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Variability of sedimentary organic carbon in patchy seagrass landscapes
journal contribution
posted on 2015-11-15, 00:00 authored by A M Ricart, P H York, M A Rasheed, M Pérez, J Romero, C V Bryant, Peter MacreadiePeter MacreadieSeagrass ecosystems, considered among the most efficient carbon sinks worldwide, encompass a wide variety of spatial configurations in the coastal landscape. Here we evaluated the influence of the spatial configuration of seagrass meadows at small scales (metres) on carbon storage in seagrass sediments. We intensively sampled carbon stocks and other geochemical properties (δ(13)C, particle size, depositional fluxes) across seagrass-sand edges in a Zostera muelleri patchy seagrass landscape. Carbon stocks were significantly higher (ca. 20%) inside seagrass patches than at seagrass-sand edges and bare sediments. Deposition was similar among all positions and most of the carbon was from allochthonous sources. Patch level attributes (e.g. edge distance) represent important determinants of the spatial heterogeneity of carbon stocks within seagrass ecosystems. Our findings indicate that carbon stocks of seagrass areas have likely been overestimated by not considering the influence of meadow landscapes, and have important relevance for the design of seagrass carbon stock assessments.
History
Journal
Marine pollution bulletinVolume
100Issue
1Pagination
476 - 482Publisher
ElsevierLocation
Amsterdam, The NetherlandsPublisher DOI
eISSN
1879-3363Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2015, ElsevierUsage metrics
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No categories selectedKeywords
Blue carbonCarbon stockClimate changeMarine sedimentPatchinessZostera muelleriScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineEnvironmental SciencesMarine & Freshwater BiologyEnvironmental Sciences & EcologyPOSIDONIA-OCEANICA MEADOWGREAT-BARRIER-REEFCYMODOCEA-NODOSAFISHFLOWRETENTIONAUSTRALIAWATERSEQUESTRATION
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