The influence of seagrass beds on carbonate sediments in the Bahamas

Chemical variables were measured in calcium-carbonate-rich sediments inhabited by the dominant tropical seagrass, Thalassia testudinum, and in adjacent seagrass-free sediments at several locations in the Bahamas Islands. Pore-water alkalinity and p_CO2 were consistently greater, while pH was consistently lower in sediment-pore waters within seagrass beds. The ammonium and molybdate-reactive phosphate concentrations in sediment-pore water were variable for vegetated, compared with unvegetated, sample locations.Thalassia testudinum can generate very large amounts of organic matter within calcium-carbonate-rich sediments. However, little of the organic matter is retained in the sediment and the effect of that organic matter on pore water chemical factors appears to be surprisingly small. These observations are markedly different from those for seagrass beds in high latitude clastic sediments and in Syringodium filiforme seagrass beds near San Salvador Island, where major influences of the seagrass beds on sediment chemistry have been observed. The generally coarser grain size of the carbonate sediments may be a primary factor contributing to these differences.     

无人机航测技术在海草床调查中的试点应用

通过无人机飞行参数、飞行高度、潮汐条件和调查范围等试验,采用无人机对东郊椰林近岸海域海草进行航拍,利用PIX4D软件处理得到了高分辨率海草分布影像图,利用ArcGIS软件对海草分布区进行了矢量化提取,选择有代表性的区块结合实地调查进行验证,得出了试验区的海草分布特征和海草种类。结果表明：海草分布在离岸300 m范围内的珊瑚礁砰上,呈斑块状、间隔式分布特征,在试验区中海草分布面积为2 449.6 m²,占比为24.5%。实地调查到海草种类有圆叶丝粉草(Cymodocea rotundata)、单脉二药草(Halodule uninervis)、海菖蒲(Enhalus acoroides)、泰来草(Thalassia hemprichii)和卵叶喜盐草(Halophila ovalis)等5种海草,泰来草为优势种,单脉二药草和卵叶喜盐草分布在潮间带有淤泥的低潮区;圆叶丝粉草分布在低潮带至潮下带的上部,海底堆积和冲刷区的交界处;泰来草在不同水深处均有分布,分布面积最大。     

Diversity and distribution of seagrasses in the Union of the Comoros

This study represents the first in situ assessment of seagrasses in the Union of the Comoros. The presence of the following 10 species (ranked in order of abundance) was confirmed: Thalassia hemprichii, Thalassodendron ciliatum, Syringodium isoetifolium, Halodule wrightii, Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Halodule uninervis, Halophila ovalis, Zostera capensis and Enhalus acoroides. Seagrasses occurred in large, continuous beds in the shallow waters at the northern and southern tips of Grande Comore Island and around the Bimbini Peninsula on western Anjouan Island, but were sparsely distributed throughout the shallow waters surrounding Mohéli Island.     

Tropical species at the northern limit of their range: Composition and distribution in Bermuda's benthic habitats in relation to depth and light availability

Surveys were undertaken on the shallow Bermuda marine platform between 2006 and 2008 to provide a baseline of the distribution, condition and environmental characteristics of benthic communities. Bermuda is located in temperate latitudes but coral reefs, tropical seagrasses and calcareous green algae are common in the shallow waters of the platform. The dominant organisms of these communities are all living at or near their northern latitudinal range limits in the Atlantic Ocean. Among the major benthic autotrophs surveyed, seagrasses were most restricted by light availability. We found that the relatively slow-growing and long-lived seagrass Thalassia testudinum is restricted to habitats with much higher light availability than in the tropical locations where this species is commonly found. In contrast, the faster growing tropical seagrasses in Bermuda, Syringodium filiforme, Halodule sp. and Halophila decipiens, had similar ecological compensation depths (ECD) as in tropical locations. Increasing sea surface temperatures, concomitant with global climate change, may either drive or allow the poleward extensions of the ranges of such tropical species. However, due to latitudinal light limitations at least one abundant and common tropical autotroph, T. testudinum, is able to occupy only shallower depths at the more temperate latitudes of Bermuda. We hypothesize that the poleward shift of seagrass species ranges would be accompanied by restrictions to even shallower depths of T. testudinum and by very different seagrass community structures than in tropical locations.     

