Abstract
Seagrass meadows perform essential ecosystem functions and services. Though the meadows are globally deteriorating, numerous regressions remain unreported as a result of data fragmentation. Cymodocea nodosa is the most important seagrass in shallow coastal waters of the Canary Islands. No study has so far investigated temporal population trends at the entire archipelago scale. Using data collected in the past 23 years by local companies, public authorities and research groups, the population trends of Cymodocea nodosa were analysed over the past two decades at the scales of islands, island sectors and meadows. During this period, a prevalence of negative trends was revealed for three seagrass demographic descriptors (seagrass shoot density, coverage and leaf length) at the three scales, evidencing an overall deterioration in seagrass meadow integrity. These results suggest the need to develop correct management strategies to guarantee the conservation of this seagrass and the meadows it creates.
Highlights
Seagrass meadows perform essential ecosystem functions and services at a global scale; seagrasses sink C and support food webs (Duarte et al 2008), provide shelter for associated fauna (Pollard 1984, Bell and Pollard 1989, Espino et al 2011), produce O2 (Peduzzi and Vukovic 1990), stabilize sediments and protect coastlines from turbulence (Hemminga and Nieuwenhuize 1990, Cabaço et al 2010)
A prevalence of negative trends was revealed for three seagrass demographic descriptors at the three scales, evidencing an overall deterioration in seagrass meadow integrity
These results suggest the need to develop correct management strategies to guarantee the conservation of this seagrass and the meadows it creates
Summary
Seagrass meadows perform essential ecosystem functions and services at a global scale; seagrasses sink C and support food webs (Duarte et al 2008), provide shelter for associated fauna (Pollard 1984, Bell and Pollard 1989, Espino et al 2011), produce O2 (Peduzzi and Vukovic 1990), stabilize sediments and protect coastlines from turbulence (Hemminga and Nieuwenhuize 1990, Cabaço et al 2010). Coastal ecosystems are among those subjected to the largest human pressures in the world (Halpern et al 2008). Anthropogenic pressures on the coast are a fundamental reason for the global deterioration of seagrasses (Orth et al 2006, Waycott et al 2009). Human activities are responsible for many disturbances of seagrass meadows, such as water contamination (Waycott et al 2009), increased turbidity and eutrophication (Burkholder et al 2007), mechanical damages on the seabed (Francour et al 1999, Milazzo et al 2004, Ceccherelli et al 2007), including boat anchoring (Montefalcone et al 2008), and alterations of the habitat due to coastal works (Pérez-Ruzafa et al 1991)
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