海草场生态系统及其修复研究进展

海草场能够提供重要的生态系统服务。自20世纪末以来,由于人类活动和自然灾害的影响,全球范围内的海草场出现了急剧衰退,由此也促进了海草场生态系统的研究以及海草场人工修复技术的发展。近年来,针对海草场生境流失的现状,中国也开始开展海草场修复工作。从以下方面进行论述:(1)海草的种类、分布,海草场生态系统功能及其生态系统服务:与陆地系统相比,全球海草物种多样性较低,了解海草的分布特征有助于通过了解海草如何适应当地环境压力,以揭示海草适应环境的能力;海草场提供重要而广泛的自然生态系统服务,特别是在维护近岸生态系统健康和满足人类需求过程中起到重要的作用;(2)海草场的衰退及其原因:认识并缓解人类压力对海草场的危害是促进海草场生态系统可持续发展的重要一环;(3)国内外海草场修复现状:以此阐明海草场修复原理,为海草场修复提供科学的方法;(4)总结与讨论:基于科学研究背景,为中国海草场生态系统保护和修复提出建议。海草场的修复和保护应当相辅相成,并与我国海岸长远规划相结合,以此推动我国海草场生态系统服务的可持续发展。     

Wetland macrophyte diversity, trophic status and phytoplankton： a case study of the cascading effects of an invasive herbivore

Shallow water bodies can exist in alternative stable states, a clear water state with high coverage of macrophytes or a turbid state with high phytoplankton biomass. The alternative equilibria hypothesis has been proposed to explain the occurrence of the alternative stable states (Scheffer et al., 1993)[1], which assumes that: 1),     

Resilience of Alternative Stable States during the Recovery of Shallow Lakes from Eutrophication: Lake Veluwe as a Case Study

In this paper we analyze a long-term dataset on the recovery from eutrophication of Lake Veluwe (The Netherlands). Clear hysteresis was observed in a number of ecosystem variables: the route to recovery differed significantly from the route that led to loss of clear water. The macrophyte dominated state disappeared in the late 1960s at TP above 0.20 mg l⁻¹, whereas its return occurred at less than 0.10 mg TP l⁻¹. Several regime shifts resulting in the occurrence of three alternative stable states were observed over a period of 30 years. The turbid state showed resistance to change, despite a strong and prompt reduction in Chl-a following reduction of external P-loading. The most important component that determined hysteresis in the return to clear water was not internal P-loading, but a high level of nonalgal light attenuation (through sediment resuspension) maintained by the interaction between wind and benthivorous fish. Although Chara was able to re-colonize the most shallow parts of the lake, recovery stalled and for a number of years clear (above charophyte beds) and turbid (deeper parts of the lake) water co-existed, as a separate alternative state on route to full recovery. Lake-wide clear water was re-established after bream density had been reduced substantially. This allowed a return of zebra mussels to the lake, whose high filtration capacity helped in maintaining clear water. In this study, we were able to identify the main drivers of hysteresis and regime shifts, although formal demonstration of cause and effect was not possible on the basis of field data alone. We argue that resilience of the present clear water state of Lake Veluwe very much depends on sizable populations of a few keystone species, especially Chara (stoneworts) and Dreissena (zebra mussels), and that careful management of these species is equally important as control of nutrients. Lake management should strive to maintain and strengthen resilience of the ecosystem, and this should offer protection against a renewed collapse of the clear state.     

The fundamental role of ecological feedback mechanisms for the adaptive management of seagrass ecosystems – a review

Seagrass meadows are vital ecosystems in coastal zones worldwide, but are also under global threat. One of the major hurdles restricting the success of seagrass conservation and restoration is our limited understanding of ecological feedback mechanisms. In these ecosystems, multiple, self‐reinforcing feedbacks can undermine conservation efforts by masking environmental impacts until the decline is precipitous, or alternatively they can inhibit seagrass recovery in spite of restoration efforts. However, no clear framework yet exists for identifying or dealing with feedbacks to improve the management of seagrass ecosystems. Here we review the causes and consequences of multiple feedbacks between seagrass and biotic and/or abiotic processes. We demonstrate how feedbacks have the potential to impose or reinforce regimes of either seagrass dominance or unvegetated substrate, and how the strength and importance of these feedbacks vary across environmental gradients. Although a myriad of feedbacks have now been identified, the co‐occurrence and likely interaction among feedbacks has largely been overlooked to date due to difficulties in analysis and detection. Here we take a fundamental step forward by modelling the interactions among two distinct above‐ and belowground feedbacks to demonstrate that interacting feedbacks are likely to be important for ecosystem resilience. On this basis, we propose a five‐step adaptive management plan to address feedback dynamics for effective conservation and restoration strategies. The management plan provides guidance to aid in the identification and prioritisation of likely feedbacks in different seagrass ecosystems.     

