Human influence on seagrass habitat fragmentation in NW Mediterranean Sea

Montefalcone, Monica; Parravicini, Valeriano; Vacchi, Matteo; Albertelli, Giancarlo; Ferrari, Marco; Morri, Carla; Bianchi, Carlo Nike

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2009.11.018

Cited by 106 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…It is suggested that gaps of sufficient size could in turn exceed the capacity of the meadow to dampen water motion and reduce meadow resilience. These results support suggestions by Montefalcone et al (2010) and Ondiviela et al (2014) that the equilibrium between natural disturbance regimes and canopies may be altered when human activities impose an extra stress, in which case vegetative growth may no longer be able to compensate for meadow fragmentation.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Impact of anthropogenically created canopy gaps on wave attenuation in a Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadow

Colomer¹,

Soler²,

Serra³

et al. 2017

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Fixed weights moorings, once removed, can create longitudinal gaps in seagrass meadows of different sizes, running perpendicular to the coast. We quantified the interactions between these longitudinal gaps and the hydrodynamic environment of the nearshore environment to determine their potential impact on seagrass meadow ecology. Within the meadow at leaf length distances from the edge, wave attenuation by the lateral vegetation next to the gap was approximately the same as attenuation by fully vegetated areas, and the wave attenuating capacity of the lateral, near-gap vegetation was independent of gap width. Gaps with widths less than twice the leaf length exhibited 8% wave attenuation and 11% turbulent kinetic energy attenuation, confirming that vegetation shelters at least small gaps. Despite similar capacity for wave attenuation, the longitudinal gaps influenced the architectural characteristics of the adjacent (lateral) meadow; lateral shoot density, percent cover and leaf length adjacent to the largest gap were 12, 16, and 20% lower than the fully vegetated site, respectively. Significant differences in the temporal variation of the mean lateral, near-gap seagrass percent cover and the leaf length indicated a strong dependence of the state of the canopy on temporal hydrodynamic conditions, which in turn were impacted by the presence of the gap. Our results quantify the interactions between gaps and lateral meadow vegetation, highlight the structural impact of traditional moorings and support improved management and conservation of seagrass meadows.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Impact of anthropogenically created canopy gaps on wave attenuation in a Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadow

Colomer¹,

Soler²,

Serra³

et al. 2017

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…They have the ability to recolonise disturbed areas and may initiate a sequence of succession (Clarke and Kirkman, 1989;Duarte et al, 2006;Montefalcone et al, 2010). This implies that following a disturbance generated by moorings, if the direct scouring impact is removed, the area is more likely to be re-colonised by pioneer species than P. australis.…”

Section: Seagrass Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of the impact of ‘seagrass-friendly’ boat mooring systems on Posidonia australis

Demers

Davis

Knott³

2013

Marine Environmental Research

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Permanent boat moorings have contributed to the decline of seagrasses worldwide, prompting the development of 'seagrass-friendly' moorings. We contrasted seagrass cover and density (predominantly Posidonia australis) in the vicinity of three mooring types and nearby reference areas lacking moorings in Jervis Bay, Australia. We examined two types of 'seagrass-friendly' mooring and a conventional 'swing' mooring. 'Swing' moorings produced significant seagrass scour, denuding patches of ∼9 m radius. Seagrassfriendly 'cyclone' moorings produced extensive denuded patches (average radius of ∼18 m). Seagrass-friendly 'screw' moorings, conversely, had similar seagrass cover to nearby reference areas. Our findings reinforce previous work highlighting the negative effects of 'swing' and 'cyclone' moorings. In contrast, the previously unstudied 'screw' moorings were highly effective. We conclude that regular maintenance of moorings and the monitoring of surrounding seagrass are required to ensure that 'seagrass-friendly' moorings are operating effectively. This is important, as following damage Posidonia will take many decades to recover. AbstractPermanent boat moorings have contributed to the decline of seagrasses worldwide, prompting the development of 'seagrass-friendly' moorings. We contrasted seagrass cover and density (predominantly Posidonia australis) in the vicinity of three mooring types and nearby reference areas lacking moorings in Jervis Bay, Australia. We examined two types of 'seagrass-friendly' mooring and a conventional 'swing' mooring. 'Swing' moorings produced significant seagrass scour, denuding patches of ~9 m radius. Seagrass-friendly 'cyclone' moorings produced extensive denuded patches (average radius of ~18 m). Seagrass-friendly 'screw' moorings, conversely, had similar seagrass cover to nearby reference areas. Our findings reinforce previous work highlighting the negative effects of 'swing' and 'cyclone' moorings. In contrast, the previously unstudied 'screw' moorings were highly effective. We conclude that regular maintenance of moorings and the monitoring of surrounding seagrass are required to ensure that 'seagrass-friendly' moorings are operating effectively. This is important, as following damage Posidonia will take many decades to recover.

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“…In places characterized by intense human activities, anthropogenic impacts on P. oceanica habitat result in higher levels of fragmentation compared to natural processes (Leriche et al, 2006;Montefalcone et al, 2010b). However, in areas characterized by moderate anthropogenic pressures, P. oceanica seascapes have a relatively low percentage of patches that result from human impact.…”

Section: Available Literature On Posidonia Oceanica Seascape Ecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among the human activities that operate over a long period to eventually lead to fragmentation of meadows, hence patch generation, are pressures linked with coastal development (pollution and high rates of sediment deposition, as well as urban expansion; see Fig. 5), will first lead to a decrease in shoot density and then to fragmentation of a P. oceanica meadow (Montefalcone et al, 2007(Montefalcone et al, , 2010bRountos et al, 2012). On the other hand, anthropogenic activities causing direct physical damage (e.g.…”

Section: Available Literature On Posidonia Oceanica Seascape Ecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Seascape ecology in Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows: Linking structure and ecological processes for management

Abadie

Pace

Gobert

et al. 2018

Ecological Indicators

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A B S T R A C TSeagrass meadows constitute marine habitats in shallow water temperate and tropical coastal areas worldwide that have a high ecological and economic importance. Amongst the 60 or so seagrass species, the endemic Mediterranean species Posidonia oceanica forms meadows that are arguably the most important shallow water coastal habitat in the region but which are subjected to high anthropogenic pressures. Because of the relatively large size of the plant, the meadows formed by this seagrass have high architectural and morphological complexity, which results in different morphotypes or seascapes. While numerous studies of P. oceanica architectural characteristics for continuous meadows of the seagrass are available, few works have addressed seascape ecological features and the influence of environmental factors (natural and anthropogenic) thereon. In the present review, we give an overview of P. oceanica meadow architectural and morphological characteristics and how these contribute to Mediterranean landscapes and seascapes. Studies addressing the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on morphometric features of different meadow types and landscape ecological characteristics of P. oceanica habitat are also reviewed, as well as their influence on ecosystem processes. Finally, by considering the available data and tools for seascape studies, we present a discussion on methods to assess seagrass seascapes within the framework of coastal management. Our review highlights several gaps in P. oceanica seascape ecology knowledge such as the lack of data on the spatial distribution of this engineer species, and the possibility to use modern techniques and procedures for analysing structural and ecosystemic data.

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Human influence on seagrass habitat fragmentation in NW Mediterranean Sea

Cited by 106 publications

References 49 publications

Impact of anthropogenically created canopy gaps on wave attenuation in a Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadow

Impact of anthropogenically created canopy gaps on wave attenuation in a Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadow

A comparison of the impact of ‘seagrass-friendly’ boat mooring systems on Posidonia australis

Seascape ecology in Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows: Linking structure and ecological processes for management

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