Search results for " beach-cast wracks"

Seasonal dynamics of Posidonia oceanica beach-cast wracks in a Sicilian beach: an overlooked system for carbon dynamics

2019

Seagrass detritus accumulates along the coasts forming beach-cast wracks. Being subject to environmental gradients and hydrodynamism, the size and composition of beach-cast wracks may vary in space and time. Also the composition may vary depending on both proximities to and productivity of the adjacent seagrass meadows. Despite their dynamic nature, seagrass beach-casts provide important ecosystem services, by contributing to the nutrient and carbon flow between marine and terrestrial systems, supporting beach biodiversity and trophic webs and protecting the coastline from erosion. However, the knowledge about beach-cast dynamics, ecological role and functions is still fragmented and deserv…