Environmental Variability and Macrophyte Assemblages in Coastal Lagoon Types of Western Greece (Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract

Coastal lagoon types of Western Greece were allocated to a spectrum of meso to polyhaline chocked lagoons; poly to euhaline restricted lagoons; and euhaline restricted lagoons along the Ionian Sea coast. This diversity comprises wide ranges of physical, chemical and environmental parameters in a seasonal and annual scale, which explains the variability in the distribution of benthic macrophytes. Four different macrophyte assemblages were distinguished, characterized by annual or perennial species. Extensive statistical analysis showed that salinity and nitrate concentrations had a great impact on the composition and distribution of macrophyte assemblages into lagoon types that also changed their abundance on a seasonal and annual scale. During the monitoring period, an important salinity shift in a chocked lagoon might cause the gradual loss of Zostera noltii and its replacement by Ruppia cirrhosa. Restricted lagoons were characterized by higher species diversity, while the other three identified macrophyte assemblages were dominated by the angiosperms Ruppia cirrhosa and Cymodocea nodosa. This integrated study of coastal lagoons is likely to be broadly applicable, since it was based on important parameters affecting such ecosystems, and the provided links between macrophyte assemblages and abiotic factors are of critical importance to improve management and environmental policies.

Tracing environmental and livelihood dynamics in a tropical coastal lagoon through the lens of multiple adaptive cycles

“…A1.2) and projected climate changes are well documented at both national and local scale (Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change 2008Change , 2015. Future increased rainfall amount and variability will likely affect coastal water quality, increasing dissolved nutrient concentration and loads coming from the rivers (Hesse et al 2015), toxic bacterial blooms (de Souza et al 2018), and salinity reductions (Anthony et al 2009, Christia et al 2018. Associated consequences could spread aquatic disease and pollution risks and delay the seasonal aquaculture calendar and fish growth.…”

Assessing the Ecological Quality of Coastal Lagoons of Western Greece: The Response of Benthic Communities to Environmental Variability

“…The results derived from the monitoring of the Kotychi and Prokopos coastal lagoons of Western Greece are representative of several similar Mediterranean ecosystems. These lagoons belong to different lagoon types and reflect the gradient of environmental conditions, typically observed in many transitional water ecosystems due to the mixing of freshwater, seawater and human impacts [3].…”

“…Diversity and abundance of fauna species is also influenced by the presence of macrophytes, which increase habitat complexity, provide a shelter against predation, and constitute an abundant source of food, as well as breeding areas for the adults. In highly productive lagoon systems, the primary producers are predominantly rooted macrophytes, macroalgae or phytoplankton, depending on nutrient levels and salinity [2], [3]. What is more, benthic macroinvertebrates and macrophytes have become tools for the classification and monitoring of the ecological status of European water bodies, according to the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC [4].…”

Coastal Vulnerability and Mitigation Strategies: From Monitoring to Applied Research

“…Christia et al [1] developed an integrated environmental assessment methodology on Western Greece coastal lagoons (Rodia, Tsoukalio and Logarou-Amvrakikos Gulf, Kleisova-Messolonghi-Aitoliko, Araxos) demonstrating the link between macrophyte assemblages and abiotic factors typical of coastal lagoon systems. Their results emphasize the crucial impact of the sea water intrusion on the relative abundance and distribution of macrophyte species, as described in other Mediterranean coastal lagoons.…”