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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.

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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.

Ecological and social processes of the Spermonde Archipelago, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, have been intensively studied during the Science for the Protection of Indonesian Coastal Ecosystems (SPICE) program. The archipelago is of specific interest to better understand how intensive exploitation of marine resources results in the degradation of reef systems. The projects specifically targeted (1) ecological processes in coral reefs, (2) genetic structure of populations, and (3) social–ecological dynamics relating to resource use, social networks, and governance structures. A modeling component emphasized (4) the integration of different ecological, social, and environmental components. Results indicated that reef resources in the Spermonde Archipelago are intensively exploited and further stressed by pollution effluents from hinterland processes. The lack of alternative livelihoods perpetuates dependencies within the patron–client system of the artisanal fisheries and supports high exploitation and also destructive resource uses. Greater inclusion of local stakeholders in the governance may result in better conservation practices, sustainable resource use, and improved livelihoods for the people. Abstrak Selama proyek SPICE, aspek ekologis dan sosial di perairan Kepulauan Spermonde, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia, dipelajari secara intensif. Kepulauan dan perairan ini mengundang banyak perhatian untuk lebih memahami bagaimana tingkat pemanfaatan sumber daya laut yang intensif berakibat pada degradasi sistem terumbu karang. Kerangka kerja proyek penelitian SPICE, secara khusus, menargetkan kajian-kajian mengenai (a) proses ekologis dalam sistem terumbu karang, (b) struktur genetik populasi untuk menentukan konektifitasnya, dan (c) dinamika sosial-ekologi yang berkaitan dengan penggunaan sumber daya, jejaring sosial dan struktur tata kelola. Komponen pemodelan juga dimasukkan kedalam kajian mengenai (d) integrasi berbagai komponen ekologi, sosial dan lingkungan da

© The Author(s), 2022. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Winters, G., Teichberg, M., Reuter, H., Viana, I. G., & Willette, D. A. Editorial: seagrasses under times of change. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, (2022): 870478, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.870478., Awareness of the ecological importance of seagrasses is growing due to recent attention to their role in carbon sequestration as a potential blue carbon sink (Fourqurean et al., 2012; Bedulli et al.), as well as their role in nutrient cycling (Romero et al., 2006), sediment stabilization (James et al., 2019), pathogen filtration (Lamb et al., 2017), and the formation of essential habitats for economically important marine species (Jackson et al., 2001; Jones et al.). Despite their importance and the increasing public and scientific awareness of seagrasses, simultaneous global (e.g., ocean warming, increase in frequency and severity of extreme events, introduction and spread of invasive species) and local (e.g., physical disturbances, eutrophication, and sedimentation) anthropogenic stressors continue to be the main causes behind the ongoing global decline of seagrass meadows (Orth et al., 2006; Waycott et al., 2009)., This research was partially funded through the BMBF project SEANARIOS (Seagrass scenarios under thermal and nutrient stress: FKZ 03F0826A) to HR and MT. MT was partially funded through the DFG project SEAMAC (Seagrass and macroalgal community dynamics and performance under environmental change; TE 1046/3-1). IV was supported by a postdoctoral research grant Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación (IJC2019-040554-I) and from MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 (Spain).

Seagrass meadows provide valuable ecosystem services but are fragile and threatened ecosystems all over the world. This review highlights the current advances in seagrass research from Viet Nam. One goal is to support decision makers in developing science-based conservation strategies. In recent years, several techniques were applied to estimate the size of seagrass meadows. Independent from the method used, there is an alarming decline in the seagrass area in almost all parts of Viet Nam. Since 1990, a decline of 46.5% or 13,549 ha was found. Only in a few protected and difficult-to-reach areas was an increase observed. Conditions at those sites could be investigated in more detail to make suggestions for conservation and recovery of seagrass meadows. Due to their lifestyle and morphology, seagrasses take up compounds from their environment easily. Phytoremediation processes of Thalassia hemprichii and Enhalus acoroides are described exemplarily. High accumulation of heavy metals dependent on their concentration in the environment in different organs can be observed. On the one hand, seagrasses play a role in phytoremediation processes in polluted areas; on the other hand, they might suffer at high concentrations, and pollution will contribute to their overall decline. Compared with the neighboring countries, the total Corg stock from seagrass beds in Viet Nam was much lower than in the Philippines and Indonesia but higher than that of Malaysia and Myanmar. Due to an exceptionally long latitudinal coastline of 3,260 km covering cool to warm water environments, the seagrass species composition in Viet Nam shows a high diversity and a high plasticity within species boundaries. This leads to challenges in taxonomic issues, especially with the Halophila genus, which can be better deduced from genetic diversity/population structures of members of Hydrocharitaceae. Finally, the current seagrass conservation and management efforts in Viet Nam are presented and discussed.

The Gulf of Aqaba (GoA; northern Red Sea) supports extensive seagrass meadows, dominated by the small tropical seagrass species, Halophila stipulacea. Due to its semi-closed structure, in the GoA, regional nutrient loading and global warming are considered the biggest threats to local seagrass meadows, and their combination can potentially amplify their negative impacts. Using a seagrass-dedicated mesocosm, we exposed two seagrass populations with different local “nutrient history” to control (27 °C) and simulated warming (31 °C), with and without nutrients (20 µM DIN). Following four weeks of these treatments (“stress phase”), all plants were returned to control conditions (“recovery phase”) for another three weeks. Results showed that exposure to only thermal stress favoured growth, compared to exposure to only nutrient increase that reduced Fv/Fm and growth but favoured algae proliferation. Exposure to the combined thermal and nutrient stress, negatively affected seagrass performance resulting in high mortality observed after four weeks of combined exposure. The negative effects of combined stressors were stronger in populations with low “nutrient history”. Additionally, we propose two novel fatty acid (FA) biomarkers, one based on FA unsaturation, 16:3n-3/16:2n-6, and the other on FA elongation processes, 18:2n-6/16:2n-6. Fatty acid analyses showed a significant decrease in 16:3n-3/16:2n-6 and 18:3n-3/18:2n-6 with increases in temperature and nutrients; a more drastic decline was found under the interaction of both stressors. Our results point out that C16 PUFAs, that are synthesized within the “prokaryotic pathway”, are more sensitive to thermal and the combined thermal + nutrients stressors than C18 PUFAs, which are synthesized within the “eukaryotic pathway”. In general, following a month of control conditions, a clear recovery of most of the seagrass descriptors was observed, highlighting the great capability of Halophila stipulacea to recover from stress co

World Seagrass Conference & International Seagrass Biology Workshop, WSC2022 & ISBW14, Annapolis, 7 - 12 August 2022

Ecological and social processes of the Spermonde Archipelago, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, have been intensively studied during the Science for the Protection of Indonesian Coastal Ecosystems (SPICE) program. The archipelago is of specific interest to better understand how intensive exploitation of marine resources results in the degradation of reef systems. The projects specifically targeted (1) ecological processes in coral reefs, (2) genetic structure of populations, and (3) social-ecological dynamics relating to resource use, social networks, and governance structures. A modeling component emphasized (4) the integration of different ecological, social, and environmental components. Results indicated that reef resources in the Spermonde Archipelago are intensively exploited and further stressed by pollution effluents from hinterland processes. The lack of alternative livelihoods perpetuates dependencies within the patron-client system of the artisanal fisheries and supports high exploitation and also destructive resource uses. Greater inclusion of local stakeholders in the governance may result in better conservation practices, sustainable resource use, and improved livelihoods for the people., SCOPUS: ch.b, info:eu-repo/semantics/published