Seagrass sediments reveal the long‐term deterioration of an estuarine ecosystem

The study of a Posidonia australis sediment archive has provided a record of ecosystem dynamics and processes over the last 600 years in Oyster Harbour (SW Australia). Ecosystem shifts are a widespread phenomenon in coastal areas, and this study identifies baseline conditions and the time‐course of ecological change (cycles, trends, resilience and thresholds of ecosystem change) under environmental stress in seagrass‐dominated ecosystem. The shifts in the concentrations of chemical elements, carbonates, sediments <0.125 mm and stable carbon isotope signatures (δ¹³C) of the organic matter were detected between 1850s and 1920s, whereas the shift detected in P concentration occurred several decades later (1960s). The first degradation phase (1850s–1950s) follows the onset of European settlement in Australia and was characterized by a strong increase in sediment accumulation rates and fine‐grained particles, driven primarily by enhanced run‐off due to land clearance and agriculture in the catchment. About 80% of total seagrass area at Oyster Harbour was lost during the second phase of environmental degradation (1960s until present). The sharp increase in P concentration and the increasing contribution of algae and terrestrial inputs into the sedimentary organic matter pool around 1960s provides compelling evidence of the documented eutrophication of the estuary and the subsequent loss of seagrass meadows. The results presented demonstrate the power of seagrass sedimentary archives to reconstruct the trajectories of anthropogenic pressures on estuarine ecosystem and the associated regime shifts, which can be used to improve the capacity of scientists and environmental managers to understand, predict and better manage ecological change in these ecosystems.     

Understanding seagrass resilience in temperate systems: the importance of timing of the disturbance

Temperate seagrass meadows form valuable ecosystems in coastal environments and present a distinct seasonal growth. They are threatened by an increasing amount of stressors, potentially affecting their capacity to recover from disturbances. We hypothesized that their resilience to disturbances is affected by seasonal dynamics. Hence, we investigated the effect of the timing of the disturbance on seagrass Leaf Area Index (as a proxy for presence, or ‘visible’ status), recovery from disturbance (as a proxy for meadow resilience), and rhizome carbohydrates (as a proxy for longer term resilience) by a series of four disturbance-recovery field experiments spread over the growing season at two sites in Shandong Province, China. During the course of the growing season, we found the highest recovery at the start of the growing season, lowest recovery when Leaf Area Index peaked around mid-growing season, and intermediate recovery when Leaf Area Index decreased at the end of the growing season. Rhizome carbohydrates were not affected by disturbances during any of the four experimental periods and could not explain the low recovery during mid-growing season. The two sites differed in exposure and in the occurrence of incidents like a green tide and storms, which affected recovery. However, general patterns were similar; timing strongly influenced the indicator of meadow resilience and its correlation with presence during the two main seagrass growth phases. Our results emphasize the importance of carefully considering timing in the evaluation of seagrass resilience in temperate systems. Furthermore, our study implies that, to effectively protect seagrass beds, conservation management should aim at avoiding disturbances particularly during the peak of the growing season, when resilience is lowest.     

Genetic effects of eelgrass restoration efforts by fishers' seeding to recover seagrass beds as an important natural capital for coastal ecosystem services

The reestablishment of seagrass vegetation is a vital part of recovering coastal marine ecosystem services. Historically the Hinase area was a famous for the fishing by coastal pound netting in eelgrass beds, but this practice was progressively displaced with oyster farming due to an enormous decline in seagrass vegetation. For several decades, the local fishers' cooperative has worked to restore eelgrass beds by a seeding method. Through these efforts, seagrass vegetation in their fishing area has increased to about half of their previous area. This study examined the effect of long-term seeding by fishers on the recovery of eelgrass beds in the Hinase area, based on analysis of eelgrass genetic structure using microsatellite markers. Specimens for the DNA analysis were collected from each of all eelgrass meadows that the fishers conducted sowing eelgrass seeds as well as from the source sites where they collected the seeds. The results found that restored beds in the study area have high genetic diversity comparable to natural ones. The multiple regression analysis revealed that a combined model of seedling intensity and geographic distance (R² = .457) better explained genetic structure across our sampling sites than models of seedling intensity (R² = .092) or geographic distance only (R² = .344). This supports that the eelgrass seeds they sowed did not disturb the genetic structure but rather supplemented natural dispersal, suggesting that the fishers' seeding did not develop nonnatural seagrass meadows but certainly contributed to the recovery of natural seagrass meadows.     

