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Deterioration of Sediment Quality in Seagrass Meadows (Posidonia oceanica) Invaded by Macroalgae (Caulerpa sp.)

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Abstract

Species of the macroalgae Caulerpa sp. are increasingly being observed in meadows of the endemic Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica, and in particular Caulerpa taxifolia, has been considered as an invasive species leading to seagrass decline. Studies have so far failed to reveal the underlying mechanisms of the success of the macroalgae, and here, we examine how biogeochemical changes of the environment associated to indigenous (Caulerpa prolifera) and non-indigenous (Caulerpa racemosa and C. taxifolia) species affect the habitat of P. oceanica. Two of the species (C. prolifera and C. racemosa) affect the sediment biogeochemical conditions by increasing organic matter pools, microbial activity, and sulfide pools of the sediments, and limited effects were found for C. taxifolia. Biomass of the macroalgae contributed to the extent of impacts, and high sulfide invasion into the seagrasses and regression of the meadow were pronounced at the location with the highest Caulerpa biomass. This suggests that Caulerpa invasion contributes to seagrass decline probably because Caulerpa thrives better than the seagrasses in the modified environment.

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Acknowledgment

This research is a contribution to the MarBEF Network of Excellence, the project “Invasoras” funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education, and the project “Praderas” funded by the BBVA Foundation. MH was supported by Danish Research Council (grant no. 212-05-0408) and Thresholds (EU contract no. 003933).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark

    Marianne Holmer & Morgane Lamote

  2. IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Miquel Marques 21, 07190, Esporles (Illes Balears), Spain

    Núria Marbà & Carlos M. Duarte

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  1. Marianne Holmer
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  2. Núria Marbà
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  4. Carlos M. Duarte
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Correspondence to Marianne Holmer.

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Holmer, M., Marbà, N., Lamote, M. et al. Deterioration of Sediment Quality in Seagrass Meadows (Posidonia oceanica) Invaded by Macroalgae (Caulerpa sp.). Estuaries and Coasts 32, 456–466 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-009-9133-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-009-9133-4

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