Characterisation and Dynamics of an Emerging Seagrass Meadow
Seagrasses are habitat-forming species that support biodiversity and a wide range of associated ecosystem services, from blue carbon capture to providing nursery areas for a variety of organisms. Their decline has been documented worldwide and is attributed to human impacts ranging from habitat loss...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/16/4086 |
| _version_ | 1797583286850027520 |
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| author | Marina Dolbeth Dimítri de Araújo Costa Manuel Meyer José Alberto Gonçalves Ana Bio |
| author_facet | Marina Dolbeth Dimítri de Araújo Costa Manuel Meyer José Alberto Gonçalves Ana Bio |
| author_sort | Marina Dolbeth |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Seagrasses are habitat-forming species that support biodiversity and a wide range of associated ecosystem services, from blue carbon capture to providing nursery areas for a variety of organisms. Their decline has been documented worldwide and is attributed to human impacts ranging from habitat loss and eutrophication to the effects of climate change. However, recent recovery trends have also been documented due to reductions in stressors, passive and active restoration, and even changes in environmental conditions owing to local management. In this study, we document for the first time the occurrence of <i>Zostera noltei</i> in the downstream area of the River Minho Estuary. This occurrence was unexpected given the hydrological conditions of the estuary, characterised by dredging and siltation. We reconstructed the occurrence and historical distribution of seagrass beds, and showed that they have existed in the region for more than a decade. The current distribution area was mapped using high-resolution multispectral remote sensing techniques, and in situ photoquadrats to complement the remote sensing information with an evaluation of the seagrass cover. A current seagrass area of 0.81 ha was found with an average cover of 70%. However, the Minho Estuary continues to be strongly affected by sediment deposition, which may affect the seagrass population in the long term. Continued surveys are recommended to confirm the long-term trend of colonisation of this important habitat, which ultimately provides so many benefits to coastal ecosystems and humankind. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:36:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-88764da264224897a273ec98c060e84f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:36:46Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj.art-88764da264224897a273ec98c060e84f2023-11-19T02:54:20ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922023-08-011516408610.3390/rs15164086Characterisation and Dynamics of an Emerging Seagrass MeadowMarina Dolbeth0Dimítri de Araújo Costa1Manuel Meyer2José Alberto Gonçalves3Ana Bio4CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, PortugalCIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, PortugalCIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, PortugalCIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, PortugalCIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, PortugalSeagrasses are habitat-forming species that support biodiversity and a wide range of associated ecosystem services, from blue carbon capture to providing nursery areas for a variety of organisms. Their decline has been documented worldwide and is attributed to human impacts ranging from habitat loss and eutrophication to the effects of climate change. However, recent recovery trends have also been documented due to reductions in stressors, passive and active restoration, and even changes in environmental conditions owing to local management. In this study, we document for the first time the occurrence of <i>Zostera noltei</i> in the downstream area of the River Minho Estuary. This occurrence was unexpected given the hydrological conditions of the estuary, characterised by dredging and siltation. We reconstructed the occurrence and historical distribution of seagrass beds, and showed that they have existed in the region for more than a decade. The current distribution area was mapped using high-resolution multispectral remote sensing techniques, and in situ photoquadrats to complement the remote sensing information with an evaluation of the seagrass cover. A current seagrass area of 0.81 ha was found with an average cover of 70%. However, the Minho Estuary continues to be strongly affected by sediment deposition, which may affect the seagrass population in the long term. Continued surveys are recommended to confirm the long-term trend of colonisation of this important habitat, which ultimately provides so many benefits to coastal ecosystems and humankind.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/16/4086<i>Zostera noltei</i>mappingphotogrammetryremote sensingsupervised classificationMinho Estuary |
| spellingShingle | Marina Dolbeth Dimítri de Araújo Costa Manuel Meyer José Alberto Gonçalves Ana Bio Characterisation and Dynamics of an Emerging Seagrass Meadow Remote Sensing <i>Zostera noltei</i> mapping photogrammetry remote sensing supervised classification Minho Estuary |
| title | Characterisation and Dynamics of an Emerging Seagrass Meadow |
| title_full | Characterisation and Dynamics of an Emerging Seagrass Meadow |
| title_fullStr | Characterisation and Dynamics of an Emerging Seagrass Meadow |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterisation and Dynamics of an Emerging Seagrass Meadow |
| title_short | Characterisation and Dynamics of an Emerging Seagrass Meadow |
| title_sort | characterisation and dynamics of an emerging seagrass meadow |
| topic | <i>Zostera noltei</i> mapping photogrammetry remote sensing supervised classification Minho Estuary |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/16/4086 |
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