Transport and persistence of drifting macroalgae (Rhodophyta) are strongly influenced by flow velocity and substratum complexity in tropical seagrass habitats
2007; Inter-Research; Volume: 343; Linguagem: Inglês
10.3354/meps06893
ISSN1616-1599
Autores Tópico(s)Marine and coastal plant biology
ResumoMEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 343:115-122 (2007) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps06893 Transport and persistence of drifting macroalgae (Rhodophyta) are strongly influenced by flow velocity and substratum complexity in tropical seagrass habitats Patrick D. Biber* Department of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33129, USAPresent address: The University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564, USA *Email: patrick.biber@usm.edu ABSTRACT: Currents induced by tidal circulation and wind in shallow tropical seagrass habitats can influence the distribution of drifting macroalgae. In Florida, drift algae are mostly comprised of 5 to 10 genera of Rhodophyta (red algae), with 1 or 2 dominant species. Drift clump transport was investigated through manipulative experiments. Increasing flow velocities entrained and transported clumps of drift algae; transport speeds were 50 to 67% of flow velocity and did not vary statistically significantly between clump sizes tested. The roughness of the substratum influenced transport speeds, with moderate to dense monospecific turtlegrass Thalassia testudinum reducing the speed of transport compared to bare substratum. Mixed seagrass substrata (T. testudinum and Halodule wrightii) further inhibited transport of drift clumps by more frequent entangling compared to the bare and monospecific substrata. Persistence of drift algae was inversely related to flow conditions, with longer persistence at low flow velocities. KEY WORDS: Rhodophyta · drift algae · seagrass · circulation · landscape · transport Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Biber PD (2007) Transport and persistence of drifting macroalgae (Rhodophyta) are strongly influenced by flow velocity and substratum complexity in tropical seagrass habitats. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 343:115-122. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps06893Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 343. Online publication date: August 07, 2007 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2007 Inter-Research.
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