Evaluating the extent and impact of the extreme Storm Gloria on Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168404
• Publication Date: 2023-11-07T03:55:43Z
• Authors: Candela Marco-Méndez; Núria Marbà; Ángel Amores; Javier Romero; Mario Minguito-Fr...; María García; Jordi F. Pagès; Patricia Prado; Jordi Boada; José Luis Sánchez...; Juan Manuel Ruiz; Gregori Muñoz-Ramos; Neus Sanmartí; Elvira Mayol; Xavier Buñuel; Jaime Bernardeau-...; Pedro Clemente Na...; Lázaro Marín-Guirao; Carlos Morell; Marlene Wesselmann; Rita Font; Iris E. Hendriks; Xavier Seglar; Judith Camps-Cast...; Eli Bonfill; Aurora Requena-Gu...; Fabio Blanco-Murillo; Javier Aguilar-Es...; Santiago Jimenez-...; Joaquín Martínez-...; Juan Eduardo Guillén; Maria Elena Cefalì; Marta Pérez; Marta Marcos; Teresa Alcoverro
• Keywords: Posidonia oceanica; Marine ecosystem; Winter storm

Extreme storms can trigger abrupt and often lasting changes in ecosystems by affecting foundational (habitat-forming) species. While the frequency intensity of extreme events are projected to increase under climate change, its impacts on seagrass remain poorly documented. In January 2020, Spanish Mediterranean coast was hit Storm Gloria, one most devastating recent terms duration. We conducted rapid surveys 42 Posidonia oceanica meadows across region evaluate extent type impact (burial, unburial uprooting). investigated significance oceanographic (wave model), geomorphological (latitude, depth, exposure), structural (patchiness) factors predicting intensity. The predominant Gloria shoot unburial. More than half surveyed sites revealed unburial, with up 40 cm sediment removed, over 50 % meadow. Burial, although less extensive, still significant, 10-80 meadow cover being buried 7 sediment, which is considered a survival threshold for P. oceanica. addition, we observed evident signs recently dead matte some large amounts detached drifting shoots sea bottom or accumulated as debris beaches. Crucially, exposed patchy were much more vulnerable overall sheltered continuous meadows. Given how slow able recover after disturbances, state that it could take from decades centuries recoup losses. Seagrass play vital role coastal ecological infrastructure. Protecting anthropogenic fragmentation crucial ensuring resilience these face crisis.