Publications by authors named "Alia N Al-Haj"
Article Synopsis
- Patchy data on litter decomposition in wetlands limits understanding of carbon storage, prompting a global study involving over 180 wetlands across multiple countries and climates.
- The study found that freshwater wetlands and tidal marshes had more organic matter remaining after decay, indicating better potential for carbon preservation in these areas.
- Elevated temperatures positively affect the decomposition of resistant organic matter, with projections suggesting an increase in decay rates by 2050; however, the impact varies by ecosystem type and highlights the need to recognize both local and global factors influencing carbon storage.
Article Synopsis
- The global aquaculture industry, particularly oyster farming, influences coastal sediment ecosystems by altering resources available to microbes through their filter-feeding activities.
- Using a chronosequence approach over seven years, researchers observed changes in the composition and function of sediment microbial communities due to oyster farming practices.
- Findings revealed increased diversity and a shift towards anoxic tolerance in bacterial communities, but showed resilience to long-term change and no significant heavy metal accumulation, highlighting the need for sustainable aquaculture practices.
Vegetated coastal ecosystems (VCEs; i.e., mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses) play a critical role in global carbon (C) cycling, storing 10× more C than temperate forests.
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- Oyster aquaculture produces significantly lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to traditional livestock, as it emits no methane and very low levels of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide.
- Despite some minor sediment emissions changes over time, the GHG release associated with oyster farming remains negligible when compared to land-based animal protein sources.
- If 10% of beef protein in the U.S. diet were replaced with oysters, the potential GHG savings would equal the impact of removing 10.8 million cars from the road.