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Research Article
Ocean Warming and Acidification Modify Top-Down and Bottom-Up Control in A Tropical Seagrass Ecosystem
Haruko Kurihara
University of the Ryukyus
Corresponding Author
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Seagrass ecosystems are classified as one of the most productive ecosystems in coastal waters providing numerous of ecological functions, however various anthropogenic stressors including climate change are impacting these vulnerable habitats. Here, we investigated the independent and combined effects of ocean warming and ocean acidification on plant-herbivore interactions in a tropical seagrass community. Direct and indirect effects of high temperature and high pCO2 on the physiology of the tropical seagrass Thalassia hemprichii and sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla were evaluated. Productivity of seagrass was found to synergistically increase under the combination of high temperature and high pCO2, while sea urchin physiology including feeding rate decreased particularly under high temperature. The present study indicated that future climate change will affect the botom-up and top-down balance leading to a shift to a seagrass-dominated ecosystem, which potentially decrease biodiversity as well as ecosystem functions and services of tropical seagrass meadows.
Keywords
ecosystems, Seagrass, climate, pCO2
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CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 29 Dec, 2020
No community comments so far
Review #1 received
Received 20 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 05 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 05 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #4 agreed
On 05 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 05 Jan, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 30 Dec, 2020
Editor assigned
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Editor invited
On 24 Dec, 2020
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On 24 Dec, 2020
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On 22 Dec, 2020
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This preprint is under consideration at Scientific Reports. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research Article
Ocean Warming and Acidification Modify Top-Down and Bottom-Up Control in A Tropical Seagrass Ecosystem
Haruko Kurihara
University of the Ryukyus
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 29 Dec, 2020
No community comments so far
Review #1 received
Received 20 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 05 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 05 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #4 agreed
On 05 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 05 Jan, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 30 Dec, 2020
Editor assigned
On 30 Dec, 2020
Editor invited
On 24 Dec, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 24 Dec, 2020
First submitted
On 22 Dec, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Seagrass ecosystems are classified as one of the most productive ecosystems in coastal waters providing numerous of ecological functions, however various anthropogenic stressors including climate change are impacting these vulnerable habitats. Here, we investigated the independent and combined effects of ocean warming and ocean acidification on plant-herbivore interactions in a tropical seagrass community. Direct and indirect effects of high temperature and high pCO2 on the physiology of the tropical seagrass Thalassia hemprichii and sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla were evaluated. Productivity of seagrass was found to synergistically increase under the combination of high temperature and high pCO2, while sea urchin physiology including feeding rate decreased particularly under high temperature. The present study indicated that future climate change will affect the botom-up and top-down balance leading to a shift to a seagrass-dominated ecosystem, which potentially decrease biodiversity as well as ecosystem functions and services of tropical seagrass meadows.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Due to technical limitations, table 1,2 is only available as a download in the Supplemental Files section.