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Seagrass ecosystems as green urban infrastructure to mediate human pathogens in seafood

Author

Listed:
  • Phoebe D. Dawkins

    (University of California)

  • Evan A. Fiorenza

    (University of California)

  • Jeffrey L. Gaeckle

    (Washington State Department of Natural Resources)

  • Jennifer A. Lanksbury

    (Toxicology and Contaminant Assessment Unit, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks)

  • Jeroen A. J. M. Water

    (NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research)

  • William E. Feeney

    (Doñana Biological Station)

  • C. Drew Harvell

    (Cornell University
    University of Washington)

  • Joleah B. Lamb

    (University of California)

Abstract

Urban greening offers an opportunity to reinforce food security and safety. Seagrass ecosystems can reduce human bacterial pathogens from coastal sources, but it remains unknown whether this service is conferred to associated food fish. We find a 65% reduction in human bacterial pathogens from marine bivalves experimentally deployed across coastal urban locations with seagrass present compared with locations with seagrass absent. Our model estimates that 1.1 billion people reside in urban areas within 50 km of a seagrass ecosystem. These results highlight the global opportunity to support human health and biodiversity sustainability targets.

Suggested Citation

  • Phoebe D. Dawkins & Evan A. Fiorenza & Jeffrey L. Gaeckle & Jennifer A. Lanksbury & Jeroen A. J. M. Water & William E. Feeney & C. Drew Harvell & Joleah B. Lamb, 2024. "Seagrass ecosystems as green urban infrastructure to mediate human pathogens in seafood," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 7(10), pages 1247-1250, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:7:y:2024:i:10:d:10.1038_s41893-024-01408-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01408-5
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