Rising temps increase methane emission in seagrass meadows, jeopardizing carbon sink

What is it about?

This study investigated how rising ocean temperatures caused by climate change can affect carbon sequestration in tropical seagrass meadows. The researchers simulated temperature stress by subjecting seagrass plants to increasing mid-day temperatures for seven consecutive days and measured their photosynthetic performance and methane emission from the sediment surface. They found that high temperature exposure had negative effects on photosynthetic performance and positive effects on methane and sulfide production in the sediment, which could reduce the capacity of seagrass meadows to mitigate climate change by reducing carbon sequestration and inducing the release of methane. This study highlights the urgent need to address climate change to protect the vital ecosystem services provided by seagrass meadows.

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Photo by Benjamin L. Jones on Unsplash

Photo by Benjamin L. Jones on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study is important because it investigates how climate change-induced ocean warming can affect the ability of tropical seagrass meadows to capture and store carbon. The study found that increasing temperatures, especially during low tide exposures, can reduce the photosynthetic performance of seagrass plants and increase the release of methane and sulfide from the sediments, which could significantly reduce the carbon sink potential of these ecosystems. As a result, this study highlights the potential for future increases in extreme temperature events to further reduce the ability of seagrass meadows to mitigate climate change.