Population dynamics of Cymodocea nodosa under future ocean scenarios.

Abstract

Rising carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere will increase the average pCO2 level in the world oceans, which will have a knock-on effect on the marine ecosystem. Coastal seagrass communities are predicted to benefit from the increase in CO2 levels, but long-term effects of elevated CO2 on seagrass communities are less understood. Population reconstruction techniques were used to investigate the population dynamics of Cymodocea nodosa meadows, exposed to long term elevated CO2 at volcanic seeps off Greece and Italy. Effect of elevated CO2 was noticed on the growth, morphometry, density, biomass and age structure at CO2 seeps than reference sites. Above to below ground biomass ratio of C. nodosa were higher at CO2 seeps. The shoot age and shoot longevity of plants were lower at seeps. The present recruitment (sampled year) of the seagrass were higher than long-term average recruitment of the communities near the seeps. Carbon to nitrogen ratios (%DW) and annual leaf production of C. nodosa were higher in leaves at seeps. This study suggests under long-term CO2 enrichment C. nodosa production increases, but the plant survival rate decreases because of other co-factors such as nutrient availability and trace metal toxicity. Therefore, along with high CO2 other factors must be taken into consideration while predicting effects of future CO2 concentrations.