The role of epiphytes in seagrass productivity under ocean acidification.

ABSTRACT: Ocean Acidification (OA), due to rising atmospheric CO₂, can affect the seagrass holobiont by changing the plant's ecophysiology and the composition and functioning of its epiphytic community. However, our knowledge of the role of epiphytes in the productivity of the seagrass holobiont in response to environmental changes is still very limited. CO₂ vents off Ischia Island (Italy) naturally reduce seawater pH, allowing to investigate the adaptation of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica L. (Delile) to OA. Here, we analyzed the percent cover of different epiphytic groups and the epiphytic biomass of P. oceanica leaves, collected inside (pH 6.9-7.9) and outside (pH 8.1-8.2) the CO₂ vents. We estimated the contribution of epiphytes to net primary production (NPP) a

SUBMITTER: Berlinghof J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9012757 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature