Summary: MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
Mar Ecol Prog Ser
Vol. 298: 115­122, 2005 Published August 15
INTRODUCTION
Seagrass meadows are important marine habitats,
providing food and shelter for a large number of spe-
cies, and nursery areas for some commercially impor-
tant fish and shellfish species (Den Hartog 1970, Hem-
minga & Duarte 2000). Seagrasses play essential roles
in improving coastal water quality, stabilizing sedi-
ments, recycling nutrients, and increasing biodiversity
(Hemminga & Duarte 2000). Seagrass beds are recog-
nized as one of the world's natural ecosystems with the
highest economic value (Costanza et al. 1997). Distur-
bance and loss of seagrass habitat have been reported
worldwide. Even though some of the declines may re-
sult from natural causes, more than 70% of reported
declines are attributed to human-induced disturbances
(Short & Wyllie-Echeverria 1996) related to eutrophica-
tion or toxic pollutants. Seagrass meadows are also of-

Source: Alberto, Filipe - Centro de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade do Algarve

Collections: Environmental Sciences and Ecology; Biology and Medicine