Risks of habitat loss from seaweed cultivation within seagrass

Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCU
Jones, Benjamin L.H.;Eklöf, Johan S.;Unsworth, Richard K.F.;Coals, Lucy;Christianen, Marjolijn J.A.;Clifton, Julian;Cullen-unsworth, Leanne C.;de la Torre-Castro, Maricela;Esteban, Nicole;Huxham, Mark;Jiddawi, Narriman S.;McKenzie, Len J.;Nakaoka, Masahiro;Nordlund, Lina M.;Ooi, Jillian L.S.;Prathep, Anchana
Len McKenzie
Abstract

[Extract] Seagrass meadows are thought to reduce water column marine bacterial pathogens, with new data from Fiorenza et al. suggesting that this function extends to reducing disease in seaweed cultivation by 75%. As a result, Fiorenza et al. advocate scaling seaweed production within seagrass meadows globally, highlighting benefits to local livelihoods. We argue that this is premature and dangerous for marine biodiversity and wider ecosystem functioning across the ~20.7 million km2 of suitable area. Fiorenza et al. do not consider the holistic nature of the problem that they aim to provide solutions for nor the potential for complex unintended consequences.

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Publication Name

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Volume

122

ISBN/ISSN

1091-6490

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Issue

8

Pages Count

2

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EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.1073/pnas.2426971122