers, charts, and models. Despite efforts to utilise information from scientific knowledge and ILK, the integration has been slow with many studies still viewing ILK as something that needs to be validated through scientific data. The Solution: A New Approach to Fisheries Research The research highlights the need for more collaborative methods to enhance Fisheries Management by integrating ILK and scientific knowledge. Rather than simply comparing Indigenous and Local Knowledge to scientific data, we should view these knowledge systems as complementary. ILK can inform fish population trends, help establish marine protected areas, and guide sustainable fishing practices with a greater chance of success. What’s Next? Moving Towards Integrated Fisheries Management It is crucial to respect both Indigenous and Local Knowledge and scientific knowledge as equally valid. By intertwining these knowledge systems, we can build a more holistic and effective approach to fisheries management, ensuring that the voices of Indigenous and local communities are heard and their knowledge utilized. The next wave of fisheries science should aim to bridge the gap between data-driven science and the rich, qualitative insights from those who know the waters best. The future of sustainable fisheries management depends on it. More information: Jones et al, New directions for Indigenous and local knowledge research and application in fisheries science: Lessons from a systematic review. Fish and Fisheries (2024) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.12831 Explore our blog for insights on the latest research from across the globe. Click here
Researchers from the University of Liège (BE) studied the fate of the material produced by Posidonia seagrass meadows. This study, carried out in the Mediterranean Sea at STARESO, shows that the dead leaves of what is commonly known as Neptune grass accumulate in shallow areas, where they break down like a compost, remineralizing the organic matter. This has a previously underestimated effect on carbon fluxes in the Mediterranean coastal environments. Surprisingly, alongside this CO2 emission, oxygen production was also measured. This is linked to the presence of photosynthetic organisms living in this compost in the sea, which fundamentally differentiates it from compost on land. The work is published in the journal Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. From left to right: View of the STARESO harbor entrance with Posidonia meadow islands and an accumulation of dead leaves. Close-up of litter accumulation. Experimental benthic incubation device (‘bell’) installed on accumulations of Posidonia dead leaves (10 m deep). Credit: G.Lepoint & W. Champenois / ULiège Posidonia, a flowering plant emblematic of the Mediterranean Sea, commonly known as Neptune grass, forms vast meadows (underwater prairies) in shallow waters (less than 40m deep). “It is a terrestrial plant that recolonized the marine environment several million years ago, a small quirk of evolution,” explains Alberto Borges, an oceanographer at ULiège. “Like most terrestrial plants in our regions, Posidonia loses its oldest leaves in autumn. These dead leaves accumulate as litter (like at the base of trees) in large patches near the seagrass meadows.” It is these accumulations of dead leaves and their breakdown and transformation that interested the researchers who traveled to STARESO, an underwater and oceanographic research station located in Calvi, Corsica, to conduct a study on the primary production and degradation of organic matter in Posidonia litter. “In the litter, the organic matter breaks down and releases nutrients and CO2, like compost in gardens,” explains Gilles Lepoint. “The litter accumulates in open, sun-light areas.” “Every gardener knows that to grow plants, you need nutrients and light. It is on this basis that we conducted our study which led to a surprising first result: in the litter resulting from the accumulation of material that one would initially imagine as dead and inert, we measured oxygen production, a consequence of the photosynthetic activity of macroalgae drifted from rocks, living Posidonia shoots detached from the nearby meadow, and diatoms (microscopic algae) present in the litter.” To summarize, in this nutrient-rich environment, all living plants associated with the litter thrive and photosynthesize. This oxygen production is significant but does not offset the oxygen consumption by the decomposition of the dead leaves. These accumulations, therefore, remain net consumers of oxygen and, consequently, net emitters of CO2, much like compost and litter in terrestrial environments. The second result from this study somewhat surprised the researchers. “While we thought that Posidonia litter degraded relatively quickly, this study showed us the opposite, based on measurements of litter mass loss—it degrades more slowly,” says Alberto Borges. “We measured respiration through short-term (1-day) incubations based on very precise oxygen measurements.” These measurements provided a more realistic and accurate estimate, with lower values than those traditionally obtained by monitoring mass loss over very long periods (several months). This result could modify the current carbon balance calculations for these ecosystems, which are based on traditional mass loss measurements. As part of this study, the researchers also examined the primary production and degradation of organic matter from the macroalgae growing on rocks adjacent to the Posidonia meadows. “We hypothesized that there might be exchanges between the two systems, which one might initially imagine to be separate and compartmented. Once again, we obtained an unexpected result,” says Willy Champenois. “These macroalgae, despite undergoing photosynthesis, were net consumers of oxygen rather than net producers. This means that the communities of bacteria and invertebrates living within the algae community consume more organic matter than the algae produce. This necessarily implies that this excess organic matter must come from an external source.” By calculating a mass balance, the researchers concluded that this excess organic matter was likely provided by the Posidonia in the form of dissolved organic molecules diffusing from the seagrass meadow and litter to the rocks. In summary, there is a two-way exchange between the macroalgae on the rocks and the Posidonia meadows. The macroalgae drifting from the rocks can accumulate in the Posidonia litter and contribute to primary production there. In turn, the seagrass can supply organic molecules that diffuse to the rocks and are assimilated by the bacterial communities associated with the macroalgae on the rocks. A mutually beneficial relationship, indeed. This study provides new insights into the quantification and understanding of the organic carbon balance of Posidonia seagrass meadows in the Bay of Calvi, which has been the subject of research by oceanographers and marine biologists at the University of Liège since the 1980s, notably through the STARESO marine research station. More information:W. Champenois et al, Community gross primary production and respiration in epilithic macroalgae and Posidonia oceanica macrophytodetritus accumulation in the Bay of Revellata (Corsica), Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2024.108971 This article is republished from PHYS.ORG and provided by the University of Liège. Explore our blog for insights on the latest research from across the globe. Click here
With data from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission, researchers have revealed seasonal variations in intertidal seagrass across Western Europe and North Africa. As a key indicator of biodiversity, these new findings offer valuable insights for the conservation and restoration of these vital ecosystems. The intertidal zone is the area where the ocean meets the land between high and low tides, and here seagrasses can form extensive meadows. These flowering marine plants provide critical habitats, acting as shelter, nurseries, and feeding and spawning grounds for a diverse range of birds, fish and invertebrates. Beyond their ecological importance, seagrass meadows also stabilize sediments and protect coastlines from erosion. Monitoring the occurrence, extent, condition and diversity of intertidal seagrass as a key biodiversity variable is essential for assessing the overall health of local ecosystems. Current global estimates of seagrass coverage do not differentiate between seagrasses in the intertidal zone and those in the subtidal zone, which remain submerged below the sea surface. However, a recent paper, published in Communications Earth & Environment, details how a team of scientists used high-resolution imagery from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission to demonstrate its ability to map intertidal seagrass meadows and their seasonal changes across continents with consistency and precision. Bede Ffinian Rowe Davies from Nantes University in France and lead author of the paper, said, “Coastal regions, like much of the world, are experiencing rapid and alarming biodiversity loss. To address this, it’s crucial to develop efficient monitoring methods so that timely and appropriate action can be taken to preserve delicate ecosystems. “Using data from Sentinel-2 within the BiCOME project, we were able to reveal significant seasonal variations in intertidal seagrass. The peaks in extent shifted by as much as five months—challenging previous assumptions that there was little or no seasonal fluctuation.” The satellite images below illustrate changes in intertidal seagrass cover in the Bay of Bourgneuf, located north of the Bay of Biscay, off the western coast of France. The image on the left, from April 2021, shows sparse intertidal seagrass, while the image on the right, from September 2021, reveals abundant growth. Victor Martinez-Vicente, BiCOME project principal investigator, noted, “This study demonstrates the potential of satellite observations to track changes in the extent of natural coastal ecosystems, providing valuable insights for indicators in the Global Biodiversity Framework. Further research is needed to develop long-term satellite-based monitoring systems and datasets to support global progress toward achieving the framework goals.” ESA’s Marie-Helene Rio added, “These new findings clearly demonstrate the value that Sentinel-2 can bring to monitoring intertidal seagrass. We now believe that these intertidal meadows behave differently to the type of seagrass that spends most of its life submerged by seawater. This suggests that previous estimates, which grouped the two types together, could be misleading. The research paves the way to further monitoring and assessment of intertidal seagrass meadows using Sentinel-2 data.” The Sentinel-2 satellites each carry a multispectral imager that takes high-resolution images of Earth’s land, islands, and inland and coastal waters. And with a large swath width of 290 km, it provides these images in 13 spectral bands with resolutions of 10 m, 20 m and 60 m. The third Sentinel-2 satellite, Sentinel-2C, was launched on 5 September 2024, and has already delivered its first images of Earth. More information: Bede Ffinian Rowe Davies et al, A sentinel watching over inter-tidal seagrass phenology across Western Europe and North Africa, Communications Earth & Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-024-01543-z This article is republished from PHYS.ORG and provided by the European Space Agency. Explore our blog for insights on the latest research from across the globe. Click here
An invasive species of seagrass has been on a steady march across the world, taking over ecosystems well beyond its native waters of the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. Scientists have long wondered when it would reach the waters off the coast of Florida. Florida International University scientists say that day has arrived. Florida International University marine scientist Justin Campbell has positively identified Halophila stipulacea growing in Crandon Marina and nearby areas of Biscayne Bay. It is the first time this non-native species has been found in waters along the continental United States. The study appears on the preprint server bioRxiv. “I think this species could pose a considerable threat,” Campbell said. “There are several reports of it being able to outcompete native seagrasses in other areas across the Caribbean. It is plausible that this could also be true for seagrasses here in South Florida.” A marina worker first noticed the seagrass last month and reached out to Campbell, who conducted tests to determine the species. Halophila stipulacea first started spreading its distribution with the opening of the Suez Canal in the late 1800s, hitching rides on the anchors and other parts of boats. By the early 2000s, it was found in the Caribbean. Field photographs of H. Stipulacea inside Crandon Marina (Key Biscayne, Florida) (a,b). Close-up detail of samples collected inside the marina, structure and leaf cross veins (c,d). Credit: Matthew White (a,b) and Justin Campbell (c,d). Healthy seagrass meadows are vital for healthy oceans. They are nursery habitats for commercially and economically important fish as well as shrimp, stone crabs, scallops and other crustaceans and shellfish. Seagrasses are a primary food source for sea turtles, manatees and other marine herbivores. And for the health of the planet, seagrasses are really good at sucking carbon emissions out of the air and storing that carbon long-term. While scientists are still working to understand possible impacts from the invasive species entering waters around the U.S., early research suggests some fish species may avoid the shorter seagrass when scouting nursery locations and local sea turtles in the Caribbean avoid eating the invasive seagrass, preferring native species as part of their regular diets. While most species of seagrass are on the decline from warming waters and other human-induced impacts, Halophila stipulacea has the unique ability to grow quickly and adapt to different conditions including salinity levels, temperature and light availability. Just a small piece can float through water and grow. Once it settles into soil, it can take hold easily and grow at a variety of depths. While most seagrass species require shallower depths to attain sunlight, Halophila stipulacea has been observed flourishing at depths of 60 feet or more. “The arrival of yet another invasive species to Florida is a reminder that all of our earth is interconnected and that human actions have the power to change the planet, for good or bad,” said James Fourqurean, co-author of the research and director of the Coastlines and Oceans Division in FIU’s Institute of Environment. Fourqurean has studied seagrasses, especially those in Florida, for more than 40 years. A foremost expert, he is one of the lead scientists in the International Blue Carbon Working Group, as well as scientific representative to the International Blue Carbon Policy Working Group—both dedicated to the recognition and preservation of seagrass meadows, mangroves and tidal salt marshes as critical contributors to slowing the rise of CO2 in the atmosphere. “Given the importance of seagrasses to a healthy South Florida, we now need to do what we can to limit the spread of this invasive species and be wary of disruptions to the natural order it may cause,” Fourqurean said. Stipulacea has a very different appearance and structure than the native seagrasses in South Florida and throughout the Caribbean. At least 19 Caribbean islands have reported this seagrass growing in nearby waters and, in some cases, overtaking meadows of native grass. “We don’t know whether Stipulacea provides similar ecological benefits as compared to our native species,” Campbell said. “Our seagrass meadows here are some of the most pristine and well-protected in the Western Hemisphere. They are iconic and emblematic. We certainly don’t want to lose them.” So how long has this non-native species been in South Florida? It is hard for Campbell to say, but based on the current distribution, he believes it first started taking root several years ago. It