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cje ›› 2009, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (12): 2613-2618.

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Degradation and restoration of seagrass ecosystem: Research progress.

XU Zhan-zhou;LUO Yong;ZHU Ai-jia;CAI Wei-xu   

  1. South China Sea Environment Monitoring Center, State Oceanic Administration, Guangzhou 510300, Guangdong, China
  • Online:2009-12-10 Published:2009-12-10

Abstract: Seagrass bed is one of the coastal wetland ecosystems with the highest productivity and biodiversity, and experiencing degradation worldwide. Natural disturbance and anthropogenic impact are the causes for the degradation, and anthropogenic impact is the main one. Significant changes in the photosynthesis rate, photosynthetic pigments concentration, ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoid pigment, and enzyme activities are observed under stresses of heat, elevated light level, water salinity, and chemical pollutants, which are the physioecological mechanisms of seagrass degradation. Seagrass monitoring and protection programs have led to the recovery of some seagrass beds. Biodiversity maintenance, seagrass transplantation, and ecosystem services valuation should be the focuses in the further researches on the seagrass restoration in China.

Key words: Photodegradation, Chlorella vulgaris, 17β-estradiol