What lies beneath: predicting seagrass below-ground biomass from above-ground biomass, environmental conditions and seagrass community composition

Collier, C.J., Langlois, L.M., McMahon, K.M., Udy, J., Rasheed, M., Lawrence, E., Carter, A.B., Fraser, M.W., and McKenzie, L.J. (2021) What lies beneath: predicting seagrass below-ground biomass from above-ground biomass, environmental conditions and seagrass community composition. Ecological Indicators, 121. 107156.

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Abstract

Seagrass condition, resilience and ecosystem services are affected by the below-ground tissues (BGr) but these are rarely monitored. In this study we compiled historical data across northern Australia to investigate biomass allocation strategies in 13 tropical seagrass species. There was sufficient data to undertake statistical analysis for five species: Cymodocea serrulata, Halophila mutts, Halodule uninervis, Thalassia hemprichii, and Zostera muelleri. The response of below-ground biomass (BGr) to above-ground biomass (AGr) and other environmental and seagrass community composition predictor variables were assessed using Generalized Linear Models. Environmental data included: region, season, sediment type, water depth, proximity to land-based sources of pollution, and a light stress index. Seagrass community data included: species diversity and dominant species class (colonising, opportunistic or persistant) based on biomass. The predictor variables explained 84-97% of variance in BGr on the log-scale depending on the species. Multi-species meadows showed a greater investment into BGr than mono-specific meadows and when dominated by opportunistic or persistent seagrass species. This greater investment into BGr is likely to enhance their resistance to disturbances if carbohydrate storage reserves also increase with biomass. Region was very important for the estimation of BGr from AGr in four species (not in C. serrulata). No temporally changing environmental features were included in the models, therefore, they cannot be used to predict local-scale responses of BGr to environmental change. We used a case study for Cairns Harbour to predict BGr by applying the models to AGr measured at 362 sites in 2017. This case study demonstrates how the model can be used to estimate BGr when only AGr is measured. However, the general approach can be applied broadly with suitable calibration data for model development providing a more complete assessment of seagrass resources and their potential to provide ecosystem services.

Item ID: 66127
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1872-7034
Keywords: Seagrass, Biomass, Monitoring, Species diversity, Australia, Great barrier reef
Copyright Information: © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.
Funders: Australian and Queensland Governments, Ports North (PN)
Projects and Grants: Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program
Date Deposited: 17 Feb 2021 18:25
FoR Codes: 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410404 Environmental management @ 50%
41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410402 Environmental assessment and monitoring @ 25%
41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410401 Conservation and biodiversity @ 25%
SEO Codes: 18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1805 Marine systems and management > 180501 Assessment and management of benthic marine ecosystems @ 100%
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