Seaweed farming pressure affects seagrass and benthic macroalgae dynamics in Chwaka Bay (Zanzibar, Tanzania)

Farming of Eucheuma denticulatum is a major activity in Zanzibar affecting seagrass ecosystems primarily through shading and trampling. The aim of this study was to test the impacts of shading and trampling during seaweed farming on seagrass meadows composed by Halophila stipulacea and Thalassia hemprichii and their associated benthic macroalgae. Areas covered by these species were selected for the building of seaweed farms in three treatments: seaweed farm plots (with shading and trampling effects), trampling plots (with trampling effects only), and control plots (with no shading or trampling effects). Reduction of light within the plots was recorded over 9 weeks. Percentage cover of seagrasses and macroalgae and shoot density of seagrasses were measured over 12 weeks to assess the impact of shading and trampling by seaweed farming activities. Light was significantly reduced in the seaweed farm plots by 75 to 90% by the end of a seaweed growth cycle. H. stipulacea, despite its capacity for rapid growth, was significantly affected by the combination of shading and trampling under the seaweed farm treatment, while the climax seagrass species T. hemprichii was unaffected. Due to the decline in H. stipulacea, benthic macroalgae cover increased in the seaweed farm treatment, suggesting a change in seagrass community dynamics. In contrast, trampling had a negative effect on the benthic macroalgae as an isolated disturbance, which suggests that seagrasses are more resistant to trampling than macroalgae and would likely dominate the benthic macrophyte community under these conditions.

Automated summary

The combination of shading and trampling from seaweed farming significantly affected the growth of Halophila stipulacea, but had no impact on the climax seagrass species Thalassia hemprichii. Seagrass cover decreased and benthic macroalgae cover increased in seaweed farm plots. Trampling had a negative effect on benthic macroalgae but seagrasses were more resistant and likely to dominate under these conditions.