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DOI | 10.7717/peerj.16700 |
A successful method to restore seagrass habitats in coastal areas affected by consecutive natural events | |
发表日期 | 2024 |
ISSN | 2167-8359 |
起始页码 | 12 |
卷号 | 12 |
英文摘要 | Background: Seagrass meadows, known for providing essential ecosystem services like supporting fishing, coastline protection from erosion, and acting as carbon sinks to mitigate climate change effects, are facing severe degradation. The current deteriorating state can be attributed to the combination of anthropogenic activities, biological factors (i.e., invasive species), and natural forces (i.e., hurricanes). Indeed, the global seagrass cover is diminishing at an alarming mean rate of 7% annually, jeopardizing the health of these vital ecosystems. However, in the Island Municipality of Culebra, Puerto Rico, losses are occurring at a faster pace. For instance, hurricanes have caused over 10% of cover seagrass losses, and the natural recovery of seagrasses across Culebra's coast has been slow due to the low growth rates of native seagrasses (Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme) and the invasion of the invasive species Halophila stipulacea. Restoration programs are, thus, necessary to revitalize the native seagrass communities and associated fauna while limiting the spread of the invasive species. Methods: Here, we present the results of a seagrass meadow restoration project carried out in Punta Melones (PTM), Culebra, Puerto Rico, in response to the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria during 2017. The restoration technique used was planting propagation units (PUs), each with an area of 900 cm2 of native seagrasses Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme, planted at a depth between 3.5 and 4.5 m. A total of 688 PUs were planted between August 2021 and August 2023, and a sub-sample of 88 PUs was monitored between August 2021 and April 2023.Results: PUs showed over 95% of the seagrass survived, with Hurricane Fiona causing most of the mortalities potentially due to PUs burial by sediment movement and uplifting by wave energy. The surface area of the planting units increased by approximately 200% (i.e., 2,459 cm2), while seagrass shoot density increased by 168% (i.e., 126 shoots by PU). Additionally, flowering and fruiting were observed in multiple planting units, indicating 1) that the action taken did not adversely affect the PUs units and 2) that the project was successful in revitalizing seagrass populations. The seagrass restoration project achieved remarkable success, primarily attributed to the substantial volume of each PUs. Likely this high volume played a crucial role in facilitating the connection among roots, shoots, and microfauna while providing a factors collectively contributed to the enhanced growth and survivorship of the PUs, project. |
英文关键词 | Thalassia testudinum; Syringodium filiforme; Plug propagation units (PUS); Hurricanes; Halophila stipulacea; Caribbean; Carbon storage; Restoration |
语种 | 英语 |
WOS研究方向 | Science & Technology - Other Topics |
WOS类目 | Multidisciplinary Sciences |
WOS记录号 | WOS:001141475100002 |
来源期刊 | PEERJ
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文献类型 | 期刊论文 |
条目标识符 | http://gcip.llas.ac.cn/handle/2XKMVOVA/306287 |
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714 | . A successful method to restore seagrass habitats in coastal areas affected by consecutive natural events[J],2024,12. |
APA | (2024).A successful method to restore seagrass habitats in coastal areas affected by consecutive natural events.PEERJ,12. |
MLA | "A successful method to restore seagrass habitats in coastal areas affected by consecutive natural events".PEERJ 12(2024). |
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