The Decline of Seagrass Habitats

These two studies investigated the role of coastal habitats and ecosystems in relation to their productivity at the primary and secondary levels, as well as how these ecosystems are capable of shaping the dynamics of neighboring systems. The study conducted by Heck focused exclusively on seagrass ecosystems and their interconnectedness with nearby and distant habitats. The researchers investigated biomass exchanges that occur through both passive and active means. Consumers accomplish active transport as they directly transport biomass into and out of seagrass meadows. Passive transport of seagrass biomass is associated with roots, rhizomes and seagrass detritus that’s is carried out of the system by currents and waves. Therefore, the review conducted by Heck primarily focused on the role of primary production within seagrass ecosystesms. The decline of seagrass habitats is predicted to not only have effects upon the organisms that directly dwell in and feed off of them, but will also have far reaching effects on adjacent and distant habitats that they contribute to in the form of energy and biomass transfers. In contrast, the study conducted by Wong and her team, looked at a number of different types of estuarine coastal habitats and evaluated them based on their secondary production, in relation to their ability to contribute and sustain ecosystems. Ultimately, the researchers determined the values of these habitats based on their secondary production, and hope that their findings will help to direct restoration efforts in the future to protect those habitats with higher value based on ecological metrics.

According to the research presented by Heck, seagrass ecosystems are complex habitats that consist of both marine and terre...

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... coastal ecosystems and even distant marine food webs, due to their ability to interact with and exchange biomass and energy. Whether it be primary or secondary production that plays the more vital role is still up for debate. It is clear that that increasing stress from human activities will inevitably have far reaching effects on the linkages that exist between the various habitats discussed. More studies are needed to provide quality quantitative data at other sites around the globe especially those that have not yet been studied. It is also necessary to determine the extent and importance that the numerous habitats evaluated in Wong’s study currently have on neighboring as well as distant ecosystems for which they may have valuable connections with. This data could provide important insights that could then be better compared to the research presented by Heck.