Abstract

Seagrass habitats provide numerous ecological benefits, including serving as essential nurseries for a wide array of organisms. Within these seagrass habitats, a diverse and dynamic community of zooplankton thrives, fulfilling vital ecological functions and acting as a critical link between primary producers and higher trophic levels in the marine food web. However, the delicate balance of this intricate ecosystem is threatened. The emergence of Halophila stipulacea, an invasive seagrass species in the Caribbean Sea, raises concerns about potential disruptions to the established zooplankton community and the ecological processes they support. H. stipulacea has been observed as a dominant competitor, surpassing native Caribbean seagrasses in the pursuit for space. To address these ecological concerns, this project aims to compare the abundance and diversity of zooplankton between native (Syringodium filiforme and Thalassia testudinum) and invasive seagrass (H. stipulacea) beds, shedding light on the potential impacts H. stipulacea has on this essential component of the marine ecosystem. Preliminary results indicate that H. stipulacea exhibits higher copepod abundances, while showing lower abundances of decapods and amphipods. Although zooplankton abundance differentiates between seagrass species, zooplankton diversity remains consistent. This means that the zooplankton communities associated with H. stipulacea exhibit a consistent pattern comparable to those found in native seagrasses, emphasizing the stability and similarity of these communities. By comprehending the shifts in zooplankton abundance and diversity resulting from the invasion of H. stipulacea, we can gain valuable insights into the potential ramifications for the broader marine food web and ultimately inform effective fisheries management strategies.