had gone unnoticed because, to the casual observer, it can be difficult to distinguish from native vegetation, he said. Crandon Marina can accommodate medium and large sized sailboats, likely capable of travel to and from areas where Stipulacea is well-established. This is one possible and likely way the non-native seagrass reached Biscayne Bay. With other large marinas in the region, Campbell said surveys and monitoring should be expanded now that this invasive species is confirmed to be in South Florida. More information:Justin E. Campbell et al, First record of the seagrass Halophila stipulacea (Forskkal) Ascherson in the waters of the continental United States (Key Biscayne, Florida), bioRxiv (2024): DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.02.610701 This article is republished from PHYS.ORG and provided by the Florida International University. Explore our blog for insights on the latest research from across the globe. Click here
Seagrass meadows are essential for the health of our oceans. They provide vital habitats for marine life, improve water quality, and store significant amounts of carbon. Unfortunately, these vital ecosystems are in decline. Here at Project Seagrass, we are on a mission to restore seagrass meadows to help create a healthier world and protect against the impacts of climate change. To achieve this, we are partnering with Tandem Ventures to develop an underwater seagrass seed harvester to help us to more efficiently collect seagrass seeds and scale up the restoration process. In order to do this, we need your help. We need to raise £30,000 to design, develop, and test this innovative new technology. Supporting our Crowdfunder will make seagrass restoration faster, more efficient, and scalable. Donate Today The Problem Currently, seagrass seed collection relies on divers using scissors – a slow and labour-intensive process. This bottleneck limits large-scale restoration efforts. We need to invent a new and radically better method this summer, while the seagrass is producing seeds. Time is ticking! Our Solution: The Underwater Seagrass Seed Harvester Key Features Automated Operation: Operates far more efficiently, reducing the need for manual labour. Efficient Collection: Gently harvests seeds without damaging the seagrass beds. Boat-Towed Design: Causes minimal disturbance to the seabed while covering large areas quickly. Adjustable: Key elements of the design can be adjusted to most efficiently collect Seagrass seeds in differing environments. Open-Source Design: Thoroughly documented and shareable plans, allowing replication and application worldwide. Join Us in Making a Difference We need to raise £30,000 to make this vision a reality. If we meet our target, the £30,000 will be allocated as follows: £6,500 for design, research and prototyping £15,000 for building the seagrass seed harvester £2,500 for documentation, and £6,000 for testing and iteration. Your support is crucial for the future of our oceans. By backing this project, you’re investing in innovative technology and a healthier planet. Together, we can restore seagrass meadows and protect marine life for generations to come. Donate via our Crowdfunder. Donate Today
Scientists from The University of Western Australia have partnered with Indigenous rangers on a seagrass restoration project in Gathaagudu (Shark Bay) to help moderate climate change and conserve biodiversity. Dr. Elizabeth Sinclair and Professor Gary Kendrick, from UWA’s School of Biological Sciences and Oceans Institute, were co-authors of the paper published in Ocean & Coastal Management. “Solutions that integrate western science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge are key to improving restoration outcomes,” Dr. Sinclair said. Researchers partnered with Malgana Aboriginal Corporation Rangers on a program that included On Country workshop-based knowledge sharing in north-west Western Australia, with a focus on seagrass restoration. Malgana Elder, Auntie Pat Oakley said managing and caring for a living and dynamic Country are at the heart of well-being for all Indigenous Peoples. “The global rate of seagrass decline continues largely due to human activities, including the widespread impacts from climate change,” Professor Kendrick said. “Reversing this decline by restoring seagrass ecosystems and the benefits they provide is challenging and can take decades, even when human impacts are reduced.” The program found with the right resourcing and logistics, there are opportunities to support training workshops that develop expertise in seagrass restoration activities in Shark Bay. Sean McNeair, Malgana man and ranger coordinator, said field-based restoration workshops helped people reconnect with Country through two-way knowledge sharing. “We need to empower the Malgana Aboriginal Corporation Rangers and local Indigenous-led businesses to schedule restoration activities that help build seasonal local economies and increase the ability to restore seagrass at larger scales,” Dr. Sinclair said. More information: Elizabeth A. Sinclair et al, Healing country together: A seagrass restoration case study from Gathaagudu (Shark Bay), Ocean & Coastal Management (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2024.107274 Journal information can be found here: Ocean and Coastal Management This article is republished from PHYS.ORG and provided by the University of Western Australia.
