Variability of sedimentary organic carbon in patchy seagrass landscapes

Seagrass 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 sedime...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2015-11, Vol.100 (1), p.476-482
Main Authors: Ricart, Aurora M., York, Paul H., Rasheed, Michael A., Pérez, Marta, Romero, Javier, Bryant, Catherine V., Macreadie, Peter I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blue carbon
Carbon - analysis
Carbon Isotopes - analysis
Carbon stock
Climate change
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Geologic Sediments - analysis
Marine
Marine sediment
Particle Size
Patchiness
Queensland
Zostera muelleri
Zosteraceae
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Summary:Seagrass 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 (δ13C, 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. •We evaluated the influence of landscape configuration on carbon storage in seagrass sediments.•Patch level attributes (e.g. edge distance) are important determinants of carbon storage.•Stocks were significantly higher within seagrass patches compared to edges and bare sediment.•High spatial heterogeneity of seagrass carbon storage can distort blue carbon assessments.•Heterogeneity of landscapes should be considered when designing carbon stock assessments.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.09.032