Evidence for phosphorus limitation in carbonate sediments of the seagrass Syringodium filiforme

The seagrass Syringodium filiforme was examined in an ecological analysis of plant nutrient requirements and nutrient resource availability. Assessment of the sediment geochemistry in a San Salvador Island seagrass bed indicated that phosphorus was not readily accessible to the plants. Ammonium regeneration in the fine-grained carbonate sediments was high, and interstitial concentrations averaged ca. 100 μM while phosphate replenishment to interstitial water was low, and concentrations were generally less than 2 μM. Analysis of the seagrass leaf tissue content (C : N : P = 1390 : 47 : 1, atomic wt) suggested that nitrogen and phosphorus were both depleted relative to carbon. However, this high N : P for S. filiforme and the low concentration of phosphate available in the interstitial water established the likelihood that plant acquisition of phosphorus was limited. The finding of high root biomass relative to leaf biomass in these seagrass beds corroborates this evidence by depicting a method of plant adaptation that increases nutrient absorptive root surface area.     

Demographic Characteristics of Lytechinus variegatus (Echinoidea: Echinodermata) from Three Habitats in a North Florida Bay, Gulf of Mexico

Abstract. The population densities, spatial distributions, size frequencies, growth rates, longevity and reproductive activities of sub‐populations of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus were investigated over a two‐year period. Sea urchins were examined in three habitats in Saint Joseph Bay, Florida, which is within the northern limits of their distribution. Densities of sea urchins, which ranged as high as 35 individuals ·^?2, fluctuated seasonally at all sites and were higher in seagrass beds comprised of Thalassia testudinum than Syringodium filiforme or on a sand flat. A cold front caused large‐scale, catastrophic mortality among adult, and especially juvenile, sea urchins in nearshore habitats of the Bay in the spring of 1993, leading to a dramatic decline in sea urchin densities at the Thalassia seagrass site. The population recovered over 6 months at this site and was attributable to immigration of new adults. Juvenile recruitment displayed both interannual and site‐specific variability, with recruitment being highest in seagrass habitats in fall and spring. The most pronounced recruitment event occurred in fall 1993 at the Thalassia site. Spatial distributions of adult individuals ascertained monthly never varied from random in the seagrass beds (T. testudinum and S. filiforme) or during spring, summer or fall months on the sand flat. Nonetheless, aggregations of adult sea urchins were observed on the sand flat in the winter months and were associated with patchy distributions of plant food resources. Juvenile sea urchins (< 25 mm test diameter) exhibited aggregations at all sites and 67 % of all juveniles under 10 mm test diameter (91 of 165 individuals observed) were found under the spine canopies of adults. Measurements of the inducibility of spawning indicated peak gametic maturity in all three sub‐populations in spring and summer. Gonad indices varied between habitats and years, but distinct maxima were detected, particularly in spring 1993 and late summer 1994. The mean gonad index of individuals at the Syringodium seagrass site was 2‐ to 4‐fold higher than the other sites in spring 1993 and gonad indices were much higher at all sites in spring of 1993 than 1994. Estimates of growth based on changes in size frequency cohorts coupled with measurements of growth bands on lantern demipyramids indicated that L. variegatus in three habitats of Saint Joseph Bay have similar growth rates and attain a mean test diameter of approximately 35 mm in one year. In contrast to populations within the central biogeographical range of the species, which may attain test diameters up to 90 mm, the largest individuals recorded in Saint Joseph Bay were 60 mm in test diameter, and almost all individuals were no more than 45 mm in test diameter or two years of age. The demographics of L. variegatus in the northern limits of their distribution appear to be strongly influenced by latitudinally driven, low‐temperature events and secondarily by local abiotic factors, especially springtime low salinities, which may negatively impact larval development and recruitment.     

Composition,export and faunal utilization of drift vegetation in the salt river submarine canyon

Submarine canyons may be particularly important in the transport process of drift seagrasses and seaweeds from highly productive shallow lagoon areas to deeper water. We studied the composition, export, and faunal utilization of shallow, nearshore benthic vegetation as it was transported to offshore areas via the Salt River submarine canyon on the island of St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The study was conducted using a saturation diving system (NULS-1: Hydrolab) during two missions in April and August, 1980. Using bottom drifters deployed in Salt River Bay and the submarine canyon, we recorded net benthic current flow up to 2 cm s^?1 moving out of the lagoon and down the canyon to deeper water. Using bottom nets set up at the canyon head and at the 29 m isobar, and from transect surveys and drift clump samples, we determined drift plant export rates and drift clump biomass and species composition. The dominant drift plants were Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme and algae in the genera Dictyota, Dictyopterus, and Diloplus. During the second mission, the seagrass Halophila decipiens became more abundant, both in the drift and in large patches along the canyon floor. In both missions, more drift was collected in the nets during high wind conditions than during calmer days. Calculated turnover times ranged from 0·01 to 4·4 days for algae in the order Dictyotales and 4·4 to 18 days for Thalassia blades. Total exported biomass of drift vegetation varied between 1·4 to 65·1 kg wet wt day^?1. Samples of drift vegetation contained mostly juvenile forms of both invertebrates and fishes, but in relatively low numbers. Faunal numbers were most strongly related to rate of drift movement.     

Acetylene reducing activity at a tropical seagrass bed in Papua New Guinea

Acetylene reduction activity at a tropical seagrass bed in Papua New Guinea was studied. Blades of every species of seagrass studied (Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Halodule uninervis, Syringodium isoetifolium) at the bed showed active acetylene reduction in the rage of 0.025–0.050 mol cm^–2d^–1. It is suggested that epiphytic blue-green algae would be responsible for active acetylene reduction. Acetylene reducing activity was observed also at rhizosphere of seagrasses, microbial communities on the detritus and periphyton on snail shells. It is estimated that total nitrogen fixed at the seagrass bed will be equivalent to 6.7% of that required for the growth of seagrasses.     

Diversity and coverage of seagrass ecosystems in south-west Madagascar

Seagrass meadows provide important nursery and feeding grounds for many commercially valuable fish species. Here, we address the paucity of published information on the status of seagrasses in Madagascar by documenting the results from ecological surveys of 11 seagrass beds in Velondriake, a locally managed marine area (LMMA) in south-west Madagascar. The diversity and coverage of meadows was highest in the north of the LMMA with up to 51% coverage, and lowest in the south (26%). Overall, eight seagrass species were recorded: Cymodocea rotundata, C. serrulata, Halodule uninervis, Halophila ovalis, H. stipulacea, Syringodium isoetifolium, Thalassia hemprichii and Thalassodendron ciliatum. We discuss the natural and anthropogenic factors that may account for the observed low diversity of seagrasses in southern Velondriake, including overfishing, beach-seining, cyclones, siltation and mangrove deforestation. Based on these baseline surveys, as well as discussions with local communities, it is recommended that measures should be taken to reinforce efforts to ban beach-seines and that the role of seagrasses as carbon sinks and potential sustainable financing options through blue carbon initiatives should be investigated through further, more detailed surveys.     

Seagrasses from the Nansei Islands, Southern Japanese Archipelago: species composition, distribution and biogeography

The Nansei Islands in the southern Japanese Archipelago have 15 taxa of seagrasses from seven genera within three families. Seagrasses in this region grow on coral sands or coral debris in shallow reefs and on sandy or muddy substrata in the shallow areas of bays and inlets. Certain Halophila species grow in deep water off some islands. Enhalus acoroides only reaches to Ishigaki I. with winter sea water temperature (WST) at 23 °C, while Okinawa I. (WST at 21.6 °C) is the northern biogeographic limit for Halophila decipiens, H. okinawensis, H. major and H. gaudichaudii. Amami‐oshima I. (WST at 20.7 °C) is the northern border for Thalassia hemprichii, H. minor, H. ovalis, Cymodocea serrulata, Cymodocea rotundata, Syringodium isoetifolium, Halodule uninervis and Halodule pinifolia. Halophila mikii the sole seagrass collected from Yakushima I. (WST at 19.3 °C), is of volcanic origin. The distribution of tropical seagrasses in the Nansei Islands is clearly associated with the warm Kuroshio Current, WST and habitat availability. Zostera japonica is the only temperate species occurring in the region. Meadows of Z. japonica, H. ovalis and Halodule pinifolia have disappeared from certain localities in the Archipelago, due probably to human activities and natural siltation.     

Sulfide intrusion in the tropical seagrasses Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme

Sulfur and oxygen dynamics in the seagrasses Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme and their sediments were studied in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) in order to explore sulfide intrusion into tropical seagrasses. Four study sites were selected based on the iron concentration in sediments and on proximity to anthropogenic nutrient sources. Meadow characteristics (shoot density, above- and below-ground biomass, nutrient content) were sampled along with sediment biogeochemistry. Sulfide intrusion was high in T. testudinum, as up to 96% of total sulfur in the plant was derived from sediment-derived sulfides. The sulfide intrusion was negatively correlated to the turnover of sulfides in the sediments regulated by both plant parameters and sediment sulfur pools. Sediment iron content played an indirect role by affecting sulfide turnover rates. Leaf production was negatively correlated with sulfide intrusion suggesting that active growth reduced sulfide intrusion. Sulfide intrusion was lower in S. filiforme (up to 44%) compared to T. testudinum consistent with a higher internal nighttime oxygen concentrations found for S. filiforme. When S. filiforme can take advantage of its ability to maintain high internal oxygen concentrations, as was the case on the USVI, it could increase its success in colonizing unvegetated disturbed sediments with potentially high sulfide concentrations.     

Importance of seagrass as a carbon source for heterotrophic bacteria in a subtropical estuary (Florida Bay)

A stable carbon isotope approach was taken to identify potential organic matter sources incorporated into biomass by the heterotrophic bacterial community of Florida Bay, a subtropical estuary with a recent history of seagrass loss and phytoplankton blooms. To gain a more complete understanding of bacterial carbon cycling in seagrass estuaries, this study focused on the importance of seagrass-derived organic matter to pelagic, seagrass epiphytic, and sediment surface bacteria. Particulate organic matter (POM), seagrass epiphytic, seagrass (Thalassia testudinum) leaf, and sediment surface samples were collected from four Florida Bay locations with historically different organic matter inputs, macrophyte densities, and primary productivities. Bulk (observed and those reported previously) and compound-specific bacterial fatty acid δ¹³C values were used to determine important carbon sources to the estuary and benthic and pelagic heterotrophic bacteria. The δ¹³C values of T. testudinum green leaves with epiphytes removed ranged from −9.9 to −6.9‰. Thalassia testudinum δ¹³C values were significant more enriched in ¹³C than POM, epiphytic, and sediment samples, which ranged from −16.4 to −13.5, −16.2 to −9.6, and −16.7 to −11.0‰, respectively. Bacterial fatty acid δ¹³C values (measured for br14:0, 15:0, i15:0, a15:0, br17:0, and 17:0) ranged from −25.5 to −8.2‰. Assuming a −3‰ carbon source fractionation from fatty acid to whole bacteria, pelagic, epiphytic, and sediment bacterial δ¹³C values were generally more depleted in ¹³C than T. testudinum δ¹³C values, more enriched in ¹³C than reported δ¹³C values for mangroves, and similar to reported δ¹³C values for algae. IsoSource mixing model results indicated that organic matter derived from T. testudinum was incorporated by both benthic and pelagic bacterial communities, where 13–67% of bacterial δ¹³C values could arise from consumption of seagrass-derived organic matter. The IsoSource model, however, failed to discriminate clearly the fraction of algal (0–86%) and mangrove (0–42%) organic matter incorporated by bacterial communities. These results indicate that pelagic, epiphytic, and sediment surface bacteria consumed organic matter from a variety of sources. Bacterial communities incorporated consistently seagrass-derived organic matter, the dominant macrophyte in Florida Bay, but seagrass δ¹³C values alone could not account fully for bacterial δ¹³C values.     

