Development of an Angiosperm Quality Assessment Index (AQuA-Index) for ecological quality evaluation of Portuguese water bodies—A multi-metric approach

Caçador, Isabel; Neto, João M.; Barroso, D.V.; Pinto, Marc; Marques, João Carlos

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.09.021

Cited by 64 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…For this purpose all WB were considered, as well as the relative coverage for J. maritimus in the mid marsh area (since low marsh is only represented by S. maritima) . For the calculation of the relative percentage of halophytes’ floristic composition in each WB, data from Caçador et al 26. were updated with in situ observations.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Blue Carbon’ and Nutrient Stocks of Salt Marshes at a Temperate Coastal Lagoon (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal)

Sousa

Santos

Silva

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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Ria de Aveiro is a mesotidal coastal lagoon with one of the largest continuous salt marshes in Europe. The objective of this work was to assess C, N and P stocks of Spartina maritima (low marsh pioneer halophyte) and Juncus maritimus (representative of mid-high marsh halophytes) combined with the contribution of Halimione portulacoides, Sarcocornia perennis, and Bolbochenous maritimus to the lagoon ≈4400 ha marsh area. A multivariate analysis (PCO), taking into account environmental variables and the annual biomass and nutrient dynamics, showed that there are no clear seasonal or spatial differences within low or mid-high marshes, but clearly separates J. maritimus and S. maritima marshes. Calculations of C, N and P stocks in the biomass of the five most representative halophytes plus the respective rhizosediment (25 cm depth), and taking into account their relative coverage, represents 252053 Mg C, 38100 Mg N and 7563 Mg P. Over 90% of the stocks are found within mid-high marshes. This work shows the importance of this lagoon’s salt marshes on climate and nutrients regulation, and defines the current condition concerning the ‘blue carbon’ and nutrient stocks, as a basis for prospective future scenarios of salt marsh degradation or loss, namely under SLR context.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Blue Carbon’ and Nutrient Stocks of Salt Marshes at a Temperate Coastal Lagoon (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal)

Sousa

Santos

Silva

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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“…Barra salt marsh is mostly colonized by Halimione portulacoides (L.) Aellen ( (Cac¸ador et al 2013). Both species belong to the Chenopodeaceae family, presenting a succulent character.…”

Section: Sampling Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These species were selected in order to sample those more abundant and representative in both marshes (Cac¸ador et al 2013). As described before (Cac¸ador et al 1999) the selected sampling period comprises the beginning and the end of the growing season, allowing to sample during maximum and minimum biomass conditions for both targeted species.…”

Section: Sampling Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Estuarine systems represent important ecosystems in coastal landscapes, providing essential services such as water quality improvement, fisheries resources, habitat and food for migratory and resident animals and recreational areas for human populations (Cac¸ador et al 2013). Salt marshes are one of the most valuable ecosystems present in these transitional systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Functional and ecophysiological traits of Halimione portulacoides and Sarcocornia perennis ecotypes in Mediterranean salt marshes under different tidal exposures

Duarte

Silva

Dias

et al. 2018

Ecological Research

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The present paper aims to discuss the functional and ecophysiological traits of two abundant succulent halophytes in Mediterranean salt marsh systems, considering two ecotypes differing on their tidal exposure. In Halimione portulacoides the higher root/shoot (R/S) biomass ratio verified in low inundation frequency (LF) marshes, as compared with that in high inundation frequency (HF), indicates an optimal partitioning strategy, inducing differential allocation patterns along with varying environmental factors. Conversely, Sarcocornia perennis appear to have an isometric allocation strategy, based on intrinsic biomass allocation mechanisms independent from the surrounding environmental conditions. Similarly, the photosynthetic traits appear to reflect the intrinsic ecology of the species. Sarcocornia perennis habitat adaptation to HF conditions is clearly revealed by its high photosynthetic efficiency under HF conditions. On the other hand, the cosmopolitan H. portulacoides shows no differences between ecotypes, in which concerns this trait, mostly due to the high carotenoid content of the HF ecotype, which allows this specie to counteract the stress generated during submersion. Additionally, anti‐oxidant enzymatic activities revealed that S. perennis presents a high degree of stress tolerance under HF conditions, while H. portulacoides is highly adapted to LF conditions. These functional (biomass‐related) and physiological traits determine the optimal habitats for H. portulacoides and S. perennis. While H. portulacoides optimal biomass partitioning, along with its efficient anti‐oxidant defence system, makes this species fitter to LF conditions, S. perennis isometric allocation strategy, along with a higher photosynthetic efficiency under frequent flooding conditions, provides this species the mechanisms to efficiently colonize the intertidal habitat.

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“…Sarcocornia perennis, Sacocornia fruticosa, Spartina maritima, Halimione portulacoides (Caçador et al, 1996) and Juncus acutus (Martínez-S anchez et al, 2006;Caçador et al, 2013) are some of the halophyte species which commonly inhabit this environment. Since these ecosystems are located largely near or alongside estuaries, are often exposed and considered as natural sink of heavy metals from industrial and urban sewage (Otte et al, 1991;Caçador et al 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochemical and photochemical feedbacks of acute Cd toxicity in Juncus acutus seedlings: The role of non-functional Cd-chlorophylls

Santos

Duarte

2015

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

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Development of an Angiosperm Quality Assessment Index (AQuA-Index) for ecological quality evaluation of Portuguese water bodies—A multi-metric approach

Cited by 64 publications

References 19 publications

‘Blue Carbon’ and Nutrient Stocks of Salt Marshes at a Temperate Coastal Lagoon (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal)

‘Blue Carbon’ and Nutrient Stocks of Salt Marshes at a Temperate Coastal Lagoon (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal)

Functional and ecophysiological traits of Halimione portulacoides and Sarcocornia perennis ecotypes in Mediterranean salt marshes under different tidal exposures

Biochemical and photochemical feedbacks of acute Cd toxicity in Juncus acutus seedlings: The role of non-functional Cd-chlorophylls

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