Effects of the green macroalga Enteromorpha intestinalis on macrobenthic and seagrass assemblages in a shallow coastal estuary

Cummins, S. P.; Roberts, Daniel; Zimmerman, Ken

doi:10.3354/meps266077

Cited by 73 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…The negative effects of macroalgal blooms on seagrasses have been documented in many areas of the world, such as Australia, Japan, America and Europe (e.g. Cummins et al, 2004;Huntington and Boyer, 2008;Martínez-Lüscher and Holmer, 2010;Sugimoto et al, 2007). Small-statured seagrass species are more impacted than larger species, and the effect is often proportional to the biomass of macroalgae (Thomsen et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combined nutrient and macroalgae loads lead to response in seagrass indicator properties

Han

Soissons

Bouma

et al. 2016

Marine Pollution Bulletin

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a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f oExcess nutrients are potential factors that drive phase shifts from seagrasses to macroalgae. We carried out a manipulative field experiment to study the effects of macroalgae Ulva pertusa loading and nutrient addition to the water column on the nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) contents (i.e., fast indicators) as well as on the morphology and structure (i.e., slow indicators) of Zostera marina. Our results showed rapid impact of increased macroalgae and nutrient load on Z. marina C/N ratios. Also, macroalgae addition resulted in a trend of decreasing belowground biomass of seagrasses, and nutrient load significantly decreased above to belowground biomass ratio. Although some morphological/structural variables showed relatively fast responses, the effects of short-term disturbance by macroalgae and nutrients were less often significant than on physiological variables. Monitoring of seagrass physiological indicators may allow for early detection of eutrophication, which may initiate timely management interventions to avert seagrass loss.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combined nutrient and macroalgae loads lead to response in seagrass indicator properties

Han

Soissons

Bouma

et al. 2016

Marine Pollution Bulletin

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“…These processes have been associated with phytoplankton blooms, fish and other faunal kills, as well as seagrass declines (Buchsbaum et al 1991, Hauxwell et al 2001, Nedergaard et al 2002, Cummins et al 2004). The fate of macroalgal biomass deposited to the sediments, however, is less clear.…”

Section: Label Incorporation Into Bulk Sedimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The deleterious effects these blooms have on the surrounding system while alive and following die-off have been studied extensively (e.g. Sfriso et al 1992, Raffaelli 2000, Hauxwell et al 2001, Cummins et al 2004, Nuzzi & Waters 2004.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fate of macroalgae in benthic systems: carbon and nitrogen cycling within the microbial community

Hardison

Canuel

Anderson

et al. 2010

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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High nutrient loading to coastal bays is often accompanied by the presence of bloomforming macroalgae, which take up and sequester large amounts of C and N while growing. This pool is temporary, however, as nuisance macroalgae exhibit a bloom and die-off cycle, influencing the biogeochemical functioning of these systems in unknown ways. The objective of this study was to trace the C and N from senescing macroalgae into relevant sediment pools. A macroalgal die-off event was simulated by the addition of freeze-dried macroalgae (Gracilaria spp.), pre-labeled with stable isotopes ( 13 C and 15 N), to sediment mesocosms. The isotopes were traced into bulk sediments and partitioned into benthic microalgal (BMA) and bacterial biomass using microbial biomarkers to quantify the uptake and retention of macroalgal C and N. Bulk sediments took up label immediately following the die-off, and macroalgal C and N were retained in the sediments for at least 2 wk. Approximately 6 to 50% and 2 to 9% of macroalgal N and C, respectively, were incorporated into the sediments. Label from the macroalgae appeared in both bacterial and BMA biomarkers, suggesting that efficient shuttling of macroalgal C and N between these communities may serve as a mechanism for retention of macroalgal nutrients within the sediments. KEY WORDS: Stable isotopes · Macroalgae · Benthic microalgae · Bacteria · Biomarker · Coastal eutrophication Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherMar Ecol Prog Ser 414: [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] 2010 Studies of macroalgal bloom decay have demonstrated rapid breakdown of biomass, resulting in release of both inorganic and organic nutrients to the water column (Buchsbaum et al. 1991, Castaldelli et al. 2003, García-Robledo et al. 2008, supporting phytoplankton and bacterial metabolism , Nedergaard et al. 2002. Fewer studies have focused on macroalgal decay within the sediments (Nedergaard et al. 2002, Lomstein et al. 2006, Rossi 2007, García-Robledo et al. 2008, where heterotrophic bacterial densities are significantly higher than in the water column (Deming & Baross 1993, Schmidt et al. 1998, Ducklow 2000. In addition, most of the sediment studies have been conducted in low or no light environments, even though light is typically available to shallow sediments where macroalgal die-offs occur and sediment biogeochemistry is largely affected by benthic microalgal (BMA) activity (Underwood & Kromkamp 1999). While nutrients associated with senescent macroalgal blooms are recycled and can have a positive feedback on phytoplankton production in the water column, nutrients released during macroalgal decay in the sediments may support BMA and bacterial production, which could intercept the return of nutrients to the overlying water column. Thus if shallow-water sediments behave as a nutrient filter, the response by phytoplankton may be reduced, and benthic production could effectively buffer the system from further eutrophication. In order to be...

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“…Many studies have identified levels of biomass at which, or above, significant harmful effects on biota have been, or may be, observed (e.g. Valiela et al, 1997;Ö sterling and Pihl, 2001;Cummins et al, 2004). Therefore, biomass values, whenever available, should reinforce the classification method and be used to turn results more accurate.…”

Section: Assessment Method: Option 1 Vs Optionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opportunistic macroalgae metrics for transitional waters. Testing tools to assess ecological quality status in Portugal

Patrício

Neto

Teixeira

et al. 2007

Marine Pollution Bulletin

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Macroalgae communities constitute one of the ecological quality elements for the evaluation of the ecological quality status (EQS) of coastal and transitional waters, required to implement the WFD. While these algae are natural components of estuarine systems and play important roles in several estuarine processes, macroalgal blooms are of ecological concern because they can reduce the habitat quality. Several works are being carried out to set standard methods for monitoring macroalgae blooms, in order to develop tools to derive EQS based upon this biological quality element. The aim of this paper is to apply the methodology described by Scanlan et al. [Scanlan, C.M., Foden, J., Wells, E., Best, M.A., 2007. The monitoring of opportunistic macroalgal blooms for the water framework directive. Marine Pollution Bulletin 55, 162-171] to a series of data assembled in the south arm of the Mondego estuary (Atlantic coast of Portugal) considering two different ecological situations. Additionally, an alternative assessment method intended to be used when no biomass data are available was also tested. In general, both options captured the inter-annual variations in accordance with the system evolution. Option 2, less expensive and time-consuming, allowed an EQS evaluation with accurate results when biomass data were not available. The results suggest that sampling should be carried out from April to June.

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Effects of the green macroalga Enteromorpha intestinalis on macrobenthic and seagrass assemblages in a shallow coastal estuary

Cited by 73 publications

References 64 publications

Combined nutrient and macroalgae loads lead to response in seagrass indicator properties

Combined nutrient and macroalgae loads lead to response in seagrass indicator properties

Fate of macroalgae in benthic systems: carbon and nitrogen cycling within the microbial community

Opportunistic macroalgae metrics for transitional waters. Testing tools to assess ecological quality status in Portugal

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