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A Mesocosm Experiment: Effects of Oyster and Temperature on Seagrass Systems
Citation:
Schafer, N., S. Ayvazian, C. Wigand, S. Osinski, AND D. Cobb. A Mesocosm Experiment: Effects of Oyster and Temperature on Seagrass Systems. NEERS Spring Meeting 2023, Brooklyn, NY, April 27 - 29, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
Noticeable warming trends in the northeastern USA have been reported for estuarine waters. Seagrass beds are an important ecoystem that provide critical habitat for fish and invertebrates, water quality maintenance, and carbon storage. We examined the effect of warming and oyster aquaculture on seagrass in a 10-week tank study in an aquatic greenhouse. There was no apparent effect of oyster presence on dissolved nutrients, light, eelgrass biomass, or chlorophyll. Both the presence of oysters and tempered conditions contributed to algal cover in the mesocosms. Further studies under natural conditions and for a longer time period need to be carried out to better address warming and oyster aquaculture effects on seagrass beds.
Description:
Warming trends in estuaries may affect system functioning. Seagrass and oyster beds are biogenic habitats of global importance in shallow waters as they provide many critical ecosystem functions. We simulated seagrass systems in mesocosms to test the main effects and interactions of oysters (presence/absence) and water temperature (ambient, +2¿) on water quality, eelgrass, macroalgae, and chlorophyll. The eelgrass biomass and chlorophyll under ambient temperature were significantly greater than under elevated temperature. There was no apparent effect of oyster presence on nutrients, light, eelgrass biomass, or chlorophyll. The presence of oysters alone and elevated temperature alone significantly increased dissolved carbon. In addition, algal cover showed a significant oyster by temperature interaction with greater algal cover in the mesocosms with both oysters and elevated temperatures. This research highlights the importance of considering the interactive effects of seagrass and oysters when investigating climate impacts on systems.
