Typhoon-induced changes in seagrass beds over the past three decades in the Korean coastal waters

Abstract

Seagrass is one of the most important vegetation in coastal ecosystems. Despite the ecological importance, the large loss of seagrass beds around the world have been reported. In particular, extreme climatological events such as typhoons have large impact on the seagrass beds. In order to clarify how seagrass distribution variation is affected by typhoons have been studied. In this study, we used multi-spatial resolution satellite imageries collected from 1990 to 2016 to examine the spatial and temporal dynamics of seagrass beds at Deukryang bay, Korea. From the analysis of time-series satellite imageries, there were no significant changes in distribution patterns of seagrass beds for 20 years, and the average area of seagrass beds was 4.6 km2. However, significant decline of seagrass beds was observed in September 2012 after Typhoon Bolaven, Tembin, and Sanba consecutively passed the study site. The three sequential typhoons that passed through during the short time probably produced a cumulative damage. After the seagrass die-off, degraded seagrass bed completely recovered from the typhoon damage in a few years. These seagrass mapping results will allow understand past changes and provide crucial information for management of their resources.ve large impact on the seagrass beds. In order to clarify how seagrass distribution variation is affected by typhoons have been studied. In this study, we used multi-spatial resolution satellite imageries collected from 1990 to 2016 to examine the spatial and temporal dynamics of seagrass beds at Deukryang bay, Korea. From the analysis of time-series satellite imageries, there were no significant changes in distribution patterns of seagrass beds for 20 years, and the average area of seagrass beds was 4.6 km2. However, significant decline of seagrass beds was observed in September 2012 after Typhoon Bolaven, Tembin, and Sanba consecutively passed the study site. The three sequential typhoons that passed through during the short time probably produced a cumulative damage. After the seagrass die-off, degraded seagrass bed completely recovered from the typhoon damage in a few years. These seagrass mapping results will allow understand past changes and provide crucial information for management of their resources.