草藻型稳态转换对湖泊微生物结构及其碳循环功能的影响

湖泊是地球表层系统中水、土、气等各个圈层相互作用的联结点,对区域物质如碳等元素循环具有重要影响.微生物是湖泊等水生态系统中的重要组成部分,是湖泊等生态系统中碳等元素物质循环的主要驱动者,是深入了解湖泊碳循环过程的关键.受人类活动等影响,湖泊生态系统,尤其是浅水湖泊生态系统往往表现出以高等水生植物(草型)为主要初级生产者的清水稳定态和以浮游藻类(藻型)为主要初级生产者的浊水稳定态,而随着湖泊营养负荷和湖泊环境条件的变化,这两个不同的稳定态之间可以发生转换或者剧变,这种剧变不仅影响湖泊生态系统中的微生物结构,而且对湖泊中有机碳的形成、循环过程及其微生物驱动机制产生重大影响.本文重点就湖泊生态系统中有机碳的转换与微生物关系以及草藻型稳定态的转换对微生物结构及其碳循环功能的影响等进行综述,进一步分析其中的关键科学问题,以期为深入了解湖泊生态系统中碳等元素循环的微生物驱动过程与机制提供帮助.     

Abrupt regime shifts in space and time along rivers and connected lake systems

Regime shifts between clear and turbid water states are commonly found in shallow lakes. These shifts are attributed to a positive feedback between water clarity and submerged macrophytes (underwater plants). Altering the retention time of the water may influence these interactions and thus potentially reduce the probability of alternative stable states. Here we assessed the effect of water retention time on the occurrence of alternative states in water quality of flushed lakes, chains of lakes and rivers using a spatially explicit simple model. Our results indicate that increased flushing of lakes rapidly decreases the range of parameters with alternative stable states up to their total disappearance at a flushing rate of about 50% the algal growth rate. Similarly, in a chain of lakes or in rivers with low flowing velocity, our model predicts that alternative stable states can only occur for systems with a high retention time. Despite the lack of hysteresis at lower water retention times, we predict that abrupt changes between clear and turbid states are still possible both in time and in space. Over a wide range of parameters, the equilibrium state of the chain of lakes shows a steep gradient of vegetation cover. Further, the transient dynamics of the model often include rapid shifts in time. For example, a local regime shift that occurs upstream may propagate through the whole lake chain or river due to a domino effect. All results of the simple model could qualitatively be reproduced with a more mechanistic model. The abrupt rather than gradual response of submerged macrophytes to reduced turbidity levels still makes river systems rather resilient to management measure. The importance of the initial turbidity and the observed domino effect suggest that restoration measures should start upstream and that these measures should eventually trigger regime shifts downstream.     

Long-term changes in amphipod population dynamics in a temperate estuary following ecosystem restoration

The Mondego estuary (Portugal) has suffered severe ecological stress over the last two decades, as manifested in the replacement of seagrasses by opportunistic macroalgae, degradation of water quality and increased turbidity. A restoration plan was implemented in 1998, which aimed to reverse the eutrophication effects, and especially to restore the original natural seagrass (Zostera noltii) community. This article explores the long-term changes in Ampithoe valida and Melita palmata (Amphipoda) populations in response to eutrophication (with consequent seagrass loss and macroalgal proliferation) and to the subsequent restoration plan (with progressive seagrass recovery and macroalgal biomass decline). Until the early 1990s, high densities of A. valida and M. palmata were recorded in the Mondego estuary, especially during the occurrence of the macroalgal bloom and during all the periods in which green macroalgae were available. After the implementation of the restoration plan, species abundance, biomass and production levels decreased considerably due to the progressive decline of green macroalgae. This implied the virtual disappearance of the amphipod population, mainly A. valida. Distinct behaviours displayed by the two species could be related to different food strategies and habitat preferences. Ampithoe valida showed feeding preferences for ephemeral softer, filamentous or bladed algae (e.g. Ulva sp.) due to its high caloric content, using the Z. noltii bed only as a habitat for protection against predators or shelter from wave action. On the other hand, M. palmata did not suffer a strong decline in its population density, biomass and production, which may indicate that this species is probably not a primary consumer of green macroalgae and may readily shift to alternative ecological niches. Handling editor: P. Viaroli     

