Carbon budgets of multispecies seagrass beds at Dongsha Island in the South China Sea. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Yen-Hsun; Lee, Chen-Lu; Chung, Chia-Yun; Hsiao, Shu-Chuan; Lin, Hsing-Juh
• Is Part Of: Marine environmental research. Volume 106(2015:May)
• Page Start: 92
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Biomass -- Carbon sink -- Decomposition -- Export -- Herbivory -- Production -- Tropical; Marine pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Marine ecology -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Écologie marine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 577.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2015.03.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-1136

Abstract

Abstract: Biomass, production, consumption, and detrital export and decomposition of four dominant seagrass species were determined in tropical multispecies beds as a means of constructing carbon budgets. These processes varied among seagrass species. The living biomass held a high carbon stock. The leaf production of multispecies beds was also higher than that of monospecific beds. However, the sediment organic carbon stock was much lower than the global median stock, which was likely due to decomposition of most of the detritus and export to nearshore waters. Reliable measurements of decomposition and export are particularly needed to estimate the organic carbon storage rate. Highlights: Processes of carbon budgets were determined in tropical multispecies seagrass beds. The living seagrass held a significant amount of carbon stock. The leaf production was higher than other monospecific seagrass meadows. However, the amount and storage rate of organic carbon in the sediment was lower. Lower sediment organic carbon was likely due to higher decomposition and export.