中国海草资源分布现状、退化原因与保护对策

海草床是三大典型的近海海洋生态系统之一,具有极高的生态服务功能。然而,截至2015年我国近海海草资源分布现状尚不明晰,严重制约了我国海草床保护与修复工作的开展。2015～2021年,笔者通过实地调查,借助船只走航、声呐探测、遥感等技术手段,重点对我国近海海草资源的分布面积、种类及主要威胁进行了全面普查,并据此提出我国海草床管理与可持续利用对策。结果表明,我国近海海域海草床面积共为26 495.69hm²,可划分为:温带海域海草分布区和热带-亚热带海域海草分布区;我国现有海草4科9属16种。其中,温带海域海草床面积为17 095.01 hm2,主要分布在辽宁、河北、天津和山东沿海,分布有2科3属5种,以鳗草(Zosteramarina)和日本鳗草(Z.japonica)为优势种,其中唐山乐亭-曹妃甸海草床面积达9 025.56 hm2,是我国面积最大的海草床;热带-亚热带海域海草床面积为9 400.68 hm2,主要分布在福建、广东、广西和海南沿海,分布有4科8属12种,以泰来草(Thalassia hemprichii)、海菖蒲(Enhalus acoroides...     

广东沿海新发现的海草床

通过对广东沿海水域的现场调查, 新发现8个海草床, 主要分布在柘林湾、汕尾白沙湖、惠东考洲洋、大亚湾、珠海唐家湾、上川岛、下川岛和雷州企水湾。海草种类主要包括喜盐草(Halophila ovalis)、贝克喜盐草(Halophila beccarii)和矮大叶藻(Zostera japonica)等3种。海草覆盖率为6.67%—53.33%, 茎枝密度为3 428.57— 10 542.00shoots.m-2, 生物量为12.86—118.24g.m-2。海草床底上生物密度为16.67—734.67ind.m-2, 生物量为15.39—426.88g.m-2, 多样性指数为0.46—1.98, 均匀度指数为0.28—0.89。海草床生境受到的严重威胁主要来自围海养殖(养蚝、养螺)、污水排放、渔民作业方式(电鱼、电虾、扒螺、挖贝类)、自然灾害(台风和洪水)等。     

海南岛南部海草资源分布现状调查分析

结合2008年和2014年的调查数据,对海南岛南部海草分布现状进行分析探讨。结果显示,海南岛南部海草种类有2科3亚科5属5种,即海神草Cymodocea rotunda、泰莱藻Thalassia hemprichii、海菖蒲Enhalus acoroides、喜盐草Halophila ovalis以及二药藻Enhalus acoroides,泰莱藻广泛分布;海草分布面积从2008年的1.64km2减少到2014年0.50km2,减少幅度较大区域为铁炉港和小东海;平均盖度从2008年35.67%下降到2014年26.40%;受人为活动及无人管理因素影响程度不同,海南岛南部不同海域海草平均密度及平均生物量各有不同,后海湾与鹿回头海草平均密度和平均生物量呈增长趋势,铁炉港、西瑁洲岛及小东海海草平均密度和平均生物量呈下降趋势。鉴于海南岛南部海草资源已出现退化,希望社会各界重视海草的保护,在海草资源丰富区域设海草保护区,在海草破坏严重区域加大政府科研扶持力度,对海草进行保护与修复。     

Seasonal Changes in Limestone and Sand Plant Communities off the Florida West Coast

Abstract. The benthic flora of the limestone (20%) and sand (80%) substrates typical of intermediate depths on the west coast of Florida was sampled using quadrats over a three year period. Twenty seven taxa of macroscopic algae and one seagrass, Halophila decipiens , were collected. No plants were found during February of two consecutive years. The biomass and available energy ranged from 0 (winter) to 12.4g dry weight and 128 kJ (summer) per 25cm^: on the limestone outcroppings and from 0 to 4.4g dry weight and 43 kJ for the sand substrate. The flora was seasonal with no dominant macroscopic algae occurring throughout the year. The flora of the intermediate depths is subjected to abiotic disturbances and is rudcral in nature. Thus, secondary production in the extensive intermediate depths along the west coast of Florida must depend more on the inshore, shallow water seagrass communities for primary production.     

