Publications

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Publications per year

2025

• Risks of habitat loss from seaweed cultivation within seagrass. Jones BLH, …Christianen MJA, … Prathep A, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2025 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2426971122
• Iron co-limitation of Sargassum fluitans. Leemans, L …Christianen, MJA, .. van Tussenbroek, BI. Aquatic Botany 2025 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AQUABOT.2024.103807

2024

• Addition of iron does not ameliorate sulfide toxicity by sargassum influx to mangroves but dampens methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Cobacho, SP … Christianen, MJA. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2024 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2024.116303
• Monitoring vegetation patterns and their drivers to infer resilience: Automated detection of vegetation and megaherbivores from drone imagery using deep learning. James, RK … Christianen, MJA. Ecological Informatics2024 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2024.102580
  • Deep learning code to classify seagrass from aerial imagery. James, R, Chauhan, A, Daniels, F & Christianen, M. Github 2023 :https://git.wur.nl/deep-learning-tools-for-marine-ecosystem-monitoring/seagrass-segmentation
  • Deep learning code to automatically detect sea turtles from aerial imagery of subtidal seagrass. James, R, Chauhan, A, Daniels, F & Christianen, M. Github 2023 https://git.wur.nl/deep-learning-tools-for-marine-ecosystem-monitoring/seagrass-segmentation
• Early stakeholder involvement using Group Model Building to identify ecological research questions and nature management options. Hanssen, L …,Christianen, MJA, van Katwijk, MM. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2024 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2024.117179
• Herbivore effects increase with latitude across the extent of a foundational seagrass. Campbell, JE …, Christianen, MJA,… Wied, WL. Nature Ecology and Evolution 2024 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02336-5
• Impact of human disturbance on biogeochemical fluxes in tropical seascapes. Cobacho, SP, van de Leemput, IA, Holmgren, M & Christianen, MJA. Marine Environmental Research 2024 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106479
• High temperature and eutrophication alter biomass allocation of black mangrove (Avicennia germinans L.) seedlings. Cobacho, SP … Christianen, MJA. Marine Environmental Research 2024 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106291

2023

• Seagrass Abundance Predicts Surficial Soil Organic Carbon Stocks Across the Range of Thalassia testudinum in the Western North Atlantic. Fourqurean, JW …, Christianen, MJA,… Wilson, SS. Estuaries and Coasts 2023 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-023-01210-0
• Seagrass ecosystem multifunctionality under the rise of a flagship marine megaherbivore. Christianen, MJA, Smulders, FOH … Bakker, ES. Global Change Biology 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16464Popularabstract. Press release in Dutch, Press release in English
  • Data underlying publication: Seagrass ecosystem multifunctionality under the rise of a flagship marine megaherbivore. Christianen, MJA … Bakker, ES. at https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.4121/21214229
• Habitat complexity drives food web structure along a dynamic mangrove coast. Nauta, J … Govers, LL. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2023 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115597
• Battle for the mounds: Niche competition between upside‐down jellyfish and invasive seagrass. Smulders, FOH, Slikboer, N, Christianen, MJA & Vonk, JA. Ecology 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3980
• Biodegradable artificial reefs enhance food web complexity and biodiversity in an intertidal soft‐sediment ecosystem. Nauta, J , Christianen, MJA, … Govers, LL. Journal of Applied Ecology 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14348

2022

• Green turtles shape the seascape through grazing patch formation around habitat features: Experimental evidence. Smulders, FOH … Christianen, MJA. Ecology 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3902
• Fish grazing enhanced by nutrient enrichment may limit invasive seagrass expansion. Smulders, FOH … Christianen, MJA. Aquatic Botany 2022 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2021.103464 – VIDEO
• Initiating and upscaling mussel reef establishment with life cycle informed restoration: Successes and future challenges. Temmink, RJM, Christianen MJA,… van der Heide, T. Ecological Engineering 2022 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2021.106496
• First evidence of polyembryony in black mangrove Avicennia germinans. Cobacho, SP, Grol, NALM, Dros, TA, Dekkers, DTBM & Christianen, MJA. Botanica Marina 2022 https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2022-0006

