27 research outputs found
Coastal engineering infrastructure impacts Blue Carbon habitats distribution and ecosystem functions
Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-MAltres ajuts: EU LIFE Programme (LIFE18 CCA/ES/001160)Intertidal estuarine habitats (e.g., saltmarshes and tidal flats) provide important ecosystem services to society, including coastal protection, food provision and C sequestration. Yet, estuaries and estuarine habitats have been subjected to intense human pressure, such as land-use change and artificialization of the shoreline to support economic activities and uses. Construction of engineering infrastructures (e.g., piers, bridges) in these areas alters estuary-wide hydromorphological conditions and thus sedimentation patterns at the estuarine scale, which are key drivers of habitats distribution and ecosystem structure, processes and functions. Most of the research on the impact of civil engineering structures on coastal habitats has focused on the biological communities that colonize them or the bottoms where they are placed, whereas their indirect impacts on adjacent habitats has been largely unexplored. Understanding the influence of man-made infrastructures on the distribution of estuarine habitats and functions is critical, particularly considering that shoreline armoring is expected to increase as a way to protect coastal areas from hazards derived from climate change. Shifts in habitat distribution and functions occur in several years or decades and relating them with the occurrence of past historical events is challenging when no monitoring data is available. By examining historical aerial photographs and different biogeochemical properties along a saltmarsh soil record, this study demonstrates that the construction of an infrastructure (i.e. bridge) caused a rapid transformation (~ 30 years) of a bare sandflat into a high marsh community and to significant changes in sediment biogeochemical properties, including the decrease in sediment accretion rate and C burial rates since then. This study contributes to increase the knowledge on the impact that the construction in coastal areas of civil engineering infrastructures can cause in intertidal habitats distribution and the ecological functions they provide for climate change adaption and mitigation
Drivers of variability in Blue Carbon stocks and burial rates across European estuarine habitats
The implementation of climate change mitigation strategies based on the conservation and restoration of Blue Carbon ecosystems requires a deep understanding of the magnitude and variability in organic carbon (Corg) storage across and within these ecosystems. This study explored the variability in soil Corg stocks and burial rates across and within intertidal estuarine habitats of the Atlantic European coast and its relation to biotic and abiotic drivers. A total of 136 soil cores were collected across saltmarshes located at different tidal zones (high marsh, N = 45; low marsh, N = 30), seagrass meadows (N = 17) and tidal flats (N = 44), and from the inner to the outer sections of five estuaries characterized by different basin land uses. Soil Corg stocks were higher in high-marsh communities (65 ± 3 Mg ha−1) than in low-marsh communities (38 ± 3 Mg ha−1), seagrass meadows (40 ± 5 Mg ha−1) and unvegetated tidal flats (46 ± 3 Mg ha−1) whereas Corg burial rates also tended to be higher in high marshes (62 ± 13 g m−2 y−1) compared to low marshes (43 ± 15 g m−2 y−1) and tidal flats (35 ± 9 g m−2 y−1). Soil Corg stocks and burial rates decreased from inner to outer estuarine sections in most estuaries reflecting the decrease in the river influence towards the estuary mouth. Higher soil Corg stocks were related to higher content of silt and clay and higher proportion of forest and natural land within the river basin, pointing at new opportunities for protecting coastal natural carbon sinks based on the conservation and restoration of upland ecosystems. Our study contributes to the global inventory of Blue Carbon by adding data from unexplored regions and habitats in Europe, and by identifying drivers of variability across and within estuaries
Species traits and geomorphic setting as drivers of global soil carbon stocks in seagrass meadows
Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-MOur knowledge of the factors that can influence the stock of organic carbon (OC) that is stored in the soil of seagrass meadows is evolving, and several causal effects have been used to explain the variation of stocks observed at local to national scales. To gain a global-scale appreciation of the drivers that cause variation in soil OC stocks, we compiled data on published species-specific traits and OC stocks from monospecific and mixed meadows at multiple geomorphological settings. Species identity was recognized as an influential driver of soil OC stocks, despite their large intraspecific variation. The most important seagrass species traits associated with OC stocks were the number of leaves per seagrass shoot, belowground biomass, leaf lifespan, aboveground biomass, leaf lignin, leaf breaking force and leaf OC plus the coastal geomorphology of the area, particularly for lagoon environments. A revised estimate of the global average soil OC stock to 20 cm depth of 15.4 Mg C ha−1 is lower than previously reported. The largest stocks were still recorded in Mediterranean seagrass meadows. Our results specifically identify Posidonia oceanica from the Mediterranean and, more generally, large and persistent species as key in providing climate regulation services, and as priority species for conservation for this specific ecosystem service
Factors Determining Seagrass Blue Carbon Across Bioregions and Geomorphologies
Este artículo contiene 15 páginas, 6 figuras, 1 tabla.Seagrass meadows rank among the most significant organic carbon (Corg) sinks on earth.