An international team of researchers discovered that coastal urban seagrass ecosystems can significantly reduce human bacterial pathogens, including those with widespread antibiotic resistance, in marine bivalves—a vital food source for people around the world. The study, published Aug 2 in the journal Nature Sustainability, sheds light on the significant role seagrass meadows play in their ecosystems. Not only do they serve as crucial habitats for marine life and contribute to biodiversity and clearer waters, but they also act as natural filtration systems, reducing bacterial pathogens in the surrounding waters. This is important because the current economic burden of human infectious diseases in marine environments is estimated at $12 billion annually. Furthermore, the looming threat of antimicrobial resistance, projected to cause over 300 million deaths and cost the global economy $100 trillion, underscores the urgency of such natural interventions. “Our paper presents the first evidence that coastal urban seagrass ecosystems can reduce human bacterial pathogens, several with known widespread antibiotic resistance, in a food source that has the potential to support over half of global seafood production and consumption,” said Joleah Lamb, assistant professor at the University of California, Irvine, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences, who led the research with Drew Harvell, professor emerita of ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell. The team analyzed mussels deployed by Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Mussel Watch across 20 Puget Sound beaches with varying seagrass presence. Mussel gills from locations with seagrass showed a 65% reduction in bacterial pathogens compared with those from places without seagrass. Phoebe Dawkins performs seagrass health surveys in Puget Sound. Credit: Cornell University This study adds to Lamb and Harvell’s previous work showing 50% reductions in pathogenic bacteria in Indonesia seagrass meadows, and suggests that intact seagrass ecosystems in both tropical and temperate waters could play a vital role in ensuring safer seafood and enhancing public health. “Seagrasses have untapped potential to contribute to the chain of survival for humans and our coastal biodiversity,” Harvell said. “Seagrass meadows are prime feeding grounds for wild birds and shelter crabs, oysters, mussels and sea stars, and so the role of lower bacteria has yet unmeasured benefit for wildlife as well as humans.” Harvell’s Cornell research team of postdocs, graduate students and undergraduates has been studying the health of seagrass and drivers of decline in the San Juan Islands and Friday Harbor Labs for over a decade. The Cornell-based research team for this project included not only Lamb, but also Phoebe Dawkins, then a graduate student in Harvell’s lab, and undergraduate Evan Fiorenza ’17. The potential applications of this research are vast, Lamb said. As global food demand accelerates, securing safe and sustainable seafood from a healthy ocean is critical. Seagrass meadows, which are already recognized for their high-value services such as nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration and shoreline protection, now present an added layer of public health benefits. The study’s model estimates that 1.1 billion people currently live within 50 kilometers of seagrass ecosystems, highlighting the immediate opportunity to integrate these natural infrastructures into urban planning and conservation strategies. This research aligns with numerous global sustainability initiatives, including the U.N. Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the U.N. Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It provides timely evidence to inform policies and commitments aimed at reversing the decline of seagrass ecosystems, which are disappearing at an alarming rate of 7% per year. The study’s implications extend beyond immediate public health benefits, Lamb said, offering a blueprint for sustainable urban development that leverages nature’s powers to address global challenges. Lamb has called for a concerted effort from policymakers, urban planners and conservationists to recognize and harness the benefits of seagrass ecosystems. “As ecosystems continue to decline globally, there is an urgent need to invest in environmental conservation and assess the value of ecosystem services,” she said. “By doing so, we can make significant strides in addressing the biodiversity and climate crises while simultaneously improving human health and food security.” This research was supported by the Sea Doc Society, a program of the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis; the University of California, Irvine; and The Nature Conservancy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt3za0G6ack&t=56s Credit: Video produced by Bob Friel and the SeaDoc Society. Narrated by SeaDoc Society Science Director Joe Gaydos. More information: Phoebe D. Dawkins et al, Seagrass ecosystems as green urban infrastructure to mediate human pathogens in seafood, Nature Sustainability (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01408-5 Journal information: Nature Sustainability This article is republished from PHYS.ORG and provided by the Cornell University.