2021

• A dynamic view of seagrass meadows in the wake of successful green turtle conservation.Christianen, MJA … Alcoverro, T. Nature Ecology & Evolution 2021 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-021-01433-z
• Green turtles shape the seascape through grazing patch formation around habitat features: Experimental evidence. Smulders, FOH … Christianen, MJA. Ecology 2022 doi:10.1002/ecy.3902. – see supplementary videos under “extra”s–covered by New York Times – Trouw newspaper – NatureToday – Video abstract
• Nabootsen van de natuur: Afbreekbare aardappelmatjes ondersteunen ecosysteemherstel. Didderen, K … Christianen, MJA. Vakblad Natuur Bos Landschap
• Coastal restoration success via emergent trait-mimicry is context dependent. Heide, T Van Der … Christianen, MJA. Biological Conservation 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109373
• The population genomic structure of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) suggests a warm-water corridor for tropical marine fauna between the Atlantic and Indian oceans during the last interglacial. van der Zee, JP, Christianen, MJA,… Palsbøll, PJ. Heredity 2021 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41437-021-00475-0
• On the use of large-scale biodegradable artificial reefs for intertidal foreshore stabilization. Marin-Diaz, B …, Christianen, MJA, … Govers, LLLL. Ecological Engineering 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2021.106354

2020

• Mimicry of emergent traits amplifies coastal restoration success. Temmink, RJM*, Christianen, MJA *, Fivash* … van der Heide, T. Nature Communications 2020 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17438-4 –VIDEO ABSTRACT  – featured in post in Nature Ecol & Evol * shared first authors
• Seagrass coastal protection services reduced by invasive species expansion and megaherbivore grazing. James, RK, Christianen MJA, … Bouma, TJ. Journal of Ecology 2020 https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13411Coverage: DCNA article
• Inconclusive evidence of sexual reproduction of invasive Halophila stipulacea : a new field guide to encourage investigation of flower and fruit production throughout its invasive range. Smulders, FOH, Chiquillo, KL, Willette, DA, Barber, PH & Christianen, MJA. Botanica Marina 2020 https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2020-0046 –Check new field guide of reproductive structures here – DCNA article – Nature today
• Facilitating foundation species: The potential for plant–bivalve interactions to improve habitat restoration success. Gagnon, K .. Christianen MJA… Boström, C. Journal of Applied Ecology 2020 https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13605
• Seagrass ecosystem metabolic carbon capture in response to green turtle grazing across Caribbean meadows. Johnson, RA …..Christianen, MJA, Bjorndal, KA. Journal of Ecology 2020 https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13306
• Govers, L. L., Reijers, V., .., Christianen, M. J. A., Lengkeek, W., & Others. (2020). Luwte speelt sleutelrol voor zeegras en mosselbanken. De Levende Natuur, 121(5), 168–171.

2019

• Megaherbivores may impact expansion of invasive seagrass in the Caribbean. Christianen, MJA … Becking, LE. Journal of Ecology 2019 https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13021- Graphical abstract.Blog, Media coverage:  org and (in Dutch:) here and here. Shortlisted research for the 2019 Harper Prize and top cited paper.
• Population recovery changes population composition at a major southern Caribbean juvenile developmental habitat for the green turtle, Chelonia mydas. van der Zee, JP , Christianen, MJA, … Palsbøll, PJ. Scientific Reports 2019 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-50753-5

2018

• Optimism for mitigation of climate warming impacts for sea turtles through nest shading and relocation. Esteban, N … Christianen, MJA. Scientific Reports 2018 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-35821-6 – Radio interview on Dutch national radio NPO1, Focus program(4 jan 2019). CoverageTrouw newspaper (Dutch, 29 may 2019, pdf).
• New tools to identify the location of seagrass meadows: marine grazers as habitat indicators. Hays, GC .. Christianen, MJA… Esteban, N. Frontiers in Marine Science 2018 doi:10.3389/fmars.2018.00009.
• Return of the native facilitated by the invasive? Population composition, substrate preferences and epibenthic species richness of a recently discovered shellfish reef with native European flat oysters ( Ostrea edulis ) in the North Sea. Christianen, MJA … van der Have, TMM. Marine Biology Research 2018 https://doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2018.1498520 – Media coverageH2O, Nederlands dagblad, Vis magazine. Radio interview on Dutch national radio NPO1, Focus program (22 aug 2018).
• Seagrass leaf element content: A global overview. Vonk, JAA, Smulders, FOH, Christianen, MJA & Govers, LL. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2018 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.09.066
• Foundation species enhance food web complexity through non-trophic facilitation. Borst, ACWW …Christianen MJA, van der Heide, T. PLOS ONE 2018 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0199152
• Seagrass ecosystem trajectory depends on the relative timescales of resistance, recovery and disturbance. O’Brien, KR … , Christianen, MJA, … Dennison, WCWC. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2018 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.09.006
• The potential of unmanned aerial systems for sea turtle research and conservation: a review and future directions. Rees, A …Christianen, MJA,.. Godley, B. Endangered Species Research 2018 https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00877–Video-abstract!
• Exposure of coastal ecosystems to river plume spreading across a near-equatorial continental shelf. Tarya, A … Christianen, MJAA. Continental Shelf Research 2018 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2017.12.003

