Work

Productivity and biomass of Thalassia testudinum as related to water column nutrient availability and epiphyte levels: field observations and experimental studies

Year: 1991

Type: article

Abstract: Thalassia testudinum meadows from 0.5 m and 2.0 m (MLW) depths were studied a t 9 sites in the Florida Keys and western Caribbean.Two meadows, one offshore of a populated island with over 2000 septic tanks, and one offshore of a large bird rookery, were similar in having elevated levels of water column nutrients (DIN and SRP), greater epiphyte levels, low shoot densities, low leaf area indces, and low biomass.Increased blade turnover time was partially responsible for increased epiphyte levels offshore of the populated island, but epiphyte communities developed faster on seagrass blades there than at a paired site offshore of an uninhabited island.Results of aquarium experiments approximated the observed phenomena from the field studies: elevated water column nutrients produced increased epiphyte levels and decreased blade turnover rates.Reduced irradiance moderated the effect of nutrient enrichment on epiphyte levels.Elevated levels of water column nutrients, by stimulating epiphyte growth, reduced rhizome growth rates.This could b e related to the observed lower shoot density of T. testudinum meadows near sources of water column nutrient enrichment.

Source: Marine Ecology Progress Series

DOI: 10.3354/meps075009

Authors: DA Tomasko, BE Lapointe

Institution: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

Language: English

Topic: Marine and coastal plant biology

Subfield: Oceanography

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Science Foundation