196 of the world’s nations are committed under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to tackling nature loss. Habitat restoration is a major pathway to tackling this loss. For marine habitats such as seagrass, such restoration is often portrayed as an easy answer to fighting many of our planetary ills causing this nature loss. But as evidence grows of the issues and challenges of such activities, scientists from Project Seagrass and Swansea University have outlined ten golden rules to help improve this restoration. Their work is published today in an Open Access article in the journal Plants People Planet. The article responds to the increasing pressures faced by seagrass ecosystems globally and the need to rapidly rebuild marine life. The authors highlight throughout that in order to restore our ocean biodiversity, we first need to focus on reducing the stressors to these habitats, namely water quality, boating and coastal development. The authors who have been studying seagrass conservation and restoration argue for a shift beyond a singularised view of restoration as being about planting new meadows to a combined view where damaged and fragmented meadows are rejuvenated; threatened and diminishing meadows are protected; and more meadows become resilient. The rules confirm the need for collaborative approaches to restoration which create biodiverse ecosystems that support coastal communities and improve communities. Dr Richard Unsworth, lead author on the paper who is the Chief Scientific Officer at Project Seagrass and Associate Professor at Swansea University said, “To rebuild marine life at the scale and speed required to fight the biodiversity crisis and the climate emergency we need to think bigger, whereby we bring degraded habitats back to life at the same time as creating vast new habitat in support of coastal livelihoods, and community resilience” The paper has been published following the International Seagrass Biology Workshop (ISBW15) hosted in Naples, Italy earlier this year, the theme of this which was “Seagrasses in the Anthropocene”. As human activities place ever-increasing pressure on seagrass ecosystems at both a local and global scale the resulting changes in environmental conditions have altered seagrass ecosystems to an extent that has not previously been observed. The challenge currently facing the global community is the need to establish a new baseline and protect, restore, and rehabilitate the seagrass ecosystems that currently remain. Dr Benjamin Jones, Chief Conservation Officer at Project Seagrass and author of the paper says: “Coastal environments suffer from excess nutrients and contaminants from poor land management, deforestation and ineffective pollution management. If we are to place seagrass on a pathway to global net gain, for restoration to have any meaningful contribution, we also need to think about restoring watersheds and thinking upstream – restoring the land to restore the sea”. The ten golden rules originally developed by Unsworth and Jones for seagrass restoration, and outlined below, aim to ensure that existing seagrass is protected, that multiple and diverse stakeholders are involved in planning to support the selection of appropriate sites and ongoing stewardship, that appropriate restoration methods are utilized, and that realism is adopted in the face of the challenges surrounding global restoration efforts particularly in light of ongoing climatic pressure. Dr Leanne Cullen-Unsworth, CEO at Project Seagrass and an author of the paper says: “Fantastic progress is being made in the field of conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows, but in order for this to happen at the scale and speed required, we wanted to set out a series of holistic guidelines, based on available research and experience, that practitioners can follow for improved chances of success.” 10 Golden Rules for restoration to secure resilient and just seagrass social-ecological systems (set out in detail below) Protect existing seagrass first Work together Create biodiverse ecosystems with multiple functions for people and planet Select appropriate sites for restoration Determine appropriate restoration methods Use resilient plant materials and future proof your project Maximize the potential opportunity of the restoration Plan ahead for infrastructure, capacity, and restoration material Develop realistic informed goals and reporting Make it pay 10 Golden Rules (Detailed summary of the paper) 1. Protect existing seagrass first Amidst the context of growing interest in seagrass restoration, the authors emphasize that it is much slower, more difficult, and more expensive to re-plant seagrass meadows than it is to protect those that currently remain. Protection from localized stressors can relieve pressure on our existing seagrass be this through the implementation of improved water quality from better catchment management, reduced boating damage, establishment of Marine Protected Areas or through the encouragement of alternative low-impact livelihoods, tourism, and fishing practices. The authors also outline the need to prioritise which seagrass meadows to protect taking into consideration predicted future climatic conditions such as changing temperatures, sea level rise, land use change, and the gradual topicalization of temperate systems. 2. Work together Restoration is a collaborative process and the authors discuss the importance of the involvement of multiple and diverse stakeholders, expertise, and experience throughout all stages of the restoration process. Seagrass social-ecological systems support diverse uses and livelihoods, from fishing and recreation, to harvesting of raw plant material. Rights and equality are central, and stakeholders should be encouraged to continue activities, not just undisturbed, but enhanced by increased seagrass resilience. Engaging local communities and stakeholders during the site selection period is essential as these groups will often become the long-term custodians of the restoration site. Without working together, long-term seagrass restoration at scale is simply not possible and finding ways to bring people together to co-design restoration projects will enhance the social capital of resulting habitats. 3. Create biodiverse ecosystems with multiple functions for people and planet The overarching aim of seagrass restoration should be to maximise the biomass and biodiversity of meadows such that they support diverse and resilient ecosystem functioning and services for people and planet. The authors discuss how natural systems simultaneously produce multiple ecosystem services that interrelate in complex and dynamic ways. An overly narrow focus on a limited set of ecosystem services can lead to
