engleski

Seagrass-bivalve interactions and lessons for restoration

Seagrass restoration success is low (37%), while costs are high. A number of processes appear to be important for ensuring restoration success, including interspecies interactions and feedback. To better understand how these interactions could affect restoration, we undertook an extensive literature review (421 studies) and meta-analysis about plant-bivalve interactions, the mechanisms involved, and in which conditions these interactions were positive and negative. 50% studies showed positive interactions, 23% showed negative interactions, 13% were mixed (positive and negative interactions occurred together), and 10% were non-significant. Within seagrass ecosystems, there were large differences in the types of interactions depending on the habitat and bivalves involved. Interactions in subtidal seagrasses were mostly positive, and included mechanisms such as nutrient enrichment, protection from physical disturbance and predation on bivalves, and sediment stabilisation. However, in intertidal seagrasses, interactions with infaunal bivalves were mostly negative (due to space competition) and those with epifaunal bivalves were mixed (positive: sediment stabilisation, nutrient enrichment, shelter ; negative: sulfide stress and increased predation). In addition, interactions with lucinid (sulfide- metabolising) bivalves were mostly positive, while interactions with non-native species were overwhelmingly negative. To increase restoration success and promote positive interactions and feedbacks, we suggest ensuring that native bivalves are present in subtidal restoration sites (and simultaneous planting of seagrasses and bivalves if necessary). In intertidal restoration, epifaunal bivalves may be helpful, while infaunal bivalves are likely to be a hindrance (which the exception of lucinid bivalves). In addition, invasive species should be managed prior to beginning seagrass restoration projects.

marine restoration ; seagrass ; bivalves ; species interactions

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