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Citation
Tags
HERO ID
4143834
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Seagrass ecosystems reduce exposure to bacterial pathogens of humans, fishes, and invertebrates
Author(s)
Lamb, JB; van de Water, JA; Bourne, DG; Altier, C; Hein, MY; Fiorenza, EA; Abu, N; Jompa, J; Harvell, CD
Year
2017
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Science
ISSN:
0036-8075
EISSN:
1095-9203
Volume
355
Issue
6326
Page Numbers
731-733
Language
English
PMID
28209895
DOI
10.1126/science.aal1956
Web of Science Id
WOS:000395117700038
Abstract
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.
Tags
NAAQS
•
ISA NOxSOxPM Ecology (2018)
Cited in the Second Draft
Appendix 10
•
ISA NOxSOxPM Ecology (2020- Final Project Page)
Cited
Appendix 10
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