We examined the variability in seagrass soil Corg stocks and composition across Australia and identified
the main drivers of variability, applying a spatially hierarchical approach that incorporates bioregions and
geomorphic settings. Top 30 cm soil Corg stocks were similar across bioregions and geomorphic settings
(min-max: 20–26 Mg Corg ha−1), but meadows formed by large species (i.e., Amphibolis spp. and Posidonia
spp.) showed higher stocks (24–29 Mg Corg ha−1) than those formed by smaller species (e.g., Halodule,
Halophila, Ruppia, Zostera, Cymodocea, and Syringodium; 12–21 Mg Corg ha−1). In temperate coastal
meadows dominated by large species, soil Corg stocks mainly derived from seagrass Corg (72 ± 2%), while
allochthonous Corg dominated soil Corg stocks in meadows formed by small species in temperate and
tropical estuarine meadows (64 ± 5%). In temperate coastal meadows, soil Corg stocks were enhanced by
low hydrodynamic exposure associated with high mud and seagrass Corg contents. In temperate estuarine
meadows, soil Corg stocks were enhanced by high contributions of seagrass Corg, low to moderate solar
radiation, and low human pressure. In tropical estuarine meadows formed by small species, large soil Corg
stocks were mainly associated with low hydrodynamic energy, low rainfall, and high solar radiation. These
results showcase that bioregion and geomorphic setting are not necessarily good predictors of soil Corg
stocks and that site-specific estimates based on local environmental factors are needed for Blue Carbon
projects and greenhouse gases accounting purposes.This study was delivered as part of the Pilot Projects program of the
Land Restoration Fund, supported by the Queensland Government,
Deakin University, The University of Queensland, James Cook
University, CSIRO, HSBC, Qantas, Australian Government
Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, NQ Dry
Tropics, Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Greencollar. We are
thankful for the funding provided by Deakin University (to PIM
and MDPC), Qantas (to PIM and MDPC) and HSBC (to PIM and
MDPC). MR, PY, PIM were supported through ARC Linkage grant
LP160100492, and PIM and CEL were supported through ARC
Linkage grant LP160100242. NJW is funded through Australian
Government National Environment Science Program (Tropical Water
Quality Hub). MFA was funded through an Advance Queensland
Industry Research Fellowship, Queensland Government. CS was
funded by ECU Higher Degree by Research ScholarshipPeer reviewe
Carbon skins in seagrass meadows: rates, control, vulnerability, and the role of carbonate
[spa] Los ecosistemas costeros vegetados (manglares, marismas y praderas de
fanerógamas marinas) se encuentran entre los sumideros de carbono más importantes
del planeta gracias a una elevada capacidad de absorber y atrapar carbono y enterrarlo
en el sedimento a largo plazo. Sin embargo, los ecosistemas de “Carbono Azul”, como
se les conoce, se encuentran entre los más amenazados a nivel global y su declive
implica la pérdida de todos los servicios ecosistémicos que proveen, incluido el de
sumidero de carbono. La protección de estos ecosistemas podría ser considerada como
una medida de mitigación del cambio climático dentro de las estrategias ya existentes,
dirigidas a promover, mediante incentivos económicos, la conservación de los
sumideros naturales de carbono terrestres, como los bosques (ej.: programa REDD+).