A baseline for prioritizing the conservation of the threatened seagrass Cymodocea nodosa in the oceanic archipelago of Madeira

Seagrasses are experiencing fragmentation and regression globally; thus, protection and recovery of meadows are a preservation priority. However, conservation actions must consider inherent regional conditions, since certain coastal areas are not suitable for the settlement of extensive meadows. Likewise, small oceanic archipelagos are not always able to fulfil the habitat requirements of seagrass habitats but can harbour small patches that in turn provide unique research opportunities. In this study, we focused on the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa in the archipelago of Madeira (NE Atlantic Ocean). Here we compile historical and contemporary records of this species along with characterization of associated communities (fish and invertebrates). A bionomic map with potentially suitable areas for the establishment and settlement of this species is also included. Lastly, we highlight coastal management and restoration actions and future research directions to preserve this species in Madeira Island.     

The acceptable range of variation within the desirable stable state as a measure of restoration success

It is standard practice to compare the status of performance indicators between restoration and reference sites to monitor restoration progress and demonstrate restoration success. However, standard methods for defining the reference ecosystem, selecting reference sites, and measuring success are surprisingly lacking. Our study develops these methods based on the acceptable range of variation (ARV) within the desirable stable (reference) state as a measure of restoration success. The method (1) constrains application to the contemporary landscape to avoid the problematic historical range of variation concept and idealized restoration targets; (2) acknowledges the theory of alternative stable states and ecosystem dynamics and posits that the reference ecosystem should be clearly defined as a desirable stable (reference) state; and (3) shows that identifying an acceptable thematic (classification) scale and an acceptable management timeframe is essential to defining the desirable stable (reference) state. We present two approaches to calculating an ARV and a simulation method to explore reference site replication sufficiency. We apply the methods to two contrasting Australian restoration case studies and recommend that routine adoption of these methods would make a significant contribution to the science and practice of restoration ecology and to the assessment of restoration success.     

The effect of turbidity state and microhabitat on macroinvertebrate assemblages: a pilot study of six shallow lakes

Shallow lakes can occur in two alternative stable states, a clear-water state and a turbid state. This is associated with separate assemblages of fish, zooplankton and plants. Little is known about whether macroinvertebrate assemblages differ across both stable states. This study investigated this in a connected set of three turbid and three clear-water shallow lakes. To overcome confounding effects of differences in spatial structure of macrophytes in turbid and clear-water lakes, we sampled three microhabitats that occurred in both alternative stable states: open water, sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) and reed (Phragmites australis). Univariate analyses indicated no differences in the number of organisms, taxon richness or diversity between turbid and clear-water lakes. Multivariate analysis, however, showed significant differences in the macroinvertebrate community structure of both stable states. Nine taxa explained a significant amount of the variation between both lake types, of which seven preferred the clear-water lakes. The number of organisms and the taxon richness were higher in reed than in the other microhabitats, but diversity and evenness did not differ among the microhabitats. Multivariate analyses could separate all three microhabitats. Eight taxa, mainly detritus feeders and collector–gatherers, explained most of the variation in the data and preferred the reed microhabitat. The effects of stable state (6.8% explained variance) and microhabitat (13.1% explained variance) on the macroinvertebrate assemblages were largely independent from each other (1.5% shared variance). Although macroinvertebrates are not implemented in the initial theory of stable states, our results show clearly different assemblages across both stable states.     

Seagrass Restoration Enhances “Blue Carbon” Sequestration in Coastal Waters

Seagrass meadows are highly productive habitats that provide important ecosystem services in the coastal zone, including carbon and nutrient sequestration. Organic carbon in seagrass sediment, known as “blue carbon,” accumulates from both in situ production and sedimentation of particulate carbon from the water column. Using a large-scale restoration (>1700 ha) in the Virginia coastal bays as a model system, we evaluated the role of seagrass, Zostera marina , restoration in carbon storage in sediments of shallow coastal ecosystems. Sediments of replicate seagrass meadows representing different age treatments (as time since seeding: 0, 4, and 10 years), were analyzed for % carbon, % nitrogen, bulk density, organic matter content, and ²¹⁰Pb for dating at 1-cm increments to a depth of 10 cm. Sediment nutrient and organic content, and carbon accumulation rates were higher in 10-year seagrass meadows relative to 4-year and bare sediment. These differences were consistent with higher shoot density in the older meadow. Carbon accumulation rates determined for the 10-year restored seagrass meadows were 36.68 g C m^-2 yr^-1. Within 12 years of seeding, the restored seagrass meadows are expected to accumulate carbon at a rate that is comparable to measured ranges in natural seagrass meadows. This the first study to provide evidence of the potential of seagrass habitat restoration to enhance carbon sequestration in the coastal zone.     

长江口滨海湿地潮间带生态系统的多稳态特征

多稳态现象普遍存在于多种生态系统中,它与生态系统的健康和可持续发展密切相关,已成为生态学研究的热点与难点,但是目前有关滨海湿地生态系统多稳态的形成机制还缺乏深入研究.本文以崇明东滩鸟类自然保护区的潮间带生态系统为研究对象,通过以下内容,开展滨海湿地多稳态研究: 1)通过验证多稳态的判定依据“双峰”和“阈值”特征,证实长江口潮间带生态系统存在多稳态,并确定其稳态类型;2)通过监测潮间带生态系统水动力过程、沉积动力过程以及盐沼植物生长和扩散情况,分析盐沼植被与沉积地貌之间的正反馈作用,进而探讨潮间带生态系统多稳态的形成机制.结果表明: 1)潮间带生态系统的归一化植被指数(NDVI)频度分布存在明显的双峰特征,且盐沼植物成活存在生物量阈值效应,均证实潮间带生态系统存在多稳态,“盐沼”和“光滩”是潮间带生态系统的两种相对稳定状态;2)崇明东滩盐沼前沿的沉积地貌表现出泥沙快速淤积的趋势,显著促进了盐沼植物的生长,盐沼植物与泥沙淤积之间的这种正反馈作用是潮间带生态系统形成多稳态的主要原因;3)盐沼植被扩散格局监测结果在景观尺度上也表明,泥沙淤积作用促进了潮间带生态系统“盐沼”和“光滩”多稳态的形成.本研究既丰富了滨海湿地稳态转换的机理研究,也为我国开展海岸带保护、修复和管理提供了科学依据,具有重要的理论和实践意义.     

Eutrophication decreases ecological resilience by reducing species diversity and altering functional traits of submerged macrophytes

Positive feedback is key to producing alternative stable states and largely determines ecological resilience in response to external perturbations. Understanding the positive feedback mechanisms in macrophyte-dominated lakes is crucial for resilience-based management and restoration. Based on the field investigation of submerged macrophyte communities in 35 lakes in China, we found that morphological complexity (MC) and morphological plasticity (MP) are correlated with the stoichiometric homeostasis of phosphorus (H_P) and are related to ecosystem structure, functioning, and stability. We also found that the positive feedback strength of lakes dominated by macrophytes is biomass- and diversity-dependent. Eutrophication can decrease the community biomass by decreasing community MC, MP, and H_P and the species diversity through low-light availability, ultimately decreasing the positive feedback strength and resilience of clear water states. We argue that functional traits and species diversity should be considered to build more resilient ecosystems in future changing environment scenarios.     

Rapid restoration of belowground structure and fauna of a seagrass habitat

Seagrass meadows are habitat for an abundance and diversity of animal life, and their continuing global loss has focused effort on their restoration. This restoration not only aims to re‐establish the structure of the seagrass, but also to restore its function, particularly as habitat. The success of seagrass restoration is typically measured by the recovery of aboveground structure, but this ignores the important role of the belowground component of seagrass ecosystems, which may not recover at the same rate, and is equally important for faunal communities. We quantify infaunal communities (abundance, richness, and composition) within expanding plots of restored seagrass, and relate their change to the recovery of belowground seagrass biomass and sediment properties. We found that infaunal abundance and composition converged on that found in natural seagrass within 2 years, while the overall infaunal richness was not affected by habitat. The carbon content of surface sediments also recovered within 2 years, although recovery of belowground biomass and sediment grain size took 4 to 6 years. These results suggest that the structure of recovering seagrass habitats may not need to attain that of natural meadows before they support infauna that is comparable to natural communities. This pace and effectiveness of recovery provides some optimism for future seagrass restoration.     

Migratory benthic fishes may induce regime shifts in a tropical floodplain pond

1. Alternative states are a widely recorded phenomenon in shallow lakes, which may shift between turbid‐ and clear‐water conditions. Here, we investigate whether such shifts in a tropical floodplain pond may be related to the effect of the flood pulse regime on the community structures of fish and macrophytes. 2. Using a long‐term data set, we demonstrate how benthic fish migration together with colonisation by submerged plants affected the transition from a turbid to a macrophyte‐dominated state in a floodplain pond without top‐down control. 3. In our study, the turbid state occurred mostly during low water phases and was largely characterised by high values for the biomass of benthic fish, chlorophyll‐a and total phosphorous. 4. During the period of rising water levels, the migration of benthic fish out of the pond occurs simultaneously with the establishment of submerged plants, while water turbidity decreases along with phytoplankton and nutrient concentrations, inducing a clear‐water phase. However, when submerged plants are absent and fish migration is low, a transient state is generated. 5. We suggest that, in contrast to temperate ponds and shallow lakes, where the main driving mechanisms establishing alternative states are related to cascading effects via the food chain, in tropical ponds and shallow lakes it is resuspension of sediments by benthic fish that plays the most significant role in establishing alternative states. However, the effect of the flood pulse regime plays an important role in the temporal dynamics of fish community structure by controlling benthic fish migration.     

An assessment of the seascape genetic structure and hydrodynamic connectivity for subtropical seagrass restoration

Seagrass ecosystems have suffered significant declines globally and focus is shifting to restoration efforts. A key component to successful restoration is an understanding of the genetic factors potentially influencing restoration success. This includes understanding levels of connectivity between restoration locations and neighboring seagrass populations that promote natural recovery (source and sink populations), the identification of potential donor populations, and assessment of genetic diversity of restored meadows and material used for restoration. In this study, we carry out genetic surveys of 352 individuals from 13 populations using 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci to inform seagrass restoration activities by: (1) understanding levels of genetic and genotypic diversity within meadows; and (2) understanding genetic structure and patterns of connectivity among these meadows to determine which source sites may be most appropriate to assist recovery of three restoration sites. The study identified high genotypic diversity within the locations analyzed from the Port of Gladstone and Rodd's Bay region, indicating sexual reproduction is important in maintaining populations. Overall, we detected significant genetic structuring among sites with the Bayesian structure analysis identifying genetic clusters that largely conformed to a northern, central, and southern region. This suggests limited gene flow between regions, although there does appear to be some connectivity within regions. The hydrodynamic models showed that seeds were largely locally retained, while fragments were more widely dispersed. Limited gene flow between regions suggests donor material for restoration should be sourced locally where possible.     

Resilience of an isopod population (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyathura carinata</Emphasis>) to multiple stress factors in a temperate estuarine system

The Mondego Estuary (Portugal) underwent major modifications in the late 1980s, because of eutrophication, for which it was developed a restoration programme that has been effective in recovering seagrass beds. Recently, this system has been affected by successive weather extremes: floods, droughts, and heat waves. The effect of these multiple stressors on a Cyathura carinata (Isopoda) population has been evaluated, through a long-term data series (16 years) in a seagrass bed, an intermediate area, and a sand flat. A well age-structured and abundant population of C. carinata was observed in the sand flat, in contrast with the seagrass bed and intermediate area. After introducing the restoration measures, C. carinata’s abundance increased even in the stations where it was formerly scarce. This recovery was compromised by successive extreme events. C. carinata declined severely in terms of total abundance and growth production during the 2003 summer heat wave, at the sand flat, also endangering its reproductive success. Floods and droughts affected dispersion of the individuals, which was reflected in the population’s density and production. Nevertheless, this isopod had great resilience, recovering successfully after disturbances. In contrast, the population of C. carinata had less resilience in the seagrass bed and intermediate area, being unable to recover after a succession of disturbances, which may threaten the success of this species in the system. Because the frequency and intensity of weather extremes are expected to continue to increase in a scenario of global climate change, their repercussions will affect such populations, which will have difficulty surviving. This will have severe implications on the functioning of the whole ecosystem.