Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
4143834 
Journal Article 
Seagrass ecosystems reduce exposure to bacterial pathogens of humans, fishes, and invertebrates 
Lamb, JB; van de Water, JA; Bourne, DG; Altier, C; Hein, MY; Fiorenza, EA; Abu, N; Jompa, J; Harvell, CD 
2017 
Science
ISSN: 0036-8075
EISSN: 1095-9203 
355 
6326 
731-733 
English 
Plants are important in urban environments for removing pathogens and improving water quality. Seagrass meadows are the most widespread coastal ecosystem on the planet. Although these plants are known to be associated with natural biocide production, they have not been evaluated for their ability to remove microbiological contamination. Using amplicon sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene, we found that when seagrass meadows are present, there was a 50% reduction in the relative abundance of potential bacterial pathogens capable of causing disease in humans and marine organisms. Moreover, field surveys of more than 8000 reef-building corals located adjacent to seagrass meadows showed twofold reductions in disease levels compared to corals at paired sites without adjacent seagrass meadows. These results highlight the importance of seagrass ecosystems to the health of humans and other organisms.