Effects of persistent thermal plumes on Zostera muelleri reproductive effort, seed bank densities and seed bank viability
Moir, Tom, Huggett, Megan J., Smith, Timothy M., and Gaston, Troy F. (2026) Effects of persistent thermal plumes on Zostera muelleri reproductive effort, seed bank densities and seed bank viability. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 222. 118710.
|
PDF (Published Version)
- Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (4MB) | Preview |
Abstract
A warming climate poses significant threats to seagrass species worldwide, resulting in ecosystem impacts such as reduced foreshore stabilisation, decreased fisheries habitat, and diminished carbon sequestration. The recovery of seagrass is often inconsistent, taking weeks to years, and in severe cases, recovery may not occur. Recovery is facilitated through both asexual and sexual reproduction, with smaller or short-term disturbances typically favoring asexual reproduction, while large-scale disturbances rely on a persistent seed bank. This study investigated reproductive metrics of Zostera muelleri in persistent thermal plumes, measuring reproductive shoot density, spathe counts, and seed bank density and viability. An estuary affected by thermal effluent, Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia, was used as a proxy for future climate scenarios and compared with two other east coast Australian estuaries. Seed banks in all three systems were relatively small (averaging 16 seeds m<sup>−2</sup>), suggesting that these populations may not rely strongly on seed banks for recovery. Mean reproductive shoot densities ranged from 4 to 8 shoots m<sup>−2</sup>, while spathe counts averaged between 10 and 20 per reproductive shoot, with peak reproductive metrics observed in November and January. Importantly, no significant differences in reproductive shoot densities, spathe counts, or seed bank viability were found between thermally affected (mean maximum temperatures ~2 °C higher) and ambient conditions, indicating that Zostera muelleri reproduction on the east coast of Australia may have the capacity to acclimate to temperatures expected by the end of the 21st century.
| Item ID: | 91704 |
|---|---|
| Item Type: | Article (Research - C1) |
| ISSN: | 1879-3363 |
| Keywords: | Climate change, Estuary, Reproduction, Seagrass, Seed Bank, Warming, Zostera |
| Copyright Information: | © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Aug 2026 23:52 |
| FoR Codes: | 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4101 Climate change impacts and adaptation > 410102 Ecological impacts of climate change and ecological adaptation @ 50% 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) @ 50% |
| SEO Codes: | 19 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATURAL HAZARDS > 1901 Adaptation to climate change > 190102 Ecosystem adaptation to climate change @ 70% 18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1805 Marine systems and management > 180501 Assessment and management of benthic marine ecosystems @ 30% |
| Downloads: |
Total: 2 Last 12 Months: 2 |
| More Statistics |
Actions (Repository Staff Only)
 |
Item Control Page |