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Article
Peer-Review Record

Impacts of Marine Plastic Pollution on Seagrass Meadows and Ecosystem Services in Southeast Asia

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(12), 2314; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12122314
by Janine Douglas 1,*, Holly Niner 1 and Samantha Garrard 2
Reviewer 1: Anonymous
Reviewer 2: Anonymous
Reviewer 3: Anonymous
Reviewer 4:
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(12), 2314; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12122314
Submission received: 6 November 2024 / Revised: 10 December 2024 / Accepted: 14 December 2024 / Published: 17 December 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Ocean Plastic Pollution on Aquatic Life)

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This is a well structured and written synthesis on the Impacts of marine plastic pollution on seagrass meadows and the ecosystem services they provide. While the results are interesting, I think there is still a room for some additional  analyses and presentation as follows:

1- please provide a map of seagrass distribution in the study area. The Allen Coral Atlas may be a good source to produce such map.

2- I would suggest to perform some meta-analysis to compare the mean MP concentration and  PLI levels among countries/ locations,...

Best regards

Author Response

Comments 1: Please provide a map of seagrass distribution in the study area. The Allen Coral Atlas may be a good source to produce such map.

Response 1: Thank you for your time and comments while reviewing this manuscript. Agreed a map of the study area with seagrass distribution will be a helpful addition to the paper. Please see Pag 2, Line 78 for introduction to the map, and Pag 3, Line 82 for the map itself. 

Comments 2: I would suggest to perform some meta-analysis to compare the mean MP concentration and  PLI levels among countries/ locations,...

Response 2: Thank you again. We have taken note of your suggestion and added some additional geographic analysis  of mean MP, PLI, and PLIzone. Please see Page 6, Lines 326-333 and Page 10, Lines 459-461 & Lines 487-490, and Supplementary S.8.. 

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I’ve revised the manuscript entitled “Impacts of marine plastic pollution on seagrass meadows and the ecosystem services they provide: a review with a focus on Southeast Asia”. The review provides an interesting overview of the ecosystem services provided by seagrass meadows, as well as the impact of plastic pollution on these meadows and, consequently, on the services they provide. The review is original and interesting, all sections are well organized.  I think it could be accepted for publication. I’ve listed some suggestions below:

 

Abstract

What did you mean with “semi-systematic literature reviews”. Please define it.

 

Introduction

Line 41 SEA: explain acronym the first time you use it.

 

Figure 1. Please increase font size

 

Discussion

Line 348. Plastics are ubiquitous in the marine environment, including within seagrass ecosystems. Seagrass ecosystems can trap MPP [111,112], which some debate should be an ES in itself [113]. Consider if the following articles are appropriate in this context: https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215740

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123814

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30798-w

Author Response

Comments 1: Abstract- What did you mean with “semi-systematic literature reviews”. Please define it.

Response 1: Thank you for your comment. Upon reflection we have realised that the methodology is more of a mixed method including some systematic searching of the literature and also some snowballing for additional information. To reflect this, we have edited the wording in the abstract Page 1, Lines 14-15, and also provided further information in the methods section to explain this, Page 4, Lines 126-130.

Comments 2: Introduction- Line 41 SEA: explain acronym the first time you use it.

Response 2: Agreed- Acronym now explained in abstract as per other acronyms used. Paag 1. Line 10.

Comments 3:  Figure 1. Please increase font size.

Response 3: Agreed. Figure 1 now expanded to full page figure to aid readability. Pag. 4, Line 129.

Comments 4: Line 348. Plastics are ubiquitous in the marine environment, including within seagrass ecosystems. Seagrass ecosystems can trap MPP [111,112], which some debate should be an ES in itself [113]. Consider if the following articles are appropriate in this context: https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123814. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30798-w. 

Comments 4: Thank you for providing the additional references. I have reviewed them and inserted them where relevant, Pag 8, Lines 361 & 366.

Many thanks for your time and comments on this manuscript.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article "Impacts of marine plastic pollution on seagrass meadows and the ecosystem services they provide: a review with a focus on Southeast Asia" presents the findings and conclusions of a multifaceted analysis of scientific research data concerning the impact of marine plastic pollution (MPPs) on the functioning of ecosystem services (ES) provided by seagrass meadows in Southeast Asia (SEA). The most recent version of the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES) developed by the European Environment Agency was used as the reference framework for analyzing literature data obtained from the Scopus database. The classification scope was modeled around nine key ecosystem services provided by seagrass meadows: food provision, genetic material provision, water purification, climate regulation, coastal protection, life cycle maintenance, recreation/tourism, cognitive benefits, and symbolic/sacred significance.

The selected publications were identified and presented research data covering the ecosystem services delivered by seagrasses, their functionality, and evidence of the impact of MPP on seagrass ecosystems. The interactions between MPP and seagrass ecosystems were classified as direct or indirect, with the direction of effects assessed as -1 (reduction) or +1 (increase) and the overall magnitude of impact determined. Based on the adopted analytical procedure, the selected scientific literature demonstrated that seagrass meadows provide all identified ecosystem services in the SEA region. High evidence scores were obtained for all regulating services, food provision, and symbolic/sacred significance. However, some scores were lower in SEA, likely because much of the research focuses on higher-income countries. Similarly, evidence scores for recreation/tourism, cognitive effects, and genetic material provision were low, which may be due to challenges in documenting these services.

As highlighted by the authors, this study represents the first attempt to assess the impact of plastic pollution on the ecosystem services (ES) provided by seagrass meadows, through the analysis of plastic interactions with these ecosystems in the SEA region. It is noteworthy that SEA constitutes a significant portion of the world's seagrass meadows and boasts the greatest species diversity, but simultaneously faces increasing plastic pollution emissions. The results of this multi-stage and multi-faceted analysis indicate that MPs may reduce the growth and functioning of seagrass, potentially leading to the degradation of the ES they provide.

 

The cited literature encompasses a range of experimental data, relevant information, and analytical procedures critical to the study. It is meticulously selected about the discussed topics and primarily incorporates the latest data pertinent to the research scope of the article. Additionally, the research framework and analysis results are presented in tables and diagrams for enhanced presentation, facilitating their comprehension.

 

1. What is the main question addressed by the research? The main question addressed by the research is whether microplastic marine pollution impacts seagrass ecosystems and their provision of Southeast Asia in the range of seagrass biomass reduction and degradation of all seagrass-derived services, such as: food provision, genetic material provision, water purification, climate regulation, coastal protection, life cycle maintenance, recreation/tourism, cognitive benefits, and symbolic/sacred significance.

2. Do you consider the topic original or relevant to the field? The research topic undertaken is important due to the progressive pollution of the MPs' marine waters and their complex and multidirectional impact on various ecosystems.

3. Does it address a specific gap in the field? Please also explain why this is/ is not the case. The described problem directly concerns the impact of MPs on seagrass meadows, but this is a specific marine environment both in terms of the organisms functioning in it and also concerning the functions that seagrass meadows perform in various other aspects, including, among others, the climatic, economic, and social aspects. Such a complex marine environment has not been the subject of analyses and assessments so far, considering many derivatives, dependent on the functioning of such a specific environment.

4. What does it add to the subject area compared with other published material? The results of the broadly-aspected study provide new and important information on the size of the share and impact of MMP on various components of the seagrass meadows environment and the ecosystem services they provide.

5. What specific improvements should the authors consider regarding the methodology? The research methodology is complex, including a step-by-step selection of published data on Southeast Asian seagrasses and microplastic pollution of waters in this region, determination of direct and indirect interactions, pollution load index values, and the level of risk category caused by MMP. Such multi-step data development creates the possibility of a more precise understanding and risk assessment. However, the description of the research procedure may not be fully understandable to the reader.

6. What further controls are consistent with the evidence and arguments presented and do they address the main question posed? Not all of the analyzed issues and impacts of MMP gave an unambiguous, negative impact on the seagrass ecosystem and its environmental, economic, and social functions. This indicates that these specific marine areas and their functioning are very complex issues that require further analysis.

7. Are the references appropriate? The literature is appropriately selected and selected, to a large extent covering the latest research data on MPs pollution of the marine environment and its impact on organisms.

8. Any additional comments on the tables and figures. The information, data, and designated indicators presented in tables, as well as diagrams and drawings included in the article facilitate understanding of the described content and direct comparison. They are legible and understandable to the reader.

 

Author Response

Comments: All.

Response: Thank you for your comments and time reviewing the manuscript.

 

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Please, see the attached file.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Comments 1: Pag. 1 Line 1: the title of the review must be shortened.

Response 1: Thank you for your time and comments reviewing this manuscript. Please see the shortened title Pag.1 Lines 2-3.

Comments 2: Pag. 1 Line 22: delete numbers after each keyword.

Response 2: Thank you for pointing this out. Numbers have been removed and Southeast Asia added, Pag. 1 Line 21.

Comments 3: Introduce a brief dimensional classification of marine plastics into macro,
meso, micro and nano plastics.

Response 3: Thank you; please see the additional text on Page 1, Lines 28-29, addressing this. 

Comments 4: Pag. 1 Line 41: what is the acronymous SEA? Please, specify its meaning.

Response 4: Thank you for pointing this out. Definition of acronym added to abstract in line with other definitions. Pag. 1, Line 10.

Comments 5: Pag. 2 Line 58: this last statement must be revised. In fact, there is also a scientific literature highlighting that the trend of decline is being everted (Gonzalez-Correa et al., 2007). So, it is
timely to add this reference.

Response 5: Thank you for the additional reference. Please see the edited text Pag. 2, Lines 55-59, which should give more context to the statement. 

Comments 6: Pag. 4 Line 128: it is necessary to enlarge the scrpts inside Figure 1 to make more readable the content inside the figure.

Response 6: Agreed, I have increased the figure size to full page to aid reading of the figure. Pag 4. Line 129.

Comments 7: Pag. 10 Line 323: it is better to sum up the meaning of the resulting data through initial
sentences before the detailed sub-headings.

Response 7: Please see additional paragragh Pag. 11, Lines 325- 335, which provides an overview of the results.

Comments 8: Pag. 14 Lines 489-505: the final paragraph of the review must be enlarged for a better
assessment of the entire manuscript. In this way, it could be useful to speak also about similar
experiences conducted in other coastal seawaters worldwide. Finally, it is suggested to
advance possible solutions to this new kind of marine pollution.

Response 8: Thank you for this suggestion. We have revised the conclusions section, and you will find additional text on Page 11, Lines 545-547 & 551-557.

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