Researchers predict that climate change will drive a substantial redistribution of brown seaweeds and seagrasses at the global scale. The projected changes are alarming due to the fundamental role of seaweeds and seagrasses in coastal ecosystems, and provide evidence of the pervasive impacts of climate change on marine life. In a collaborative study between the University of Helsinki and the EU Joint Research Centre, researchers for the first time have modeled the future distribution of brown seaweeds and seagrasses at the global scale. They predict that by 2100, climate change will drive a substantial redistribution of both groups globally: Their local diversity will decline by 3–4% on average and their current distribution will shrink by 5–6%. More notably, the preferred habitat for both brown seaweeds and seagrasses will undergo a substantial global reduction (78–96%) and will shift among marine regions, with potential expansions into Arctic and Antarctic regions. The research is published in the journal Nature Communications. “We find it alarming that coastal areas worldwide will become dramatically less hospitable for habitat-forming macrophytes, as this might have severe and widespread impacts on coastal ecosystem functioning at the global scale. Interestingly, while global percentual declines in diversity show similar trends for seagrasses and brown macroalgae, the regional patterns are strikingly different between the two groups,” says Federica Manca, the lead author of the study from the University of Helsinki. Present distribution and projected end-of-century changes in global macrophyte species diversity. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48273-6 Why should we care about seaweeds and seagrasses? Brown seaweeds and seagrasses provide important ecological and socio-economic services in coastal areas worldwide. They support coastal biodiversity and fisheries, ensure coastal protection, participate in ocean nutrient recycling, contribute to carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. As climate change is severely threatening macrophyte habitats and the services they provide, we urgently need to understand how both brown seaweeds and seagrasses will respond to changing climatic conditions in the coming decades. Previous studies have modeled the future distribution of these habitat-forming macrophytes, focusing on regional or local scales only and on a limited number of species. In contrast, this study is the first to provide a comprehensive view of the effects of climate change on more than 200 species of brown seaweeds and seagrasses at the global scale. The results show that the redistribution of these habitat-forming marine macrophytes will be geographically heterogeneous, and highlight the regions where the loss of macrophyte diversity and habitat will be most severe, such as the Pacific coast of South America for brown seaweeds, and the coast of Australia for seagrasses. Additionally, researchers have identified macrophyte species that will be more severely affected by climate change, like the Atlantic seaweed Laminaria digitata. The findings can help identify target areas and species for conservation, potentially buffering the impact of climate change. Surprisingly, and contrary to expectations, the models did not predict severe losses of brown seaweed or seagrass diversity in the tropics but rather at intermediate and high latitudes, such as along the Atlantic coasts of Europe and in the Baltic Sea. This indicates that end-of-century climatic conditions in these regions might exceed the tolerance limits of resident macrophyte species. The Baltic Sea is at the forefront in the rate at which climate change is influencing the ecosystem. “Combined with a legacy of multiple other disturbances (such as eutrophication) and low species diversity with only a few brown seaweeds and seagrasses, the Baltic Sea is exceptionally vulnerable to these predicted changes,” says Alf Norkko, professor at the Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki. “Another surprising—and alarming—result is the dramatic loss of highly suitable habitat for both macroalgae and seagrasses globally: Coastal areas worldwide will become substantially less hospitable for habitat-forming macrophytes,” adds Dr. Mar Cabeza from the Global Change and Conservation Group at the University of Helsinki. The disappearance of these habitat-forming macrophytes can trigger cascading effects on other species, compromising the integrity of entire ecosystems and undermining ecological and socio-economic services important to human society. Thus, forecasting changes in the distribution of habitat-forming species is crucial to raise awareness of climate change impacts and foster conservation efforts accordingly. “Our findings confirm, once again, that climate change might have profound impacts on ecosystems, promoting rapid and most often detrimental changes to the diversity and resilience of natural communities. In fact, habitat-forming macrophytes support biodiversity through an exceptional diversity of ecological interactions.” “Hence, their projected loss and redistribution might lead to unpredictable cascading effects, most likely resulting in the local extinction of many associated species,” says Giovanni Strona from the EU Joint Research Centre. More information: Federica Manca et al, Projected loss of brown macroalgae and seagrasses with global environmental change, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48273-6 This article is republished from PHYS.ORG and provided by the University of Helsinki.
