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A marine heatwave drives massive losses from the world’s largest seagrass carbon stocks

Author

Listed:
  • A. Arias-Ortiz

    (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

  • O. Serrano

    (Edith Cowan University
    The University of Western Australia)

  • P. Masqué

    (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
    Edith Cowan University
    The University of Western Australia)

  • P. S. Lavery

    (Edith Cowan University
    Centre of Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC))

  • U. Mueller

    (Edith Cowan University)

  • G. A. Kendrick

    (The University of Western Australia
    The University of Western Australia)

  • M. Rozaimi

    (Edith Cowan University
    Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM Bangi)

  • A. Esteban

    (Edith Cowan University)

  • J. W. Fourqurean

    (The University of Western Australia
    Florida International University)

  • N. Marbà

    (IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB) Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats)

  • M. A. Mateo

    (Edith Cowan University
    Centre of Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC))

  • K. Murray

    (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions)

  • M. J. Rule

    (The University of Western Australia
    Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions)

  • C. M. Duarte

    (IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB) Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats
    King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

Seagrass ecosystems contain globally significant organic carbon (C) stocks. However, climate change and increasing frequency of extreme events threaten their preservation. Shark Bay, Western Australia, has the largest C stock reported for a seagrass ecosystem, containing up to 1.3% of the total C stored within the top metre of seagrass sediments worldwide. On the basis of field studies and satellite imagery, we estimate that 36% of Shark Bay’s seagrass meadows were damaged following a marine heatwave in 2010/2011. Assuming that 10 to 50% of the seagrass sediment C stock was exposed to oxic conditions after disturbance, between 2 and 9 Tg CO2 could have been released to the atmosphere during the following three years, increasing emissions from land-use change in Australia by 4–21% per annum. With heatwaves predicted to increase with further climate warming, conservation of seagrass ecosystems is essential to avoid adverse feedbacks on the climate system.

Suggested Citation

  • A. Arias-Ortiz & O. Serrano & P. Masqué & P. S. Lavery & U. Mueller & G. A. Kendrick & M. Rozaimi & A. Esteban & J. W. Fourqurean & N. Marbà & M. A. Mateo & K. Murray & M. J. Rule & C. M. Duarte, 2018. "A marine heatwave drives massive losses from the world’s largest seagrass carbon stocks," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(4), pages 338-344, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:8:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1038_s41558-018-0096-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-018-0096-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Ying Zhang & Yan Du & Ming Feng & Alistair J. Hobday, 2023. "Vertical structures of marine heatwaves," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.

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