2017

• Biodiversity and food web indicators of community recovery in intertidal shellfish reefs. Christianen, M … Olff, H. Biological Conservation 2017 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2016.09.028
• Benthic primary producers are key to sustain the Wadden Sea food web: stable carbon isotope analysis at landscape scale. Christianen, MJA … Olff, H. Ecology 2017 https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.1837 – Radio interviewBNR “Waar de Wadden Zee van leeft”
• Implications of location accuracy and data volume for home range estimation and fine-scale movement analysis: comparing Argos and Fastloc-GPS tracking data. Thomson, JAA …Christianen MJA, Hays, GCC. Marine Biology2017 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3225-7
• Expansion and fragment settlement of the non-native seagrass Halophila stipulacea in a Caribbean bay. Smulders, FOH, Vonk, JA, Engel, MS & Christianen, MJA. Marine Biology Research 2017https://doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2017.1333620

2016

• Post-breeding migration routes of marine turtles from Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands. Becking, L*, Christianen MJA* … van Dam, R. Endangered Species Research 2016 https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00733 * shared first author
• How habitat-modifying organisms structure the food web of two coastal ecosystems. van der Zee, EM, … Christianen, MJA, … van der Heide, T. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 2016 https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2015.2326.
• Drought, mutualism breakdown, and landscape-scale degradation of seagrass beds. de Fouw, J …Christianen MJA, .. van der Heide, T. Current Biology 2016 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2016.02.023 – Current Biology: coverage by ScienceNews

2015

• What lies beneath: Why knowledge of belowground biomass dynamics is crucial to effective seagrass management. Vonk, JA, Christianen, MJA, Stapel, J & O’Brien, KR. Ecological Indicators 2015 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.05.008
• Ecotopen- en Kansrijkdomkaart van de Nederlandse Waddenzee; Project Waddensleutels. Christianen, MJA … Olff, H. 2015 http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/12/299112.pdf Waddensleutels report 2015.04.01 – Also in a Glossy Magazine style
• Wadden Natuur kaart (Wadden Nature Map): Online interactive map used for nature planning: http://waddennatuurkaart.nl & http://www.waddensleutels.nl

2014

• Habitat collapse due to overgrazing threatens turtle conservation in marine protected areas. Christianen, MJA … van de Koppel, J. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 2014 https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.2890 – PDF,supplements. -> Press coverage Washington Post, Frontiers in Ecology & Environment, Time and others. Movie green turtle digging
• First Record of a Caribbean Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Grazing on Invasive Seagrass ( Halophila stipulacea ) . Becking, LE, Bussel, TCJM van, Debrot, AO & Christianen, MJA. Caribbean Journal of Science 2014 https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v48i3.a05
• Seagrasses in the age of sea turtle conservation and shark overfishing. Heithaus, MR, … Christianen, MJA, … Fourqurean, JW. Frontiers in Marine Science 2014 https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2014.00028
• Proximate response of fish, conch, and sea turtles to the presence of the invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea in Bonaire. Becking, L, van Bussel, T, Engel, MS, Christianen, MJA & Debrot, AO. IMARES Wageningen URhttps://www.wur.nl/en/Publication-details.htm?publicationId=publication-way-343536383735

2013

• Seagrass systems under nutrient loads, hydrodynamics & green turtle grazing. Do green turtles rule the seagrass world? PhD thesis. Christianen, MJA. (Radboud University Nijmegen, 2013). https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004 138p. With summaries in English, Dutch & Bahasa Indonesia.
• Low-Canopy Seagrass Beds Still Provide Important Coastal Protection Services. Christianen, MJA … Bouma, TJ. PLoS ONE 2013 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0062413
• Ascidia subterranea sp. nov. (Phlebobranchia: Ascidiidae), a new tunicate belonging to the A. sydneiensis Stimpson, 1855 group, found as burrow associate of Axiopsis serratifrons A. Milne-Edwards, 1873 (Decapoda: Axiidae) on Derawan Island, Indonesia. Kneer, D, Monniot, F, Stach, T & Christianen, MJA. Zootaxa 2013 https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3616.5.5

2012

• Marine megaherbivore grazing may increase seagrass tolerance to high nutrient loads. Christianen, MJA … van Katwijk, MM. Journal of Ecology 2012 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2745.2011.01900.x

2011

• Limited toxicity of NHx pulses on an early and late successional tropical seagrass species: Interactions with pH and light level. Christianen, MJA … Lamers, LPM. Aquatic Toxicology 2011 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2011.04.002
• Early warning indicators for river nutrient and sediment loads in tropical seagrass beds: A benchmark from a near-pristine archipelago in Indonesia. van Katwijk, MM, Christianen, MJA, … Lamers, LPM. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2011 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.04.007

