Description: Abstract Ecological and social processes of the Spermonde Archipelago, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, have been intensively studied during the Science for the Protection of Indonesian Coastal Ecosystems (SPICE) program. The archipelago is of specific interest to better understand how intensive exploitation of marine resources results in the degradation of reef systems. The projects specifically targeted (1) ecological processes in coral reefs, (2) genetic structure of populations, and (3) social–ecological dynamics relating to resource use, social networks, and governance structures. A modeling component emphasized (4) the integration of different ecological, social, and environmental components. Results indicated that reef resources in the Spermonde Archipelago are intensively exploited and further stressed by pollution effluents from hinterland processes. The lack of alternative livelihoods perpetuates dependencies within the patron–client system of the artisanal fisheries and supports high exploitation and also destructive resource uses. Greater inclusion of local stakeholders in the governance may result in better conservation practices, sustainable resource use, and improved livelihoods for the people. Abstrak Selama proyek SPICE, aspek ekologis dan sosial di perairan Kepulauan Spermonde, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia, dipelajari secara intensif. Kepulauan dan perairan ini mengundang banyak perhatian untuk lebih memahami bagaimana tingkat pemanfaatan sumber daya laut yang intensif berakibat pada degradasi sistem terumbu karang. Kerangka kerja proyek penelitian SPICE, secara khusus, menargetkan kajian-kajian mengenai (a) proses ekologis dalam sistem terumbu karang, (b) struktur genetik populasi untuk menentukan konektifitasnya, dan (c) dinamika sosial-ekologi yang berkaitan dengan penggunaan sumber daya, jejaring sosial dan struktur tata kelola. Komponen pemodelan juga dimasukkan kedalam kajian mengenai (d) integrasi berbagai komponen ekologi, sosial dan lingkungan dalam karakterisasi sistem sosial-ekologis. Hasil-hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sumber daya terumbu karang di Kepulauan Spermonde sangat tereksploitasi dan terancam juga oleh limbah polusi dari proses di daratan. Kurangnya mata pencaharian alternatif memperkuat ketergantungan para nelayan tradisional pada sistem patron-klien dan meningkatkan penggunaan sumber daya yang tidak berkelanjutan dan merusak. Keikutsertaan pemangku kepentingan lokal yang lebih erat dalam tata kelola sumber daya alam Kepulauan Spermonde sangat memungkinkan hasil praktik konservasi yang lebih baik, penggunaan sumber daya berkelanjutan, dan peningkatan mata pencaharian bagi masyarakat.

Description: © The Author(s), 2022. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Winters, G., Teichberg, M., Reuter, H., Viana, I. G., & Willette, D. A. Editorial: seagrasses under times of change. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, (2022): 870478, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.870478.

Description: Awareness of the ecological importance of seagrasses is growing due to recent attention to their role in carbon sequestration as a potential blue carbon sink (Fourqurean et al., 2012; Bedulli et al.), as well as their role in nutrient cycling (Romero et al., 2006), sediment stabilization (James et al., 2019), pathogen filtration (Lamb et al., 2017), and the formation of essential habitats for economically important marine species (Jackson et al., 2001; Jones et al.). Despite their importance and the increasing public and scientific awareness of seagrasses, simultaneous global (e.g., ocean warming, increase in frequency and severity of extreme events, introduction and spread of invasive species) and local (e.g., physical disturbances, eutrophication, and sedimentation) anthropogenic stressors continue to be the main causes behind the ongoing global decline of seagrass meadows (Orth et al., 2006; Waycott et al., 2009).

Description: This research was partially funded through the BMBF project SEANARIOS (Seagrass scenarios under thermal and nutrient stress: FKZ 03F0826A) to HR and MT. MT was partially funded through the DFG project SEAMAC (Seagrass and macroalgal community dynamics and performance under environmental change; TE 1046/3-1). IV was supported by a postdoctoral research grant Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación (IJC2019-040554-I) and from MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 (Spain).