133
© Springer International Publishing AG 2017
M. Kumar, P. Ralph (eds.), Systems Biology of Marine Ecosystems,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-62094-7_7
Chapter 7
Photobiology of Seagrasses: A Systems Biology
Perspective
Pimchanok Buapet
Abstract In addition to their well-recognized ecosystem services, seagrass meadows
have recently gained considerable attention for their significant role in the marine carbon cycle. Accurate estimation of the carbon budgets of seagrass meadows does require
a systems understanding of photosynthetic processes particularly in the dynamic environments of their coastal habitats and inevitably in the global change scenarios. Also,
the frequent fluctuations in physicochemical factors in seagrass habitats can directly
affect their photosynthetic activity and its interplay with other connecting metabolic
pathways. With high-throughput experiments being increasingly common, combining
the “omics” approaches can help to elucidate complex photosynthetic responses in
such dynamic environment of seagrass habitats. Here, seagrass photosynthesis basics
with an emphasis on its unique adaptation to submerged conditions, as well as research
progress in molecular physiology are summarized. The knowledge gaps are discussed
as well as further prospects for integrating photophysiology with systems biology.
Keywords Seagrass • Photosynthesis • Stress physiology • Omics
P. Buapet (*)
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University,
Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand, 90112
Coastal Oceanography and Climate Change Research Center,
Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand, 90112
e-mail: pimchanok.b@psu.ac.th
Contents
7.1 General Overview of the Photosynthetic Processes in Seagrass ...................................... 134
7.1.1 Light-Harvesting and Light Reactions ................................................................. 134
7.1.2 Carbon Reactions ................................................................................................. 135
7.1.3 Photorespiration and Alternative Electron Flows ................................................ 136
7.2 Photosynthesis in a Dynamic Environment: Research
Advances in Seagrasses ................................................................................................... 138
7.2.1 Light: Photoacclimation and Photoprotection ..................................................... 138
7.2.2 Salinity Stress and Its Impact on Photosynthesis ................................................. 141
7.2.3 Heat Stress and Its Impact on Photosynthesis ..................................................... 142
7.2.4 Effect of CO 2 Enrichment on Seagrass Primary Production ................................ 143
7.2.5 Phytotoxins .......................................................................................................... 144
© Springer International Publishing AG 2017
M. Kumar, P. Ralph (eds.), Systems Biology of Marine Ecosystems,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-62094-7_7
Chapter 7
Photobiology of Seagrasses: A Systems Biology
Perspective
Pimchanok Buapet
Abstract In addition to their well-recognized ecosystem services, seagrass meadows
have recently gained considerable attention for their significant role in the marine carbon cycle. Accurate estimation of the carbon budgets of seagrass meadows does require
a systems understanding of photosynthetic processes particularly in the dynamic environments of their coastal habitats and inevitably in the global change scenarios. Also,
the frequent fluctuations in physicochemical factors in seagrass habitats can directly
affect their photosynthetic activity and its interplay with other connecting metabolic
pathways. With high-throughput experiments being increasingly common, combining
the “omics” approaches can help to elucidate complex photosynthetic responses in
such dynamic environment of seagrass habitats. Here, seagrass photosynthesis basics
with an emphasis on its unique adaptation to submerged conditions, as well as research
progress in molecular physiology are summarized. The knowledge gaps are discussed
as well as further prospects for integrating photophysiology with systems biology.
Keywords Seagrass • Photosynthesis • Stress physiology • Omics
P. Buapet (*)
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University,
Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand, 90112
Coastal Oceanography and Climate Change Research Center,
Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand, 90112
e-mail: pimchanok.b@psu.ac.th
Contents
7.1 General Overview of the Photosynthetic Processes in Seagrass ...................................... 134
7.1.1 Light-Harvesting and Light Reactions ................................................................. 134
7.1.2 Carbon Reactions ................................................................................................. 135
7.1.3 Photorespiration and Alternative Electron Flows ................................................ 136
7.2 Photosynthesis in a Dynamic Environment: Research
Advances in Seagrasses ................................................................................................... 138
7.2.1 Light: Photoacclimation and Photoprotection ..................................................... 138
7.2.2 Salinity Stress and Its Impact on Photosynthesis ................................................. 141
7.2.3 Heat Stress and Its Impact on Photosynthesis ..................................................... 142
7.2.4 Effect of CO 2 Enrichment on Seagrass Primary Production ................................ 143
7.2.5 Phytotoxins .......................................................................................................... 144