Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Carbon Storage in Seagrass Beds of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Estuaries and Coasts volume 38, pages 242–251 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

“Blue Carbon” initiatives have highlighted the significant role of seagrasses in organic carbon (C org) burial and sequestration. However, global databases on the extent of C org stocks in seagrass ecosystems are largely comprised of studies conducted in monospecific beds from a limited number of regions, thus potentially biasing global estimates. To better characterize carbon stocks in seagrass beds of varying structure and composition, and to further expand the current “Blue Carbon” database to under-represented regions, we evaluate the extent of C org stocks in the relatively undocumented seagrass meadows of the Arabian Gulf. Surveys were conducted along the coast of Abu Dhabi (UAE) and encompassed sites ranging from sheltered embayments to offshore islands. Seagrass beds consisted of Halodule uninervis, Halophila ovalis and Halophila stipulacea. While seagrasses were widely distributed along the coast, both living and soil C org stores were relatively modest on an areal basis. Total seagrass biomass ranged from 0.03 to 1.13 Mg C ha−1, with a mean of 0.4 ± 0.1 (±SEM), and soil C org stocks (as estimated over the top meter) ranged from 1.9 to 109 Mg C ha−1, with a mean of 49.1 ± 7.0 (±SEM). However, owing to the expansive distribution of seagrasses in the Arabian Gulf, seagrass “Blue Carbon” stocks were large, with 400 Gg C stored in living seagrass biomass and 49.1 Tg C stored in soils. Thus, despite low C org stores for any given location, the overall contribution of seagrass beds to carbon storage are relatively large given their extensive coverage. This research adds to a growing global dataset on carbon stocks and further demonstrates that even seagrass beds dominated by small-bodied species function to store carbon in coastal environments.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

References

  • Agawin, N.S.R., and G.M. Duarte. 2002. Evidence of direct particle trapping by a tropical seagrass meadow. Estuaries 25: 1205–1209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AlFarra, H.J., and B. Abu-Hijleh. 2012. The potential role of nuclear energy in mitigating CO2 emissions in the United Arab Emirates. Energy Policy 42: 272–285.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burdige, D.J. 2007. Preservation of organic matter in marine sediments: controls, mechanisms, and an imbalance in sediment organic carbon budgets? Chemical Reviews 107: 467–485.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Christianen, M.J.A., J. van Belzen, P.M.J. Herman, M.M. van Katwijk, L.P.M. Lamers, P.J.M. van Leent, and T.J. Bouma. 2013. Low canopy seagrass beds still provide important coastal protection services. Plos One 8(5): 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duarte, C.M., J.J. Middelburg, and N. Caraco. 2005. Major role of marine vegetation on the oceanic carbon cycle. Biogeosciences 2: 1–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Erftemeijer, P.L.A., and D.A. Shuail. 2012. Seagrass habitats in the Arabian Gulf: distribution, tolerance thresholds and threats. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 15: 73–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fonseca, M.S., and J.A. Cahalan. 1992. A preliminary evaluation of wave attenuation by 4 species of seagrass. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 35: 565–576.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fourqurean, J.W., C.M. Duarte, H. Kennedy, N. Marba, M. Holmer, M.A. Mateo, E.T. Apostolaki, G.A. Kendrick, D. Krause-Jensen, K.J. McGlathery, and O. Serrano. 2012a. Seagrass ecosystems as a globally significant carbon stock. Nature Geoscience 5: 505–509.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fourqurean, J.W., G.A. Kendrick, L.S. Collins, R.M. Chambers, and M.A. Vanderklift. 2012b. Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus storage in subtropical seagrass meadows: examples from Florida Bay and Shark Bay. Marine and Freshwater Research 63: 967–983.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fourqurean, J.W., A. Willsie, C.D. Rose, and L.M. Rutten. 2001. Spatial and temporal pattern in seagrass community composition and productivity in south Florida. Marine Biology 138: 341–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gacia, E., and C.M. Duarte. 2001. Sediment retention by a Mediterranean Posidonia oceanica meadow: the balance between deposition and resuspension. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 52: 505–514.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hedges, J.I., and R.G. Keil. 1995. Sedimentary organic matter preservation—an assessment and speculative synthesis. Marine Chemistry 49: 81–115.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hendriks, I.E., T. Sintes, T.J. Bouma, and C.M. Duarte. 2008. Experimental assessment and modeling evaluation of the effects of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica on flow and particle trapping. Marine Ecology Progress Series 356: 163–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kenig, F., A.Y. Huc, B.H. Purser, and J.L. Oudin. 1990. Sedimentation, distribution and diagenesis of organic matter in a recent carbonate environment, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Organic Geochemistry 16: 735–747.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, H., J. Beggins, C.M. Duarte, J.W. Fourqurean, M. Holmer, N. Marba, and J.J. Middelburg. 2010. Seagrass sediments as a global carbon sink: isotopic constraints. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 24.