Sin embargo, el conocimiento sobre la capacidad como sumidero de carbono de los
ecosistemas costeros, en especial de las praderas submarinas, era todavía muy limitado
cuando esta tesis se planteó.
El objetivo de esta tesis es contribuir al conocimiento de los procesos que
determinan la capacidad como sumideros de carbono de las praderas submarinas así
como la vulnerabilidad de esta función. Se han evaluado distintos aspectos claves,
incluyendo la variabilidad espacial y temporal (~ último siglo), el efecto de factores
ambientales y de la presión antrópica, la vulnerabilidad de los depósitos a ser
remineralizados cuando las praderas se degradan y el papel de las praderas como
depósitos de carbonato (CaCO3) así como sus implicaciones en la función de sumidero
de carbono.
En base al estudio del sedimento de praderas de Posidonia oceanica de las Islas
Baleares, esta tesis identifica importantes diferencias en los depósitos y tasas de
enterramiento de carbono orgánico (Corg) en el sedimento que se explican mejor por el
distinto nivel de presión antrópica que por los factores ambientales considerados
(profundidad de las praderas y exposición al oleaje). Una alta presión antrópica ha dado
lugar a mayores tasas de enterramiento tanto espacial como temporalmente, como
muestra su incremento hacia el presente coincidiendo con el aumento de la presión
antrópica en la región en los 60’s asociado con el desarrollo del turismo; y también a
una mayor contribución de carbono derivado de seston. Estos resultados apuntan al
incremento en la eutrofización del agua, derivado de la incidencia humana, como la
explicación más parsimoniosa a las tendencias que se observan, indicando que la
presión antrópica es un factor determinante en los sumidero de carbono de las praderas
submarinas.
La vulnerabilidad de los depósitos de Corg a ser remineralizados y emitidos en
forma de CO2 queda demostrada, por primera vez, en esta tesis. El riesgo a ser
remineralizados depende de características biogeoquímicas, siendo mayor en
sedimentos ricos en nitrógeno y en materia orgánica de origen sestónico y menor cuanto
mayor es la concentración de carbonato en el sedimento. Por tanto, un enriquecimiento
del sedimento de las praderas con aportes sestónicos, posiblemente favorecido por un
incremento en la presión antrópica, como el observado en las Islas Baleares, da lugar a
un debilitamiento de los sumideros de carbono que se vuelven más vulnerables a ser
remineralizados.
Esta tesis también demuestra que los sedimentos de las praderas submarinas son
un importante reservorio de carbonato a escala global y que, aunque su precipitación da
lugar a la emisión de CO2, el CaCO3 inhibe la remineralización de la materia orgánica e
incrementa la eficiencia en el enterramiento de Corg en el sedimento de las praderas.
Por tanto, la investigación presentada en esta tesis contribuye significativamente
al conocimiento sobre el papel de las praderas submarinas como sumideros de carbono,
evaluando diferentes aspectos que, hasta la fecha, habían sido poco o nada explorados.[eng] Coastal vegetated ecosystems (i.e. mangroves, saltmarshes and seagrasses) have
been recognized as being among the most significant natural carbon sinks on Earth due
to a high capacity of absorbing and trapping carbon that gets buried and stored in the
sediment compartment for a long-term. Yet “Blue Carbon” ecosystems, as they are
usually referred to, rank among the most threatened globally and their decline implies
the loss of all the ecosystem services they provide including that of carbon sink. Hence,
the protection of these ecosystems has been proposed as a suitable way to mitigate
climate change to be considered within the current, or similar, strategies addressed to
enhance the protection of terrestrial carbon sinks (i.e. forests) through economic
incentives (i.e. REDD+ programs). However, the knowledge on the carbon sink
capacity of these ecosystems, especially seagrass meadows, was very weak at the time
this thesis was planned and certain gaps of knowledge needed to be urgently addressed.
This thesis was planned with the aim to contribute to the understanding of the
processes that govern the carbon sink capacity in seagrass meadows and its
vulnerability. Different key questions were examined including the spatial and temporal
(~last century) variability in the sediment organic carbon (Corg) sinks (stocks and burial
rates), the effect of environmental factors and human pressure, the vulnerability of the
Corg deposits to be remineralized when seagrass meadows are lost, and the role seagrass
meadows play as carbonate (i.e. CaCO3) sedimentary reservoirs as well as the
implications of carbonate in seagrass meadows efficiency as carbon sinks.
Based on Posidonia oceanica meadows around the Balearic Islands, this thesis
identifies significant differences in the sediment Corg stocks and burial rates among
meadows that could be better explained by the level of human pressure than by the
environmental factors considered (water depth and wave exposure). High human
pressure surprisingly led to higher Corg burial rates both spatially and temporally, as the
rate of Corg burial increased towards the present, coinciding with the increase in
anthropogenic pressure in the region of study that took place around the 60’s (following
tourism industry development), and led to a higher contribution of seston derived
organic carbon to the sediment deposits. The enhanced eutrophication of coastal waters
derived from an increasing human pressure is suggested as the most parsimonious
explanation to the trends observed, indicating that anthropogenic pressure is a relevant
factor conditioning the carbon sink capacity in seagrass meadows.
The vulnerability of seagrass Corg deposits to remineralization and to be lost as
CO2 is proved, for the first time, in this thesis. The risk of remineralization is however
variable and depends on sediment biogeochemical characteristics, being enhanced in
sediments rich in nitrogen and sestonic organic matter and prevented as sediment
carbonate content increases. Therefore, an enrichment of seagrass sediments with
sestonic inputs enhanced by the increase in anthropogenic pressure, as the observed in
the Balearic Islands, leads to a “weakening” of the sedimentary carbon sinks since they
become more vulnerable to remineralization.
This thesis also demonstrates that seagrass sediments are a globally significant
CaCO3 reservoir and that, despite the precipitation of carbonate leading to CO2
emissions, sedimentary carbonate prevents organic matter remineralization and
enhances Corg burial efficiency in seagrass sediments.
Hence, the research presented in this dissertation significantly contributes to the
knowledge on the role seagrass meadows play as carbon sinks by examining different
aspects that, until now, had been largely unexplored or not considered.[cat] Els ecosistemes costaners vegetats (manglars, maresmes i praderies de
fanerògames marines) es troben entre els embornals de carboni més importants del
planeta gràcies a una elevada capacitat d'absorbir i atrapar carboni, i d’enterrar-lo en el
sediment a llarg termini. No obstant, els ecosistemes de "Carboni Blau", com se'ls
coneix, es troben entre els més amenaçats a nivell global i el seu declivi implica la
pèrdua de tots els serveis ecosistèmics que proveeixen, inclòs el d'embornal de carboni.
La protecció d'aquests ecosistemes podria ser considerada com una mesura de mitigació
del canvi climàtic dins de les estratègies ja existents, dirigides a promoure, mitjançant
incentius econòmics, la conservació dels embornals naturals de carboni terrestres (per
exemple, boscos) (programa REDD+). No obstant, el coneixement sobre la capacitat
com a embornal de carboni dels ecosistemes costaners, especialment de les praderies
submarines, era encara molt limitat quan aquesta tesi es va plantejar.
L'objectiu d'aquesta tesi és contribuir al coneixement dels processos que
determinen la capacitat de les praderies submarines com a embornals de carboni, així
com la vulnerabilitat d'aquesta funció. S'han avaluat diferents aspectes claus, incloent la
variabilitat espacial i temporal (~ últim segle), l'efecte de factors ambientals i de la
pressió antròpica, la vulnerabilitat dels dipòsits a ser remineralitzats quan les praderies
es degraden i el paper de les praderies com dipòsits de carbonat (CaCO3), així com les
seves implicacions en la funció d'embornal de carboni.
