The microbiology of seagrasses

Seymour, JR; Laverock, B; Nielsen, DA; Trevathan-Tackett, SM; Macreadie, PI

The microbiology of seagrasses

Seymour, JR Laverock, B Nielsen, DA Trevathan-Tackett, SM Macreadie, PI

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Publisher:: Springer
Publication Type:: Chapter
Citation:: Seagrasses of Australia: Structure, Ecology and Conservation, 2018, pp. 343-392
Issue Date:: 2018-07-27

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Seymour, JR
dc.contributor.author	Laverock, B
dc.contributor.author	Nielsen, DA
dc.contributor.author	Trevathan-Tackett, SM
dc.contributor.author	Macreadie, PI
dc.date.accessioned	2022-12-17T05:51:02Z
dc.date.available	2022-12-17T05:51:02Z
dc.date.issued	2018-07-27
dc.identifier.citation	Seagrasses of Australia: Structure, Ecology and Conservation, 2018, pp. 343-392
dc.identifier.isbn	9783319713526
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/164452
dc.description.abstract	Like both terrestrial plants and other benthic marine organisms, seagrasses host abundant and diverse communities of microorganisms. These microbes fundamentally influence seagrass physiology and health, while also regulating the biogeochemical dynamics of entire seagrass meadows. Discrete populations of bacteria, fungi, microalgae, archaea and viruses inhabit seagrass leaves, roots and rhizomes and the surrounding sediments. The plethora of ecological interactions taking place between seagrasses and this microbiome span the continuum of symbiotic relationships from mutualism to parasitism. Indeed, the metabolic activities of some seagrass associated microbes, such as diazotrophic and sulphur oxidizing bacteria, govern the local chemical environment in ways that facilitate seagrass survival. On the other hand, pathogens, such as the protozoan parasite Labyrinthula cause disease outbreaks that can lead to mass seagrass die offs. While the role of the seagrass microbiome in defining the success of seagrass habitats is becoming increasingly apparent, there is still much to be learnt. For instance, the development of an understanding of how seagrass associated microbes may buffer or augment the negative impacts of growing environmental pressures will be valuable for informing decisions regarding the management and conservation of threatened seagrass habitats. In this chapter we will synthesise the current state of knowledge on the microbiology of seagrasses, with a goal of conveying the often overlooked importance of the seagrass microbiome in governing seagrass health and the biogeochemical stability of seagrass ecosystems.
dc.format.extent	23
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Springer
dc.relation.ispartof	Seagrasses of Australia: Structure, Ecology and Conservation
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/978-3-319-71354-0_12
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.title	The microbiology of seagrasses
dc.type	Chapter
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - C3 - Climate Change Cluster
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Life Sciences
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2022-12-17T05:51:01Z
pubs.place-of-publication	Switzerland
pubs.publication-status	Published
dc.location	Switzerland

Abstract:

Like both terrestrial plants and other benthic marine organisms, seagrasses host abundant and diverse communities of microorganisms. These microbes fundamentally influence seagrass physiology and health, while also regulating the biogeochemical dynamics of entire seagrass meadows. Discrete populations of bacteria, fungi, microalgae, archaea and viruses inhabit seagrass leaves, roots and rhizomes and the surrounding sediments. The plethora of ecological interactions taking place between seagrasses and this microbiome span the continuum of symbiotic relationships from mutualism to parasitism. Indeed, the metabolic activities of some seagrass associated microbes, such as diazotrophic and sulphur oxidizing bacteria, govern the local chemical environment in ways that facilitate seagrass survival. On the other hand, pathogens, such as the protozoan parasite Labyrinthula cause disease outbreaks that can lead to mass seagrass die offs. While the role of the seagrass microbiome in defining the success of seagrass habitats is becoming increasingly apparent, there is still much to be learnt. For instance, the development of an understanding of how seagrass associated microbes may buffer or augment the negative impacts of growing environmental pressures will be valuable for informing decisions regarding the management and conservation of threatened seagrass habitats. In this chapter we will synthesise the current state of knowledge on the microbiology of seagrasses, with a goal of conveying the often overlooked importance of the seagrass microbiome in governing seagrass health and the biogeochemical stability of seagrass ecosystems.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/164452