Latitudinal Patterns in European Seagrass Carbon Reserves: Influence of Seasonal Fluctuations versus Short-Term Stress and Disturbance Events

摘要: Seagrass meadows form highly productive and valuable ecosystems in the marine environment. Throughout year, seagrass are exposed to abiotic biotic variations linked (i) seasonal fluctuations, (ii) short-term stress events such as, e.g., local nutrient enrichment, (iii) small-scale disturbances biomass removal by grazing. We hypothesized that may affect chance for survival temperate latitudes. To test this hypothesis we focused on carbon reserves of starch stored seasonally rhizomes, as these have been defined a good indicator winter survival. Twelve Zostera noltei were monitored along latitudinal gradient Western Europe firstly assess change their rhizomal content. Secondly, tested effects enrichment and/or corresponding content using manipulative field experiment at single latitude Netherlands. At end growing season, observed weak but significant linear increase from south north. This agrees with contention essential regrowth after winter, which is more severe In addition, also positive relationship between beginning season past temperatures. implies lower potential winters, due diminished season. Short-term intensify patterns, because our experiments show when loss co-occurred Z. declined. zones, capacity seagrasses accumulate expected determine carbon-based winter. Therefore, processes affecting those might resilience. With increasing human pressure coastal systems, short- become frequent, threatening resilience ecosystems, particularly higher latitudes, where populations tend an annual cycle dependent storage capacity.