En base a l'estudi del sediment de praderies de Posidonia oceanica de les Illes
Balears, aquesta tesi identifica importants diferències en els dipòsits i taxes
d'enterrament de carboni orgànic (Corg) en el sediment, les quals s'expliquen millor pel
diferent nivell de pressió antròpica que per els factors ambientals considerats
(profunditat de les praderies i exposició a l'onatge). Una alta pressió antròpica ha donat
lloc a majors taxes d'enterrament tant espacial com temporalment; com a mostra, el seu
increment cap al present coincidint amb l'augment de la pressió antròpica a la regió en
els anys 60 associat amb el desenvolupament del turisme, i també a una major
contribució de carboni derivat de sèston. Aquests resultats apunten a l'increment en
l'eutrofització de l'aigua, derivada de la pressió antròpica, com l'explicació més
parsimoniosa a les tendències que s'observen, indicant que la pressió antròpica és un
factor determinant en els embornal de carboni de les praderies submarines.
La vulnerabilitat dels dipòsits de Corg a ser remineralitzats i emesos en forma
de CO2 queda demostrada, per primera vegada, en aquesta tesi. El risc a ser
remineralitzats depèn de característiques biogeoquímiques, sent major en sediments rics
en nitrogen i en matèria orgànica d'origen sestònic i menor com més gran és la
concentració de carbonat en el sediment. Per tant, un enriquiment del sediment de les
praderies amb aportacions sestòniques, possiblement afavorit per un increment en la
pressió antròpica, com l'observat a les Illes Balears, dóna lloc a un debilitament dels
embornals de carboni que es tornen més vulnerables a ser remineralitzats.
Aquesta tesi també demostra que els sediments de les praderies submarines
són un important reservori de carbonat a escala global i que, encara que la seva
precipitació dóna lloc a l'emissió de CO2, el CaCO3 inhibeix la remineralització de la
matèria orgànica i incrementa l'eficiència en l'enterrament de Corg en el sediment de les
praderies.
Per tant, la investigació presentada en aquesta tesi contribueix
significativament al coneixement sobre el paper de les praderies submarines com a
embornals de carboni, avaluant diferents aspectes que, fins ara, havien estat poc o gens
explorats
Biogeochemical variables along the soil profile of three saltmarsh cores sampled in an estuary of the Gulf of Biscay
This database contains data on different biogeochemical variables
measured in three soil cores (32-39 cm long) sampled in a saltmarsh
community of the Bay of Santander (Gulf of Biscay).
Soil cores were extracted in June 2019 within an area of 25 m2 in a
high marsh community located at the mouth of the Miera estuary,
within the Bay of Santander (43.452136°/ -3.748134°) by manually
hammering a PVC tube (60 cm L * 7 cm Ø). Compression was measured
during sampling of each of the cores. The cores were preserved
frozen until processing.
The longest core (BS2A1, 39 cm) was sliced every 1 cm, whereas the
other two cores (BSA2, BS2A3) were sliced every 2 cm for the top 20
cm and every 5 cm for the deeper layers. Each sediment slice was
measured for wet volume and dried at 60 ºC for a minimum of 72 h.
The dry weight of each slice was measured and used together with wet
volume to estimate sediment dry bulk density (DBD in g·cm-3).
Soil organic carbon content (Corg % DW) was measured every two or
three slices along the sediment depth profile of each core. Corg was
analyzed in the IHLab Bio laboratory of the IHCantabria using a TC
analyzer (Shimadzu TOC-L + SSM-5000A).
Grain size analysis was performed every other sample at the
Universitat de Barcelona with a Beckman Coulter LS GB500.
Organic Corg isotopic signature (δ13Corg) (in pre-acidified
subsamples) was measured using an Elemental Analyzer Flash IRMS
coupled with an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (DeltaV A) at the
Universidad de la Coruña.
