Seasonality in vegetation biometrics and its effects on sediment characteristics and meiofauna in Baltic seagrass meadows

Jankowska, Emilia; Włodarska‐Kowalczuk, Maria; Kotwicki, Lech; Bałazy, Piotr; Kuliński, Karol

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2014.01.003

Cited by 36 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The highest percent cover, leaf area index, shoot density, above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, total biomass, canopy height and leaf width values were measured in summer, while the lowest values for these parameters were observed in winter or spring. Our present results coincide with the work conducted by Jankowska et al (2014), who monitored Zostera marina vegetation in the southern Baltic Sea and found the highest values of shoot density, leaf length, and biomass in July, with the lowest values in March. Furthermore, the greatest shoot size and highest biomass were measured in summer, and their smallest/lowest counterparts were measured in winter and early spring by Zhang et al (2014), who conducted Z. marina monitoring in North China.…”

Section: Halophila Ovalis Inter-annual and Seasonal Variationssupporting

confidence: 81%

“…Globally, considerable effort has been made to investigate the temporal dynamics of seagrass communities and to explore their relationship with external environmental factors (Duarte et al 2006;Erftemeijer and Herman 1994;Jankowska et al 2014;Kim et al 2014;Kuo and Lin 2010;Short et al 2014). However, in China, previous seagrass research has focused on seagrass distribution and structure, while data on temporal dynamics are scarce (den Hartog and Yang 1990;Lin and Shao 1998;Zhang et al 2015Zhang et al , 2016Zheng et al 2013;Zhou et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Temporal variation of intertidal seagrass in southern China (2008–2014)

et al. 2017

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 Understanding the temporal dynamics of seagrasses and the major influences on seagrass growth is critical for seagrass habitat conservation and administration. However, little work has been done regarding these issues in southern China. To examine inter-annual and seasonal variations of the intertidal Halophila ovalis community in southern China, we conducted quarterly sampling using the SeagrassNet methodology and assessed environmental conditions as well as direct anthropogenic impacts on the seagrass meadow from July 2008 to October 2014. Our study demonstrated strong inter-annual and seasonal dynamics of the intertidal seagrass meadow in the study area. Generally, the community performed best (highest seagrass cover, leaf area, shoot density, total biomass) in summer and worst in spring among the 4 seasons. The temporal variations in the seagrass community attributes (e.g. above-ground biomass) were significantly affected by precipitation, atmospheric visibility, and salinity, while leaf width was significantly negatively correlated with temperature, atmospheric visibility and salinity. Temperature was a major factor influencing the seagrass community (both macroalgae and seagrass), with temperature data showing an inverse relationship between seagrass and macroalgae. The aboveground: below-ground biomass ratio and leaf width of H. ovalis were the most sensitive plant parameters monitored when assessing environmental interactions. Human physical disturbances did not have a significant effect on seagrass dynamics in the study area. We concluded that long-term monitoring (like SeagrassNet) is valuable in understanding the relationship between environmental variables and seagrasses.

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Section: Halophila Ovalis Inter-annual and Seasonal Variationssupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal variation of intertidal seagrass in southern China (2008–2014)

et al. 2017

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“…Seasonal change in the magnitude of differences in faunal communities between sea grass beds and bare sediments in the Puck Bay cannot be explained by the modification of sediment or organic content by plant vegetation. The mean grain size, POC concentration, and δ 13 C differed significantly between the bare sand and vegetated bottom at both stations, but the magnitude of these differences remained stable throughout the year and did not follow seasonal variability in seagrass biomass [21]. The DISTLM procedure identified a number of sediment characteristics (e.g., POC content, fine sediments) as significant drivers of zoobenthic community variability, but R 2 values indicated their contributions were rather small.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Evidence of Season-Dependency in Vegetation Effects on Macrofauna in Temperate Seagrass Meadows (Baltic Sea)

et al. 2014

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Seagrasses and associated macrophytes are important components of coastal systems as ecosystem engineers, habitat formers, and providers of food and shelter for other organisms. The positive impacts of seagrass vegetation on zoobenthic abundance and diversity (as compared to bare sands) are well documented, but only in surveys performed in summer, which is the season of maximum canopy development. Here we present the results of the first study of the relationship between the seasonal variability of seagrass vegetation and persistence and magnitude of contrasts in faunal communities between vegetated and bare sediments. The composition, abundance, biomass, and diversity of macrozoobenthos in both habitats were compared five times throughout the year in temperate eelgrass meadows in the southern Baltic Sea. Significant positive effects of macrophyte cover on invertebrate density and biomass were recorded only in June, July, and October when the seagrass canopy was relatively well developed. The effects of vegetation cover on faunal species richness, diversity, and composition persisted throughout the year, but the magnitude of these effects varied seasonally and followed changes in macrophyte biomass. The strongest effects were observed in July and coincided with maximums in seagrass biomass and the diversity and biomass of other macrophytes. These observations indicate that in temperate, clearly seasonal systems the assessment of macrophyte impact cannot be based solely on observations performed in just one season, especially when that season is the one in which macrophyte growth is at its maximum. The widely held belief that macrophyte cover strongly influences benthic fauna in marine coastal habitats, which is based on summer surveys, should be revisited and complemented with information obtained in other seasons.

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“…Zostera was abundant in this area in depths of up to 10 meters until the 1950s (Boström et al, 2003). During the following thirty years the area covered by seagrass decreased due to deteriorating water quality and increased eutrophication (Jankowska et al, 2014). In 1969 the seagrass covered 5,120 ha but had fallen to only 6% of that area in 2007.…”

Section: Case Study Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 1969 the seagrass covered 5,120 ha but had fallen to only 6% of that area in 2007. Resulting from improved water quality and restoration efforts, Zostera marina is currently regaining lost territory, although neither the scale nor the durability of this restoration are well documented (Jankowska et al, 2014).…”

Section: Case Study Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Non-market Benefits of Seagrass Restoration in the Gulf of Gdańsk

Bӧrger¹,

Piwowarczyk

2016

Journal of Ocean and Coastal Economics

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Seagrass meadows (Zostera marina) are an important ecosystem in the coastal environment of the Baltic Sea. This study employs a discrete choice experiment to value a set of non-market benefits provided by seagrass meadows in the Gulf of Gdańsk, Poland. The benefits valued in this study are a reduction of filamentous algae in the water and on the beach; access to seagrass meadows for boaters and divers; and improved water clarity. Results show significant willingness to pay for each attribute and differences of value estimates across different groups of survey respondents. It is discussed how to link choice attributes and estimated values with established ecosystem benefit categories in order to facilitate value transfer.

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Seasonality in vegetation biometrics and its effects on sediment characteristics and meiofauna in Baltic seagrass meadows

Cited by 36 publications

References 32 publications

Temporal variation of intertidal seagrass in southern China (2008–2014)

Temporal variation of intertidal seagrass in southern China (2008–2014)

Evidence of Season-Dependency in Vegetation Effects on Macrofauna in Temperate Seagrass Meadows (Baltic Sea)

Assessing Non-market Benefits of Seagrass Restoration in the Gulf of Gdańsk

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