Requiem for an eastern Pacific seagrass bed.

Area of Science:

• Marine Ecology
• Seagrass Ecology
• Coastal Ecosystems

Background:

• Limited research exists on eastern Pacific seagrass ecosystems.
• Ruppia maritima is a key species in coastal habitats.
• Understanding seagrass ecology is vital for marine conservation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide the first ecological data on Ruppia maritima in a non-lagoonal eastern Pacific setting.
• To quantify plant density, leaf length, and biomass of R. maritima.
• To document associated invertebrate fauna and observe ecosystem resilience.

Main Methods:

• Ecological surveys of a Ruppia maritima patch at Playa Iguanita, Bahía Culebra, Costa Rica.
• Measurement of plant density and leaf length along transects.
• Calculation of above and below-ground biomass (root-rhizome biomass).

Main Results:

• Plant density ranged from 1590 to 8630 individuals/m² with a high below-ground to above-ground biomass ratio (3.07–15.27).
• Total biomass was lower than Mexican Pacific lagoons but higher than the Gulf of Mexico.
• The seagrass patch, Halophila baillonii, and 44 associated invertebrate species disappeared after a severe storm in 1996.

Conclusions:

• The study provides baseline ecological data for Ruppia maritima in the eastern Pacific.
• The ecosystem's vulnerability to extreme weather events was highlighted.
• The long-term disappearance of seagrass in the area underscores the need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts.