Seagrass and oyster interactions under a warming climate scenario: A mesocosm experiment.

ABSTRACT: Seagrass and oyster beds are biogenic habitats of global importance in shallow coastal waters as they provide critical ecosystem functions. These habitats may be adversely affected by warming trends. Short-term effects and interactions of oysters (presence, absence) and water temperature (ambient or warmed +2 °C) on eelgrass, macroalgae, chlorophyll a concentration, and water quality were simulated in mesocosms. Eelgrass (Zostera marina) biomass and chlorophyll a concentrations were significantly reduced under elevated water temperature. There were no short-term (9-weeks) effects of oyster (Crassostrea virginica) presence on eelgrass biomass, chlorophyll a concentration, nutrients, dissolved inorganic carbon, or dissolved organic carbon. Hourly records of water temperature and light showed

SUBMITTER: Schafer N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12698006 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature