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A trait-based framework for seagrass ecology: trends and prospects

Publication . Moreira-Saporiti, Agustín; Teichberg, Mirta; Garnier, Eric; Cornelissen, J. Hans C.; Alcoverro, Teresa; Björk, Mats; Boström, Christoffer; Dattolo, Emanuela; Eklöf, Johan S.; Hasler-Sheetal, Harald; Marbà, Nuria; Marín-Guirao, Lázaro; Meysick, Lukas; Olivé, Irene; Reusch, Thorsten B. H.; Ruocco, Miriam; Silva, João; Sousa, Ana I.; Procaccini, Gabriele; Santos, Rui

In the last three decades, quantitative approaches that rely on organism traits instead of taxonomy have advanced different fields of ecological research through establishing the mechanistic links between environmental drivers, functional traits, and ecosystem functions. A research subfield where trait-based approaches have been frequently used but poorly synthesized is the ecology of seagrasses; marine angiosperms that colonized the ocean 100M YA and today make up productive yet threatened coastal ecosystems globally. Here, we compiled a comprehensive trait-based response-effect framework (TBF) which builds on previous concepts and ideas, including the use of traits for the study of community assembly processes, from dispersal and response to abiotic and biotic factors, to ecosystem function and service provision. We then apply this framework to the global seagrass literature, using a systematic review to identify the strengths, gaps, and opportunities of the field. Seagrass trait research has mostly focused on the effect of environmental drivers on traits, i.e., "environmental filtering" (72%), whereas links between traits and functions are less common (26.9%). Despite the richness of trait-based data available, concepts related to TBFs are rare in the seagrass literature (15% of studies), including the relative importance of neutral and niche assembly processes, or the influence of trait dominance or complementarity in ecosystem function provision. These knowledge gaps indicate ample potential for further research, highlighting the need to understand the links between the unique traits of seagrasses and the ecosystem services they provide.

2023Journal article

Open Access

Evaluating the success of vegetation restoration in rewilded salt marshes

Publication . Carneiro, Inês; Carrasco, Rita; Didderen, Karin; Sousa, Ana I.

Floodbank realignment is a common practice aimed at restoring salt marsh vegetation on previously embanked land. However, experiences indicate that it may take several years before salt marsh vegetation becomes fully established. Various challenges arising from ecogeomorphic feedback mechanisms could pose significant setbacks to vegetation recolonization. The widespread adoption of transplantation techniques for the restoration and rehabilitation of rewilded landscapes has indeed proven to be a valuable tool for accelerating plant development. In the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon (South of Portugal), a pilot plan was implemented, and two salt marsh pioneer species, Spartina maritima (syn. Sporobolus maritimus ) and Sarcocornia perennis (syn. Salicornia perennis ), were transplanted from a natural salt marsh to a rewilded marsh. Biodegradable 3D porous structures were installed to mimic transplant clumping, aid sedimentation, and enhance the plant ' s initial adjustment. Ecological, sediment, and hydrodynamic data were collected during the 12-month pilot restoration plan. The environmental profiles of the donor and restoration sites were compared to substantiate the success of the transplants in the rewilded salt marsh. Results show that although plant shoot density decreased after the transplanting, Spartina maritima acclimated well to the new environmental conditions of the restoration site, showing signs of growth and cover increase, whilst Sarcocornia perennis was not able to acclimatize and survive in the restoration site. The failure behind the Sarcocornia perennis acclimation might be related to the bed properties and topographic properties of the restoration site in the rewilded marsh. Major findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how salt marsh pioneering vegetation successfully colonizes disturbed habitats, facilitated using 3D -biodegradable structures.

2024-05Journal article

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