The years of sediment accumulation were estimated from concentration
profiles of 210Pb, determined by alpha spectrometry through the
measurement of its granddaughter 210Po, assuming radioactive
equilibrium between both radionuclides. About 100–200 mg aliquots of
each sample were spiked with 209Po and microwave digested with a
mixture of concentrated HNO3 and HF. Boric acid was then added to
complex fluorides. The resulting solutions were evaporated and
diluted to 100 mL 1M HCl and Po isotopes were auto plated onto pure
silver disks. Polonium emissions were measured by alpha spectrometry
using PIPS detectors (CANBERRA, Mod.PD-450.18 A.M). Reagent blanks
were comparable to the detector backgrounds. Analyses of replicate
samples and reference materials were carried out systematically to
ensure the accuracy and the precision of the results. The supported
210Pb was estimated as the average 210Pb concentration of the
deepest layers once 210Pb reached constant values. Then, excess
210Pb (210Pbxs) concentrations were obtained by subtracting the
supported 210Pb from the total 210Pb. Age model of the sediment
depth profile records was obtained by modeling the 210Pbxs
concentration profiles along the accumulated mass at each site. The
model age of the sediment record was estimated using the Constant
Flux: Constant Sedimentation model (CF:CS, 76). In order to assess
the impact of the bridge construction on the biogeochemical
properties of the saltmarsh soil, we compare all biogeochemical
properties across two sections of the core, divided based on the
results of 210Pb dating: sediments accumulated before and after the
building of the bridge (i.e., before vs. after 1978).concentration
profiles of 210Pb and applying the Constant Flux: Constant
Sedimentation model (CF:CS, Krishnaswamy et al. 1971).This database contains biogeochemical data on different biogeochemical variables measured in three soil cores sampled in a saltmarsh community of the Bay of Santander (Gulf of Biscay).These data were compiled with the contribution of the LIFE Programme
of the European Union to the Project ADAPTA BLUES (ref. LIFE18 CCA/
ES/001160). This document reflects only the author’s view and the
Agency/ Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made
of the information it contains.Authors acknowledges the financial
support from the Government of Cantabria through the Fénix
Programme. The authors want to thank the support of the Generalitat
de Catalunya to MERS (2017 SGR-1588) and the Spanish Government for
the “Maria de Maeztu” program for Units of Excellence to ICTA (grant
no. CEX2019-000940-M).-Infrastructure impact_Data.xlsx: the Database to be published. -Variables Database.xlsxPeer reviewe
Global unbalance in seaweed production, research effort and biotechnology markets
Exploitation of the world's oceans is rapidly growing as evidenced by a booming patent market of marine products including seaweed, a resource that is easily accessible without sophisticated bioprospecting technology and that has a high level of domestication globally. The investment in research effort on seaweed aquaculture has recently been identified to be the main force for the development of a biotechnology market of seaweed-derived products and is a more important driver than the capacity of seaweed production. Here, we examined seaweed patent registrations between 1980 and 2009 to assess the growth rate of seaweed biotechnology, its geographic distribution and the types of applications patented. We compare this growth with scientific investment in seaweed aquaculture and with the market of seaweed production. We found that both the seaweed patenting market and the rate of scientific publications are rapidly growing (11% and 16.8% per year respectively) since 1990. The patent market is highly geographically skewed (95% of all registrations belonging to ten countries and the top two holding 65% of the total) compared to the distribution of scientific output among countries (60% of all scientific publications belonging to ten countries and the top two countries holding a 21%), but more homogeneously distributed than the production market (with a 99.8% belonging to the top ten countries, and a 71% to the top two). Food industry was the dominant application for both the patent registrations (37.7%) and the scientific publications (21%) followed in both cases by agriculture and aquaculture applications. This result is consistent with the seaweed taxa most represented. Kelp, which was the target taxa for 47% of the patent registrations, is a traditional ingredient in Asian food and Gracilaria and Ulva, which were the focus of 15% and 13% of the scientific publications respectively, that are also used in more sophisticated applications such as cosmetics, chemical industry or bioremediation. Our analyses indicate a recent interest of non-seaweed producing countries to play a part in the seaweed patenting market focusing on more sophisticated products, while developing countries still have a limited share in this booming market. We suggest that this trend could be reverted by promoting partnerships for R and D to connect on-going efforts in aquaculture production with the emerging opportunities for new biotech applications of seaweed products. © 2014 Elsevier Inc.This research was funded by a grant from the Food and Aquaculture Organization (FAO) of the UN. I.M. was supported by a Ph.D. grant from the Balearic government, E.M. was supported by a grant from the JAE-predoc programme of CSIC, and Y.S.O. was supported by the Marie Curie programme of the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (grant agreement n° PIEF-GA-2009-254297)Peer Reviewe
Coastal engineering infrastructure impacts Blue Carbon habitats distribution and ecosystem functions
Este artículo contiene 13 páginas, 6 figuras, 2 tablas.Intertidal estuarine habitats (e.g., saltmarshes and tidal fats) provide important ecosystem services
to society, including coastal protection, food provision and Corg sequestration. Yet, estuaries and
estuarine habitats have been subjected to intense human pressure, such as land-use change and
artifcialization of the shoreline to support economic activities and uses. Construction of engineering
infrastructures (e.g., piers, bridges) in these areas alters estuary-wide hydromorphological conditions
and thus sedimentation patterns at the estuarine scale, which are key drivers of habitats distribution
and ecosystem structure, processes and functions. Most of the research on the impact of civil
engineering structures on coastal habitats has focused on the biological communities that colonize
them or the bottoms where they are placed, whereas their indirect impacts on adjacent habitats has
been largely unexplored. Understanding the infuence of man-made infrastructures on the distribution
of estuarine habitats and functions is critical, particularly considering that shoreline armoring is
expected to increase as a way to protect coastal areas from hazards derived from climate change.
