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Mass flowering of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica after 2022 record-breaking marine heatwaves, a Pan-Mediterranean study
(2026). Mass flowering of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica after 2022 record-breaking marine heatwaves, a Pan-Mediterranean study. Commun. Earth Environ. 7(1): 525. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43247-026-03631-8
In: Communications Earth & Environment. Springer Nature: London. ISSN 2662-4435; e-ISSN 2662-4435, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Author keywords
    sea-surface temperature;genetic diversity;l. delile;patterns;variability;seedlings;coastal;events;growth;art

Authors  Top 
  • Astruch, P.
  • Bensoussan, N.
  • Andre, S.
  • Boudouresque, C.
  • Tomas, F.
  • Teixido, N.
  • Carlot, J.
  • Belloni, B.
  • Garcia-Escudero, C.A.
  • AKÇALI, B.
  • Alcoverro, T.
  • Apostolaki, E.T.
  • Badalamenti, F., more
  • Boada, J.
  • Boulenger, A.
  • Cabral, M.
  • Casoli, E.
  • Chimienti, G.
  • Estaque, T.
  • Fernandez Torquemada, Y.
  • Gerakaris, V.
  • Gobert, S., more
  • Grech, D.
  • Kletou, D.
  • Macic, V.
  • Máñez-Crespo, J.
  • MARCO-MENDEZ, C.
  • Molenaar, H.
  • Moreno, D.
  • Lizaso, J.L.
  • Schohn, T.
  • Terrados, J.
  • Torras Jorda, G.
  • Ventura, D.
  • Zenone, A., more
  • Albalat-Oliver, B.
  • Bardinal, V.
  • Barrajon Domenech, A.
  • Belgacem, W.
  • Ben Souissi, J.
  • Bernardeau-Esteller, J.
  • Bianchi, C.N.
  • Castejon, I.
  • Cebrian, E.
  • Charbonnel, E.
  • Cheminee, A.
  • Chere, E.
  • Chiarore, A.
  • Constantinou, G.
  • Cottalorda, J., more
  • Cvitkovic, I.
  • D'Anna, G., more
  • Despalatovic, M.
  • Dokoza, F.
  • Fernandez-Casado, M.
  • Ferrari, B.
  • Ghanem, R.
  • Guillemain, D.
  • Guillen Nieto, J.E.
  • Guresen, A.
  • Hartmann, V.
  • Arjona Hernández, N.
  • Izquierdo, M.A.
  • Jakl, Z.
  • Jamme, S.
  • Karayali, O.
  • Kleitou, P.
  • Mrcelic, J.
  • Lazennec, A.
  • Lovat, V.
  • Mancini, I.
  • Mancini, G.
  • Marba, N., more
  • Marengo, M.
  • Michez, N.
  • Mirasole, A.
  • MONNIER, B.
  • Morri, C.
  • Navarro-Martinez, P.C.
  • Oprandi, A.
  • Pansini, A.
  • Pergent-Martini, C.
  • Pey, A.
  • Piazzi, L.
  • Procaccini, G.
  • Remon, J.M.
  • Roberty, S., more
  • Romero, J.
  • Ruiz, J.M.
  • Sanmarti Boixeda, N.
  • Sant Felix, M.
  • Scannavino, A.
  • Sobrado, F.
  • Stipcich, P.
  • Zuljevic, A.
  • Montefalcone, M.

Abstract
    Following the unprecedented marine heatwaves of summer 2022, extensive flowering of the endemic seagrass Posidonia oceanica was witnessed across the western Mediterranean. To unravel the causes of this event, we conducted a pan-Mediterranean analysis across 442 sites spanning all Mediterranean ecoregions, with 76% exhibiting flowering. Flowering differed regionally, with both highest flowering prevalence (over 90%) and flowering intensity (up to 0.75) recorded in the Liguro-Proven & ccedil;al and Balearic Seas. We demonstrate that regions experiencing large summer sea surface temperature anomaly with high marine heatwave cumulative intensity displayed the highest flowering intensity. The probability of flowering was very likely when marine heatwave cumulative intensity exceeded similar to 120 degrees C days. These findings suggest that marine heatwaves trigger flowering in P. oceanica and, given the high energetic cost of sexual reproduction, continued ocean warming may shift energy allocation toward flowering. This shift could profoundly affect the species' reproductive strategies, posing major challenges and uncertainties for its long-term evolution.

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