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The role of microphytobenthos in soft‐sediment ecological networks and their contribution to the delivery of multiple ecosystem services

Hope, Julie A.; Paterson, David M.; Thrush, Simon F.

Authors

Julie A. Hope

David M. Paterson

Simon F. Thrush



Contributors

Kathy Van Alstyne
Editor

Abstract

Sediment dwelling, microscopic primary producers, that occupy sediments in the photic zone, are commonly referred to as microphytobenthos (MPB). The MPB are essential components of soft-sediment systems, but are often overlooked when assessing coastal ecosystem functionality and service delivery. The MPB are involved in several complex interactions and feedback that underpin the delivery of vital ecosystem services. MPB profoundly influence the flow and cycling of carbon and nutrients, such as nitrogen, directly and indirectly underpinning highly productive shallow water marine food webs. The MPB can also stabilize sediments through the formation of biofilms, and significantly improve water quality by mediating the benthic–pelagic coupling of nutrients, sediment and pollutants. The functional role of the MPB is compromised by increasing anthropogenic pressures such as nutrient enrichment, sedimentation, herbicides and emerging contaminants such as microplastic pollution. However, MPB are extremely good at buffering the effects of these land-sourced stressors at the interface between land and sea. Synthesis. Society often appreciates the final provisioning of goods and services from our coastal marine environments. However, provisioning services are only possible due to the multitude of supporting and regulating services that underpin them. Microphytobenthos (MPB) are central to benthic ecological networks, and contribute to ecosystem service delivery through various pathways. Understanding the critical role of MPB in complex networks is therefore essential to appreciate their importance in ecosystem function and service delivery into the future.

Citation

Hope, J. A., Paterson, D. M., & Thrush, S. F. (2020). The role of microphytobenthos in soft‐sediment ecological networks and their contribution to the delivery of multiple ecosystem services. Journal of Ecology, 108(3), 815-830. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13322

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 31, 2019
Online Publication Date Nov 11, 2019
Publication Date 2020-05
Deposit Date Sep 28, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Journal of Ecology
Print ISSN 0022-0477
Electronic ISSN 1365-2745
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 108
Issue 3
Pages 815-830
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13322
Keywords Benthic microalgae; Ecosystem services; Estuarine systems; Microphytobenthos; Service delivery; Soft‐sediment ecology
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3603793
Publisher URL https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1365-2745.13322
Additional Information Received: 2019-05-13; Accepted: 2019-10-31; Published: 2019-12-20

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Copyright Statement
©2019 The authors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the copyright holder





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