Impairment of microbial and meiofaunal ecosystem functions linked to algal forest loss

Scientific Reports
Silvia Bianchelli, Roberto Danovaro

Abstract

Habitat loss is jeopardizing marine biodiversity. In the Mediterranean Sea, the algal forests of Cystoseira spp. form one of the most complex, productive and vulnerable shallow-water habitats. These forests are rapidly regressing with negative impact on the associated biodiversity, and potential consequences in terms of ecosystem functioning. Here, by comparing healthy Cystoseira forests and barren grounds (i.e., habitats where the macroalgal forests disappeared), we assessed the effects of habitat loss on meiofaunal and nematode biodiversity, and on some ecosystem functions (here measured in terms of prokaryotic and meiofaunal biomass). Overall, our results suggest that the loss of Cystoseira forests and the consequent barren formation is associated with the loss of meiofaunal higher taxa and a decrease of nematode biodiversity, leading to the collapse of the microbial and meiofaunal variables of ecosystem functions. We conclude that, given the very limited resilience of these ecosystems, active restoration of these vulnerable habitats is needed, in order to recover their biodiversity, ecosystem functions and associated services.

References

Sep 16, 2006·Ecology Letters·Patricia BalvaneraBernhard Schmid
Oct 27, 2006·Nature·Bradley J CardinaleClaire Jouseau
Nov 4, 2006·Science·Boris WormReg Watson
Jan 1, 2008·Current Biology : CB·Roberto DanovaroAndrew J Gooday
Feb 14, 2008·Current Biology : CB·Michel Loreau
Feb 16, 2008·Science·Benjamin S HalpernReg Watson
Dec 19, 2009·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·S D LingK R Ridgway
May 1, 2010·Science·Stuart H M ButchartReg Watson
Jul 26, 2011·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·James M BullockJose M Rey-Benayas
Oct 12, 2013·Conservation Biology : the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·Rudolf S DE GrootJoshua Farley
Aug 16, 2017·Nature Ecology & Evolution·Luca RindiLisandro Benedetti-Cecchi
Mar 10, 2018·Marine Environmental Research·Chiara RavaglioliFabio Bulleri
Sep 7, 2018·Scientific Reports·Laura CarugatiRoberto Danovaro
Mar 29, 2019·Scientific Reports·Aurélie BlanfunéThierry Thibaut

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jul 30, 2021·Marine Environmental Research·Antonio PuscedduPierantonio Addis

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

PERMANOVA
Microsoft Power Point 365
PERMDISP
PRIMER
Wikimedia Commons

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.