Shifts in habitat distribution and functions occur in several years or decades and relating them with
the occurrence of past historical events is challenging when no monitoring data is available. By
examining historical aerial photographs and diferent biogeochemical properties along a saltmarsh
soil record, this study demonstrates that the construction of an infrastructure (i.e. bridge) caused a
rapid transformation (~30 years) of a bare sandfat into a high marsh community and to signifcant
changes in sediment biogeochemical properties, including the decrease in sediment accretion rate
and Corg burial rates since then. This study contributes to increase the knowledge on the impact that
the construction in coastal areas of civil engineering infrastructures can cause in intertidal habitats
distribution and the ecological functions they provide for climate change adaption and mitigation.Tis research was carried out with the contribution of the LIFE Programme of the European Union to the Project
ADAPTA BLUES (ref. LIFE18 CCA/ES/001160). Tis document refects only the author’s view and the Agency/
Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. Authors acknowledges the fnancial support from the Government of Cantabria through the Fénix Programme. Te authors want
to thank the support of the Generalitat de Catalunya to MERS (2017 SGR-1588) and the Spanish Government
for the “Maria de Maeztu” program for Units of Excellence to ICTA (Grant No. CEX2019-000940-M).Peer reviewe
Rapid growth of seaweed biotechnology provides opportunities for developing nations
Peer Reviewe
Sediment organic carbon stocks were similar among four species compositions in a tropical seagrass meadow
Seagrass meadows composed of larger species are assumed to store larger sediment organic carbon (Corg)
stocks, storing more Corg in their tissues and larger leaves promoting greater burial of seagrass and non-seagrass
Corg. However, the influence of species composition on sediment Corg stocks remains poorly understood mainly
from challenges in isolating it from confounding factors. We assessed Corg stocks in seagrass biomass and sediment of four species compositions in a tropical Caribbean meadow. We hypothesized that larger species would
lead to higher sediment Corg stocks, within a limited geomorphic setting and time frame. Seagrass biomass and
surficial and sediment profiles were collected to measure seagrass morphometrics, δ13C and δ15N, dry bulk density, Corg and inorganic carbon (Cinorg) stocks, and grain size. Seagrass biomass Corg stocks ranged from 0.04 to
3.7 Mg ha 1
, with higher biomass Corg stocks in compositions with larger species. Surficial sediment Corg and
Cinorg stocks (to 1.5 cm) averaged 2.6 0.6 Mg Corg ha 1 and 68.8 14.6 Mg Cinorg ha 1
, respectively, and did
not vary among species compositions. Isotopic analyses revealed a 50% contribution of seagrasses to surficial
sediment Corg in compositions with larger species, compared to a contribution of 35% for those of smaller
species. This study provides novel blue carbon data from an understudied region and contributes to understanding the role of seagrass species composition on sediment carbon storage.Universidad de Costa Rica/[808-B8-218]/UCR/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de Biologí