Dynamics and fate of blue carbon in a mangrove-seagrass seascape : influence of landscape configuration and land-use change
Asplund, Maria E. (University of Gothenburg. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences)
Dahl, Martin (Stockholm University. Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences)
Ismail, Rashid O. (University of Dar es Salaam. Institute of Marine Sciences)
Arias Ortiz, Ariane (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Física)
Deyanova, Diana (University of Gothenburg. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences)
Franco, João N. (Universidade do Porto. Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisa Marinha e Ambiental)
Hammar, Linus (Octopus Ink Research and Analysis (Sweden))
Hoamby, Arielle I. (Université de Toliara. Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines)
Linderholm, Hans W. (University of Gothenburg. Department of Earth Sciences)
Lyimo, Liberatus D. (University of Dodoma. Department of Biology)
Perry, Diana (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Institute of Marine Research)
Rasmusson, Lina M. (University of Gothenburg. Department of Earth Sciences)
Ridgway, Samantha N. (Edith Cowan University. Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research)
Salgado Gispert, Gloria (Edith Cowan University. Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research)
D'Agata, Stéphanie (Macquarie University. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences)
Glass, Leah (Blue Ventures Conservation (Madagascar))
Mahafina, Jamal Angelot (Université de Toliara. Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines)
Ramahery, Volanirina (Nexus Madagascar Company)
Masqué Barri, Pere (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
Björk, Mats (Stockholm University. Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences)
Gullström, Martin (Södertörn University)

Date:	2021
Abstract:	Context: Seagrass meadows act as efficient natural carbon sinks by sequestering atmospheric CO2 and through trapping of allochthonous organic material, thereby preserving organic carbon (Corg) in their sediments. Less understood is the influence of landscape configuration and transformation (land-use change) on carbon sequestration dynamics in coastal seascapes across the land-sea interface. Objectives: We explored the influence of landscape configuration and degradation of adjacent mangroves on the dynamics and fate of Corg in seagrass habitats. Methods: Through predictive modelling, we assessed sedimentary Corg content, stocks and source composition in multiple seascapes (km-wide buffer zones) dominated by different seagrass communities in northwest Madagascar. The study area encompassed seagrass meadows adjacent to intact and deforested mangroves. Results: The sedimentary Corg content was influenced by a combination of landscape metrics and inherent habitat plant- and sediment-properties. We found a strong land-to-sea gradient, likely driven by hydrodynamic forces, generating distinct patterns in sedimentary Corg levels in seagrass seascapes. There was higher Corg content and a mangrove signal in seagrass surface sediments closer to the deforested mangrove area, possibly due to an escalated export of Corg from deforested mangrove soils. Seascapes comprising large continuous seagrass meadows had higher sedimentary Corg levels in comparison to more diverse and patchy seascapes. Conclusion: Our results emphasize the benefit to consider the influence of seascape configuration and connectivity to accurately assess Corg content in coastal habitats. Understanding spatial patterns of variability and what is driving the observed patterns is useful for identifying carbon sink hotspots and develop management prioritizations.
Grants:	Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca 2017/SGR-1588 Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad MDM2015-0552 "la Caixa" Foundation LCF/BQ/ES14/10320004
Note:	Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-M
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Land-sea interface ; Mangrove deforestation ; Seagrass meadows ; Seascape connectivity ; Sedimentary carbon storage ; SDG 14 - Life Below Water ; SDG 15 - Life on Land
Published in:	Landscape Ecology, Vol. 36, Issue 5 (May 2021) , p. 1489-1509, ISSN 1572-9761

DOI: 10.1007/s10980-021-01216-8

21 p, 4.7 MB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles