Seagrass ecosystem recovery: Experimental removal and synthesis of disturbance studies
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Abstract Net global losses of seagrasses have accelerated efforts to understand recovery from disturbances. Stressors causing disturbances (e.g., storms, heatwaves, boating) vary temporally and spatially within meadows potentially affecting recovery. To test differential recovery, we conducted a removal experiment at sites that differed in thermal stress for a temperate seagrass ( Zostera marina ). We also synthesized prior studies of seagrass recovery to assess general patterns. Seagrass shoots were removed from 28.3 m 2 plots at edge and central sites of a meadow in South Bay, Virginia, USA. We hypothesized faster recovery for edge plots where greater oceanic exchange reduces thermal stress. Contrary to our hypothesis recovery was most rapid in the central meadow matching control site shoot density in 24 months. Recovery was incomplete at the meadow edge and estimated to require 158 months. Differences in recovery were likely due to storm‐driven sediment erosion at the edge sites. Based on data from prior recovery studies, which were primarily on monospecific meadows of Zostera , seagrasses recover across a broad range of conditions with a positive, nonlinear relationship between disturbance area and recovery time. Our experiment indicates position within a seagrass meadow affects disturbance susceptibility and length of recovery. Linking this finding to our literature synthesis suggests increased attention to spatial context will contribute to better understanding variation in recovery rates.Abstract Natural ecosystems are not static. The plants and animals within them die and others are born to replace them. Energy and nutrients pass through the organisms and are removed from the system in water, by emigration or by ‘visitors’. If part of an ecosystem is destroyed in some way, the biotic community and the physical features of the soil will generally be rebuilt. This can take decades or even a thousand years depending on the ecosystem and the extent of the disturbance. The disturbed area is colonised by pioneer species which are gradually replaced by others until an ecosystem closely resembling the original is formed which is itself subject to disturbance. This sequence of changes is called succession. In areas where repeated disturbance occurs or where the process of succession is halted, an ecosystem may never have a chance to recover.
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Islands are one of the important parts of the ocean country,with their high economic value and equity value.It makes sense to strengthen the management and the protection of islands.The management of islands should be based on ecosystem,island ecosystem assessment is the precondition of island ecosystem-based management.At present,there isn't an integrated indicator system for island ecosystem assessment.In this paper,first,the characteristics of island ecosystem were described.Second,the concept and content of PSR model were discussed.Third,the functions of PSR model to the assessment of island ecosystem were analysed.Finally,an indicator system for island ecosystem assessment,which based on the PSR model was built up,through the principles of indicator system establishing.What have done in this paper may offer some references to further study.
Ecosystem-Based Management
Coastal ecosystem
Ecosystem Management
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