Dynamic factor analysis of long-term growth trends of the intertidal seagrass Thalassia hemprichii in southern Taiwan

We examined environmental factors which are most responsible for the 8-year temporal dynamics of the intertidal seagrass Thalassia hemprichii in southern Taiwan. A dynamic factor analysis (DFA), a dimension-reduction technique, was applied to identify common trends in a multivariate time series and the relationships between this series and interacting environmental variables. The results of dynamic factor models (DFMs) showed that the leaf growth rate of the seagrass was mainly influenced by salinity (Sal), tidal range (TR), turbidity (K), and a common trend representing an unexplained variability in the observed time series. Sal was the primary variable that explained the temporal dynamics of the leaf growth rate compared to TR and K. K and TR had larger influences on the leaf growth rate in low- than in high-elevation beds. In addition to K, TR, and Sal, UV-B radiation (UV-B), sediment depth (SD), and a common trend accounted for long-term temporal variations of the above-ground biomass. Thus, K, TR, Sal, UV-B, and SD are the predominant environmental variables that described temporal growth variations of the intertidal seagrass T. hemprichii in southern Taiwan. In addition to environmental variables, human activities may be contributing to negative impacts on the seagrass beds; this human interference may have been responsible for the unexplained common trend in the DFMs. Due to successfully applying the DFA to analyze complicated ecological and environmental data in this study, important environmental variables and impacts of human activities along the coast should be taken into account when managing a coastal environment for the conservation of intertidal seagrass beds.     

华南沿海海草床分布区大型底栖动物群落特征初探

为探究华南沿海海草床大型底栖动物群落特征、地区差异及其与海草群落间的关系,2020年在华南沿海12个海草床区域开展了大型底栖动物调查。共布设33个调查断面99个站位,在主要群落参数的基础上,运用相关性分析和聚类分析、nMDS排序、相似性百分比分析等群落生态学统计方法分析了底栖动物群落特征及其与海草群落的关系。共鉴定出大型底栖动物9大门类199种,其中,软体动物种类最多,占总种类数的39.7%。各区域底栖动物的平均栖息密度为155.7 ind/m²,青葛—龙湾(琼海)的平均栖息密度最低,珍珠湾(防城港)的平均栖息密度最高;平均生物量为118.36 g/m²,最低值出现在义丰溪(汕头),最高值出现在珍珠湾。各区域底栖动物的优势种以潮间带泥沙滩常见腹足类、双壳类和多毛类为主;底栖动物的种类多样性指数(H′)平均值为1.12,最低值出现在唐家湾(珠海),最高值出现在铁山港(北海);各调查区域底栖动物主要群落参数大致呈现“北部湾>海南沿岸>珠江口及粤东”的规律。华南沿海海草床分布区大型底栖动物群落的区域性特征较为明显,地理位置相近的海草床底...     

Editorial

A flow-through system for exposure of seagrass to pollutants is described. Sea water with dissolved atrazine or PCP (pentachlorophenol) was pumped through a sealed 2-litre volume glass exposure vessel that contained either whole plants or leaves of Thalassia testudinum. Effects of the compounds on oxygen evolution and uptake by leaves were measured after exposure for 40 and 88 h. Rate of oxygen evolution was depressed strongly after 40 h by 1 ppm of atrazine or PCP. The rate of oxygen uptake was slightly depressed by atrazine but strongly depressed by PCP. Photosynthesis/respiration ratios were depressed to less than one by 1 ppm of atrazine or PCP and by 0·5 ppm atrazine. EC₅₀ values based upon depression of oxygen evolution after 40 hours exposure were: atrazine, 0·32 ppm PCP, 0·74 ppm. The data suggest that leaves may recover from, or adapt to, the presence of either toxicant.