2010

• Abundance, edge effect, and seasonality of fauna in mixed-species seagrass meadows in southwest Sulawesi, Indonesia. Vonk, JA, Christianen, MJA & Stapel, J. Marine Biology Research 2010 https://doi.org/10.1080/17451000903233789

2008

• Redefining the trophic importance of seagrasses for fauna in tropical Indo-Pacific meadows. Vonk, JA, Christianen, MJA & Stapel, J. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 2008 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2008.06.002

2005

• Indo-Pacific seagrass beds and mangroves contribute to fish density and diversity on adjacent coral reefs. Dorenbosch, M, Grol, M, Christianen, MJA, Nagelkerken, I & van der Velde, G. Marine Ecology Progress Series2005 https://doi.org/10.3354/meps302063

Media

see links above for media coverage of papers,  my WUR-page for press releases of papers, and my research@WUR page for all activities

• over recordtemperatuur oceaanwater: ‘Geen tijd voor herstel ecosystemen’. Interview met Gerri Eickhof, G, NOS. 2023. https://nos.nl/artikel/2470694-zorgen-over-recordtemperatuur-oceaanwater-geen-tijd-voor-herstel-ecosystemen
• Wat gaat er mis met de soepschildpad. Radio interview in ‘met het oog op morgen’ NPO Radio1at https://www.nporadio1.nl/fragmenten/nos-met-het-oog-op-morgen/07b04ce1-c6a6-4d63-8bb0-dc70c561a49c/2023-12-11-wat-gaat-er-mis-met-de-soepschildpad 2023
• Podcast: Wat gaat er mis met de soepschildpad. Kijne, CCM. NOS met het oog op morgen at 2023.
• Documentary ‘De Geharde Rug’. Dokter, M, van den Boom, R & Christianen, MJA. https://npo.nl/start/video/de-geharde-rug (2022).

output prior to Marjolijn’s move to WUR in 2018 below:

• De groene zeeschildpad krijgt het te warm. Monica Wesseling in Trouw newspaper. 29 may 2019. pdf
• NPO radio 1 (Dutch) commenton NOS news item about the discovery of 300 floating Olive Ridley turtles in Mexico. 29 aug 2018
• NRC Explanatory video (Dutch ) “Waarom de groene zeeschildpad uit Australië dreigt te verdwijnen” 15 may 2018 by Sterre Meijer. Email me for a version with english subtitles
• CSI in de Ecologie (Met isotopen onderzoek de kwaliteit van ecosystemen bepalen). Vakblad Natuur Bos en Landschap, oct. 2016
• Kunnen zeeschildpadden zonder schild, Willem Wever
• Nomads of the Caribbean– Wageningen World (Wageningen university) – no.3 2016. PDF
  
  Ecology and conservation of sea turtles in the Dutch Caribbean – BioNews – DCNA newsletter #20 dec. 2015
• Woestijn onder water, by Hans Wolkers in Quest may 2013 (Dutch popular scientific magazine,”Underwater desert”)

https://e.issuu.com/anonymous-embed.html?u=wageningenur&d=wageningen_world_2016-03_uk&p=34

TV: National Geographic Channel: Documentary “Marine life”

PhD

• Wortels beschermen tegen kusterosie. Coverage of PLOSONE paper by NIOZ, Natuurbericht.nl and Vroege Vogels.
• Zeeschildpadden in de nesten, Radio interview in “Vroege Vogels” Dutch national radio 1, 5 May 2013, Listen here
• Te goed beschermde’ soepschildpad bedreigt eigen ecosysteem (in Dutch, 14 March 2013, TROUW online edition)
• Zeeschildpadden in de nesten (Dutch announcement PhD defence) (22 March 2013)
• Levend fossiel erodeert bodem van de oceaan (in Dutch “Living fossil is eroding the ocean floor) by Radboud University (7 March 2013)
• Zeegras wegen op Kalimantan (in Dutch, 26 March 2013, in “De Gelderlander”)
• Soepschildpadden graven hun eigen graf (in Dutch, 19 March 2013, My first radio interview in Hoe?Zo! Radio 5), listen here
• Back to Barang Lompo’s seagrass (my MSc. project) in WSA‘s: “Notes from the field” by Siti (Feb 2012)
• Notes from the field: Derawan Island, Indonesia (Okt 2011)
• Hoe vang je een schildpad? (in dutch “How to catch a turtle”) article by Radboud University Press (Dec 2011)
• Green Turtle issue (PDF, page 6) of Seagrass Watch (Nov 2011)
• Twister met turtles (in dutch “a typical day in the field”) by NWO’s magazine hypothese (May 2010)
• Rare beroepen (in dutch about “strange professions”) by DAG newspaper (Jul 2007)
• ‘n DAGje mee met (in dutch “join a scientist for a day” see below)(Dec 2007) this resulted in..