  • Krause-Jensen, D., J. Carstensen, S.L. Nielsen, T. Dalsgaard, P.B. Christensen, H. Fossing, and M.B. Rasmussen. 2011. Sea bottom characteristics affect depth limits of eelgrass Zostera marina. Marine Ecology Progress Series 425: 91–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lavery, P.S., M.-Á. Mateo, O. Serrano, and M. Rozaimi. 2013. Variability in the carbon storage of seagrass habitats and its implications for global estimates of blue carbon ecosystem service. Plos One 8: e73748.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Manca, E., I. Caceres, J.M. Alsina, V. Stratigaki, I. Townend, and C.L. Amos. 2012. Wave energy and wave-induced flow reduction by full-scale model Posidonia oceanica seagrass. Continental Shelf Research 50–51: 100–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mateo, M.A., J. Cebrian, K.H. Dunton, and T. Mutchler. 2006. Carbon flux in seagrass ecosystems. In Seagrasses: biology, ecology and conservation, ed. A. Larkum, R. Orth, and C. Duarte, 159–192. Dordrecht: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mateo, M.A., J. Romero, M. Perez, M.M. Littler, and D.S. Littler. 1997. Dynamics of millenary organic deposits resulting from the growth of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 44: 103–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLeod, E., G.L. Chmura, S. Bouillon, R. Salm, M. Bjork, C.M. Duarte, C.E. Lovelock, W.H. Schlesinger, and B.R. Silliman. 2011. A blueprint for blue carbon: toward an improved understanding of the role of vegetated coastal habitats in sequestering CO2. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 9: 552–560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paul, M., T.J. Bouma, and C.L. Amos. 2012. Wave attenuation by submerged vegetation: combining the effect of organism traits and tidal current. Marine Ecology Progress Series 444: 31–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen, M.O., O. Serrano, M.A. Mateo, and M. Holmer. 2011. Temperature effects on decomposition of a Posidonia oceanica mat. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 65: 169–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pendleton, L., D.C. Donato, B.C. Murray, S. Crooks, W.A. Jenkins, S. Sifleet, C. Craft, J.W. Fourqurean, J.B. Kauffman, N. Marba, P. Megonigal, E. Pidgeon, D. Herr, D. Gordon, and A. Baldera. 2012. Estimating global “Blue Carbon” emissions from conversion and degradation of vegetated coastal ecosystems. Plos One 7(9): 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, R.C. 2003. The seagrasses of the Arabian Gulf and Arabian region. Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Price, A.R.G., and S.L. Coles. 1992. Aspects of seagrass ecology along the western Arabian Gulf coast. Hydrobiologia 234: 129–141.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Romero, J., M. Perez, M.A. Mateo, and E. Sala. 1994. The belowground organs of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica as a biogeochemical sink. Aquatic Botany 47: 13–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serrano, O., M.A. Mateo, P. Renom, and R. Julia. 2012. Characterization of soils beneath a Posidonia oceanica meadow. Geoderma 185: 26–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheppard, C., M. Al-Husiani, F. Al-Jamali, F. Al-Yamani, R. Baldwin, J. Bishop, F. Benzoni, E. Dutrieux, N.K. Dulvy, S.R.V. Durvasula, D.A. Jones, R. Loughland, D. Medio, M. Nithyanandan, G.M. Pilling, I. Polikarpov, A.R.G. Price, S. Purkis, B. Riegl, M. Saburova, K. Samimi-Namin, O. Taylor, S. Wilson, and K. Zainal. 2010. The Gulf: a young sea in decline. Marine Pollution Bulletin 60: 13–38.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, S.V. 1981. Marine macrophytes as a global carbon sink. Science 211: 838–840.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, E.C., and M.S. Fonseca. 1998. Bioturbation as a potential mechanism influencing spatial heterogeneity of North Carolina seagrass beds. Marine Ecology Progress Series 169: 123–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Katwijk, M.M., A.R. Bos, D.C.R. Hermus, and W. Suykerbuyk. 2010. Sediment modification by seagrass beds: muddification and sandification induced by plant cover and environmental conditions. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 89: 175–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Blue Carbon Demonstration Project of the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI). We wish to thank and acknowledge H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of Environment Agency—Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Dr. Fred Launay, Senior Advisor to the Secretary General and AGEDI Acting Director. Planning support, local knowledge, and field participation were provided by the EAD’s Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector Marine Division, in particular Edwin Grandcourt, Himansu Das, Ibrahim Bulga, Ahmed Alanzi, Maitha Al Hameli, Hada Al Mahairbi and Mohammed Al Ali, and AGEDI’s Ms. Jane Glavan, Ms. Huda Petra Shamayleh, and Ms. Larissa Owen. We acknowledge contributions of GRID-Arendal’s Christian Neumann and Emma Corbett, and Steven Lutz and members of Blue Carbon science team, Patrick Megonigal, Boone Kauffman, and Lisa Schile. This is contribution number 659 from the Southeast Environmental Research Center at Florida International University.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, 34949, USA

    J. E. Campbell

  2. Department of Biological Sciences and Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

    E. A. Lacey, R. A. Decker & J. W. Fourqurean

  3. The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Galloway, NJ, 08205, USA

    E. A. Lacey

  4. Environmental Science Associates, 550 Kearny St Ste 800, San Francisco, CA, 94108, USA

    S. Crooks

Authors
  1. J. E. Campbell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. A. Lacey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. A. Decker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Crooks
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. W. Fourqurean
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. E. Campbell.

Additional information

Communicated by Nuria Marba

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Campbell, J.E., Lacey, E.A., Decker, R.A. et al. Carbon Storage in Seagrass Beds of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Estuaries and Coasts 38, 242–251 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-014-9802-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-014-9802-9

Keywords

search

Navigation